DFS College Football 101: Week 12 Friday Picks

DFS College Football 101: Week 12 Friday

Here we go with a pair of Friday night games in Week 12. Similar to yesterday's slate, we have some superstars to consider as the best overall plays of the week, let alone this abbreviated two-game set. I'm looking at you Darrell Henderson and Alexander Mattison! Of course, we'll need to scrounge up enough value plays to make their cumbersome salaries work. Don't worry, I'll get to that in a moment. Meanwhile, here are the odds attached to these Friday matchups:

Boise State (-20) at New Mexico – Total: 62.5

Memphis (-7.5) at SMU – Total: 74

Looking within that, I'll highlight the best fantasy selections on FanDuel & DraftKings while also touching on some situations to monitor for your DFS squads.

QUARTERBACK

Ben Hicks - SMU (FanDuel $8,900 / DraftKings $7,000)

We have several good, but not great quarterbacks to choose from in this slate. Brett Rypien, Ben Hicks and Brady White are all in strong consideration. I'm siding with Hicks, as I believe he'll need to do more while trying to keep his team in the game. Rypien and White could defer to their running game on Friday. On the other hand, Hicks has a pair of talented receivers to help him post a strong fantasy outing; we'll cover those guys in a bit. This is a massive 74 point over/under, and I believe Hicks can find some serious production within that. He has posted 19+ fantasy points in each of his past four games, and I believe that streak will extend on Friday.

Also Consider: As mentioned in the previous write-up, Brett Rypien of Boise State and Brady White of Memphis are the other options to consider. Hicks is easily the cheapest of that trio on DraftKings, but White is actually $500 less on FanDuel. I'll be looking towards him while making multiple tournament lineups over there. This 74 point over/under has enough room for White to put up respectable numbers even with Henderson and company doing their damage on the ground for Memphis.

RUNNING BACK

Alexander Mattison – Boise State (FanDuel $9,700 / DraftKings $8,500)

Alexander Mattison is money in the bank, and that shouldn't change with Boise State stepping in as 20 point road favorites at New Mexico. Mattison was recommended as a top option in this article last Friday, coming through with a beautiful 30-144-2 line for 29.4 fantasy points. He has topped 20 carries in seven straight contests, notching 20 or more fantasy points in four of the past six. The blend of talent, volume, and matchup potential is too good to pass up on Friday.

Darrell Henderson - Memphis (FanDuel $10,500 / DraftKings $9,500)

There is no way Darrell Henderson can keep this pace. That's what the media was saying after the Memphis star running back posted 633 yards and seven scores in his first three games. Yet here we are in mid-November, and Henderson has amassed 763 total yards with nine touchdowns in four of his past five games. Memphis loves to run the football with their stable of backs, and Henderson consistently leads the charge with his exciting blend of power and speed. He should have plenty of room to work against an SMU defense that has allowed 4.6 yards per carry this season, ranking 82nd in that category through all of college football.

Also Consider: As I just mentioned, Memphis loves to run the football. This matchup and game flow should keep that strategy intact. Along with Henderson, there's room for either Patrick Taylor Jr or Tony Pollard to post solid numbers. Taylor has the momentum lately while topping 20+ carries in two of his past three with four scores over that span. He's a nice FLEX play on both sites … Tony Pollard and Braeden West are cheap dart-throws on DraftKings where you are hoping whoever you select finds paydirt … Ke'Mon Freeman is a pivot away from Henderson, Mattison or Pollard to be used as a potential FLEX filler.

WIDE RECEIVER

James Proche – SMU (FanDuel $9,600 / DraftKings $7,500)

As touched on earlier, I believe SMU will take to the air in this matchup. That looks good for target-hog James Proche in a high-scoring draw. I'll be taking him without hesitation on FanDuel, while the DraftKings salary is a bit heavy compared to the other viable receivers. No matter how you slice it, he's the top WR option on this slate while going against a Memphis defense that ranks 78th in opponent passer rating.

Reggie Roberson Jr. – SMU (FanDuel $9,000 / DraftKings $6,200)

Roberson may actually be a better "per dollar" acquisition than his teammate, James Proche. Hauling in five touchdowns over his last four games makes Roberson a confident fantasy commodity while holding a clear connection with QB Ben Hicks. Roberson has been great in one-on-one coverage, as Hicks has confidence letting the West Virginia transfer win those matchups. There should be plenty of targets, receptions, yardage and subsequent fantasy points to come on Friday.

Also Consider: I really like the $5,200 salary for Boise State WR A.J. Richardson on DraftKings. I'll be looking towards him through all formats over there, while the $9,100 cost on FanDuel has me looking elsewhere … Take note that Boise State WR John Hightower is questionable. He missed last game, and Khalil Shakir stepped up with 4-59-1 for 14.4 fantasy points. Shakir would make for an interesting value option if Hightower is out … Delane Hart-Johnson hasn't done much for New Mexico lately, but he's only $3300 on DraftKings while still serving as the top receiving option for his team. He could be heavily involved with the Lobos checking in as 20 point underdogs.