NCAA Football FanDuel Picks For September 17/18

Jan 9, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of the 2015 College Football Championship logo outside the Hilton Anatole hotel, home to the Ohio State University football team. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Since ESPN has axed their College Football Challenge, I have decided to take my prognosticating to FanDuel. The format is a little different at FanDuel since there is actually a salary cap, but being somewhat confined isn’t always a bad thing. It may make you look at some players that you would otherwise ignore.

More from College Football Odds

If you want to try FanDuel for the first time, click here for a referral bonus!

There are only three games this week between the Thursday and Friday slates in college. That means there will likely be plenty of doubling up in the FanDuel world. To win some cash over the next couple of days, you are going to have to take a pick or two that aren’t widely owned. I will attempt to give you some information to direct you to those.

Here are my college football FanDuel picks for September 10/11:

Next: Who Is The Best QB?

Sep 12, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Mike Bercovici (2) reacts against the Cal Poly Mustangs at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback:

Best Bet:

Mike Bercovici, Arizona State ($9,500): Bercovici is expensive because he is likely worth it against New Mexico. The Lobos do not have a strong defense, or anyone who can rush Bercovici. Or anyone that can cover the receivers for the Sun Devils. Bercovici likely won’t play in the fourth quarter, but I will take three quarters of him over the inconsistency of Golson or the Russian Roulette of Louisville’s quarterbacks.

Honorable Mention:

Deshaun Watson, Clemson ($9,300): Watson is a good quarterback with a not so good matchup. Louisville is very good on the defensive line, but Watson’s ability to extend the play and pick up some rushing yards will result in a good number of points. I just don’t know if I trust him to outscore Bercovici against the pathetic New Mexico unit.

Dark Horse:

Kyle Bolin, Louisville ($5,700): Bolin has outplayed both Reggie Bonnafon and Lamar Jackson. They have each started a game. Is it Bolin’s turn? It could be since it was he who replaced Jackson, not Bonnafon, last Saturday. The Cardinals are going to have to find a way to move the ball against Clemson, and the weakness of a Brent Venables defense is the aggressiveness of the secondary. Bolin is the only one accurate enough to exploit this.

My pick: Bercovici

Next: Who Should You Play At RB?

Nov 15, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Wayne Gallman (9) runs the ball against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Running Back:

Best Bets:

Dalvin Cook, Florida State ($8,900): There is Cook, then there is everyone else. You are taking a big risk by not playing Cook because most FanDuelers will. While he likely won’t run for 266 yards again, there is a great chance that he approaches 200 if the Seminoles are going to run him 30 times again. If Golson continues to be inconsistent in the passing game, they will. Mostly because they can. Boston College will provide more resistance than South Florida, but they likely can’t keep him under 150.

Demario Richard, Arizona State ($7,800): Have I mentioned that the New Mexico defense is bad? They are giving up 305 yards on the ground in their first two games, and they haven’t faced a back as talented as Richard. He should see a nice workload and good production against New Mexico.

Honorable Mention:

Wayne Gallman, Clemson ($6,700): Gallman has emerged from what was supposed to be a committee backfield with 29 carries in two games. He seems to have the larger share of the carries, and could be a bargain against a Louisville defense that is better as pass rushing than stopping the run. He is not an elite option, but he is a great substitute if you would rather spend elsewhere.

Jhurell Pressley, New Mexico ($5,500): The Sun Devils have allowed 462 rushing yards in two games. This bodes well for a New Mexico team that loves to run the ball. The return of Teriyon Gipson tempers his value some, but at $5,500, he will likely be a great bargain. He led all Lobos backs with 11 touches last week. If he gets around that against this defense, double digit points are likely. That is great production for the price.

Dark Horse:

Teriyon Gipson, New Mexico ($5,000): He is a bargain for the same reason Pressley is. Gipson honestly looked better last week against Tulsa, but he is coming back from a partial MCL tear, and likely won’t receive the bulk of the carries. However, there should be plenty to go around against Arizona State so long as the Lobos don’t abandon the run.

My picks: Cook and Gipson

Next: Who Looks Good At Receiver?

Sep 12, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Artavis Scott (3) scores a touchdown while being defended by Appalachian State Mountaineers defensive back Mondo Williams (4) during the second half at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receiver:

Best Bets:

Artavis Scott, Clemson ($6,800): Scott is a playmaker no matter how you look at it. He is Deshaun Watson’s favorite target, and he should see plenty of touches against Louisville in the short game, which he could turn into big gains. With Mike Williams out, expect to see Scott play a larger role in the offense. That looks good for his prospects.

D.J. Foster, Arizona State ($7,600): Foster is one of the more versatile players in the nation. He has 15 carries and 12 catches so far on the season. When the Sun Devils need a play, they look Foster’s way. There should be plenty of real estate for him to explore against New Mexico.

Honorable Mention:

Charone Peake, Clemson ($5,800): Peake is thrust into a starting role opposite Scott with Mike Williams out. Louisville has a solid defense, so there is a little risk involved here, but Peake is a starter in an offense with a good veteran QB for less than $6,000. You can do much worse.

Travis Rudolph, Florida State ($6,700): It’s a little hard to recommend someone of his price on a team that spreads the ball around so much, but if this passing game gets going, Rudolph will be the primary beneficiary. This is a fairly low-risk proposition considering Rudolph’s status as the number one receiver, but he only caught five passes last week with Dalvin Cook running wild. If that happens again, not breaking double digits for his price could hurt your lineup.

Dark Horses:

JaQuay Savage, Louisville ($5,800): Savage was the favorite target of Kyle Bolin when the Louisville offense got it going last week. If Bolin is the starter, Savage becomes a great bargain play. Just make sure to keep an eye on who is under center for the Cardinals. Bobby Petrino has been tight-lipped about it so far, and there is a great chance more than one will play. Therein lies the risk.

Dameon Gamblin, New Mexico ($4,500): Feel like Gamblin? Okay, that was weak, but for those of you that want to take a shot in the dark, here is your man. Gamblin lit up Tulsa for 131 receiving yards, and he has 11 catches for 176 yards and six carries for 53 yards so far this season. He is a poor man’s D.J. Foster. The Lobos are going to find a way to get him the ball.

My picks: Scott, Peake, Savage but there is a caveat here: If Bolin doesn’t start, I’m switching to Gamblin.

Next: Where Can You Find Production At TE?

Sep 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Louisville Cardinals tight end Micky Crum (83) tries to run past Auburn Tigers linebacker Justin Garrett (26) in the second quarter of the 2015 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Tight End:

Best Bet:

Kody Kohl, Arizona State ($2,900): Kohl has found the end zone in each of the first two games, and is proving to be a favorite target of Bercovici in the Red Zone. All tight ends carry some sort of risk, but Kohl has been one of the most consistent so far this year.

Honorable Mention:

Micky Crum, Louisville ($3,500): Yes, “Crum” and “Louisville” just seem to go together. Crum wasn’t supposed to be a big part of the offense, but he racked up 103 receiving yards against Houston which led the team. He is the safe option. No matter who Louisville starts at quarterback, Crum will get his looks.

Dark Horse:

Stanton Seckinger, Clemson ($2,000): Seckinger will be the safety valve for Watson against the pass rushing Louisville front line. He could see some looks with Watson looking to get rid of the ball quickly.

My pick: Kohl, however if I switch to Gamblin, I’m paying for Crum.

Stay tuned for more FanDuel picks for NCAA football, MLB, and our NFL roundtable! And of course, all of the NCAA games picked against the spread!