Early college football DFS picks September 19: Texas shootout

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STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 16: Quarterback Spencer Sanders #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys picks up 14-yards against the Kansas Jayhawks on a four play touchdown series in the first quarter on November 16, 2019 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 31-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

College football DFS quarterback picks September 19:

Top Tier:

Trevor Lawrence is going to be the model of efficiency again, but I doubt he plays after halftime this week. It’s one thing to bring him out for a bit against Wake in which Clemson was still comfortably ahead but not blowing them off the pitch. It’s another thing to bring Lawrence back out there up 56-0 at the half on the Citadel. I’d rather punt and use Taisun Phommachanh.

Considering Sam Howell and Ian Book weren’t sharp in the openers, I’m leaning towards Charlie Brewer against the porous Houston defense. Desmond Ridder is a nice option, but how long will Austin Peay hang around? Brewer looks like the safest of the top options.

Spencer Sanders has so many weapons around him that you can’t just ignore him. There is a clear divide in the Big 12 this year between good and bad teams. We’ll find out that the Cowboys are decisively on the side of good after this one.

Middle Tier:

Seeing what the Georgia Tech defense did to Florida State last week, I’m not all that high on Dillon Gabriel. He’s fine, but there are much better options with easier paths below him.

Zac Thomas was efficient but little else against Charlotte. For the price, I’d rather use Clemson transfer Chase Brice against Boston College. He held his own against a good Notre Dame defense until the fourth quarter. Brice is a great play in this price range.

To say that Levi Lewis wasn’t much of a factor in the upset over Iowa State is a bit off-putting. He was efficient and didn’t make mistakes. I think the Cajuns will lean heavily on the run again here, but Lewis is way too cheap in this matchup.

Bargain Shoppers:

Even if Grant Wells throws for half the yards and half the touchdowns of his week 1 shredding of Eastern Kentucky, he’ll still pay off his price tag.

Keon Howard looks like a strong play against Navy. That said Navy isn’t going to come out soft like they did in the opener. Jeff Sims is cheaper and a much better option if you’re fine using a QB against a tough defense.

How good is Oklahoma State’s defense? Probably not good enough for the opposing starting QB to be cheaper than most running backs. Just saying….