Early College football DFS picks October 24: Get a Hooker

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Oct 3, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Khalil Herbert (21) carries the football against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Virginia Tech Hokies won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /

College football DFS running back picks October 24:

Top Tier:

The Tennessee defense has been good enough to give me pause about using Najee Harris. It’s all based on price. Breece Hall and Khalil Herbert both have better matchups and both are at least $700 cheaper. Herbert is another one of my favorite plays, but Harris is probably still the guy you want in cash games.

Travis Etienne is $1,500 cheaper than Harris. I’m still not playing him. Here’s why. Clemson beat Georgia Tech by 66 points last week. Etienne only had 73 total yards, a touchdown, and a fumble. That’s not getting it done at his price. There’s a good chance that Clemson is one their way to another 50 point win. I’ll let someone else play roulette with Etienne.

Javonte Williams seems to be the go-to back for the Tarheels now. He’s getting more volume everywhere on the field right now, but Carter at just $5,900 is still underpriced. Carolina isn’t phasing him out. I see Williams as a strong play and Carter as a massive leverage play at his price.

Middle Tier:

The only reason that Iowa State’s run defense looks respectable is that Oklahoma can’t run the ball and Texas Tech doesn’t run much. Louisiana and TCU both had solid success on the ground and no one on those teams can hold a candle to Chuba Hubbard. I think Hubbard goes off here and his price is lower than it’s been since his freshman season.

The Kansas defense is better at forcing the big turnover than actually stopping anything. Deuce Vaughn in a nice play, but he wasn’t targeted nearly as much by Will Howard as he was by Thompson. I think I’d rather play Howard and hope Kansas State throws to win.

The Arkansas defense was really tough on Ole Miss and Jerrion Ealy still hit triple digits. He’s too cheap against an Auburn defense that has been burned lately. There’s a lot of potential here. On the other side, Tank Bigsby could be in for the best game of his young career. Ole Miss was gouged by Harris two weeks ago.

I like the big play ability of Trestan Ebner, especially for this price. The bad part is that Ebner isn’t guaranteed the touches that Carter and Ingram are in this tier. In fact, we could see Chris Rodriguez and Asim Rose both be better plays against a questionable Missouri defense.

Bargain Shoppers:

Ricky Person saw more carries than Zonovan Knight for the third straight game last week and was more active in the passing game. Knight is going to vulture some touchdowns, but Person is a cheap back against a run defense that isn’t as good as they seem. Florida State gashed them last week. Person is a sneaky pick here.

Velton Gardner finds himself as a starter and costs just $4,400. Kansas State’s pass defense is better than their run D. If Kansas can keep this within shouting distance, Gardner could be in for a monster game for the price. Of course, if Kansas gets blown out, he wont be much of a factor. That said, I don’t think Kansas State is capable of blowing anyone out.

Austin Stogner is still listed as a running back and is still Oklahoma’s starting tight end. He has at least five receptions and over 50 yards in three straight games. I’ll take that for a punt!