College football DFS picks December 18: We go to Jaret

AMHERST, NY - OCTOBER 26: Buffalo Bulls Running Back Jaret Patterson (26) runs with the ball during the first half of the game between the Central Michigan Chippewas and the Buffalo Bulls on October 26, 2019, at UB Stadium in Amherst, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Dec 6, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans running back Vavae Malepeai (29) warms up before the game on United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

College football DFS running back picks December 18:

Top Tier:

Jaret Patterson. Play him. I don’t care if he’s 90% owned. No one else is going to make up for his production. The Bulls and Patterson got a huge break with Ball State pulling the upset last weekend.

There has been no reason given for Spencer Brown’s absence last week, but if it was COVID related, it’s likely he wont be available this week either. Even if he is, this is a tough matchup.

Middle Tier:

Kevin Marks may be the second highest scoring back on this slate. Even in the game where Patterson went over 400 yards and scored eight rushing touchdowns, Marks had 21.7 DraftKings points. He is better than most other starters on this slate.

USC is allowing yards on the ground, but not a lot of touchdowns. I still like Travis Dye here. Part of it is because he’s decently priced. Part of it is because CJ Verdell has been ineffective most of the season.

Brenden Knox has another tough road in front of him, so I’m leaning towards Vavae Malepeai. Malepeai was the lead back for USC last week and averaged nearly six yards per carry. He’ll never get a massive workload, but Malepeai can do a lot of damage in 15-18 touches.

Bargain Shoppers:

I don’t think you want to mess with the run games of either Nebraska or Rutgers in our extra game. Nebraska’s run defense is usually the strength of their team, unless your team is Illinois. Dedrick Mills, the Georgia Tech transfer, is a decent option against Rutgers, but again, their run defenses is one of the better parts of their team.

The volume on Tye Evans makes him look like a good pick, but that Buffalo run defense is tough. They’re going to force the Cardinals to throw and we really don’t know what Evans brings out of the backfield to the receiving corps. If you think it stays close, Evans is a steal. If not, he could torpedo your lineup.