College Football DFS: Week 3 Saturday Night Slate Picks and Strategy for DraftKings and FanDuel

Putting together a combined DraftKings/FanDuel article for Saturday night will be a multi-pronged effort, since the two sites share only four games. Both sites have outlier games for both sites, and we'll cover them after our initial pass-through.

CFB Week 3 Night Slate Overview for Saturday, September 19

Putting together a combined DraftKings/FanDuel article for Saturday night will be a multi-pronged effort, since the two sites share only four games. Both sites have outlier games, and we'll cover them after our initial pass-through.

CFB Week 3 Night Slate Overview for Saturday, September 19

Also: Virginia (-10.5) @ Virginia Tech O/U: 53.5
 

We'll first hit the shared games, which are: UF/AUB, LSU/MISS, BYU/CSU, MSU/ND

DraftKings-Only Games are: VT/MD, NM/OKLA, TX-SA/TEX

FanDuel-only Games are: WVU/UVA

According to the books, the only blowout game in the combined slate is Michigan State/Notre Dame, so we can expect four quarters of quality football from the other teams involved in the four-game offering. 

Week 3 Saturday Night Weather Report

FLA/AUB: 58 percent chance of rain

MSU/ND: 58 percent chance of rain

BYU/CSU: 61 percent chance of rain

CFB DFS Tools

• DraftKings College Football Optimizer
• FanDuel College Football Optimizer
• Weekly CFB Matchup Info
• CFB Targets
• CFB Stats
• CFB Team Trends
• CFB Advanced Team Stats with Plays per Game, Pass %, Run % and more 

College Football DFS Week 3 Night Picks for Saturday, September 19

Quarterback

Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss (DK $6,900, FD $10,800) vs. LSU

Despite Sam Leavitt being supposedly banged up, he will play. Even so, I would take Chambliss over Leavitt even without the injury news. True, Lane Kiffin knows Chambliss' tendencies and how the team operates, and he'll use that to his advantage, but the Rebels are fully aware of that. They will be aggressive with their pieces on this intriguing chessboard, and Pete Golding will install some plays for Chambliss to keep Kiffin on his heels.

Hauss Hejny, Colorado State (DK $6,700, FD $8,800) vs. BYU

Like most of us, I've relied on video recaps to catch the Rams in action so far, but I've been impressed with what I've seen from Hejny, who threw five touchdowns against Southern Utah last week. Granted, BYU faces an unprecedented defensive challenge, but Jim Mora has installed an offense that can move the ball and score quickly. Despite all of the checks in the plus column, the Rams could be playing from behind, and I believe Hejny's arm will keep them from fading away. I think BYU will win, but not without Hejny posting a big number. I also predict low rostership, as most will flock to CJ Carr or another popular option as an S-FLEX.

Also consider: Aaron Philo, Florida (DK $7,100, FD $9,500) @ Auburn

Running Back

Aneyas Williams, Notre Dame (DK $6,200, FD $8,200) vs. Michigan State

FanDuel is giving us a great deal for Williams, who wasn't needed much against Rice but should roar back to prominence against the Spartans. Williams had huge shoes to fill after the departures of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, but he's looked like the real deal despite a lack of measurable competition.

LJ Martin, BYU (DK $6,500, FD $9,200) @ Colorado State

We can't ignore a stud back like Martin, who should find plenty of openings against the Rams. I think the Rams are better than advertised, but a sizable talent mismatch still exists, especially in the trenches. Few offensive lines rival BYU's group, and they'll give Martin holes to run through for yet another successful season.

Also consider: Dilin Jones, LSU (DK $7,300, DK $8,800) @ Ole Miss

Wide Receiver

Deuce Alexander, Ole Miss (DK $5,800, FD $9,000) vs. LSU

Alexander has already sent some warnings to LSU's secondary leading up to this weekend's game, and they should probably heed them. Alexander is an NFL-ready dynamo who would probably be in the Heisman conversation if he wasn't lined up with a dual-threat guy like Chambliss, who won't give Alexander that kind of volume. Still, Chambliss' arm is very capable, and I'm zeroing in on an Ole Miss stack between Alexander and his quarterback.

Vernell Brown, Florida (DK $6,000, FD $7,700) @ Auburn

I hear a lot of talk about Aaron Philo not being ready for the moment in a rough away game against Auburn, but I think the public is giving Auburn too much credit. Through two games this season, Brown has emerged as one of Philo's favorite targets, and he made the most of his catches with three touchdowns last week. The Gators have yet to be tested seriously, but Brown leads the receiver room in catches, yards and touchdowns through the first two games of the season. Eric Singleton made the trip to Auburn, but his status is unknown.

Kyler Kasper, BYU (DK $4,500, FD $8,200)@ Colorado State

Legend Glasker's (DK $5,000, FD $6,400) immense hype is one reason why I'm pivoting to Kasper, but I am going to go with Legend at FanDuel, where he's a heavy discount over Kasper. I don't think you can go wrong with either receiver, but paying attention to the price differential and acting accordingly is the wisest path.

DraftKings-Only Targets

Virginia Tech @ Maryland

I'm bullish on the Hokies this season, so Ethan Grunkemeyer ($7,300) is someone I'm seriously considering on the DraftKings side. I also like Luke Reynolds ($4,600) and Marcellous Hawkins ($4,900). Maryland would be a contrarian choice for the slate, but taking a receiver like Chris Durr ($5,300) would be the best path with the Terps.

Oklahoma vs. New Mexico

This is little more than a get-right game for the Sooners, so any Oklahoma selection here works on the assumption that you may only see three quarters from them. I think there are better QB options than John Mateer on the slate, and this game may have some contrarian value, but it's a fade for now.

Texas vs. UTSA

This will be an easy out for Texas, so treat guys like Arch Manning ($8,800) and Hollywood Smothers ($8,100) with trepidation because of a reduced snap count. An intriguing option might be to target Texas' backups. Raleek Brown ($5,500) got a healthy dose of touches in the Week 1 blowout against Texas State, but no backup receiver emerged.

FanDuel-Only Targets

Virginia vs. West Virginia

Virginia's defense should win the day here, but West Virginia is never an easy out. I think WVU's Cam Cook ($10,200) might be matchup-proof, but the salary doesn't match the risk. A bargain running back is UVA's Jekail Middlebrook ($6,800). I think other options in this game pale in comparison to what we've already found in the share contests.