College Football DFS: Black Friday Main Slate

The day after Thanksgiving is typically a day chock-full of college football action, and this year is no exception.  Both FanDuel and DraftKings are offering full slates, and thankfully for us, they are almost identical. Let's first take a look at how the Sportsbooks are looking at Friday's contests.

Texas (-10) vs. Texas Tech O/U: 63.5

Virginia Tech (-2) @ Virginia O/U: 47.5

Iowa (-5.5) @ Nebraska O/U: 44.5

Boise State (-14) @ Colorado State O/U: 57.5

Memphis (-11.5) vs. Cincinnati O/U: 57.5

Washington (-7.5) vs. Washington State O/U: 63

TCU (-13.5) vs. West Virginia O/U: 43.5

Appalachian State (-12.5) @ Troy O/U: 62.5

UCF (-23) vs. South Florida O/U: 62.5

Missouri (-13) @ Arkansas O/U: 54.5 (FanDuel Only)

At first glance, we can identify optimal production along with a narrow slate right away in two spots, the most prominent being the WAS/WSU matchup. If you play CFB DFS or any weekly format, you're already aware of the firepower available on both teams.  The UT/TTU matchup is also a nice spot to target although the spread is a little wider. I'm prone to fade everything in the VT/UVA game, even though this game will decide who plays Clemson in the ACC Championship, and while you have some decent targets in the IU/NEB game, I'll largely keep off that game as well.

QUARTERBACKS

Anthony Gordon, Washington State (DK $8,700, FD $10,500) @ Washington

It's s tough matchup for Gordon, but how can you fade a guy who threw for a Pac-12 record 606 yards and six touchdowns last week?  You can't call it an aberration either, as he's in the midst of a four-game stretch where he's thrown for 400 yards or more, an insane feat where he's averaged 484 yards per game and scored 16 touchdowns over that span. He's also thrown seven picks in those games, but that's really the only blemish you can find. Gordon completed over 71 percent of passes over the past month - simply incredible stats that you can't overlook.

Sam Ehlinger, Texas (DK $8,200, FD $10,000) vs. Texas Tech

I apologize if I'm throwing out the obvious at quarterback, but Gordon and Ehlinger are head-and-shoulders above the rest of the slate on Friday. You can't be all that confident after the subpar outing he suffered against Baylor last week, but overall Ehlinger has kept the offense humming for the Longhorns. The Red Raiders rank an abysmal 279th in the nation against the pass, so Ehlinger should excel in a much more favorable matchup.

Dillon Gabriel, UCF (DK $7,000), FD $9,200) vs. South Florida

This is likely to be a blowout, but it is an intrastate rivalry game so one can assume that the Knights will keep Gabriel on the field.  The freshman swooped right in and garnered the starting nod from the get-go and he's displayed remarkable poise for a college rookie, with an impressive ratio of 25 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. He can break plays with his feet and has reliable connections with Gabriel Davis (DK $7,100, FD $8,800) and Tre Nixon (DK $6,300, FD $8,000), so he's far and away my best 'not quite budget' play.

Also consider: Jett Duffey, Texas Tech (DK $7,000, FD $9,100)

RUNNING BACKS

Max Borghi, Washington State (DK $7,300, FD $9,400)

I like Borghi instead of Kenny Gainwell this week because Gainwell's usage is taking a bit of a hit with the return of Patrick Taylor Jr., and Borghi really has very little competition for touches. The Huskies allow almost 140 rushing yards per game, which isn't bad, but the Cougars have the ability to keep defenses on their heels when you have such an effective back that can kill you in play-action and frequent check-downs in space.

Darrynton Evans, Appalachian State (DK, $7,200, FD $9,500) @ Troy

The Mountaineers shouldn't go to sleep on Troy, but there's little doubt that Evans will be the main guy on a team that is very committed to the run game. With 16 total touchdowns this season, he's their biggest red-zone threat, and although you won't see him catch many passes out of the backfield, he's freakishly fast when he gets into open space.

George Holani, Boise State (DK $6,100, FD $8,700)

The Broncos are now on their third quarterback so things are a little topsy-turvy in the passing game, but Holani has remained rock-solid. The freshman compiled a career-best 178 yards and two touchdowns against a fair Utah State team, and with the Rams at 228th in the nation against the run, he should have no problem against an easy opponent.

Otis Anderson, UCF (DK $5,600, FD $8,200) vs. South Florida

If you believe in the blowout theory in this game, then it stands to reason that Anderson will be employed early and often by the Knights, although you could also make a case for one of their backups.  I'm particularly interested in Bentavious Thompson (DK $5000, FD $6,600) because he's been the hot hand and has seen more touches than the rest of the RB corps. Both guys are attractively priced, although I think Anderson is a little too high on FanDuel.

Also consider:  Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas (FD $8,300) vs Missouri

WIDE RECEIVERS

Brandon Arconado, Washington State (DK $7,400, FD $8,700) at Washington

I think you could also be just fine with Easop Winston Jr. here, I'm sticking with Arconado as the better target.  In watching the team, it just seems like Arconado gets open more often, espeically recently. Their targets are similar enough, with Arconado getting 88 targets versus Winston's 98, but in the past few weeks, it's been Arconado who's gotten more looks in the end zone.

Warren Jackson, Colorado State (DK $7,500, FD $9,200) vs. Boise State

If you have any Mountain West biases, you've been cheating yourself out of some excellent targets, and Jackson is one of the best deals you'll find in the conference. QB Patrick O'Brien is a lot better than he looks on paper, and the's got the mojo going with Jackson this season. He only has 68 receptions for the season but he averages 15 yards per catch, so he does a lot with less.

R.J. Turner, Texas Tech (DK $5,000, FD $7,500) @ Texas

If you just look at Turner's last two weeks he'd be a no-brainer pick in every lineup, with 10 receptions for 257 yards and two touchdowns over that span. Texas has shown zero ability in containing anyone's passing attack this season and despite the pedigree, the Longhorns might be one of the weakest secondaries Turner will face.  If TCU ends up playing from behind, Turner could pop once again.

Antonio Gibson, Memphis (DK $5,100, FD $7,900) vs. Cincinnati

I like Gibson for a few reasons, but the best thing about the senior wideout is his quickness.  He's so elusive, they try to give him a jet sweep or a bubble screen in almost every game to get him out in space. He broke the school record for all-purpose yards against SMU earlier this season, and despite some bad outings this season, he has tremendous upside.