College Football DFS: Night Slate Week 16

While FanDuel is moving forward with only three games, DraftKings has added the ASU/ORST matchup, which we will cover separately from the core contests.

SLATE OVERVIEW

Stanford @ UCLA (-7) O/U: 59

Alabama @ Florida (+17) O/U: 74

Tulsa @ Cincinnati (-14) O/U: 45

Arizona State @ Oregon State (+7) O/U: 54 (DK ONLY)

The 74 game total for Alabama-Florida is the highest game total we've seen all season. All eyes will be on this one, and both teams will likely play their starters for all four quarters. The contrarian approach for this slim slate is to steer clear of the Bama/UF game when you can, but it will undoubtedly prove difficult.  The game features three Heisman contenders and the best tight end in the country, and even the most unique of lineups deserve a core with one or more of these playmakers. The Tulsa/Cincy game has an anemic total that I'm not too crazy about, but I am a fan of some of the offerings for UCLA, although the Bruins might end up being very popular as well.

WEATHER

When rain/sleet/snow is in the forecast, players should downgrade passing offenses slightly and give an uptick to rushing offenses.  For sports bettors, favoring the Under is also often a wise play.

Arizona State @ Oregon State - 87% chance of rain, 53 degrees

Tulsa @ Cincinnati -19% chance of rain/sleet, 39 degtees

INJURIES

Jermar Jefferson, Oregon State (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE

There's no immediate word about the Beavers'running back, but he's due for a lot of volume if he suits up.  If he doesn't take the field, you can siphon some value from B.J. Baylor ($3,800).

T.K. Wilkerson, Tulsa (undisclosed) - OUT

Right now, the running back isn't on the depth chart.  If this designation holds, Corey Taylor (DK $4,400, FD $6,600) is the most likely pivot as Deneric Prince (undisclosed) appears to be banged up as well.

STANFORD WIDEOUTS - OUT

Both Connor Wedington and Michael Wilson are done for the season, so look to Simi Fehoko (DK $5,500, FD $7,000) and Brycen Tremayne (DK $3,500, FD $6,00) for some sneaky money-saving value in a WR or FLEX spot.

QUARTERBACK

Mac Jones, Alabama (DK $8700, FD $10,000) @ Florida

As previously stated, this game will be challenging to avoid, and that's especially true at the quarterback position.  Rather than waste space below, I'll go right on ahead and give you DeVonta Smith (DK $9,200, FD $11,000), and you now have the chalkiest stack you can find on this slate.  I'd go unique and not load this production universally, but it's a pretty reasonable lock if you're taking a cash game approach or fielding only a couple of lineups.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA (DK $8,600, FD $11,500) vs. Stanford

The Bruins lost the battle of Los Angeles last week, but you can't blame DTR.  He played inspired ball and put it in the breadbasket for multiple receivers - and they registered a lot of dropped balls. Still, the team's offensive potential was on full display, and behind DTR's arm and scrambling ability, they can rack up points quickly.  I'm usually an advocate of placing a QB in my S-FLEX, and I'll try to make room for DTR there. That will be harder to do on FanDuel, where his price is a little excessive.

Kyle Trask, Florida (DK $8,000, FD $10,500) vs. Alabama

Most bulk-entry folks will mix and match Jones and Trask, and despite the embarrassing loss to LSU, you can't fault Trask's numbers.  He threw for 474 yards in what many people would consider his 'worst game,' and that's only because he threw two picks and started slow. His stacks aren't as strong as Jones, but his numbers are prolific and worthy of Heisman consideration.

RUNNING BACK

Najee Harris, Alabama (DK $8,500, FD $11,200) @ Florida

Like I said - hard to avoid this game.  Harris is weekly chalk because his competition in the backfield is comparatively soft, and he's just going to get too many snaps, especially in a game like this one. He'll fade some on a blowout, but he's yet to see fewer than 11 carries in a game and often exceeds that by a significant amount. He's also apt enough out of the backfield and can rack up some receiving yards.

Gerrid Doaks, Cincinnati (DK $6,100, FD $8,200) vs. Tulsa

The Bearcats have coasted through their soft schedule, and the AAC Championship game might be their toughest test overall.  I still like Doaks here against a Tulsa defense that's struggled against opposing running backs. Tulsa is even weaker against the pass, but the weather could play a part in suppressing that dimension of the offense. Cincy has a reputation for wearing down defenses with their running game, and tonight should be no exception.

Brittain Brown, UCLA (DK $5,200, FD $6,900) vs, Stanford

Although Demetric Felton eventually woke up against USC, it looked like Brown had the most success against the Trojans. A vote for Brown is effectively a fade for Felton, but you have to take some contrarian paths to afford two elite quarterbacks, which should be your aim on this slate. Brown has been more effective in lopsided games, and this contest could certainly go in that direction.

WIDE RECEIVER

We've already mentioned Smith, and we definitely should give the nod to Kyle Pitts (DK $7,600, FD $8,500) as well, but he still has an injury designation. If you have Trask in your lineup, wait and see about Pitt's status.  He's an excellent pairing with Trask if he plays.

We've also discussed Fehoko, so don't forget about this injury opportunity in your builds.

Kyle Philips, UCLA (DK $5,300, FD $6,500) vs. Stanford

Philips is in the midst of a scoring drought, but he's due to find the end zone at some point. I wouldn't count out TE Greg Dulcich (DK $5,200, FD $7,700) either, although his price on DraftKings is a bit more reasonable.  DTR spreads his passes out, so it's hard to settle on one target. Either of these guys is worth a dart throw.

Trevon Grimes, Florida (DK $4,800, FD $6,700) vs. Alabama

Let's go for value with the Gators, who have more prominent names like Pitts and Kadarius Toney catching passes.  I have no issue with Toney, but Grimes will be less popular and has a nose for the end zone. He grabbed two TD passes against Tennessee and caught four balls for 98 yards against LSU, so his metrics are trending up.

Also consider: John Metchie, Alabama (DK $5,000, FD $7,100) @ Florida

Arizona State @ Oregon State (DRAFTKINGS ONLY)

This game presents a great contrarian opportunity for your DraftKings builds. Jayden Daniels ($7,800) is excellent as a second quarterback, and Frank Darby ($5,100) is a great pairing for a stack with the Sun Devils. I also like ASU's top running back Rachaad White ($6,500). Oregon State has some question marks, but you could go very contrarian with Chance Nolan ($6,200) in the S-FLEX, and that would open you up to a stack with newcomer Tre'Shaun Harrison ($3,800). The former Florida State wideout had a great debut with 81 receiving yards against Stanford.