This article is part of our DraftKings College Football series.
QUARTERBACK
Jake Rudock, Michigan (at Indiana) - $6,300
In holding Iowa's C.J. Beathard to 233 yards, the Hoosiers pass defense improved to the second worst in the land, allowing 330.0 yards per game. Rudock, meanwhile, is coming off of his first 300-yard game of the season against Rutgers. His price certainly appears inflated given that showing and this week's opponent, as Rudock has averaged only 10.39 points in the four weeks prior to Week 10, but if you're looking for a matchup to exploit rather than a cheap top talent, Rudock is your guy.
Nate Peterman, Pittsburgh (at Duke) - $5,100
Only South Carolina's Perry Orth ($5,000) checks in at a cheaper cost among clear cut starting quarterbacks, and Peterman's matchup is much better. He's averaged a serviceable 17.01 points over his last four games and faces a Blue Devils defense that has been burned over the top for nine touchdowns in their last three games.
Others to consider: Jake Browning, Washington (at Arizona State) - $5,900; Brad Kaaya, Miami (at North Carolina) - $6,200; Joe Hubener, Kansas State (at Texas Tech) - $6,500
RUNNING BACK
Jovon Robinson, Auburn (vs. Georgia) - $4,700
Picking a potential committee back against Georgia burned me last week (Kentucky's Mikel Horton) but Robinson looks like he's finally making good on his preseason promise. He's carried 45 times for 250 yards in the team's last two games while Peyton Barber ($6,000) has gone for 58 yards on 21 carries. With uncertainty and minimal production coming from the Tigers' quarterback(s), there seemingly is enough work to go around for both backs, with Robinson representing the hotter, cheaper, and higher ceiling play.
Josh Adams, Notre Dame (vs. Wake Forest) - $5,900
If and/or when C.J. Prosise is ruled out of the game due to a concussion, Adams becomes the next man up. Adams ran for 147 yards on 20 carries while catching a touchdown pass against Pittsburgh next week, and likely will be a very popular plug and play. Excluding their last outing, Wake Forest had allowed 196 yards or more in three straight contests and aren't likely to offer much defensive resistance to the Irish.
Josh Ferguson, Illinois (vs. Ohio State) - $4,600
The matchup is less than ideal for Ferguson, but the price hasn't fully corrected itself following Ferguson's return to action from a shoulder injury. Prior to the injury, Ferguson was a $6,000 player and he had 133 yards rushing and 41 yards receiving in his first game back last Saturday against Purdue. Ohio State's defense has not allowed a rushing touchdown in three weeks, but did allow 69 yards or more in four straight games before meeting Rutgers and Minnesota recently, so maybe Ferguson finds a crease.
Joseph Yearby, Miami (at North Carolina) - $5,800
Yearby has not been good in ACC play, averaging only 3.47 yards per carry after posting 7.31 yards per carry against non-conference opponents. But he's had at least 15 carries in all but one league game, and has an inviting matchup this weekend. UNC's rush defense was just gashed by Duke for 327 yards in a game the Tar Heels won by 35, a deficit most teams would pass profusely against. Six of UNC's nine opponents have rushed for more than 200 yards on them, and I like Yearby's recent slump to keep him off the majority of rosters this week.
Others to consider: Jela Duncan, Duke (vs. Pittsburgh) - $3,600; Shaun Nixon, TCU (vs. Kansas) - $4,500; Myles Gaskin, Washington (at Arizona State) - $5,500
WIDE RECEIVER
Macgarrett Kings Jr., Michigan State (vs. Maryland) - $3,900
Kings has been very consistent over the last four games, catching at least three passes for at least 57 yards while scoring four times while providing owners at least 13.9 points. Vegas has the Spartans at over/under 36 in the contest, seemingly making Kings a safe, affordable option to round out a roster.
KaVontae Turpin ($5,000), Kolby Listenbee ($5,800), TCU (vs. Kansas)
Not including one, or both, of the Horned Frogs likely top-two receivers seems irresponsible, assuming Josh Doctson does not play. It's a game where Doctson isn't needed to win, and a game where TCU can name their score. It's also one where they'll likely take out their frustrations following last week's loss. I prefer Turpin slightly given that he has seven catches in each of the last two games while mixing in four rushing attempts, and the lower pricetag.
Joshua Perkins, Washington (at Arizona State) - $3,500
Perkins is the Huskies leading receiver (as a tight end), but has only 375 yards. With that in mind, he's been relatively consistent, topping 50 yards in five of his eight outings. The appeal here is the opponent, however, as the Sun Devils rank 116th in the nation against the pass and have allowed all of their Pac-12 opponents to throw for at least 280 yards. They've allowed four our more touchdown passes in three contests and quarterback Jake Browning ($5,900) has proven capable of exploiting bad defenses, throwing for four touchdowns against a 114th ranked Arizona Wildcat defense two weeks ago.
Others to consider: Stacey Coley, Miami (at North Carolina) - $4,900; Ryan Switzer, North Carolina (vs. Miami) - $4,800; Travis Rudolph, Florida State (vs. North Carolina State) - $4,500;
MY PICKS THIS WEEK
QB - J.T. Barrett, Ohio State (at Illinois) - $8,600
QB - Nate Peterman, Pittsburgh (at Duke) - $5,100
RB - Wayne Gallman, Clemson (at Syracuse) - $6,500
RB - Joseph Yearby, Miami (at North Carolina) - $5,800
WR - Macgarrett Kings Jr., Michigan State (vs. Maryland) - $3,900
WR - KaVontae Turpin, TCU (vs. Kansas) - $5,000
WR - Travis Rudolph, Florida State (vs. North Carolina State) - $4,500
FLEX - Josh Adams, Notre Dame (vs. Wake Forest) - $5,900
FLEX - Jovon Robinson, Auburn (vs. Georgia) - $4,700
My last minute change had me subbing out a Washington stack of Jake Browning and Joshua Perkins, and I had enough money to have Huskies WR Jaydon Mickens instead of the tight end Perkins. But the ACC homer in me felt better about Peterman and Rudolph.
Running back was the true wild card for me, as I felt very strongly about a host of options in the $5,500-$6,500 range. I really wish I could fit Kelvin Taylor or DeAndre Washington into my budget but still feel the four rushers I have can give me 100 points. This lineup was a struggle to create due to a lack of obvious value at quarterback and the plethora of options at running back. I always say this is subject to change, and this week could be a time where all nine players are punted before Saturday, especially if injuries suddenly heel. Through 10 weeks, the value picks here have been sound but my allocation of top funds has not been successful. Save for Barrett, it's an average lineup that I'm hoping can exceed projections.
