It's that time of year again! While the arrival of the pumpkin spice latte always seems premature, college football is the true sign that fall is on the horizon. I'm excited to return as your trusty DFS guide on Saturday nights this season, but we will kick off the action with a Week 0 FanDuel main slate.
FanDuel CFB Week 0 Main Slate Overview
Our betting information informs us that the SHU/WKU matchup will possess the highest scoring production on the slate, with the other three games falling well behind. The spread is wide, and FanDuel's PPR rules favor both offenses as both rely heavily on a potent passing attack. I predict that a QB/WR Hilltopper stack will be quite popular.
Although the numbers don't quite tell this story, I also believe that Kansas' offense could be a +EV spot to target against Fresno State. It's now or never for Jalon Daniels to realize his full potential and make Kansas relevant in the Big 12. He avoided injury and stayed on the field for a full season in 2024, and while his results fell short of expectations, I predict he'll turn the corner.
Stanford will face Hawaii's aerial assault on the road, and while I see some potential action available for the Rainbows, the Cardinal's offense behind Ben Gulbranson isn't as thrilling. One feather in Stanford's cap is a Hawaii defense that historically underperforms across the board, so it's a spot I'm willing to explore.
Finally, the ISU/KSU game is the Week 0 headliner. We'll probably see high usage from the two veteran quarterbacks, and my current take is that contrarian selections at the QB and S-FLEX positions will put us ahead of the field, thus fading the most notable passers.
FanDuel College Football DFS Picks for Week 0
Quarterback
I'm going against the sharps this week and leaving Hawaii's QB on the shelf. It doesn't take a mastermind to realize Micah Alejado's ($8,800) value along with his impressive stable of wideouts, and I wouldn't fault anyone for using them. I will pepper in one of Alejado's targets, but I'm taking other routes at quarterback.
Maverick McIvor, 
Western Kentucky ($10,000) vs. Sam Houston State
I expected McIvor's salary to be higher, but he slots in behind Avery Johnson and Rocco Becht, the headliner QBs I mentioned earlier. It's important to note that we're leaning on history when targeting the Hilltoppers. In 2021, they made a big move by bringing Bailey Zappe and his OC from Houston Baptist, and they pulled a similar feat for the 2024 season. McIvor and OC Sam Bowie join the Hilltoppers from Abilene Christian, where they ran the kind of high-powered passing offense that Western Kentucky is known for. Granted, the duo is an untested commodity at this level, so targeting this offense is not without risk. Thanks to a slightly lower salary point, McIVor will likely be very popular. But can we go lower?
Ben Gulbranson, 
Stanford ($7,500) @ Hawaii
Andrew Luck now runs the show in Stanford, and the newly minted GM made his first move by firing Troy Taylor and installing Frank Reich as an 'interim' coach. Luck intends to use his former Colts coach as a reset button for the coaching staff, which will likely only last one year. It's safe to say that Luck had a word or two about acquiring Gulbranson from Oregon State. I predict Stanford will lean on the run game (more on that later), but they'll utilize Gulbranson's feet in goal-line situations. I'm less confident in Gulbranson's arm, but Hawaii surrenders almost 300 yards per game to opposing passers, and Stanford may adjust their game plan to exploit that advantage.
Also consider: Jalon Daniels, 
Kansas ($11,200) vs. Fresno State
Running Back
Dylan Edwards, 
Kansas State ($9,400) vs. Iowa State
DJ Giddens is now backing up Jonathan Taylor, but his early exit for the NFL allowed Edwards to show his stuff in the 2024 Rate Bowl. In a 44-41 thriller, Edwards scored three touchdowns and rushed for 186 yards, averaging 10.9 yards per carry. The Cyclones are one of the better run defenses on this slate, but Edwards looks like the real deal. He also has a solid offensive line that helped power up Giddens' numbers last season, and although Avery Johnson is an adept game manager, this is a team that leans heavily on the run.
Daniel Hishaw, Kansas ($8,700) vs. Fresno State
Western Kentucky's run game may be a timeshare to begin the season, so it's best to keep ringing the bellcow backs. Hishaw has reportedly dropped some weight in the offseason and appears ready to handle the top suits after backing up Devin Neal. Hishaw made the most of his opportunities when called upon, and we should see a significant uptick in almost every statistical category. Fresno State's run defense will have a difficult time trying to contain him.
Micah Ford, Stanford ($6,200) @ Hawaii
Although this might be an unnecessary budget dip, I'm going to follow through with my confidence in Stanford's run game, corresponding with my complete lack of trust in Hawaii's front seven. I don't see any reason to adjust expectations for Hawaii's 2024 defensive unit. While they are bringing back veterans with increased familiarity in DC Dennis Thurman's defensive scheme, the front line remains suspect. Ford is atop the depth chart as the first RB up, and I expect the sophomore to hang onto the role. Save a great game against Clemson, Ford didn't perform well last season, but if you're spending up at QB, he's a decent way to keep your roster under the salary cap.
Wide Receiver
Western Kentucky wideouts vs. Sam Houston State
We'll begin with the Hilltoppers, who are expected to throw the ball early and often. K.D. Hutchinson ($6,900) is my favorite pass-catcher of the bunch, but FCS transfer Matthew Henry ($8,000) should also have an impact. He joins the team after recording 1,179 receiving yards and five touchdowns at Western Carolina last season.
Hawaii wideouts vs. Stanford
You'd be a fool to rule out Pofele Ashlock ($8,200) or Nick Cenacle ($7,800), but I want to buy into an interesting wrinkle. Jackson Harris ($4,900) is a STANFORD transfer, and although the Cardinal are under new management, he'll bring a revenge element and knowledge of the defense to the table. Although he's lower on the depth chart, I'm willing to take a flier on him.
Also consider: Emmanuel Henderson, Kansas ($5,700) vs. Fresno State
