Daily Fantasy College Football Week 3: DraftKings Value Guide and Top Sleepers
Week 3 of the college football season is here! This upcoming weekend provides us with plenty of tantalizing and intriguing matchups.
When selecting a potential starting lineup, many things have to be taken into consideration. It isn't simply a case of picking up a player with the biggest name, or an athlete playing for a prominent program.
The act of finding a "bargain" selection is not an exact science by any stretch. However, there are some signs that could signal a find.
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For one, the momentum a team may or may not have could determine how well a player will perform. If a potential selection individually performed well the previous week, it could equate to more production.
The competition (or lack thereof) in which a team plays also helps to determine a selection. Finally, the money total is something to take into consideration.
With that in mind, let's take a look at five potential bargains for this week.
RB Demario Richard vs. New Mexico ($8,800)
Richard may be a bit pricey, but he looks like a slam-dunk bet to put up some major points this weekend against a very bad New Mexico team.
Last week, the ASU RB rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. With a lack of elite receiver options on the roster, it makes sense for Todd Graham's team to focus on running the football.
Richard brings considerable value in this contest due to his success running the football the previous week, and also because of the porous competition ASU is facing this week.
QB Jake Rudock vs. UNLV ($6,300)
Rudock is a sneaky-good play here. Michigan's signal-caller is coming off a game in which he went 18-of-26 for 180 yards. While it wasn't an overly impressive stat line, Rudock was efficient and accurate.
Playing against UNLV at home is a mouth-watering scenario for the Wolverines. UNLV might be one of the worst teams in all of D1 college football. The depth and athleticism for Tony Sanchez's team simply isn't where he would like it to be.
Jim Harbaugh will want to get the passing game humming before conference play begins. I'd expect Rudock to get some opportunities to stretch the field vertically. With the athleticism advantage enjoyed by the Michigan receivers over the UNLV secondary, Rudock could be in for a big game.
QB Jared Goff vs. Texas ($8,700)
Initially pegged as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate, Goff hasn't gotten a ton of publicity through the first two weeks—despite throwing for six touchdowns and 630 yards.
California is attempting to catapult itself into the upper echelon of the Pac-12 North Division. Through Sonny Dykes' career in Berkeley, he's yet to have a marquee win versus a big-name opponent. While this isn't your father's Texas team, it's still Texas. Dykes is a Texas native and will want to win in front of family and friends.
Charlie Strong's team is reeling—especially in the wake of the university firing athletic director Steve Patterson. There isn't a great feeling around the program now, and it could be on the cusp of a tough 2015 season.
Couple that with the fact Texas isn't super-deep in the secondary, and Goff might be in line for a big game statistically.
WR Ryan Switzer vs. Illinois ($4,900)
Switzer is UNC's leading receiver with nine grabs on the season. He's utilized in a myriad ways within Larry Fedora's offense. There's a concerted effort to get Switzer in space—allowing for the slippery receiver to showcase his speed and quickness. This includes—but is not limited to—screens and reverses.
Against Illinois, North Carolina should have a big advantage athletically. Signal-caller Marquise Williams will also look to get back on track with a solid performance at home in Chapel Hill.
Illinois has won its two games in impressive fashion. However, North Carolina represents a big jump up in terms of talent. Playing on the road versus quality competition certainly won't be easy.
When looking at Switzer's price, he appears to be a bargain.
QB Brenden Motley vs. Purdue ($5,300)
Virginia Tech's reserve signal-caller looked very good last week versus Furman.
In his first start as the lead quarterback, Motley went 16-of-24 for 233 yards and two touchdowns. For good measure, he also rushed for 38 yards and a touchdown on only four carries.
Motley's ability to be a dual-threat quarterback holds significant value. Virginia Tech's ground game hasn't utilized one running back extensively thus far in the season. As a result, Motley could see some more opportunities running the football versus a Purdue team that lost to Marshall by 10 points in the opener.
Expect Motley to keep the momentum going with a big effort statistically.
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