Daily Fantasy College Football Week 5: DraftKings Optimum Lineup, Matchup Advice
Improving on a bankroll will only increase in difficulty for daily fantasy college football owners heading into Week 5.
Most big programs reside in the infancy of conference play now, making the fantasy landscape something akin to a minefield as things can go one way or another in hotly contested contests between familiar opponents.
As owners have learned through four weeks, though, there is plenty of value to be had throughout the weekend's biggest day. Looking at Las Vegas totals, recent performances and more will unearth value plays sure to fit the $50,000 requirement.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Below, let's craft this week's optimal lineup around the meat of Saturday's schedule.
DraftKings Optimum Week 5 Lineup
| QB | Dane Evans (TLSA) | HOU | 29.7 | $7,900 |
| QB | Justin Thomas (GT) | UNC | 17.9 | $7,400 |
| RB | Zack Langer (TLSA) | HOU | 27.8 | $6,100 |
| RB | Curtis Samuel (OSU) | IU | 12.3 | $4,300 |
| WR | Keevan Lucas (TLSA) | HOU | 30.1 | $6,900 |
| WR | Kenny Lawler (CAL) | WSU | 22.5 | $6,300 |
| WR | Mark Andrews (OU) | WV | 16.4 | $3,100 |
| FLEX | KaVontae Turpin TCU) | UT | 8.9 | $3,400 |
| FLEX | Sony Michel (GA) | ALA | 21.8 | $4,400 |
Only Saturday games (12 p.m. ET to 5 p.m. ET) listed.
QBs
Dane Evans ($,7900)
Tulsa quarterback Dane Evans continues to see his price rise, which is what happens when a signal-caller goes to Oklahoma and throws for 427 yards and four scores.
Evans is on fire as one of the nation's premier passers this year and it's showing in fantasy box scores. He's scored 30.16, 22.54 and 36.28 points in three games regardless of competition.
Now Evans sits in a matchup with a whopping over-under of 81.5—and his team is the underdog by a full score, meaning he's going to be throwing plenty. Houston hasn't shown an ability to stop any passers and Evans is on fire, so he's a superb buy at this price.
Justin Thomas ($7,400)
After a three-fumble day as Georgia Tech's leader of the triple-option attack, Justin Thomas' price has dipped by $500.
That makes him the perfect play, of course.
It's hard to imagine Thomas continues to struggle with fumbles. Even though he did last time out, he still posted 19.52 points. He's carried the ball at least 10 times in three of his four games this year and has thrown at least two touchdown passes twice.
Opportunities equal production for a dual-threat quarterback, and Thomas figures to see plenty of opportunities against North Carolina in a contest with an over-under of 62. His ability to get production on the ground or through the air makes him a smooth lineup fit.
RBs
Zack Langer ($6,100)
It's downright impossible to ignore the Tulsa game.
One of the reasons is Golden Hurricane lead back Zack Langer, who also did his best damage of the year against Oklahoma. The season numbers impress, to say the least:
| Florida Atlantic | 24 | 89 | 3.7 | 3 | 31.3 |
| @New Mexico | 33 | 139 | 4.2 | 1 | 22.9 |
| @Oklahoma | 31 | 161 | 5.2 | 1 | 29.1 |
Perhaps more encouraging than anything is the usage rates. It's clear Tulsa will work in Langer no matter the game scenario to keep the offense balanced.
Against a Houston defense that just gave up two rushing scores to Texas State, Langer should have one of his biggest days of the season and easily triple his cost.
Curtis Samuel ($4,300)
While obviously not the top back for Ohio State, Curtis Samuel offers some interesting punt action for owners who want to buy low at running back to spend elsewhere.
Last time out, Samuel took just two carries but turned them into 55 yards and a score. He's also a capable fantasy scorer because of his talent as a pass-catcher—he's caught 13 passes in four games.
Las Vegas has Samuel's Buckeyes as a 21-point favorite over Indiana with an over-under of 67.5. Somebody has to score those points, and Samuel figures to see plenty of action as the Buckeyes grind out the clock in a dominating performance.
WRs
Keevan Lucas ($6,900)
Owners cannot go wrong with a quarterback-wideout stack this weekend, but the Evans-Keevan Lucas option looks like one of the best.
Lucas is Tulsa's No. 1 wideout, albeit out of the slot. He's scored five times this year and recorded 46.4, 18.5 and 25.4 points in three games.
Now Lucas comes out of a bye rested in what looks like the highest scoring game of the week. With fellow receivers Keyarris Garrett and Josh Atkinson emerging in the same span, Houston won't be able to center its whole game plan around stopping Lucas.
This is nothing short of a major win for owners at this price. Last time out, Lucas cost $7,600.
Kenny Lawler ($6,300)
Anyone who catches passes from California's Jared Goff seems like a good start these days.
Kenny Lawler would be the name who tops the list, though. Through just four games, the junior has six touchdowns and three performances of 25.9 points or better.
He figures to make it four over the weekend thanks to an encounter with the leaky Washington State defense. The Golden Bears sit at 19-point favorites with an over-under of 70.5, so it's obvious Lawler is in for a big day at home.
Owners may balk at the idea of Lawler with his team a favorite by such a large margin because the Golden Bears could get an early lead and he could take the rest of the day off, but ponder this: California won in Week 1 against Grambling State, 73-14, and it didn't stop Lawler from hauling in three scores.
Mark Andrews ($3,100)
As far as a second punt play goes, it's hard to dislike Oklahoma tight end Mark Andrews.
He's not only an inspirational story, but he's also emerging as a serious threat in the Sooners offense, which looks better than expected through the air thanks to quarterback Baker Mayfield.
In his last appearance, Andrews scored 23.7 points with three grabs for 87 yards and two scores. Now tied for the team lead in touchdowns, it's clear Andrews will play a role this weekend in what Las Vegas says will be a close encounter with West Virginia with about 60 total points up for grabs.
Flex
KaVontae Turpin ($3,400)
With TCU's Ty Slanina and Emanuel Porter injured, KaVontae Turpin might see more opportunities to produce this weekend.
Turpin has flown under the radar behind bigger names such as Josh Doctson and Kolby Listenbee, but he's tied for second on the team in receiving touchdowns with two on just eight catches in four games.
In other words, Turpin is an explosive threat to score from anywhere on the field. Due to absences of others, he should see a bump in usage against Texas, where the Horned Frogs are favored by 15 points with an over-under of 71.5.
Sony Michel ($4,400)
Believe it or not, Nick Chubb isn't the only Georgia running back worth owning.
Observant owners might know this, but Sony Michel is nothing short of on fire this season, averaging 21.8 fantasy points per game through four contests by way of seven total touchdowns.
While a matchup with Alabama sounds scary, Michel is a game-breaking threat every time he touches the football. Whether it's taking a handoff or lining up in the slot, Michel sees a guaranteed amount of touches each game and makes the most of them.
Favored by two with an over-under of 54.5, look for the Bulldogs to keep Michel involved as they try to grind the clock in the heavyweight SEC showdown.
Pricing information and scoring data obtained from DraftKings.com. Odds via Odds Shark.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
