Daily Fantasy College Football Week 5: DraftKings Value Guide and Top Sleepers
Week 5 of the college football season offers up some potentially great games—especially in the way of offense.
When undertaking the lineup selection process, one has to take the opponent into account. Does that team have a good passing defense? Rushing defense? Is it on a losing streak? Has something happened to the squad that could act as a deflating force? Statistical analysis should go a long way into determining any choice.
Secondly, is the money total worth the potential award? One has to fill out a lineup as economically as possible. While an elite (and expensive) player will likely get you a good chunk of points (such as Leonard Fournette), it doesn't mean the selection is the prudent thing to do. There has to be balance when filling out your lineup/roster. Unearthing little-used gems at a low price is one of the most fun aspects of fantasy football.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Listed below are five players with the potential to impact your prospective lineup considerably. Each could be in line for a big performance—and come at a bargain price-wise.
QB Drew Lock vs. South Carolina ($4,300)
This contest will mark Lock's first start on the college level. While this fact could cause some concern, Lock's small sample size in 2015 has been impressive.
He has a higher completion percentage and quarterback rating when compared to suspended first-string signal-caller Maty Mauk. According to David Morrison of the Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri has passed 73 percent of the time when Lock has been in the game.
While this can't be quantified by any statistic, Lock has a stronger arm than Mauk—and can make throws to all portions of the field. Mauk's running ability took away potential plays for his receivers. While Lock isn't immobile, he likely won't be running any zone-read looks versus South Carolina. Those plays instead will be conventional handoffs to running backs—or throws downfield.
For Lock's price, he could be a big bargain in this game. It also helps him that the game is being played at home.
QB Sam B. Richardson vs. Kansas ($6,900)
Kansas ranks No. 120 nationally in total defense. The Jayhawks are 0-3 and have been outscored 119-75 on the year. Kansas is one of the worst teams in the country hailing from a Power Five conference.
Richardson has had a very solid start to the 2015 campaign for the Cyclones. The senior signal-caller is completing passes at a 61.3 percent clip and has five touchdowns to only one interception.
Kansas is at a disadvantage from a depth and athleticism standpoint in this contest. It also doesn't help that the game is in Ames. As a result, Richardson should carve up the KU defense with a big day. Look for receiver Allen Lazard to also have a productive statistical output.
RB Wendell Smallwood vs. Oklahoma ($4,900)
Smallwood has taken the mantle as the top rushing option for the Mountaineers in 2015.
Last week versus Maryland, the Delaware native ripped off 147 yards on 22 carries. It was his largest involvement of the season from a carries standpoint, and he looked absolutely electric.
This week, West Virginia faces off against an Oklahoma squad allowing 147.7 rushing yards a contest. The Mountaineers' tempo on offense could pose some problems for the Sooners. There's a real chance Smallwood builds upon the momentum from last week and has another productive outing. He's an absolute steal for only $4,900.
WR Jay Lee vs. Texas Tech ($5,500)
Baylor's dynamic receiver figures to have a big game in this tasty matchup versus Texas Tech. The Red Raiders have trouble stopping the pass—as evidenced by their ranking of No. 115 nationally in the category.
While Corey Coleman is Baylor's top target, Lee is second on the team in catches (14) and receiving yards (255). He also has four touchdowns on the year and has accrued a 18.2 yards-per-catch average.
Both teams will put up a ton of points in the contest. In fact, it wouldn't be shocking to see each score at least 40 points. There will be plenty of opportunities for Baylor in the passing game. Lee will likely be the beneficiary of some of those.
RB Elijah Hood vs. Georgia Tech ($5,300)
North Carolina's running back is having a sneaky-good year—and a better campaign than the statistics do show.
Against major competition (Illinois, South Carolina) Hood is averaging 133.5 yards per game on the ground. Versus lowly North Carolina A&T and Delaware, Hood chocked up an average of 58.5 yards. This is misleading, because UNC won those two games by considerable margins. Hood was taken out once the respective contests were firmly in hand.
Georgia Tech is an example of major competition and is average against the run, allowing 154.3 yards a game on the ground. The game between the two should be relatively close, and that would theoretically signal Hood getting a good amount of touches.
At $5,300, he seems like a good bet to play this weekend.
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.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
