Daily Fantasy College Football Week 7: DraftKings Optimum Lineup, Matchup Guide
Can you believe we're about halfway through the 2015 college football season?!
At this point in the season, favorable matchups appear more transparent when compared to the early portion of the year. A body of work for any athlete has been built, and one has a good idea as to the prospects of the players' teams.
Week 7's optimum lineup will feature players performing well of late. In addition, some feature due to the lesser competition their team is playing against.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
As is the case with DraftKings, players are allowed two quarterbacks, two running backs, three receivers and two flex players. All nine players must equal no more than $50,000.
Optimum Lineup for Week 7
QB: Jake Browning (Washington, $5,300); Lamar Jackson (Louisville, $5,800)
RB: Elijah Hood (North Carolina, $5,400); Algernon Brown (BYU, $6,500)
WR: Thomas Duarte (UCLA, $4,800); Christian Kirk (Texas A&M, $5,900); Shay Fields (Colorado, $4,400)
FLEX: Jaylen Walton (Ole Miss, $4,500); Christian McCaffrey (Stanford, $7,400)
Budget: $50,000
Used: $50,000
QB Analysis
Coming off of a big win over USC in Los Angeles, freshman signal-caller Jake Browning looks to take down the rival Oregon Ducks.
Mark Helfrich's team is immensely struggling right now, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Oregon ranks No. 112 nationally in total defense. With the Ducks unable to stop virtually anyone, Browning could have his best passing game to date. With this game being played in Seattle (and with both teams heading in opposite directions), the Huskies should be able to put up some points.
Jackson's Louisville team is playing an undefeated Florida State team on the road. Jackson has rushed for over 100 yards in three of his five games this year. Last week, he accrued 121 yards in a win over North Carolina State.
As is the case with any good dual-threat quarterback, Jackson can also deliver the ball down the field. He could continue with big numbers, both passing and running the football. For his money total, he could be a steal.
RB Analysis
UNC tailback Elijah Hood has five touchdowns in his last four games and faces a mediocre 3-3 Wake Forest team on Saturday.
North Carolina's offense has scored at least 38 points in four straight contests. Hood figures to get plenty of touches in what should be a comfortable victory. He's leading the team in rushing yards (444) and rushing touchdowns (5).
Algernon Brown is a sneaky-good play versus Cincinnati. The Bearcats have given up point totals of 33, 34, and 46 points during this year. With starting running back Adam Hine down with an ankle injury, Brown will resume the role as the starter.
Last week against East Carolina, he rumbled for 134 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. He also caught a touchdown pass and rushed for 95 yards the previous week.
WR Analysis
Duarte is the second-leading receiver for the Bruins on the year. He's become firmly entrenched as Josh Rosen's security blanket, especially on intermediate routes down the heart of the field. Against Stanford, Duarte could feature on favorable one-on-one matches versus smaller defensive backs.
He leads UCLA with four of the nine receiving touchdowns on the team. For his small money total, he's a great bargain. Duarte is also coming off of a six-catch, 101-yard effort against Arizona State.
Kirk has become one of the most electric players in the entire SEC. The freshman out of Arizona already has 32 grabs for 519 yards and four touchdowns. Kirk has gone over the 100-yard mark in three of five games this year.
Much like Duarte, he's a bargain for his money total (even against Alabama).
Fields isn't a known name outside of Pac-12 country. However, he's the best deep-threat option on Colorado's team.
Fields is second on the team in both receiving yards and catches, and is tied for first in receiving touchdowns. Last week, he had 103 yards receiving on only five catches. It truly does speak to his big-play ability.
Colorado gets an average Arizona team at home. The Wildcats rank No. 92 in total defense. As such, Fields could have a big day.
FLEX Analysis
The senior Walton out of Memphis will be playing against his hometown team in his hometown. Surely, he'll want to perform well in front of family and friends.
Walton can both catch the football and rush out of the backfield. He leads Ole Miss in rushing yards and has eight catches on the season.
Also to note, Memphis' defense has given up 46 and 41 points in two games this year (both wins). In other words, this could be a high-scoring game.
McCaffrey is arguably the best player on Stanford's entire roster. The do-everything back is ultra-athletic, powerful, quick and quite savvy.
UCLA's rush defense isn't great, as evidenced by allowing 353 yards on the ground to Arizona two games ago. The loss of Eddie Vanderdoes also complicates matters for Jim Mora's team.
Mora has never beaten Stanford during his tenure at UCLA, and the Cardinal have a penchant for beating up on the Bruins. McCaffrey will likely continue on a tear, which includes a 156-yard effort versus Arizona last week and a 206-yard performance against Oregon State the prior week.
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.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
