Daily Fantasy CFB Bowl Week: DraftKings Optimum Lineup, Matchup Advice
The heavyweights step onto the collegiate field one last time this week.
With the exception of the two teams to emerge in the College Football Playoff, this is the last chance daily fantasy college football owners have to rebuild or improve upon a bankroll crafted with love throughout the season.
That's easier said than done with just eight games on the largest slate of the week. With little room for error with only so many players available, building the optimum lineup takes a bigger precedence than ever.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Let's propose such a lineup below and break down some matchup advice.
DraftKings Optimum Bowl Week Lineup
| QB | Deshaun Watson (CLEM) | OU | 32.9 | $8,600 |
| QB | Greg Ward Jr.(HOU) | FSU | 30.2 | $7,700 |
| RB | Samaje Perine (OU) | CLEM | 21.6 | $7,300 |
| RB | Kelvin Taylor (UF) | MICH | 17.2 | $5,300 |
| WR | Artavis Scott (CLEM) | OU | 15.6 | $5,800 |
| WR | Kermit Whitfield (FSU) | HOU | 14.3 | $4,200 |
| WR | Marcell Ateman (OKST) | MISS | 13.2 | $3,900 |
| FLEX | LJ Scott (MSU) | ALA | 10.9 | $4,200 |
| FLEX | Jake McGee (UF) | MICH | 9.4 | $3,000 |
Only Wednesday games (12 p.m. ET to 8:30 p.m. ET) listed.
QB
Deshaun Watson, Clemson ($8,600)
Owners have to load up on the big guns on such a small plate.
One of the biggest of all would be dual-threat monster Deshaun Watson out of Clemson, a Heisman Trophy finalist locked into a battle with Oklahoma.
Watson threw for more than 3,500 yards with 30 scores this year and added another 11 touchdowns as a runner to average 32.9 points per game.
Now he's locked into a solid matchup that Las Vegas has at an over/under of 65, meaning his versatile ways will make up much of the scoring in a game with a favorite by hardly more than a field goal.
Greg Ward Jr., Houston ($7,700)
Again, load up on the big ones, and the more versatile the better.
Few do it as well as Greg Ward Jr. of the Houston Cougars, who posted 2,590 passing yards and 16 scores through the air this year with 1,041 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground.
Ward's going to have to do it mostly on his own against Florida State, which isn't such a bad thing by fantasy standards. His Cougars rest as seven-point dogs, so he'll be going crazy trying to keep pace in a shootout, which makes his average of 30.2 points seem like a likely floor.
RB
Samaje Perine, Oklahoma ($7,300)
To counter Watson and Clemson, Oklahoma will roll out Samaje Perine in an every-down capacity, which is nothing short of a good thing for owners after he averaged 21.6 points per game this year.
Perine has three games in a row with at least 30.2 points, which might help to explain his confidence going into the bowl game, according to Aaron Brenner of the Post & Courier:
The expected total here is huge, and helping things is the fact that Perine has seen 17 or more carries in each of his past three outings. Owners can expect similar usage this time out.
Kelvin Taylor, Florida ($5,300)
A sound average and consistency of usage means the world to owners looking for value at running back.
Florida's Kelvin Taylor provides both this week against Michigan, considering he's averaging more than triple his asking price at 17.2 points per game.
Taylor's had 20 or more carries six times this year, including in three of his last four. It's a huge point here, as owners could perhaps quadruple or more on the salary if Taylor gets going in his farewell game before jumping to the pros.
WR
Artavis Scott, Clemson ($5,800)
The quarterback-wideout stack is always a viable option when trying to grab a great ceiling.
Of course, the nod here goes to the Clemson-Oklahoma encounter and Watson's favorite target, Artavis Scott. Those concerned with his minor knee operation earlier in the month shouldn't be, according to Dan Hope of OrangeandWhite.com:
It's nothing but great news for owners who want to play a wideout who averages 15.6 points and has seen his price hit as high as $7,900 this year.
Watson hit 22.6 points his last time out, a strong sign of what he can do when given most of the targets, which is what should happen in the semifinal of the CFP.
Kermit Whitfield, Florida State ($4,200)
Consistency with big upside plays a huge factor with lower-priced wideouts when building lineups.
Florida State's Kermit Whitfield offers both. He doesn't just average 14.3 points per game, more than triple his salary, he has a catch rate of 82.8 percent, according to Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel.
The over/under for the Houston-Florida state encounter only sits at 55.5, but it's clear Whitfield isn't one of those players whose production leans on such numbers. He's going to produce either way.
Marcell Ateman, Oklahoma State ($3,900)
Marcell Ateman might take a back seat to James Washington and David Glidden in the Oklahoma State offense, but he's second on the team in touchdowns with five this year and averages more than 17 yards per catch.
In other words, Ateman posts the desirable upside owners need at such a price.
Ateman has six games with 13.3 or more points this year, with his high sitting on 30.3. The Cowboys won't stop gunning for him deep against an Ole Miss defense that let up six touchdown passes and 53 points to Arkansas three games ago.
Flex
LJ Scott, Michigan State ($4,200)
Look, LJ Scott's in a terrible situation against Alabama, but owners have to hunt for solid usage and proven production to succeed.
Scott took over lead-back duties for the Spartans in the Big Ten title game against a strong Iowa defense and came away with 13.3 points after others such as Gerald Holmes struggled.
The coaching staff won't ignore this when it matters most. Scott won't blow away owners, but he has quiet upside after posting a pair of rushing touchdowns in three consecutive games earlier this season.
The matchup says no, but at this price, Scott's a nice pickup.
Jake McGee, Florida ($3,000)
A senior tight end with consistent usage and solid production in brutal matchups should catch the eye of owners.
This would refer to Jake McGee of the Florida Gators, who last time out led the team in receiving with three catches against Alabama, good for 7.3 points.
McGee's in a much better situation this time around against the Michigan defense and past highs of 12.6 and 21.3 points shouldn't go ignored. As the safety valve, McGee sees desirable action all over the field, making him a savvy minimum-based play.
Enter the DraftKings $1.25 M Play-Action contest this weekend. Use promo code BLEACHER REPORT when you sign up.
Pricing information and scoring data obtained from DraftKings.com. Odds via Odds Shark.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
