By: @Ryan_Humphries on Twitter/LineStar Chat.

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Main Slate Rundown 🏈

In what feels like the blink of an eye, we’re already past the halfway point of the regular season and are flying into week seven! As usual, the 12-game DraftKings Saturday main slate, which kicks off at noon ET, will be the focus of today’s newsletter. For FanDuel players, there will only be six mutually shared games with the DK slate, which is less than usual. Still, there should be some useful info throughout this newsletter for those who primarily play CFB DFS on FanDuel.

Among the six noon ET kickoffs on the DK slate, five games have spreads spanning from 17.5 points to 34 points, so look out for some blowouts in the early window. One game that will catch everyone’s eye is the top-10 match-up between the #8 Oregon Ducks and #7 Washington Huskies, which boasts a massive 66.5 over/under and a close spread (UW -3). We’ll undoubtedly want exposure to that game but don’t overlook the other strong DFS environments like KU @ OKST and TAMU @ TENN. And, while blowouts are never fun from a spectator’s standpoint, we’ll still want to target those top-tier teams who should dominate their week seven opponents, such as Georgia (43.3 implied pts), Michigan (39.8 implied pts), Florida State (36.3 implied pts), and Ohio State (35.8 implied pts). Let’s dive in and best of luck!

Here is a look at the 13 teams with a 26.0+ implied point total on this slate. The majority of our preferred DFS plays will be found on these rosters:

On the flip side, we’ll want very little exposure to teams who are expected to struggle to crack 20 points. Unless a specific player is priced down and is guaranteed high volume, we should lean toward avoiding these nine teams on the slate:

Obligatory: Vegas spreads and totals aren’t the be-all, end-all but they do give us a solid amount of information to use as our research ‘jump-off point’ on any given slate.

Main Slate Match-Ups

Quarterbacks to Consider

QB options at various price points.

Bo Nix, ORE | $10,000 | @ UW

As you might expect, this is a match-up that will be borderline unavoidable on this slate. Both teams rank inside the top six in the FBS in total YPG and top 10 in PPG. The Oregon and Washington receivers and running backs may be the players that we primarily target within this game, but both QBs are firmly in play as well and provide a high floor at the trade-off of exorbitant DFS salaries. I have nothing against rolling with Michael Penix Jr. ($10,200), but Bo Nix will get the spotlight due to the likelihood that he provides the most rushing upside between the two. Four of Oregon’s five games have been complete blowouts where they have won by 36 to 74 points. In their one competitive game this season, a 38-30 victory over TTU in week two, Bo Nix rushed for a season-high 46 yards to go along with his 359 yards passing and two TDs. That was the only game where Nix failed to account for at least three touchdowns but Oregon will certainly need to keep their foot on the gas to keep up with this high-flying Washington offense. Nix has topped out at 30.94 DKFP this season but we know he has 40+, or even 50+, DKFP upside in the tank and it’s not as if the Huskies own a top-tier defense. If you can find value at other positions, Nix makes for a strong QB1 play.

Taulia Tagovailoa, UMD | $8,200 | vs. IL

There are several QBs out of the mid-range that offer similar upside as the high-end guys so it’ll be a salary range to target on this slate. Taulia Tagovailoa had a tough go at it on the road versus a stout Ohio State defense last week, but he was still able to muster a respectable 17.94 DKFP, which was the most fantasy points the OSU defense has allowed to a QB this season. He’ll be back at home this week against a much softer Illinois opponent. In four home games this season, Tagovailoa is completing 67.7% of his passes for 310.3 YPG and a 10:2 TD:INT ratio while averaging 27.7 DKFP/gm. He is not an incredibly lethal runner, but Tagovailoa does have a rushing score in four of six games this season -- those four rushing TDs are tied for a team-high with RB Roman Hemby. Maryland also owns a strong 32.5 implied point total this week, which ranks 7th on the slate, so their offense is in line for a solid day.

Emory Jones, CIN | $7,300 | vs. ISU

I’m not in love with any of the super cheap QBs on this slate, at least not enough to give any one guy a spotlight. However, Emory Jones won’t break the bank at $7,300 and he offers ample upside given his dual-threat capabilities. Jones has a 100+ yard rushing performance this season and hustled for 94 rushing yards in Cincy’s last game at BYU. He’s not necessarily lighting it up through the air, but he’s been more than serviceable, passing for 245.2 YPG while averaging two passing TDs/gm. This game only features a 43 over/under but the Bearcats are -5.5 home favorites and have a decent 24.3 implied point total. Iowa State is allowing an average of 24.2 FPPG to QBs over their last four games. A mid-20s DKFP score is very attainable for Jones in this spot and, if he has a big day on the ground, 30+ DKFP upside is a realistic possibility as well.

Other QBs to Consider

Michael Penix Jr., UW | $10,200 | vs. ORE

Carson Beck, UGA | $8,700 | @ VAND

Luke Altmyer, IL | $6,200 | @ UMD

Hudson Card, PUR | $5,200 | vs. OSU

Wide Receivers to Consider

WR options at various price points.

Troy Franklin, ORE | $8,100 | @ UW

There are some stud receivers in this high-profile match-up but we’ll put Franklin in the spotlight here as the star Ducks’ receiver has gone off for 100+ yards receiver and at least one touchdown in 4-of-5 games this season. Three of his games have been of the multi-touchdown variety and he is hauling in 76.2% of his targets on the year. Franklin went for 5-139-1 (27.9 DKFP) in the match-up with Washington last season and could post similar, or better, numbers in the re-match.

Brock Bowers, UGA | $7,400 | @ VAND

Bowers has been unleashed over Georgia’s last three games, combining for 24 receptions for 410 yards (136.7 YPG) and four TDs while averaging 32.9 DKFP/gm. Bowers, arguably the best tight end in the country, is a lock for a first-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft and he’s been showing why in recent weeks. UGA, who leads the slate with a 43.3 implied total, will have no problems going up and down the field on Vandy’s 111th-ranked pass defense and the Commodores surrendered seven catches for 99 yards and two TDs to Florida TE Arlis Boardingham in week two. Saying Bowers is a much better tight end than Boardingham would be an understatement.

Isaiah Williams, IL | $5,500 | @ UMD

Illinois is one of those teams that may struggle to crack 20+ points but you have to love a guy like Isaiah Williams who has been providing solid DFS scores despite not scoring a touchdown yet this season. Williams is a strong PPR play who is averaging 9.5 targets/gm on the year and his 38 receptions rank him 10th in the entire FBS. He is one of just two players in the FBS who ranks inside the top 100 in receiving yardage and has yet to find the endzone. With all of the volume that he is guaranteed to see, the touchdowns will come sooner rather than later, but even if his scoring drought continues, he sets up as a rock-solid floor play at $5,500.

Ainias Smith, TAMU | $4,900 | @ TENN

To continue the point made with Isaiah Williams above, Ainias Smith is the only other remaining top 100 receiver in the FBS, based on receiving yardage, who has yet to score a touchdown this season. That has helped to keep his DraftKings price nice and low at $4,900. The Aggies offense suffered a huge blow in losing QB Connor Weigman for the season during their week four match-up with Auburn. However, QB Max Johnson is a serviceable backup who has shown a solid connection with Ainias Smith. Smith is averaging 91.0 YPG over his last four contests and should be due for a touchdown anytime now.

Rashod Owens, OKST | $3,500 | vs. KU

There are no standout value WR plays this week but Rashod Owens will have a chance to pay off this $3,500 price tag in his expanded role following a season-ending arm injury to WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Oklahoma State’s second-leading receiver on the year. With Stribling sidelined for the first time this season in week six, Owens made an impact catching 5-of-8 targets for 75 yards. Moving forward, Owens should operate as the Cowboys’ WR2 or WR3 and be on the field for the majority of snaps. This game sets up as one of the best DFS environments on the slate, outside of ORE @ UW, given its high 55.5 over/under and close spread (OKST +3), and Kansas has allowed 14 receptions for 186.0 YPG to WRs in their last four games. If we’re going to jam in the higher-priced studs on this slate, we’ll need some value to come from somewhere and Owens looks like a viable option.

Other WRs to Consider

Marvin Harrison Jr., OSU | $8,500 | @ PUR (Bump if WR Emeka Egbuka is out)

Rome Odunze, UW | $7,900 | vs. ORE

Jalen McMillan, UW | $7,000 | vs. ORE

Ja’Lynn Polk, UW | $6,100 | vs. ORE

Squirrel White, TENN | $6,000 | vs. TAMU

Jeshaun Jones, UMD | $5,400 | vs. IL

Jaylin Noel, ISU | $5,100 | @ CINCY

Jaden Bray, OKST | $4,900 | vs. KU

Corey Dyches, UMD | $3,900 | vs. IL

Running Backs to Consider

RB options at various price points.

Bucky Irving, ORE | $7,500 | @ UW

Irving will be a popular high-end RB target on this slate but his versatility and big play upside in what is expected to be a shootout makes him tough to ignore. Irving has at least three receptions in 4-of-5 games this season while averaging 106.0 scrimmage YPG. Irving’s 7.9 YPC average ranks him second in the country and while his volume has been capped due to blowouts this season, that won’t be as much of a concern against a highly capable Washington opponent.

Devin Neal, KU | $6,700 | @ OKST

Neal has earned multiple spotlighted segments in these CFB newsletters this season and, outside of a down game against Texas, he has generally come through for us. Neal ranks 4th in the FBS with a 7.70 YPC average and has put up at least 26.8 DKFP in four out of six games this season. He broke loose for a 75-yard touchdown in week six, which is one of several big play touchdown runs that Neal has shown off with this year. Neal has a great shot at another 100+ yard rushing day against an Oklahoma State defense that has surrendered 134.8 YPG and 28.3 FPPG to RBs this season.

Ollie Gordon II, OKST | $6,100 | vs. KU

Gordon has emerged as a focal point in this Cowboys offense. In his last two games, he has taken 39 carries for 257 yards (6.6 YPC) and a touchdown while also catching 5-of-8 targets. The Kansas defense has been demolished in road games this season where they have allowed 37.1 FPPG to opposing RBs. In a likely high-scoring match-up, Gordon sets up as a strong DFS play at this $6,100 DK salary.

Kaden Feagin, IL | $4,500 | @ UMD

Illinois is dealing with multiple injuries to their backfield heading into week seven -- RB Josh McCray is out for the season with a neck injury and leading rusher Reggie Love III heads into week seven with a “doubtful” designation. Love sets up as a game-time decision, so be sure to monitor his status ahead of the 3:30 ET kick-off. Should Love sit out, Feagin will lead the Fighting Illini backfield. It’s a smaller 24-carry sample size, but Feagin has had the most success on a per-carry basis among Illinois RBs, averaging 6.2 YPC. Feagin also figures to be active as a receiver as well and caught 3-of-4 targets last week, which was the first game without RB Josh McCray available. It’s not the easiest of match-ups against a Maryland defense that is allowing just 89.0 rush YPG to RBs but, if Love is indeed out, Feagin has a chance at 20+ touches which would make him a strong volume play at a low price point.

Other RBs to Consider

Blake Corum, MICH | $8,400 | vs. IU

LeQuint Allen, SYR | $6,100 | @ FSU

Dillon Johnson, UW | $5,800 | vs. ORE

Le’Veon Moss, TAMU | $5,300 | @ TENN

Devin Mockobee, PUR | $5,200 | vs. OSU

That will do it for this week’s CFB DFS rundown! Best of luck!