This article is part of our FanDuel College Football series.
Although you won't see any FanDuel discounts, there's plenty of DFS action on the shelves for Black Friday. Let's take a look at the games offered on the slate.
SLATE OVERVIEW
Massachusetts @ Liberty (-37.5) O/U: 56.5
Iowa State @ Texas (-0.5) O/U: 56.5
Nebraska @ Iowa (-13.5) O/U: 53.5
Central Florida @ South Florida (+25.5) O/U: 66.5
Notre Dame @ North Carolina (+5.5) O/U: 66.5
Central Michigan @ Eastern Michigan (+7.5) O/U: 59.5
Wyoming @ UNLV (+16.5) O/U: 51.5
Stanford @ California (-1.5) O/U: 51.5
Oregon @ Oregon State (+13.5) O/U: 64.5
It's rare that the most interesting game in a real-world scenario is also a prime DFS target, but the Notre Dame/UNC matchup fits the bill. With a high game total and a favorable point spread, all signs point to a contest with multiple DFS targets, and it should be fun to watch the chess match between Mack Brown and Brian Kelly. I'm also a fan of the Iowa State/Texas and Central Michigan/Eastern Michigan games. The blowout potential for Liberty and UCF could yield some value guys who have garbage-time opportunities in the second half, and I'd also expect similar go-to guys for Oregon.
QUARTERBACK
The biggest question mark at this position is what version of Malik Willis ($12,000) we'll see against UMass. After coming up as somewhat of a disappointment against N.C. State, the public may go light on the standout QB, but he still warrants some exposure in bulk lineup construction due to his inevitable rushing totals in a potential blowout.
Dillon Gabriel, Central Florida ($11,000) @ South Florida
The 'War on I-4' is probably not going to be much of a fight for the Knights, and that's due in large part to the Gabriel. Aside from a mediocre game against Temple, Gabriel's put up massive numbers. He's a veritable touchdown machine under center, and aside from a few errant picks and a less-than-supportive offensive line, he's distinguished himself with flawless play. While UCF's season hasn't gone as well as they hoped, they'd be a lot worse off without Gabriel at the helm.
Sam Ehlinger, Texas ($10,400) vs. Texas
Beyond Gabriel, there's a wealth of decent quarterback talent to consider, and Ehlinger demonstrates one of the more solid floors you can find on the slate. Due to the narrow spread, I can find good reason to stack both ends of this game, which is why I've also given Brock Purdy ($9,000) about 20 percent exposure for the Cyclones. Still, I think Ehlinger is the better play of the two, although I think he's a bit overpriced in this spot.
Davis Mills, Stanford ($9,500) @ California
We fall to Mills in an effort to give you a less-popular budget option. Before the positive COVID test, Mills looked great in a heartbreaking loss to Colorado, where he threw for a touchdown and ran one in as well. The field won't go heavy on this game because it's tough to know what to expect from the quarterback position on both sides of this game, but the Cardinal seemed happy with a pass-first approach against Colorado. That's enough to make Mills the preferred budget pick of the bunch.
Also consider: Preston Hutchinson, Eastern Michigan ($9,800) vs. Central Michigan
RUNNING BACK
Breece Hall, Iowa State ($11,000) @ Texas
Let's go with the chart-topper on the RB list in what should be a tight game with a sizeable O/U total. Due to what is a slimmer group of runners on Friday's slate, the sophomore makes perfect sense in a majority of our builds. Hall is one of two players in the country to surpass 1,000 yards this season. He's also scored a touchdown in every game he's played, making him well worth the elevated salary on Friday.
Xazavian Valladay, Wyoming ($10,300) @ UNLV
We'll continue to look for consistent floors at the running back position with Valladay, who is the focal point of the Cowboys' run-first offense. UNLV should be no issue for Wyoming, as the Rebels are decimated by COVID issues, and that fact alone makes this spot worth monitoring, as it could result in a late cancellation. For now, the game is still on, and I'd expect young quarterback Levi Williams to lean on their workhorse back for the duration of the game.
Tyler Goodson, Iowa ($9,000) vs. Nebraska
Although Goodson is one part of a double dose of running back excellence alongside Mekhi Sargent ($7,800), he gets the lion's share of the carries. You couldn't find a better spot for him than against the Cornhuskers, who yield well over 200 yards per game against opposing running backs. Despite the slightly lopsided spread, both teams are run-focused, and they're both expected to earn their bread-and-butter on the ground. Sargent is a decent budget selection, but Goodson makes my first team.
Travis Dye, Oregon ($8,600) @ Oregon State
CJ Verdell will be the more popular play for the Ducks, but Dye looms large as we look for value further down the slate. Despite Verdell's dominance, Dye distinguishes himself out of the backfield with three TD catches and will siphon 6-8 carries from Verdell. He had 12 rushes for 91 yards against Oregon State last season, so there's ample history against their defense.
Also consider: Kyren Williams, Notre Dame ($9,600) @ UNC
WIDE RECEIVER
Marlon Williams, Central Florida ($10,000) @ South Florida
Williams will find a spot in almost every lineup with Dillon Gabriel, making for one of the more productive stacks on the slate. If you've hammered in many elite endorsements, the money is getting slim, so we'll be bypassing some more obvious names to get to more value at this position. Despite the cost, I think Williams' consistency with Gabriel is just too good to pass up, and we'll leave a lot of points on the table if we don't make room for this potent offensive connection.
Connor Wedington, Stanford ($7,100) @ California
As per usual, the best place to go low on college slates is at wideout, and Wedington pops up based on what will be moderate exposure to his quarterback. Wedington enjoyed a great start to the season with eight catches and 77 yards in the loss to Colorado. Simi Fehoko ($7,200) is right next to him on the list, but I think their primary receiver will get a lot of pressure, leaving an open lane for Wedington once again.
Jake Smith, Texas ($7,100) @ Iowa State
Let's pivot off a primary receiver again in an effort to gain some ground on our salary cap with White, who lines up opposite the more-productive Joshua Moore for the Longhorns. Smith struggled with injury earlier in the season but is now back to full speed. He's also on a two-game touchdown streak, so he should be in Sam Ehlinger's field of vision in the red zone.
ADDITIONAL PICKS
Here are some other choices at every position that warrant extra consideration,
QB Sam Howell, North Carolina ($9,600)
RB Marcel Dancy, Oregon ($6,400)
RB Otis Anderson, Central Florida ($7,100)
WR Javon McKinley, Notre Dame ($7,000)
WR Dyami Brown, North Carolina ($8,800)
