After a long-awaited offseason and plenty of teams jumping conferences, we are here for another college football season. College Football DFS is a market that is not entirely tapped into, and there is a massive edge compared to NFL DFS. Week zero does not have the usual firepower we see on a yearly basis, but there is still money to be made.
With a short slate, ownership will be concentrated, so sorting out the difference between good and bad chalk, plus going the contrarian route in some spots, will do as well. Let’s look at the slate and find some key players to enter into our lineups.
College Football Week Zero DFS Picks
Game Stack: Florida International (58.5) at Louisiana Tech (-11)
Quarterback: Hank Bachmeier $5,800
Bachmeier is making his La Tech debut after losing his job at Boise State. Hank is a playmaker and has done it in some big spots in his career. Tech is 10 point favorite in this matchup, and there is a total of 58.5. This seems like a sweet spot and a hammer for CFB DFS for a few reasons.
The Bulldogs are not expected to blowout FIU in the opener, which should allow Bachmeier and company to play all four quarters. As simple as it sounds, opportunity is the biggest corollary to success. So often, we see the best offenses remove their starters, especially in week one. Combine this with it being his first start. The coaches will want to see as much from them as possible.
Wide Receiver: Kyle Maxwell $4,400
For a few reasons, Smoke Harris is the trendy name on this Louisiana Tech offense. He is the best prospect in this matchup, and everyone on both sides of the football knows this. I would not be surprised to see his productivity take a dip with a new quarterback at the helm, so we will pivot to another talented receiver on this offense. Kyle Maxwell is a much cheaper option and will have plenty of opportunity to make a name for himself in this season opener.
Kyle Maxwell makes the snag to give LA Tech six more‼️ pic.twitter.com/vCo5BLDUkX
— LA Tech Football 🏈 (@LATechFB) December 4, 2020
Wide Receiver: Kris Mitchell $5,900
Mitchell is a great bring-back option for this game stack. Florida International is an improved bunch, and they have enough firepower to push Louisiana Tech in this matchup. Mitchell is coming off a 24-reception, 352-yard, four-touchdown season and is looking to be the team’s number-one option.
Honorable Mentions
Quarterback: AJ Swann $8,500 Vanderbilt
Swann and the Commodores are 17.5-point favorites as they host Hawaii to start their season. He was not the day-one starter last year, but he did not look back once he got his chance. Passing for 1,274 yards and 10 touchdowns is nothing to glance over. Any SEC offense can put up 70 points on a team like Hawaii, even Vanderbilt. With them not usually being in this position, I would not be surprised if the starters stayed in a little longer than expected.
AJ SWANN ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?
The freshman QB somehow escapes and throws a dime for the @VandyFootball TD pic.twitter.com/E4e5n9lCUA
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) September 17, 2022
Quarterback: Caleb Williams 9,900 USC
I would not be shocked if we get Williams at a massive ownership discount, and if that is the case, he is an every-lineup type of click. The general consensus may be to fade Williams because he will not play the entire game, but he will play just as much as any other USC starter and will put the points up while he is in the game.
Williams is also chasing another Heisman trophy. The Trojans will make sure he gets his numbers up against an extremely inferior opponent. Play Williams at both salary and ownership discount.
