College Football Daily Fantasy Helper: Saturday 11/20/21

Week 12 of college football is here! FanDuel's college football DFS main slate on Saturday includes 14 games.

In case you're unfamiliar with how it works, you can check out the rules and scoring on FanDuel, where you can hit the lobby each week to see the full array of slates and contests being offered.

As for the basics, your roster consists of a quarterback slot, two running backs, three wide receivers (which also includes tight ends), and one "Super FLEX". In the Super FLEX spot, you can insert one player from any position, including quarterbacks.

Here, our goal is to help you field a roster full of fantasy goodness, and in true numberFire fashion, we'll use our DFS projections, game projections, and market share report to tackle as many slates as possible in the lead-up to the College Football Playoff. In this piece, we are breaking down Saturday's main slate, which locks at 12:00 p.m. EST.

Let's look at which players are in great spots as well as identify some players with low salaries who will allow you to roster the high-salary players.

Quarterbacks

CJ Stroud, Ohio State ($11,200) – Stroud is firmly amongst the Heisman contenders as the regular season draws to a close. The freshman has been sensational in Big Ten play this season. The Ohio State Buckeyes signal caller is averaging 338.1 passing yards in conference play (seven games). Additionally, he has torched opposing conference foes for 26 total touchdown passes this season. Further enhancing his appeal, Stroud is in a juicy matchup this week as the Buckeyes host the Michigan State Spartans. The Spartans are solid against the run but they allow a ton of yardage via the air. The Spartans rank dead last in the FBS in passing yards allowed per game (329.0).

Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati ($10,500) – The Cincinnati Bearcats leader has accounted for 27 total touchdowns through 10 games. The senior has become more involved as a runner as of late. Over the last three games, Ridder has recorded 12-plus rushing attempts (averaged six rushing attempts per game over the first eight games). I'd expect that trend to continue with starting running back Jerome Ford nicked up. The Bearcats opponent, the Southern Methodist Mustangs, are averaging 41.6 points per game (6th nationally). This game could evolve into a shoot-out. If that happens, we could witness one of Ridder's vintage ceiling games.

Jordan Travis Florida State ($8,600) – Travis' salary has increased but there is still plenty of meat left on that bone. The dual-threat quarterback is unlikely to pile up passing yardage. However, he is an efficient passer as he's recorded 11 TD passes on 131 total pass attempts this season. Additionally, Travis is a phenomenal athlete with plenty of speed to burn. Over the last five games, Travis has racked up 370 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.

Jaxson Dart, Southern California ($8,000) – Dart will be making his first career start for the Southern California Trojans with Kedon Slovis nursing an injury. The freshman has shined in limited action this season. Dart has completed 50 out of 81 pass attempts for 589 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions. He has also recorded 48 rushing yards and one touchdown on nine rushing attempts. Dart is set up to thrive on Saturday. Southern California's, opponent, UCLA has struggled defending the pass. The Bruins rank 113th nationally in passing yards allowed per game (267.2).

Others to Consider:
Kenny Pickett ($10,800), Bryce Young ($10,200), Tyler Van Dyke ($10,000), Anthony Brown ($9,300), Spencer Sanders ($8,800), Phil Jurkocevic ($8,700), Donovan Smith ($7,600), Payton Thorne ($8,200), TJ Finley ($7,400), DJ Uiagalelei ($6,700 - if he plays)

Running Backs

Brian Robinson Jr., Alabama ($10,500) – Robinson Jr. is one of the safest plays on the board this week. The Alabama Crimson Tide running back is averaging 20.7 touches (rushing attempts and receptions) per game and 114.2 total yards per game. Additionally, he found the end zone 16 times through nine games. I like his chances of finding success against the Arkansas Razorbacks' average run defense. The Razorbacks are allowing 151.3 rushing yards per game, which rank 68th nationally. Additionally, Arkansas has surrendered 16 rushing touchdowns through nine games this season.

Kyren Williams, Notre Dame ($9,400) – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back is blessed with track-star speed. The sophomore has recorded eight touchdowns over the last five games. I like his chances of extending his touchdown streak to seven straight games as the Irish face-off with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Yellow Jackets have struggled against opposing ball carriers this season. They are allowing 176.6 rushing yards per game (99th nationally) including 4.14 yards per carry.

Tank Bigsby, Auburn ($8,200) – Bigsby has recorded 79 touches over the last four games. I'd expect the Auburn Tigers to ride Bigsby this week with quarterback Bo Nix sidelined for the rest of the season. The sophomore running back is in an advantageous spot on Saturday. The Tigers' opponent, South Carolina, has struggled to defend the run game this season. South Carolina is allowing 169.1 rushing yards per game (90th nationally).

Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh ($6,200) – Abanikanda operates as the Pittsburgh Panthers lead running back. The versatile sophomore leads the Panthers with 506 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Abanikanda is also a threat in the passing game as he's tallied 22 receptions, 185 receiving yards, and one touchdown reception. As pointed out in the College Football Market Share Report for Week 12, this is a phenomenal spot for the Panthers running game. Virginia has been slammed by opposing ball carriers this season. The Cavaliers are allowing 236.3 rushing yards per game.

Others to Consider:
Breece Hall ($11,000), TreVeyeon Henderson ($10,000), Jaylen Warren ($9,800), Travis Dye ($9,600), Jaylan Knighton ($9,200), Kenneth Walker III ($9,200), Braelon Allen ($8,900), Zach Charbonnet ($8,600), Will Shipley ($7,800), Kennedy Brooks ($7,700), Pat Garwo II ($7,400), Keaontay Ingram ($7,300), TJ Pledger ($6,000 - only if Tavion Thomas is out)

Wide Receivers

Garrett Wilson, Ohio State ($9,400) – I plan on loading up on the Ohio State passing game on Saturday. Garrett Wilson has emerged as quarterback CJ Stroud's top target. Wilson has five-plus receptions in four straight games. The future pro has nine receiving touchdowns in nine games played this season. I expect Wilson to have a dominant day against Michigan State's leaky pass defense.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State ($8,500) – Don't look now but Smith-Njigba is emerging as a star for the Ohio State Buckeyes. The sophomore has recorded an eye popping 36 receptions over the last four games. Furthermore, he is averaging 135.6 receiving yards per game over the last five games. Roster Smith-Njigba now before his salary catches up with his production. He is still significantly under-salaried.

Jayden Reed, Michigan State ($7,700) – The speedy receiver is averaging 10.0 targets per game over the last three games. Reed has also topped 70 receiving yards in each of the last four games. The senior makes for the perfect "bring-back" player to your Ohio State Buckeyes stack.

Tahj Washington, Southern California ($6,900) – Washington has soaked up a ton usage with Drake London sidelined. Since London's season ending injury, Washington has piled up 17 receptions and 165 receiving yards on 25 targets (two games). Simply put, he is under-salaried for his expanded role. Throw in a fantastic matchup and Washington makes for a fantastic value play.

Others to Consider:
Jameson Williams ($9,500), Jordan Addison ($9,300), Chris Olave ($9,200), AT Perry ($8,100), Keytaon Thompson ($7,900), Jacquarri Roberson ($7,600), Kevin Austin Jr. ($7,500), Alec Pierce ($7,500), Gary Bryant Jr. ($7,200), Treylon Burks ($7,200), Zay Flowers ($7,000), Tre Turner ($6,900), Charlie Kolar ($6,900), Reggie Roberson Jr. ($6,800), Michael Mayer ($6,800), Key'Shawn Smith ($6,300), Jadon Haselwood ($6,100)