College football DFS returns Thursday night on DraftKings with a Heart of Dixie focus. Two teams from the state of Alabama will take on fellow Sun Belt opponents: South Alabama at Southern Miss and Central Arkansas at UAB. With a short slate, our legitimate DFS options may prove limited. Let’s see who we can fit into our lineups to stay under the cap.
Quarterbacks
Desmond Trotter, South Alabama ($6,000 on DraftKings) – Trotter took over the starting job in the 2019 season and performed well, completing 53 of 88 passes for 777 yards and eight TDs in four games. He goes against an Eagles defense that may struggle due to players sitting out the season.
Tyler Johnston III, UAB ($9,300 on DK) – As usual, I’ll slot two quarterbacks into my rosters thanks to the college football DFS super flex. Johnston, who passed for 2,250 yards and 17 touchdowns last year, can pull the ball down and run. Plus, he faces an anemic Central Arkansas defense.
Running backs
Carlos Davis, South Alabama ($5,600 on DK) – We can also attack that Southern Miss defense on the ground with Davis, who carries a value price for a starting running back in a two-game slate. Davis served in a backup role last year, carrying 60 times for 261 yards and two TDs.
Don Ragsdale, Southern Miss ($6,500 on DK) – On the other side of the field, Ragsdale will be a new starter for Southern Miss. The juco transfer carries another affordable salary for a running back. Also note that Vegas oddsmakers predict about a touchdown more in points will be scored in this second game of the slate. Targeting the highest-scoring games will help you find success in college football DFS.
Wide receivers
Austin Watkins Jr., UAB ($8,000 on DK) – Pair Johnston III with his favorite receiver. Watkins caught 57 passes for 1,092 yards and six touchdowns in 2019, averaging 15 DFS points per game. He’s worth paying up for on this slate.
Lujan Winningham, Central Arkansas ($4,700 on DK) – The Bears’ top receiver should be the best value play on the slate. The incredibly underpriced WR caught six passes for 80 yards and a TD last week in the opener against Austin Peay, picking right up where he left off in a 2019 campaign that saw him average nearly 24 DFS points per game in college football DFS.