Here are 5 DFS player props to consider for Week 9. Everything below can be found inside the Sleeper Fantasy app. New users who sign up with the promo code SOUTHXL will get a deposit match up to $100.
- Last week: 3-1
- Season record: 16-11
Oregon WR Evan Stewart over 55.5 receiving yards
Illinois is just average defending the pass, with a secondary that grades out 38th in coverage by Pro Football Focus. The Illini rank 110th in success rate allowed to opposing offenses and 112th in defensive havoc rate, per Game on Paper. They have 1 guy who consistently generates pressure, but they just don’t do a great job of it as an overall unit. Given the matchup with this Ducks’ offensive line, I’m expecting Oregon to be on schedule often enough to dial up some shot plays. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel should also have the time to get to some of those longer-developing plays. That means Stewart could continue his hot streak. In the Ducks’ last 2 games, Stewart has caught 11 of his 13 targets for 245 yards. He dominated his matchup in the Ohio State game and then averaged 24 yards per catch against Purdue. Stewart is the shot guy, with an average depth of target of at least 16 yards in each of the Ducks’ last 3 games. And he hasn’t dropped a ball all season.
Maryland QB Billy Edwards over 0.5 interceptions
Only James Madison has more defensive interceptions this season than Minnesota. The Gophers have picked off 13 passes in 7 games, including 5 combined against the 2 L.A. schools in the last 2 weeks. I like Maryland’s quarterback, but he also has an interception in 3 of his last 4 games and has 7 turnover-worthy plays this season. Maryland leans on him a ton — he has 142 pass attempts in his last 3 games — and the defense just gave up 37 points to Northwestern a few weeks ago.
Mississippi State QB Michael Van Buren over 236.5 passing yards
Since taking over for Blake Shapen, Van Buren has shown more and more each week. He threw just 13 passes against Florida on Sept. 21, then 23 against Texas a week later. In his last 2 games, Van Buren has thrown 78 combined passes for 548 yards. And those performances were against Georgia and Texas A&M secondaries that were much better than what Arkansas will put on the field on Saturday. Mississippi State also isn’t stopping anyone, which means even more is on Van Buren’s shoulders.
Arkansas WR Andrew Armstrong over 79.5 receiving yards
If it wasn’t already clear, I’m expecting points in the Mississippi State-Arkansas game. The Bulldogs rank 127th nationally in EPA per dropback allowed to opposing offenses this season, per Game on Paper. The top 2 corners are young guys who have been understandably inconsistent. The top slot guy is a first-year starter at the FBS level. The 6-foot-4 Armstrong has dominated every matchup he has had this season and that shouldn’t change against MSU. Armstrong has at least 90 yards in 4 of his 6 appearances, including each of his last 2. He has at least 10 targets in every game. Against one of the poorest pass defenses in the FBS, we have a total that is nearly 30 yards below the per-game average for the third-most prolific receiver in the SEC this season.
Tulane RB Makhi Hughes over 110.5 rushing yards
I’m a little leary of riding a number this high for any tailback not named Ashton Jeanty, but the North Texas defense might be that bad. The Mean Green give up the most yards per game of any team in the American this season (445) and they’ve given up 30 points or more in 4 of their 7 games this season, including each of the last 2. Memphis just scored 52. FAU scored 37. Texas Tech scored 66 earlier in the year. Tulane is mighty explosive, and Hughes has gone over this total in 3 of his last 4 games.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
