DFS Picks of the Week: Our top Underdog plays for college and NFL, Oct. 18-19
By Adam Spencer
Published:
We’re passing the halfway mark of the college football season this week, as many teams play their seventh regular-season contests this weekend. The NFL is a little bit further behind, as Week 7 is still not quite the halfway point.
But there’s still plenty of DFS action for fans as we enter another incredible weekend of football. Our DFS experts — Andrew Olson and Adam Spencer — have combed through the picks on Underdog to find their favorites for Saturday and Sunday.
They’ll share their favorite plays of the week below, but first…
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Our Week 8 CFB picks
Here’s who we like from an exciting Week 8 college football slate:
Andrew Olson
Jadan Baugh, Florida RB: Higher than 17.5 rush attempts
Mississippi State heads to Gainesville with terrible run defense numbers. Opponents are averaging 37.6 rushes per game against the Bulldogs. Every MSU foe has rushed at least 27 times, with Arizona State (51 rushes) and Texas A&M (54 rushes) pulling the average up. When it doubt, run the Baugh.
Ty Simpson, Alabama QB: Higher than 290.5 pass yards
This number is right at Ty Simpson’s average passing yards against Power 4 opponents this season. Fortunately for Simpson backers, the shorthanded Tennessee passing defense has been below average. Simpson has put up monster numbers in his last 2 home games, throwing for 382 yards against Wisconsin and 340 against Vanderbilt.
Tommy Castellanos, Florida State QB: Higher than 236.5 pass yards
Castellanos has cleared this total in each of FSU’s past 3 games against Virginia, Miami and Pittsburgh. This week, Castellanos and the Noles are facing the Stanford defense. The Cardinal spoiled my pick last week, but Stanford still rates as one of the ACC’s worst passing defenses.
Adam Spencer
Jonah Coleman, Washington RB: Higher than 70.5 rush yards
The Michigan defense just gave up 224 rushing yards to a USC team using backup running backs and starting a few backup offensive linemen. Not great! Meanwhile, Jonah Coleman and the Huskies may have a chip on their shoulders from being unranked in the AP Poll this week. I like Coleman to go for 71+ yards.
Sawyer Robertson, Baylor QB: Higher than 310.5 pass yards
Robertson has thrown for 311+ yards 4 times in 6 games this season, including in each of his past 2 outings. In fact, in those 4 games, the lowest passing yards total he’s had is 345 yards. I’m going to keep hammering this “higher” pick as Baylor prepares for a game against TCU this weekend.
Ryan Williams, Alabama WR: Higher than 48.5 receiving yards
I’ll piggyback off of Andrew’s Ty Simpson pick here. It’s shocking to see Alabama star WR Ryan Williams’ number so low, but it’s definitely fair, as he’s gotten off to a slow start this year. However, the Tennessee defense is without starting CBs Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson. This could be the week Williams gets going.
Our Week 7 NFL Picks
These are the players we’re backing for Week 7 in the NFL:
Andrew Olson
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers QB: Higher than 250.5 pass yards
A quick glance at Herbert’s game log and his passing numbers are all over the place this season. This pick is all about the matchup. Wide receivers feast against the Colts. Herbert’s got a solid corps of pass-catchers, with Quentin Johnston trending toward a return from injury, Ladd McConkey getting his groove back and old reliable Keenan Allen.
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs QB: Higher than 260.5 pass yards
Look for the return of Rashee Rice to provide a big boost to the Kansas City offense, as matchups should get better for all other wideouts. The Las Vegas pass defense has not done well containing receivers this season. It could be a big day for Mahomes.
Adam Spencer
Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams WR: Higher than 83.5 receiving yards
Puka Nacua has been ruled out for this game in London, so that means more work for Davante Adams. While Matthew Stafford might not look Adams’ way as often as Joe Flacco threw to Ja’Marr Chase on Thursday night, Adams should still get plenty of work.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys QB: Higher than 265.5 pass yards
Even without CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys’ offense has been firing on all cylinders. Dak Prescott is at the heart of that. He’s spreading the ball around to George Pickens, Jake Ferguson and all the other Dallas pass catchers. I think he’s good for 266+ yards through the air this weekend against Washington.
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Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
