CFB DFS: Top Picks, Strategies and Tips for 2025

CFB DFS is one of many options for those looking to put real money towards contests involving their favorite players and sporting events. Daily fantasy Sports (DFS) serves as both an alternative to traditional sportsbook wagering for those in states where sports betting is not legal, as well as a top-notch destination for those who prefer the live draft feeling that reminds you of fantasy football drafts in your friend’s basement.

CFB fans now have a way to get in on the DFS fun, too. There are several options for playing CFB DFS out there, such as Underdog, Sleeper Fantasy, Dabble Fantasy, Boom Fantasy, Vivid Picks and more. In this article, we’ll break down some of the bests ways to get started with DFS, specifically for those who can never get enough college football.

Week 1 is now over, and we learned a lot about some of the supposed top teams in America. Who’s legit and who’s not? That question is still uncertain for a few programs, but it looks as if Ohio State, LSU and Miami are in good shape while Alabama, North Carolina, the bottom of the Big Ten and Kansas State are not.

Looking for a good welcome offer from some of our favorite DFS Apps? Look no further, just click below to get started:

CFB DFS Picks & Projection Examples (Sept. 4, Week 2)

The multiplier and the fact that you have to make multiple picks for a wager to be legitimate opens up the possibility for some serious strategy, especially with how many variables can affect a football game!

Week 2’s slate is not as elite as Week 1, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any great games on the docket. Michigan faces Oklahoma, Kansas and Mizzou clash in the Border War and 2 high-powered offenses meet in Baylor at SMU.

Here’s a look at some of our favorite picks for Week 2:

Now, let’s time travel back to the national championship game to get a further look at how this may work on your DFS App of choice this season. Below were some of the best picks to choose from Ohio State’s national title last year:

• Will Howard more than 1.5 touchdown passes
• Quinshon Judkins more than 70.5 rushing yards
• Jaden Greathouse more than 40.5 receiving yards
• Riley Leonard less than 55.5 rushing yards

Those were just some of dozens of picks a user could have made on the national championship game. Hindsight is 20/20, but none of those picks were working against crazy numbers here. And if the above was your 4-pick ticket, you would have won big. Each of the above ended up hitting.

How to play CFB DFS

College football daily fantasy sports thrive on Underdog and Sleeper (as well as Betr Fantasy and Dabble) through best ball tournaments pick’em contests, which work in a similar manner to prop betting with sportsbooks. Users can enter lower/higher contests (over/under) on specific lines, pick against a player to hit a certain line and so on!

Best Ball Drafts & Tournaments

CFB Best Ball tournaments are a blast with Underdog, and there are many different drafts you can enter. Drafts range from $3-$500 options, with a higher chance to win big as the entry fee increases. At the same time, you can pick between 3-person, 4-person, 6-person, 8-person, 10-person and 12-person drafts!

Keep an eye on the details for each draft you’re entering, folks. Clicking on the little information icon in the bottom left corner of the drafts updates you with info on the number of rounds, scoring breakdowns, roster sizes and prize breakdowns.

The format for Best Ball on Underdog is fairly easy to understand. Users select the size and scope (entry fee) of the draft they’d like to participate in, then enter the draft. Let’s say it’s a 4-person draft to keep things simple.

Draft order will be randomly assigned in snake format, which means whoever is randomly selected to pick first will next pick at No. 8 (for a 4-person draft, of course). Whoever draws the 4th pick will select 5th as well, and so on until the completion of the draft. Essentially, whoever picks first in Round 1 will pick last in Round 2, rinse and repeat. From there, just draft as you would any fantasy football draft.

Here’s the beauty of best ball: You don’t have to lift a finger after this. Underdog will automatically update your roster with the highest scoring players as designated positions. Just do your research, enter as many contests as you like and draft your perfect team!

We’ll discuss Underdog’s uber-popular Best Bowl Mania tournament a little further down the page.

Higher/Lower contests

Let’s continue with the traditional higher/lower contests. In a normal scenario, you’d face a situation like this — LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier over/under 294.5 passing yards in a game. You make your pick of higher or lower and pair it with a player on another team. For instance, maybe you’d want to pair an over on ‘Nussmeier’s total with an over on South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers’ over.

Here’s what makes it different from normal prop contests, and considerably more exciting: in order for a wager to be legitimate, the user must make at least 2 picks, with a maximum of 5. Like a parlay, the more you stack, the more you can win with a multiplier. Of course, each pick you make would have to be correct and you have to pick from at least 2 different teams. This means you couldn’t pick Ty Simpson over 200.5 passing yards and Ryan Williams over 75.5 receiving yards at any point this upcoming season.

Below is a look at what this process looks like on Dabble Fantasy. In this instance, a user would be making 3 picks for 3 separate players in action during Week 1’s Nebraska vs. Cincinnati matchup on Thursday. If all of these 4 picks hit, they’d receive a payout of $300 on a $50 wager. Not bad!

DFS Multiplier Systems

That seems simple enough, but for any confused about how the multiplier works, we’ve got you covered! The multiplier refers to the payout potential depending on how many picks you select, also depending on the DFS App you use. Since it’s one of the more popular DFS sites, here’s how it works on Underdog:

• 2 picks: 3x multiplier
• 3 picks: 6x multiplier
• 4 picks: 10x multiplier
• 5 picks: 20x multiplier

In the example above featuring Dabble, the 3 picks being made would pay out $300 – which means there’s a 6x multiplier attached. Dabble offers up to 1000x multiplier for 12 correct picks on the same ticket.

On Sleeper, dynamic multipliers are used, so each contest has a different potential payout. The general rule remains the same, though — stack more picks to win more money.

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Under-The-Radar Best Ball Picks

Best Ball is one of the best ways to play Underdog, and college football offers quite literally thousands of players to choose from when you’re starting your drafts.

The draftees that win these contests, though it may seem counterintuitive, are not the likes of DJ Lagway, LaNorris Sellers and Jeremiah Smith. Think about it: everyone is drafting those guys. It’s important to have some of those star players on your roster, but the players that will win you your entries are the under-the-radar candidates that not many people have heard about.

Here are a few of my favorite picks in this category this season:

Junior Vandeross, Toledo wide receiver

Junior Vandeross was Toledo’s 2nd leading receiver last season and he’s back for more in 2025 with Jerjuan Newton now off to the NFL. Vandeross, a speedy slot receiver, hauled in 85 receptions for 957 yards and 5 touchdowns as a junior – and he’s set to be the primary receiver for what should once again be the best passing attack in the MAC.

No wonder this kid is picking up Biletnikoff rumblings.

Jadan Baugh, Florida running back

I may be cheating here, but I genuinely believe Baugh is set for a fantastic season with the Gators – and he’s not going at the very top of draft boards either. This is a solid high mid-round pick.

Baugh is set to be Florida’s primary back after totaling 133 carries for 637 yards and 7 touchdowns last season. Named to the Doak Walker preseason watchlist, it still feels like Baugh is flying slightly under the radar – perhaps thanks to DJ Lagway’s insane gravity under center. Mix Baugh’s underrated nature with the fact that Florida may have one of the best o-lines in the SEC and the Gators (and anyone who drafts Baugh) may just be in business.

Miles Kitselman, Tennessee tight end

Bear with me here.

Tennessee indeed has an issue at quarterback, and the Vols indeed have numerous other question marks heading into this season – but tight end is not one of them. Kitselman had a strong year with the Vols last season, and he’s part of a tight end room that is probably going to see the most production of any of Heupel’s teams at Tennessee. I expect to see a lot of 12 personnel for Tennessee this season thanks to what could very well be the most underdeveloped receiver room in the conference. That means more and more targets for the senior tight end Kitselman. Those looking for a solid tight end pickup in later rounds won’t regret this pick.

Owen McCown, UTSA quarterback

Lett’s go back to the G5 ranks for this pick.

McCown could very well be the best quarterback in the Group of 5 this season – and he’ll be pushing some power conferences signal callers as well. The UTSA quarterback threw for 3,424 yards with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season, and he’s entering his second full season as the starter following this solid campaign. Not to mention, the Roadrunners return some production in the receiver room that McCown can use to his advantage. Does the name familiar yet? McCown is the son of former NFL QB Josh McCown.

McCown is admittedly unlikely to be the first QB you pick, but he’s an excellent option to pick up in a later round as insurance.

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CFB DFS Strategy Tips

Not every college football game is created equal. Conditions could be perfect, especially likely in SEC games, but there could also be a torrential downpour or, in the later months of the season, even some snow. Even wind at the college level can affect the passing game to a great extent.

The weather is a variable you have to watch out for. So are injuries, opponent strengths and weaknesses, crowd atmosphere, the stakes and so, so much more. Remember, we’re working with college-age athletes here. Part of what makes college football so fun is its unpredictability, and that will make any contest you enter on the games that much more exciting.

Finally, it’s important to take note of the team hosting the game. Home field advantage is real in any sport, but especially so in college football where stadiums can reach well above 100,000 passionate fans screaming at the top of their lungs.

Below are some great strategies to watch out for when the college football season rolls around and you’re ready to make your picks!

• Find your line. During a Saturday slate, there will be options upon options to choose from. There were over 20 for the national championship game alone, and Underdog and Sleeper will offer plenty more once the season enters full swing. Settling for lines you are not sure about can ruin your multiplier. Safe picks keep your multiplier alive longer!
• Knowledge about your pick is key, but knowledge about opponents may be even more important. Jeremiyah Love over at Notre Dame is expected to be one of the best players in college football this season, but it’s a better bet to assume he’ll perform exceptionally against the likes of Arkansas or Purdue rather than Miami or Texas A&M. Some players elevate their game against stronger competition, so although it may seem like a poor pick to take Jeremiah Smith over 75.5 yards Penn State, you can bet he’ll show up when it matters.
• Keep an eye on injuries, weather at the stadium and more. If your star running back pick seems like a lock, perhaps make sure he isn’t dealing with a minor foot injury and playing through it. At the same time, think before locking in a “higher” pick for 275 passing yards in a torrential downpour.

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Where CFB DFS is available

As of September 2025, Daily Fantasy Sports is available in 45 U.S. states. The only states which do not allow DFS contests of any type are Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Washington.

Not every state allows for DFS picks contests or other Fantasy Sports contests on college athletics. Here are the states where you cannot access DFS contests for college athletics — including states with no DFS altogether in bold:

• AZ, AR, CT, DE, HI, ID, IN, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VT, WA

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Underdog Promo Code: SDS

Using our promo code “SDS” will unlock a play $5, Get $50 offer. That’s a great welcome bonus! To claim your CFB bonus money, all you need to do is sign up at Underdog and make the first deposit in your account. Then, play $5 to claim $50 in bonus credit (site credit).

How does Underdog work?  Check out the table below to learn more about what Underdog is and what competing in CFB contests on the app entails:

Underdog is one of the top fantasy apps around, and it is very convenient to use. There are contests every day across a variety of sports, but Underdog specifically has some of the best CFB contests of all the DFS apps.

Sign up quickly! College football is right around the corner, so make sure to get in on the fun from the very beginning to kick off a great college football season. Keep reading for a look at Underdog’s Best Bowl Mania Tournament.

Best Bowl Mania 2025

Told you we’d eventually get to Best Bowl Mania.

This tournament askes for a $10 entry to be included in a large pool of 12-person draft rooms. As with any best ball tournament, the goal is to draft the best possible team, which will be updated each week based on the results from the week prior. There are no waivers, trades or transactions to be made with Best Ball. Finally, of note, the roster layout includes 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 QB, 1 TE, 1 FLX, 1 SPLX and 12 bench spots after a 20-round draft.

This season’s Best Bowl Mania will include over 22,000 entries, and the grand prize for placing first in the league is a cool $20,000. Here’s a full look at the prize breakdown for places 1-186.

The tournament is comprised of 4 rounds. Round 1 runs from Weeks 1-11, with Round 2 covering Week 12, Round 3 covering Week 13 and Round 4 covering Week 14 of the regular season.

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Betr Promo Code: SOUTH

Betr Picks asks players to pick a more/less option based on a specific line for your favorite sports such as the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and more. Most important of all, Betr Picks allows college sports in 22 U.S. states, as well as the District of Columbia.

Learn more through referencing the table below!

Interested in signing up with Betr Picks? New customers who use promo code SOUTH can claim a Play $10, Get $30 in Bonuses offer for their first few picks with Betr!

Dabble Promo Code: SDS2

Sign up today can claim $10 in bonus cash (and be sure to enter code SDS2) for the 2025 college football season.

Dabble excels in a lot of different ways, but especially so with its social aspect. You can access chat threads and follow along with your friends as they put together their fantasy contest entries.

Here’s more info:

Sleeper Promo Code: SDS1

Using the Sleeper promo code “SDS1” will unlock a first-time deposit match of up to $100. Sleeper is the only DFS app mentioned here that scores college football (and college basketball) games live. That makes it easier to follow along in the app as you try to keep up with your contests!

What can you expect from Sleeper Fantasy? This helpful table should answer any questions you might have:

Sleeper is growing at a fast rate, so make sure you get in on the fun before late August rolls around!

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FAQs

How to play college football dfs?

The best way to get in on the fun with CFB DFS is to click any of the links you see here on this page! That will take you to your desired medium where you can get started on the fun!

Is college football DFS legal?

In most jurisdictions, yes! Pick 'Em contests, which is the best way to enjoy DFS for CFB fans, are available in all states except AZ, CO, MD, MO, NH, NJ, OH, PA, TN, WA and WV.

What states is CFB DFS legal in?

DFS is currently legal in 41 U.S. states, all except CT, DE, HI, ID, IA, LA, MI, MT, NV

How do I take advantage of an CFB DFS promo code?

Easy! Just click any of the links you see on this page or enter the promo codes found above this box once prompted on the Underdog site.

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Our Team

The Saturday Down South team has spent hundreds of hours analyzing and participating in the various daily fantasy apps and contests, so that we can bring you expert advice and opinions on CFB DFS and DFS for other sports. Our daily fantasy team is led by the following:

Adam Spencer

Adam has been on the editorial team at Saturday Down South for several years and has covered college football and fantasy sports. Adam loves playing daily fantasy involving a variety of sports including college football, college basketball, NFL, NBA, soccer and even PGA. With a long history of fantasy sports participation, Adam has recently become a major participant in daily fantasy pick’em contests. He appreciates when daily fantasy apps offer a great app experience with live scoring and accurate player cards.

Ethan Stone

Ethan joined the editorial team at Saturday Down South in 2022 and has covered college football, college basketball and fantasy sports. Ethan plays daily fantasy with a variety of sports including college football, college basketball, NFL, NBA and more. Ethan has recently become a big fan of daily fantasy best ball drafts. He appreciates when daily fantasy apps offer plenty of options and a variety of daily drafts.