This is a good FIVE game CFB slate, although the contests in my mind are a little lacking — but there is NFL today so that is the main reason why i suppose. Here are the five games that we have to sit on our ass and watch today.

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TOP GAMES ON THE SLATE

Oregon State (-7.5) vs Utah State: LA Bowl – SoFi Stadium, Los Angelos

We have to love the Utah State passing game. Deven Thompkins leads the way for Utah State and teams had a 62% completion rate against Oregon State on the season. For game stack and competitive nature this is your game that probably shoots out on both sides the most.

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Eastern Michigan vs Liberty (-9.5): Lending Tree Bowl – Mobile, Ala.

Top game on the slate because it features the top overall play on the slate in QB Malik Willis. The good pass defense for Liberty should result in them jumping out to the early lead and cruising with EMU getting some late garbage yards. I like the over and a blowout for Liberty.

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Marshall vs Louisiana-Lafayette (-4): New Orleans Bowl – Superdome, New Orleans

You can take a shot on either QB in this game, it’s in a good environment for them and I could see both having a rushing touchdown from short yardage, but you won’t get high rushing total upside from them. The plays in this game should be the RB for Mashall, Rasheen Ali and RB Emani Bailey for Louisiana-Lafayette.

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Fade Games

UTEP vs Fresno State (-11.5): New Mexico Bowl – Alberquerque, New Mexico

Fresno is in a bit of a mess with a change at head coach and no clear decision on if Jake Haener will start. There is some word that they will split reps and I honestly think that this could get ugly whether they come out hot or struggle. I will be taking UTEP + the points in game if this one looks like Fresno is just off.

UAB vs BYU (-6.5): Independence Bowl – Shreveport, La

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Malik Willis – Liberty – $8,700

The best rushing matchup on the slate is for Liberty’s offense against Eastern Michigan and the highly touted Willis is likely to use his legs as he has all season against Eastern Michigan and contribute to the majority of their offense today. I would take him as the chalky QB1 for good reason because it’s a probable 30 point spot.

Logan Bonner – Utah State – $7,700

Prefer Bonner over Nolan in the same game simply because he’ll contribute in all their TD unlike Nolan who can hand off to Baylor a lot.

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BJ Baylor – Oregon State – $6,700

Will get double digit carries, if not 15-20 touches overall with the Oregon State offense averaging 5+ ypc and Utah State allowing 4.4 ypc per game he should end up as the #1 RB on the entire slate.

Emani Bailey – Louisiana – $5,200

Good price tag for the Freshman RB – he has touchdowns in three straight and is coming off a 117 yard performance against App State.

Rasheen Ali – Marshall – $7,500

Ali finished the season with 20 rushing touchdowns and I can’t see Marshall putting up 24+ points without him having 2 touchdowns.

Ronnie Rivers – Fresno State – $6,100

We should see Rivers get the bulk of the carries for Fresno State, but this is also a situation where the Senior RB could be put to the side late in the game for younger players going forward.

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Deven Thompkins – Utah State – $7,500

The second best play on today’s slate. Thompkins is a 32% target share machine for an offense that liked to play up tempo this season and should get a nice send off for the Senior WR.

Demario Douglas – Liberty – $5,800 & CJ Daniels – Liberty – $5,000

While playing Malik Willis is done for his rushing ability, they will still air it out some and Douglas was the most consistent reception/yardage option in the passing game for Liberty while Freshman CJ Daniels had 7 TD on the season and is coming off an 11 target game in their last outing.

Trevon Bradford – Oregon State – $5,600

Love this game for points, it should be a popular spot and Bradford gets ~20% of the target share.

Hassan Beydoun – Eastern Michigan – $6,600

I mentioned some garbage time scoring from Eastern Michigan and Beydoun is the WR1 here. If you wanted to find some cheaper alternatives then we should see Dylan Drummond get some good run here too.

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Cheaper Options …

Puka Nacua – BYU – $4,900

With some other key players out now for BYU, Nacua has turned into their top passing option. He is a better play on DraftKings where 4-5 catches will give you a solid value floor.

Justin Garrett – UTEP – $4,700

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TAILGATE PLAYS

CORE: Willis, Baylor, Bailey, Thompkins

BETS:

UTEP +11.5
UAB/BYU Under 54.5
Liberty -9.5
Oregon State / Utah State OVER 67.5
Louisiana -4

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