When building lineups for college DFS on DraftKings and FanDuel, it’s essential to focus on strategy that gives you an edge in large-field tournaments. This guide will dive into specific techniques that can maximize your ROI, including optimal CFB DFS stack strategy, how to approach the Superflex spot and key factors to consider when constructing your CFB DFS lineups.
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CFB DFS Strategy for Large-Field Tournaments
Targeting High-Scoring Games
The first step in constructing a winning lineup is identifying the games that will be the highest scoring. In college football, the disparity between teams can lead to games where one team scores 50-plus points. Focusing on these high-scoring matchups is critical, as they often lead to the highest fantasy outputs.
Start by looking at the Vegas totals and spreads. Games with high over/unders and tight spreads are ideal, as they portend a shootout where both teams are likely to be scoring frequently and the game will stay competitive, leading to more passing attempts, rushing opportunities and ultimately fantasy points.
Leverage the Player Pool
One of the unique aspects of CFB DFS is the sheer size of the player pool. Unlike the NFL, where the top players are well known, there are many under-the-radar players in college football who can break out. Using resources like depth charts, injury reports and beat writer insights can help you identify players who are stepping into larger roles due to injuries or coaching changes.
In large-field tournaments, don’t be afraid to take calculated risks on lower-owned players from smaller schools or less popular games. These players can provide the differentiation needed to climb the leaderboard in a GPP.
Stacking for CFB DFS Success
Quarterback-Receiver Stacks
Stacking is a fundamental strategy in all DFS sports, and it’s especially effective in college football due to the high variance in game outcomes. The most common stack involves pairing your quarterback with one or more of his receivers. The logic is simple: If your quarterback has a big game, it’s likely that one or more of his receivers will as well.
When stacking, focus on teams that pass heavily or have a concentrated target share. Some college teams spread the ball around too much, making it difficult to predict who will have the big game. On the other hand, teams with a clear alpha receiver or a narrow target tree provide more predictable upside.
With the CFB DFS Sims Tool, you can review the ROI of each stack that is appearing in your Sims, including the quarterback plus one receiver, two receivers or three receivers. For example, the Sims run below is heavily favoring Utah stacks with Cameron Rising, with him providing positive returns on investment in plus-one, plus-two and plus-three stacks.
This is just one example of how the NEW CFB Sims can help you with your large-field tournament CFB DFS strategy.
Double Stacks and Run-Backs
In games with extremely high totals, consider a double stack, where you pair the quarterback with two pass-catchers. This strategy can pay off in shootouts where multiple receivers have big games. To enhance your stack, consider a run-back option from the opposing team. This involves rostering a player from the opposing team who is likely to benefit if the game turns into a back-and-forth affair. For example, if you’re stacking the quarterback and two receivers from a pass-heavy team, running it back with a star running back or wide receiver from the opposing team can provide correlation and upside.
Contrarian Stacks
In large-field tournaments, differentiating your lineup is crucial. One way to do this is by creating contrarian stacks. While everyone else is targeting the highest-profile games, look for opportunities in games that might fly under the radar but still have high scoring potential. For example, a team with a subpar defense and an explosive offense might be involved in a shootout, but because it’s not a marquee matchup, the players could be lower owned. Exploiting these less obvious spots can give you a significant edge.
Optimizing the CFB DFS Superflex Spot
Superflex Quarterbacks
The Superflex spot is a unique feature in CFB DFS, allowing you to roster a second quarterback. Given that quarterbacks generally score the most fantasy points, it’s almost always optimal to use this spot for a second quarterback, particularly in cash games. However, in large-field tournaments, there are situations where it might make sense to deviate from this strategy.
Consider using the Superflex spot for a high-upside non-quarterback in cases where the top quarterbacks are all likely to be highly owned. For example, if a superstar running back is in a smash spot and is likely to get 30-plus touches, he could outscore a mid-tier quarterback. This move is riskier but can differentiate your lineup in a way that gives you a chance to win big in a large field.
Identifying the Right Quarterbacks
When deciding which quarterbacks to roster, look beyond just the top options. Dual-threat quarterbacks who can rack up points with both their arm and legs are particularly valuable in CFB DFS. These quarterbacks have a higher floor due to their rushing ability and a higher ceiling if they also excel in the passing game.
Also, pay attention to matchups. Some defenses are notoriously bad against mobile quarterbacks, creating opportunities for big games. Similarly, if a team is heavily favored, their quarterback might not need to throw much in the second half, limiting their upside. In such cases, targeting quarterbacks in competitive games can lead to better results.
Flexibility with the Superflex
While using the Superflex spot for a quarterback is generally the right move, remaining flexible is important. If you find a slate where the top quarterbacks are in poor matchups or there’s a significant drop-off after the top few, don’t be afraid to use the spot for a high-upside player at another position. This could be a bell-cow running back in a favorable matchup or a wide receiver who is the focal point of his team’s passing attack.
Conclusion
Winning large-field CFB DFS tournaments on DraftKings and FanDuel requires a combination of sharp game selection, strategic stacking and intelligent use of the Superflex spot. By targeting high-scoring games, leveraging the depth of the player pool and finding correlation, you can create lineups that have the potential to rise above the competition. Remember to stay flexible and adapt your strategy to the specific slate, and don’t be afraid to take calculated risks, especially in tournaments where differentiation is key.
