College Football Week 5 is here and we have your top CFB DFS picks and lineup strategies for Saturday's main slate on DraftKings and FanDuel! This Saturday's CFB Week 5 main slate is loaded with top matchups like Clemson vs Syracuse, Kansas vs Texas, USC vs Colorado, and Florida vs Kentucky. In this CFB DFS Playbook, we'll break down top college football DFS picks for Saturday's main slate on DraftKings for the afternoon games. Check out Pete Cole's playbook for the night slate breakdown. The FanDuel main slate includes some night games as well, but you can check out top picks below when building CFB DFS lineups on both sites. All the CFB Week 5 odds listed below are via DraftKings Sportsbook at the time of this writing. Let's now get into the top CFB DFS picks for Saturday's college football Week 5 slate on September 30th.

 

College Football Week 5 Schedule – CFB DFS Saturday Main Slate 

  • 12 pm ET – Clemson (-6.5) at Syracuse – 53 O/U
  • 12 pm ET – USC (-21.5) at Colorado – 73.5 O/U
  • 12 pm ET – Texas A&M (-6) at Arkansas – 54 O/U
  • 12 pm ET – Florida at Kentucky (-1.5) – 45 O/U
  • 12 pm ET – Penn State (-27) at Northwestern – 46 O/U
  • 3 pm ET – Arizona State at California (-12.5) – 47.5 O/U
  • 3:30 pm ET – Kansas at Texas (-16.5) – 61.5 O/U
  • 3:30 pm ET – Georgia (-14) at Auburn – 45.5 O/U
  • 3:30 pm ET – Indiana at Maryland (-14) – 50 O/U
  • 3:30 pm ET – Michigan (-17) at Nebraska – 39 O/U
  • 3:30 pm ET – Illinois at Purdue (-1) – 53.5 O/U
  • 4 pm ET – Boise State at Memphis (-3) – 60 O/U

 

College Football Week 5 CFB DFS Picks

Top CFB DFS Quarterbacks

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Caleb WilliamsUSCCOL1050035.281280033.78
Just like Bo Nix last week, Caleb Williams is a top overall play against Colorado’s terrible defense. Nix threw for 276 yards and 3 TDs while running for another score vs this defense, and he did it all basically in the first half. Williams can do the same thing or better. He’s on fire to start the season with a perfect 15:0 TD:INT ratio, averaging 300 passing yards per game, and adding 3 rush TDs over the first four games. We should be looking at 35-40 DK from the USC QB to anchor cash lineups despite the hefty price tags.
Shedeur SandersCOLUSC950027.281030025.02
We know USC will put up points in this game, but Shedeur Sanders and Colorado could score 30-40 points on their own too. The Trojans’ defense is still unproven in 2023 after giving up a ton of yards and points last year. San Jose St and Arizona St have both scored 28 points on USC this season, so the Buffs can certainly score 4-5 times here. Sanders is coming off an ugly performance vs Oregon, but he can bounce back for 35+ DK as an upside GPP play. Just know that it is worrisome that his O-line is terrible and Colorado has multiple injuries in the WR corps.
Quinn EwersUTKU870025.761020024.88
Besides the USC-Colorado game, Texas vs Kansas is the other high-total early matchup to target. It puts us on Quinn Ewers right away as the headliner for the Longhorns as three-score favorites here. Ewers should provide a solid cash floor of 25-30 DK in this matchup. KU has faced one legit passing attack this year and it came last week with Kedon Slovis throwing for 357 yards and 2 TDs. The Texas offense is balanced between the run and pass, but Ewers has the upside to post big numbers. Plus, it’s good to see him have rushing scores in three of four games so far. Ewers is a contrarian cash or GPP play with most rostering Caleb Williams.
Seth HeniganMEMBSU800025.77  
Seth Henigan has been consistent from a DFS perspective this season with 24+ DK in all four games so far. He’s had some turnover issues, but he’s also getting it done with passing yards and some rushing upside. It also helps that Memphis is playing in a lot of high-scoring games and another is likely coming this week vs Boise St. He faces a Boise pass defense that ranks 124th nationally right now. At 8k on the DK slate, Henigan is a solid cash Super-Flex play who may go overlooked.
Garrett ShraderSYRCLEM740032.62910032.73
Despite the tough matchup vs Clemson, we have to consider Garrett Shrader in all formats because of his rushing upside. He’s two weeks removed from posting 195 rushing yards and 4 rush TDs against Purdue, and that 52 DK performance is his legit ceiling. Usually, Shrader will give us 20-25 DK and his rushing provides a safer floor than most QBs. Again, the matchup is a bit scary, but Shrader did run for 71 yards and a TD in this game last year to save value. Maybe limit to GPPs, but the cash floor should be there. If Cuse wants to pull the upset, it'll do so with Shrader likely running a ton.
Luke AltmyerILPUR570020.19  
There aren’t many value QBs worth rostering on this slate, but Luke Altmyer offers some upside on the cheap. The Illinois QB has posted 22+ DK in three of four games so far and just threw for 300+ yards last week. He also has three rushing scores and 146 rushing yards on the season for a bit of dual-threat ability. Altmyer can be a cheap Super-Flex play for 20-25 DK in the mid-5k range on DK. The Purdue pass defense has been suspect this season, so the matchup isn’t that tough on the road.
Trenton BourguetASUCAL48000.88  
Arizona State is down its top two QBs with Jaden Rashada and Drew Pyne both out. That gives us Trenton Bourguet as a dirt-cheap starting QB for Super-Flex lineups. He’s also banged up but is trending towards playing after taking first-team reps in practice this week. It’s obviously a risky play but Bourguet did show some upside last year in a handful of starts, including three 300+ yard games. Cal’s defense just got torched by Washington last week and though Bourguet is no Michael Penix, there’s upside at a very affordable sub-5k price.

Top CFB DFS Running Backs

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Blake CorumMICHNEB830023.481000022.10
Is Michigan on the slate? Then Blake Corum is a top RB play for all formats. He’s come through for three games in a row now after scoring twice with 97 rushing yards last week. Corum had 30 and 25 DK in the two games prior while scoring multiple times with 100+ total yards in both. He’s as automatic as it comes and we should see a healthy amount of touches now that Michigan is in conference play (he got 21 carries last week vs Rutgers). Nebraska statistically has one of the best rush defenses so far, but it also hasn’t faced a rushing attack like Michigan with Corum leading the way.
MarShawn LloydUSCCOL760014.9870013.40
Lloyd had a strong game last week with 154 rushing yards while getting the lion’s share of carries over Austin Jones in the USC backfield. The Colorado rush defense is the worst on this slate, allowing 206.5 yards per game (124th in FBS). It’s a smash spot for any RB and Oregon just ran for 240 yards and 3 rush TDs last week. However, Lloyd is still just a GPP play because Jones will steal some work and the USC offense may just do most of its damage through the air with Caleb Williams throwing/running in all the TDs instead of Lloyd. A big ceiling performance is definitely possible, though.
Ashton JeantyBSUMEM680035.55  
Ashton Jeanty continues to post huge DFS numbers with a 44 DK performance last week that saw him run for 205 yards with two scores. He has at least 28 DK in all four games thus far and is getting heavy volume with George Holani out. We have no update on Holani’s status, but Jeanty shouldn’t cede many touches at this point with how well he’s playing. His involvement in the passing attack raises his floor/ceiling combo even more. Jeanty has 18 receptions for 285 yards and two scores through four games. He’s Boise State’s clear top offensive weapon overall right now. Memphis gave up 201 rushing yards to Missouri last week and 299 to Navy the game prior. It’s really hard to fade Jeanty at this point in all formats.
Blake WatsonMEMBSU650028.12  
Blake Watson is a true workhorse back for Memphis right now and he gets a very favorable matchup. He just put up 28 DK with 130 total yards on 27 touches last week vs Missouri. He also put up 38 and 34 DK in two other games this season. His rushing ability is one thing, but Watson is being used a ton as a pass-catcher. He actually leads the team in receptions so far with 24 catches through four games. Now he faces a Boise St defense that gave up 258 rushing yards to UCF in Week 2 and then 166 rush yards with 3 rush TDs to San Diego St last week. Watson is arguably the top cash RB on the DK slate when you put it all together.
Cam SkatteboASUCAL640020.4  
Cam Skattebo is coming off a huge stat line last week vs USC. He put up 41 DK with 111 rushing yards (on 20 carries), 79 receiving yards (on four catches), 2 TDs, and even 42 passing yards on two completions. With all of the QB injuries, ASU’s offense is leaning heavily on Skattebo as a rusher, receiver, and even a passer right now. The Sun Devils are getting creative and taking advantage of Skattebo’s versatility. His volume alone can make him a top play just like last week.
Jonathon BrooksUTKU620019.58950017.58
Even with CJ Baxter back last week, Jonathan Brooks had 106 rushing yards and 2 TDs on 18 carries to lead Texas’ backfield. He’s now put together back-to-back 100+ yard days and a third could be coming against Kansas this week in a high-scoring matchup. Though the KU defense has improved from last year, don’t forget that Texas ran for 427 yards and 6 TDs in this game last year. Brooks, by the way, had 100+ yards and two scores in that one. He’s running behind one of the best offensive lines in the country and could easily go for 25+ DK with another impressive stat line as a GPP upside play.
Daijun EdwardsUGAAUB600020.5820018.75
Daijun Edwards has been Georgia’s lead back the last two games with Kendall Milton dealing with a knee injury. He had 20 carries for 118 yards and a TD vs South Carolina and then had 12 carries for 66 yards and 2 TDs last week vs UAB. Milton has practiced this week but seems unlikely to play or take away the lead role from Edwards. The Auburn rush defense gave up 209 yards to Texas A&M last week, so Georgia can have success on the ground in this matchup with Edwards leading the way as a GPP play.
Will ShipleyCLEMSYR590018.7860017.77
Will Shipley was underpriced last week and he still is, especially at sub-6k on the DK slate. He’s seeing heavy volume as both a rusher and pass-catcher in the Clemson offense as their best overall player, especially in the red zone. Shipley had 22 touches for 100+ total yards, 2 TDs, and 26 DK last week vs Florida St. When Clemson plays close games, as this week’s spread on the road vs Syracuse indicates, Shipley gets 20-25 touches and should post 100+ total yards, a TD or two, and 25-30 DK with the guaranteed volume. He’s a top play in cash once again.
Raheim SandersARKTA&M560017.8600021.14
If Raheim Sanders plays, he’s way too cheap on both sites. Yes, the matchup vs Texas A&M is a tough one. But Sanders is one of the top college football running backs and can post 100+ yards with multiple TDs in any given game. He’s missed the last three games with a knee injury, so there is some risk that he’ll be limited. Practice reports this week seem to suggest Sanders will play, though. He could go overlooked on this slate and makes for a contrarian value in GPP lineups.
Christian TurnerIUUMD41006.08  
If you want to get frisky in GPPs, Christian Turner is an interesting dart throw. The Indiana OC said this week that Turner will get more snaps with Josh Henderson injured. We saw it happen last game with Turner getting 13 carries for 67 yards and a TD vs Akron. The IU backfield still has Jaylin Lucas splitting work, but Turner out-performed him last week and averaged 5.2 ypc. Maryland allowed Mich St lead back Nathan Carter to run for 97 yards last week and the Terps defense really hasn’t many top rushing attacks thus far. There’s upside for Turner returning value if he gets 15 carries or so.

Top CFB DFS Wide Receivers

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Evan StewartTA&MARK720025.57920019.90
Even though Texas A&M lost QB Conner Weigman for the season, the dropoff to backup Max Johnson isn’t that big. Johnson is still a very capable passer and it shouldn’t impact Evan Stewart or the A&M passing attack much. Stewart had an average Week 4 stat line of three catches for 50 yards and a TD, but he can bounce back here. Arkansas’ pass defense allowed 320 yards and 4 TDs to LSU last week with both Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas having monster days. Stewart is still one of the best receivers in the sport and isn’t far removed from going off vs Miami in Week 2. He can be rostered as a top WR in all formats per usual.
Jimmy Horn Jr.COLUSC660016.55780012.43
As mentioned above with Shedeur Sanders, Colorado should score its fair share of points in this high-total matchup with USC. The offense should bounce back from last week’s dud vs Oregon against a softer defense at home here. We know Travis Hunter is out and Xavier Weaver’s status is up in the air after he got hurt last Saturday. It’s possible Jimmy Horn is the clear-cut top target for Sanders if Weaver sits, and he might be locked into 15-20 targets with 10+ receptions incoming. Either way, Colorado will be playing catch-up and Horn is a safe underneath target for Sanders.
Xavier WorthyUTKU650015.72830013.10
Xavier Worthy has not had a big game yet, but one could be coming this week in a high-scoring matchup vs Kansas. We know Worthy is Quinn Ewers’ top target and his 19 receptions through four games lead the team. Though a huge stat line hasn’t been there, Worthy still has 12+ DK in every game so far. That’s about his PPR floor with the potential for much more in a higher-total environment like this week. He’s always in play and more so this week if Texas’ passing game goes bonkers.
Brenden RiceUSCCOL640017.68850015.43
As will be the case all season, the USC receivers are all GPP plays with the production spread out pretty evenly. Still, they each have plenty of upside in this soft matchup vs Colorado where USC could hang 60 points. Dorian Singer, Brenden Rice, Tahj Washington, and Zachariah Branch all have the potential to score twice with 100+ yards in this spot. As for Rice, he just went for seven catches, 133 yards, and 2 TDs last week. Through five games, his 5 TDs leads the team and he barely trails Washington in yards (278 to 257). Colorado’s secondary won’t be able to cover Rice or any of these guys, but they’re all still priced up to fully trust in cash.
Roc TaylorMEMBSU610015.22  
As mentioned above with Seth Henigan and Blake Watson, the Memphis offense gets a very favorable matchup here against a Boise State defense that’s been getting lit up. Henigan’s top target is Roc Taylor, who has at least six catches and 60+ yards in three of four games so far. He’s also coming off a 7-for-143 performance last week vs Mizzou. At just $6100 on the DK slate, Taylor is a bit underpriced for his role and this matchup. He likely goes overlooked with so many other top WR plays on the slate.
Isaiah WilliamsILPUR570015.45  
We broke down Luke Altmyer being a possible cheap option this week. Illinois’ clear top receiver is Isaiah Williams. His 24 receptions and 333 receiving yards lead the team by a good margin so far. Williams has at least 5 catches and double-digit DK points in every game too. He just went for eight catches, 120 yards, and 23 DK last week, which is a good sign that he and Altmyer on the same page heading into this matchup. Purdue’s pass defense is definitely beatable, so Williams is a solid cash WR and is a bit underpriced.
Brock BowersUGAAUB540017.22760012.80
If Georgia is on the slate, then Brock Bowers needs to be considered as the team’s top offensive weapon. He just dominated UAB last week with nine catches for 121 yards, 2 TDs, and 36 DK. We won’t get that stat line every game, but we all know Bowers’ talent and how Georgia gameplans to get him the ball as much as possible. He also had seven catches for 54 yards the game prior vs South Carolina. The sports’ best tight end is still priced cheap enough to roster in cash or GPP lineups.
Luke GrimmKUUT510012.12640010.50
The spread suggests Kansas will be passing more often than not while playing catch-up to Texas. That puts all of the Jayhawks receivers in play as decent values from the pure target volume standpoint. Lawrence Arnold is an option as Kansas’ top wideout, but Luke Grimm is cheaper for possibly similar production. He just caught 2 TDs last week (on three targets) and is the team’s top red zone WR so far.
Luke HaszARKTA&M500015.48740016.17
Luke Hasz has come on strong for Arkansas over the past two games. He had 78 yards and a TD for 17 DK two weeks ago and then had 34 DK in Week 4 with 116 yards and two scores. The freshman tight end is a top target behind Andrew Armstrong for KJ Jefferson when the Razorbacks go to the air. That could be the case this week with Texas A&M boasting a strong rush defense. Hasz can return value with his receptions, yards, and the newfound TD upside.
Tyler BrownCLEMSYR48009.82670010.13
Clemson is desperate for someone to step up in the WR corps and it looks like Tyler Brown is the guy now. He had five catches for 84 yards last week and took advantage of Antonio Williams being out. Williams is doubtful again this week, so Brown could be a top target for Cade Klubnik in the Clemson passing attack. He also had 2 TDs in Week 3, so the arrow is pointing up for the shifty wideout. Troy Stellato is another value Clemson receiver to consider as he was more involved last week with Williams out.
Ja'Tavion SandersUTKU470016.93750012.93
If you want cheap exposure to the Texas offense, Ja’Tavion Sanders continues to be a strong value. The tight end’s 268 receiving yards actually lead the team through four weeks and he’s posted 100+ yards in two of the last three games. Outside of Xavier Worthy, it’s Sanders who is Quinn Ewers’ second-favorite target right now. As long as he’s priced below 5k on DK, the cash value is there. There’s a chance he’s more popular than Worthy on this slate too.
Michael HarrisonCOLUSC450011.88630010.13
We mentioned Michael Harrison as a value last week and he came through with a TD. That’s a good sign moving forward because somehow he still produced despite Colorado getting crushed. Harrison has stepped into a bigger role in the Buffs’ passing offense with Travis Hunter sidelined. He had seven catches for 76 yards and 2 TDs vs Colorado St after Hunter went out. Harrison and other Colorado receivers would get a bigger boost if Xavier Weaver is out. Either way, Harrison is a solid value in all formats with his elevated role.
Jalin ConyersASUCAL40008.33  
Even with Arizona State’s QB injuries, Jalin Conyers can be a decent salary-saver with more upside than you’d think. The tight end had five catches for 71 yards last week vs USC and he’s ASU’s second-best pass-catcher right now behind Elijhah Badger. With Trenton Bourguet likely starting, Conyers could become a favorite target. In Bourguet’s three best games last year, Conyers posted the following stat lines: 6 catches for 103 yards and 3 TDs, 10 catches for 76 yards and a TD, and 7 catches for 66 yards. They have a rapport and we’d take those performances all day at just 4k on the DK slate.

 

CFB DFS Week 5 Core Plays 

DraftKings Cash

  • Caleb Williams – USC
  • Blake Watson – Memphis
  • Will Shipley – Clemson
  • Ja'Tavion Sanders – Texas

DraftKings GPP

  • Quinn Ewers – Texas
  • Raheim Sanders – Arkansas
  • MarShawn Lloyd – USC
  • Jalin Conyers – Arizona St

FanDuel Cash (Early Games)

  • Caleb Williams – USC
  • Will Shipley – Clemson
  • Brock Bowers – Georgia

FanDuel GPP (Early Games)

  • Garrett Shrader – Syracuse
  • MarShawn Lloyd – USC
  • Tyler Brown – Clemson
 

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