CFB Grind Down Week 11 - Early Slate: Page 4
Pittsburgh Panthers at Duke Blue Devils – O/U 50
| Pittsburgh Panthers | Duke Blue Devils | ||||
| Rd. Proj. | Rd. Spread | Pace | Pace | Hm. Proj. | Hm. Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23.5 | 3 | 65.78 | 78.78 | 26.5 | -3 |
| PaYd/G | RuYd/G | PaYd/G | RuYd/G | ||
| Offense | 198.56 | 169.89 | Offense | 236.33 | 196.89 |
| Opp Def | 207.33 | 133.11 | Opp Def | 194.89 | 143.33 |
| Opp Def Rank | 48th | 34th | Opp Def Rank | 14th | 35th |
Pittsburgh
Coming into last weekend, Duke featured a top-10 pass defense, however, they really hadn’t faced a decent passing team, and UNC tore them to shreds. Pitt isn’t a quality passing team as they actually have below average QB play, but they do feature one of the nations best wide receivers in Tyler Boyd. When Pitt does look to pass, he is their entire passing offense, and they’re even looking to get him some touches in the running game recently. He’s been very productive over the past five weeks, and against an overrated secondary he’s a quality option on a full PPR site like DK.
Outside of Boyd, there’s not much else to like on Pitt. Their QB play is poor and they are a run heavy team so Nate Peterman is not on my radar. In years past, the Pitt running game has been a great target however since the loss of James Conner, they’ve been very volatile and tough to predict. Qadree Ollison is the starter but his volume has been very unpredictable on a week to week basis so he’s very tough to trust and Duke’s run defense is no pushover.
Elite Options – Tyler Boyd
Secondary Options – Qadree Ollison
Duke
This is a DK-only game and there’s not much to be excited about on the Duke side of the ball. The big question here is the status of their QB Thomas Sirk, who is questionable for this weekend. If he were to sit, it would be a big blow to Duke as he’s also basically their top running threat. Parker Boehme would be expected to draw the start and while he’s very unproven, he is only $4,000 on DK. He’s nowhere near a cash game play but if you want to punt a QB spot in a large field tournament he could be worth a single dart throw.
Both Jela Duncan and Shaquille Powell had solid days last weekend against UNC’s weak rush defense, but they did split carries and I’ve never been a big fan of the Duke running game. If Sirk does suit up, Max McCaffrey and would probably be the top Duke wide receiver option. However, if Boehme starts I’m not sure what to expect in the youngster’s first start so I’d downgrade the Duke passing attack.
Elite Options – NONE
Secondary Options – Parker Boehme (GPP minimum price punt)
Texas Longhorns at West Virginia Mountaineers – O/U 53
| Texas Longhorns | West Virginia Mountaineers | ||||
| Rd. Proj. | Rd. Spread | Pace | Pace | Hm. Proj. | Hm. Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22.25 | 8.5 | 63.78 | 82.88 | 30.75 | -8.5 |
| PaYd/G | RuYd/G | PaYd/G | RuYd/G | ||
| Offense | 152.67 | 206.89 | Offense | 241.00 | 220.13 |
| Opp Def | 248.25 | 176.50 | Opp Def | 247.00 | 187.22 |
| Opp Def Rank | 79th | 89th | Opp Def Rank | 81st | 86th |
Texas
This is the other DK-only game and it’s a fairly unexciting matchup. Texas is similar to Oklahoma State in that they are very tough to predict, but they aren’t nearly as explosive as OSU. Both Jerod Heard and Tyrone Swoopes are playing at QB so while they both offer running upside, it’s a situation that is a complete unknown.
I’m not a fan of their passing game at all, but they do have an emerging young RB in D’onta Foreman. He ripped off a huge game against Kansas, and he’s flashed big play ability all year. The problem is that he is unlikely to top 15 carries as Jonathan Gray is still hanging around and both Heard and Swoopes get their carries as well. I don’t mind taking a tournament shot, but he’s not a guy I could trust anywhere near my cash game lineup
Elite Options – NONE
Secondary Options – D’Onta Foreman
West Virginia
If you can’t produce against a terrible Texas Tech defense then that’s a bad sign and that is where the WVU passing game finds themselves. Skyler Howard has been terrible for a few weeks now, and there is uncertainty in the receiving corp as well. Texas is a defense that can be picked on but given WVU’s struggles, I’d stay away as there are much safer options on this slate. Shelton Gibson should be their top target and Texas has struggled against the pass, but I personally don’t trust Howard right now.
Wendell Smallwood has been the one consistent option on the Mountaineers as he topped 100 rushing yards for the fifth time in six games last weekend. Rushel Shell is sitll hanging around for around 15 carries per game, which is frustrating, but if you’re looking to the Mountaineer backfield, Smallwood is the preferred target. The matchup is just average as Texas is allowing 4.1 YPC so he’s a guy that is worth a look, but is a secondary option as there are other RBs in what I think are better spots.
Elite Options – NONE
Secondary Options – Wendell Smallwood