theCFFsite • DFS
CFB DFS: Week 1 – Thursday Slate
Matchup-by-matchup analysis with top plays, fades, pivots, bargain options, injury notes, and Mike’s Core Four.
★ Top Play↓ Fade↔ Pivot
$ Bargain Bin+ Best of the Rest! Injury Notes
$ Bargain Bin+ Best of the Rest! Injury Notes
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theCFFsite’s Heisman Members can view the full article, and Heisman/All-American Members can access the Weekly Player Projections. Become an All-American or Heisman Member for our exclusive members-only content and access to theCFFsite Discord, or access this week’s DFS write-up and Player Projections with a one-week membership pass. See 2026 membership options here.
Massachusetts
Top Play(s) – TE Max Dowling ($3,800)
Realistically, we’ll have next to zero exposure of the UMass offense on Thursday, but Dowling is the most intriguing piece with the offensive coordinator change to Max Warner who coached the likes of legendary fantasy tight end Harold Fannin. In fact, the TE1 has posted at least 60 targets in each of the last five seasons under Warner’s direction. That trend continued in the UMass spring game where Dowling hauled in three receptions and Minutemen tight ends caught 13 of the 43 passes in the scrimmage.
Fade – RBs
Without a depth chart, this is complete speculation as to who will start as of Tuesday writing this. RB Justin Williams-Thomas ($5,400) has P4 experience but is now on his fourth school in as many years. RB Jordan Washington ($4,700) ran for just 340 yards last season at Murray State. Regardless, UMass ranked 133rd in rushing last season with only one OL returning. No thanks.
Pivot Play – WR Joseph Griffin Jr. ($4,200)
It should be reiterated that we’re not interested in this offense. But, if wanting to select a WR, Griffin would be him. The former Boston College and Wisconsin transfer established himself as WR1 in the spring and will have a strong rapport with QB Pop Watson having played together in high school.
Best of the Rest – QB Pop Watson ($5,300)
The new OC will have some pieces to work with, starting at quarterback with Virginia Tech transfer Pop Watson III, a local product from nearby Springfield Central high school. Bowling Green quarterbacks were rarely fantasy standouts, but the hope is that Watson can elevate the offense overall. The numbers don’t show it, but Watson can run, including a 48-yard rushing performance two years ago vs. Virginia.
Injury Notes – n/a
Rutgers
Top Play(s) – RB Antwan Raymond ($8,900)
Obviously, the best player on the slate and all lineup builds start with him. Raymond was your A-typical workhorse that we’ve come to expect under offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca with 1,200 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 242 attempts and even showed growth in the passing game with 18 receptions, seven of which came in one game vs. Washington. This could be a somewhat intriguing matchup between the Rutgers offense and their former defensive coordinator in Joe Harasymiak who was the Knights’ defensive coordinator from 2022-24.
Fade – RB Ja’shon Benjamin ($4,300)
Reporting coming out of fall camp is that Louisiana Tech transfer RB Clay Thevenin ($6,000) has taken over the RB2 job ahead of Benjamin and will be the first back on the field when Raymond needs a breather. Thevenin will also serve as the team’s best receiver out of the backfield, having caught 33 passes a year ago.
Pivot Play – QB Dylan Lonergan ($7,700)
The Boston College transfer won a tightly-contested battle this offseason versus AJ Surace for the QB1 job. Normally, we’d fade the QB1 from Rutgers, but Athan Kaliakmanis performed well at time last season in college fantasy, scoring 20+ fantasy points in six games of his 13 games played, while also throwing for 250+ yards in all three non-conference games. Against Fordham last season in the opener, who is probably at a similar level of competition to UMass, Lonergan threw for 268 yards and four scores.
Best of the Rest – WRs KJ Duff ($8,000)
Raymond should be in 100% of lineups. Duff maybe around 75-80% of lineups as there’s plenty of WR options to choose from. Duff will be THE guy in the Rutgers WR room in 2026 with Ian Strong transferring to California and DT Sheffield exhausting his eligibility, leaving behind 162 vacated targets between them. Raymond / Duff stacks are plenty viable as the offense will be centralized around the star duo.
Injury Notes –
n/a
MEMBERS-ONLY ACCESS
theCFFsite’s Heisman Members can view the full article, and Heisman/All-American Members can access the Weekly Player Projections. Become an All-American or Heisman Member for our exclusive members-only content and access to theCFFsite Discord, or access this week’s DFS write-up and Player Projections with a one-week membership pass. See 2026 membership options here.
