Parity is the name of the game this college football season, and Week 12’s schedule is no exception. Saturday’s slate features a bevy of intriguing matchups, rife with playoff implications as teams clamor for the last few wins available this year. Assuredly, that intensity will spill into the fantasy realm, as DFS punters look for those high-scoring studs and fantasy sleepers to craft their tournament-winning rosters.
We’ve got you covered for DFS purposes, highlighting our preferred players from Saturday’s main slate.
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Let’s dive into this week’s slate!
CFB DFS Quarterback Picks
Jeff Sims (Arizona State Sun Devils): $7,400 DraftKings
While the Big Ten and SEC have captured everybody’s attention with their see-saw action and playoff contenders, the Big 12 has once again turned into a battle royale. At present, six teams are in the running for a spot in the conference championship game, and depending on how Week 12 shakes out, that number could almost double. You can trust Jeff Sims to do his part to keep the Arizona State Sun Devils a part of the conversation.
Sims took over for Sam Leavitt after the Heisman Trophy candidate went down with a season-ending foot injury. In his second start of the season, we saw exactly what Sims is made of. The senior led the Sun Devils to a 24-19 victory over Iowa State as +8.5 underdogs. In that contest, he threw for 177 yards and a touchdown, but his most prominent contributions were made via the ground game. Sims toted the ball 29 times in that contest for an astounding 228 yards and two scores. A similar performance is anticipated against the defensively bankrupt West Virginia Mountaineers.
West Virginia has struggled mightily on the defensive side of the ball. Through 10 games, they are giving up over 400 yards and nearly 30 points per game. They have looked particularly defenseless against the pass, but we’ve seen other dual-threat quarterbacks burn the Mountaineers on the ground. Bear Bachmeier, Devon Dampier, and Jalon Daniels all experienced varying levels of success, but Jeff Sims is poised to set the fantasy bar even higher.
The Sun Devils flourished in Sims’ second start, and a similar outcome is expected in Week 12’s clash versus West Virginia. There are some notable names on the main slate, but none can match Sims’ fantasy ceiling.
Marcel Reed (Texas A&M Aggies): $8,400 DraftKings
The Texas A&M Aggies have a straight shot into the SEC Championship Game. Sitting 9-0 on the season, the Aggies need wins over South Carolina, Samford, and Texas to lock up their first undefeated regular season since 1994, when they went 10-0-1. We know Marcel Reed will be ready to get the Aggies moving against the Gamecocks in Week 12.
As we’ve seen all season, Reed has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the SEC. He has thrown multiple touchdowns in all but two of his appearances while averaging 243.7 passing yards per game. Moreover, Reed’s proficiency hasn’t lapsed against the premier conference defenses. Over the last three weeks, he’s completed 67.1% of his passes for 703 yards and seven touchdowns, despite all three of those games coming on the road. All of that, without even considering Reed’s 378 rushing yards or six rushing touchdowns.
Settling into Saturday’s battle versus South Carolina as -25.5 favorites, Reed should set the bar even higher on the main slate. The 3-6 Gamecocks have dropped three in a row, while allowing two of those four quarterbacks to throw for more than 250 yards. More concerningly, they’ve given up an average of 26.3 points per game over that stretch, which will allow Texas A&M to score freely at home.
As inferred by the hefty spread, the Aggies will have no problem putting up a crooked number against South Carolina, and Marcel Reed will account for most of that damage. Whether using his arms or legs, Reed can be counted on as one of the top fantasy performers this weekend.
CFB DFS Running Back Picks
Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame Fighting Irish) $10,000 DraftKings
Bear with us as we gush over the highest-salaried player on this weekend’s main slate. You’ll be convinced that Jeremiyah Love is worth the investment, too.
After a tepid start to the 2025 campaign, Love has hit his stride in recent weeks. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back fell below 94 rushing yards in three of his first four games. In doing so, his yards per carry and scoring efficiency deteriorated, putting him on the upward trajectory we’re currently seeing. Since Week 6, Love has accumulated 647 rushing yards across five contests, eclipsing 94 rushing yards in all but one of those contests. As expected, we’ve seen an increase in scoring and yards per carry, totaling eight scores and 7.4 yards per carry.
Love’s ascent continues against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Granted, Pitt has stacked up well against the run this season, but it has shown cracks over its last few games. Back in Week 10, Hollywood Smothers netted 86 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries. Two weeks prior, Gavin Sawchuk produced 71 yards on 14 carries, with Ousmane Kromah catapulting for 55 yards on seven rushing attempts.
Even if Jeremiyah Love has a more modest rushing day, he will assuredly be deployed more frequently in the passing attack. He’s had five or more targets in two of the last three, hauling in 10 of 11 passes for 97 yards. Altogether, he possesses the game-changing fantasy profile DFS players are looking for and will live up to the hype against the Panthers.
J’Koby Williams (Texas Tech Red Raiders) $5,000 DraftKings
To offset the monstrous salary of Jeremiyah Love, we’re diving to the bottom of the running back pool to find the main slate’s premier value. J’Koby Williams has played second fiddle to Cameron Dickey out of the Texas Tech Red Raiders’ backfield. Nevertheless, Williams has boom potential and an increased workload, supporting that he will vastly exceed the implied production of his Week 12 salary.
Williams’ production has oscillated throughout the campaign. He started off with just 15 carries through two games, hitting 43 carries over the next three before being relegated back to a supporting role. Fortunately, we’re catching him back on the upswing, as Williams has totaled 30 rushing attempts over the last two games. More importantly, the sophomore is making the most of those increased touches.
Across the modest two-game sample, Williams has exploded for 212 yards and a touchdown. While he hasn’t found the end zone, he has averaged 7.1 yards per carry and added 37 yards on six targets. That dual-threat ability makes him a virtual lock to contribute against the UCF Knights at Jones AT&T Stadium.
UCF is struggling to stay bowl eligible, and its lackluster run defense is one of the inhibiting factors. Giving up an average of 153.4 rushing yards per game, opponents have had no problem punching holes in the Knights’ defensive front. Texas Tech will turn to the ground more frequently as it looks to cash as steep home favorites. J’Koby Williams will play a pivotal role on offense and is an underappreciated fantasy asset to set your rosters apart.
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CFB DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Mario Craver (Texas A&M Aggies) $5,100
Our never-ending search for DFS value leads us back to the Texas A&M Aggies, doubling as a premier stacking option. Marcel Reed’s onslaught continues with the help of Mario Craver in Week 12.
On a team loaded with top-tier offensive contributors, Mario Craver stands above the rest. The Aggies’ wideout leads the team in receptions and receiving yards, despite sitting behind KC Concepcion in targets. Inherent in those metrics are Craver’s route-running versatility and breakaway speed, which are captured in his 16.8 yards per completion. We’re also motivated by his uptick in target share. After soaking eight targets between Weeks 7 and 8, Craver has 14 targets over his last two outings.
The only knock on Craver is his injury status ahead of Saturday’s tilt at Kyle Field. Officially questionable with an undisclosed injury, the Alabama native might not be at 100% if he’s in the lineup at all. Tread carefully with this pick, but if Craver is in the lineup, we expect him to produce at an elite level and reach his fantasy ceiling against the Gamecocks.
Malachi Toney (Miami Hurricanes) $6,900
It’s been a rough few weeks for the Miami Hurricanes. Their 5-0 record has been erased by two losses over the last four games, putting the Hurricanes on the outside of the CFP picture, looking in. A convincing win over Syracuse last week could be the catalyst for change, as Miami tries to climb back up the ACC standings. Their ascent is bolstered by Malachi Toney’s presence in the passing attack.
It’s not reflected in his mid-range salary, but Toney has been a game-changer on offense. The freshman leads the Hurricanes in every receiving category by a wide margin. His 54 receptions are 21 more than the next closest player, and his 644 receiving yards are nearly double Keelan Marion’s 369. Most notably, Toney’s 70 targets represent a 34.5% target share, reflecting his instant chemistry with Carson Beck.
As good as he’s been, we’re predicting a resurgent effort in Week 12. Toney is coming off his worst outing of the season, producing 12 yards on just two catches and three targets. That performance is a significant drop off from his usual workload, implying that Toney is a true progression candidate against the North Carolina State Wolfpack.
Toney’s fantasy ceiling is also positively impacted by NC State’s laughable pass defense. Opponents have gouged the Wolfpack for 283.1 yards per game and 8.3 yards per pass attempt, ranking among the worst teams in college football. Toney is the beneficiary on Saturday, and he is deserving of a spot on any DFS roster.
Cooper Barkate (Duke Blue Devils) $7,100
We raved about Cooper Barkate last week, but he failed to reach his fantasy ceiling versus UConn. Undeterred, we’re anticipating a bounce-back effort as Barkate’s Duke Blue Devils host the Virginia Cavaliers at Wallace Wade Stadium in Week 12. Simply, the Blue Devils will need to unleash their offense if they hope to keep pace with their 19th-ranked visitors.
Barkate is the center pole that holds up Duke’s offensive tent. He leads the team with 50 receptions and 824 receiving yards, also placing him among the top pass-catchers in the country. Barkate’s full skill set has been on display in recent performances. Granted, he was limited to 50 yards on five receptions last week, but he had totaled 299 receiving yards on 19 receptions over the previous two contests. Further, his target share has remained consistent throughout the campaign. The senior has recorded fewer than eight targets only twice this season, which is unlikely to change against Virginia.
Virginia has deployed a competent defense this season, albeit becoming less impressive as the season progresses. The Cavaliers dropped a decisive 16-9 loss to Wake Forest last week, barely sneaking past Cal and UNC the weeks prior. Now, they are heading into their third road game in four weeks, which will have a negative impact on their ability to compete on Saturday.
Duke abandons all semblance of defensive integrity for more scoring opportunities. That will be the case again on Saturday, as they unleash their vaunted passing attack on a road weary Cavaliers’ defense. Cooper Barkate is leading the charge and should end the day as one of the top fantasy performers.
Pictured: Marcel Reed
Photo Credit: Imagn
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