How to Play Daily Fantasy College Football
Playing is simple, as we pointed out, but you need to make the right choices when it really counts. This will be well known by those who have also played fantasy football. It all starts with choosing the right DFS platform. Then, you'll need to pick a contest that corresponds to your level and budget. The buy-on should not be very high if you are a beginner.
In principle, the winner is decided in the draft stage because which players you choose is instrumental to your team's performance. This is where research and experience help you make an informed decision about which players to recruit. Beyond that, expertise is not needed. Players of all experience levels can pick a team and sign up for a contest.
The Draft
Starting a college fantasy football season will have you select your team through a draft. If you choose to participate in a re-draft league, you will need to make a new team annually. Drafts take place just before the start of each season, so you will have the chance to catch up on the latest news before making your decision.
Prepare for action sometime in late August or early September when preseason assessments are most current. Choosing players from the pool is different for leagues and contests. In leagues, there will be rules determining when you are eligible to pick, while in contests, everyone drafts a team without any specific order. Here's what players a standard team consists of:
- 1 Quarterback (QB)
- 2 Running Backs (RBs)
- 2 Wide Receivers (WRs)
- 1 Tight End (TE)
- 1 Flex (RB/WR/TE)
- 1 Kicker (K)
- 1 Defense/Special Teams (D/ST)
While there may be various scoring formats, the most common one is referred to as "standard scoring." This is a format in which points are awarded mainly to offensive players for touchdowns, field goals, and yardage. Six points for a touchdown and a point awarded for every ten rushing or receiving yards are also quite common for standard scoring rules.
- Passing yards: 1 point per 25 yards
- Passing touchdowns: 4 points
- Rushing yards: 1 point per 10 yards
- Rushing touchdowns: 6 points
- Receptions: 0.5 or 1 point (depending on half- or full-PPR)
- Receiving yards: 1 point per 10 yards
- Receiving touchdowns: 6 points
- 2-point conversions: 2 points
- Fumble recovered for a touchdown: 6 points
- Rushing or receiving TD of 40+ yards: 2 points
- Passing TD of 40+ yards: 2 points
- Intercepted pass: -1 or -2 points
- Fumble lost: -2 points
Not only offensive play is rewarded. Some leagues use Point Per Reception (PPR) or Half-Point Per Reception (Half-PPR) formats, giving points for each catch. It goes without saying if this rule is present, you should pay attention to wide receivers and pass-catching running backs when drafting your team.
Before Gameday
Before each gameday, you ought to make sure that your lineup is optimized for the upcoming match. This involves making sure all your starting positions are filled and that you have the right squad for what's coming. If you want to be on top of your game and not miss out on opportunities, you need to know when matches are scheduled to begin.
If you are in a re-draft league, you should regularly review and adjust your team to navigate injuries and the different styles of play your team will face off against. Effective management also includes adjusting for specific matchups and weather conditions.
The Waiver Wire
The waiver wire in college football daily fantasy is a mechanic allowing you to claim unowned players. First and foremost, you need to be out there, actively making claims on players who are available on the waiver wire to improve your chances of acquiring them. This feature can be a good solution if you have injured or underperforming players on your team and you need fresh talent.
Player Trades
With the help of player trades, you can exchange members on your team with members of the team of someone else who is in your league. The number one reason participants do this is to balance their teams and substitute underperforming players.
When considering a trade, it's important to evaluate both the long and short-term benefits of it. An important tip is not to chase after stars but to focus on the players who are a good fit for your team and strategy. If your league allows for player trades, make sure to consider all these points in order to have a rewarding experience.