College Football DFS: Draftkings and Fanduel Picks Strategy for Friday, December 26

College Football DFS: Friday Picks

The day after Christmas isn't just for leftovers - it's for college football fans and DFS players to feast on a three-game bowl slate packed with intrigue. Friday brings us:

GameAbove Sports Bowl: Northwestern vs. Central Michigan (1:00 PM ET, Ford Field - Detroit)
Rate Bowl: Minnesota vs. New Mexico (4:30 PM ET, Chase Field - Phoenix)
First Responder Bowl: UTSA vs. FIU (8:00 PM ET, Gerald J Ford Stadium - Dallas)

DraftKings and FanDuel are both up and running Friday, and below we break down some of the best plays on each slate.

Friday College Football DFS Slate Overview 

Both FanDuel and DraftKings offer all three games Friday, so you have no shortage of options regardless of which site you fancy. 

These matchups offer a mix of Big Ten grit, Mountain West explosiveness, and Conference USA speed. While none of these games project as high-scoring shootouts, there's plenty of DFS value to uncover, especially with opt-outs and depth chart shake-ups creating opportunities for lesser-known players to shine.

Northwestern vs. Central Michigan (43.5 points) serves up the lowest total on the slate, signaling a defensive grind. Northwestern's strong defense and run-heavy approach limit shootout potential, but volume backs are viable for cash games. Central Michigan has a dual-threat QB returning which adds upside for the Chips, but expect limited explosive plays. Target workhorse RBs and possession WRs rather than deep threats in this game.

Minnesota vs. New Mexico (44.5 points) is another modest total, however, this game feels more balanced offensively. The Gophers' RBs are a focal point, especially if they build a lead. New Mexico brings more scoring upside with dynamic playmakers, making them intriguing GPP plays. With a near pick 'em spread, expect competitive play and potential for late-game scoring bursts.

UTSA vs. FIU (59.5 points) is the clear shootout spot. Both teams rank in the Top 60 in scoring offense and bottom-90 in scoring defense. UTSA has a Group of Five star at QB that headlines the slate, while FIU counters with heavy hitters at RB and WR. Stacking UTSA's passing game or building mini-correlations with FIU's skill players is a strong GPP strategy. High total means prioritize exposure here for ceiling outcomes. Ownership will concentrate with this game, so consider contrarian builds with secondary pieces for these offenses.

College Football DFS Tools

• College Football DFS Lineup Optimizer
• Matchups Page (Vegas odds, opponent averages, etc.)
• Advanced Lineups Page
• Stats
• Team Trends
• Targets
• Defense vs. Position
• Team Rankings

DFS Plays on DraftKings and FanDuel for Friday, December 26

WR Devin McCuin, UTSA vs. FIU ($6,000 on DK, $9,100 on FD) 

McCuin is the premier stacking option in the highest-total game of the day (59.5 points). UTSA's passing attack leans on McCuin as a dynamic playmaker who can stretch the field and rack up yards after the catch. With FIU's secondary ranking near the bottom nationally in explosive plays allowed, McCuin has a clear path to a ceiling game. His combination of target share and big-play ability makes him a strong GPP anchor, and a viable cash play given the projected pace and scoring environment.

RB Kejon Owens, FIU vs. UTSA ($6,800 on DK, $9,200 on FD) 

Owens is the engine of FIU's offense and should see heavy volume in a game where they'll need to keep pace with UTSA. He's a true workhorse back with goal-line equity and pass-catching upside, which is critical for DFS scoring. UTSA's defense has shown vulnerability against the run, and Owens' role as a three-down back gives him a safe floor with a strong chance to hit the 100-yard bonus on DraftKings. If FIU finds the end zone multiple times, Owens is the most likely candidate to cash in.

WR Houston Thomas, UTSA vs. FIU ($3,800 on DK, $5,600 on FD) 

Thomas is the perfect complement to McCuin for those looking to double-stack UTSA's passing game. While McCuin draws defensive attention, Thomas benefits from single coverage, and he has flashed red-zone prowess over the second half of the season. His price point provides salary relief without sacrificing upside, making him an ideal GPP play. In a game projected for nearly 60 points, Thomas could easily deliver a score or two if UTSA leans on the air attack.

DraftKings College Football DFS Picks for Friday, December 26

WR Griffin Wilde, Northwestern vs. Central Michigan ($5,800 on DK, $8,300 on FD) 

Wilde is a sneaky upside play in a game with a modest total (43.5 points), but he has been the main threat in the Northwestern passing game. He scored six touchdowns for the Wildcats this season. With opt-outs and injuries thinning out the roster, he could breakout. He's shown flashes of big-play ability and could benefit from increased targets if Northwestern needs to open up the offense against Central Michigan. While the game environment is low-scoring, Wilde's price and potential for chunk plays make him a strong GPP option that offers leverage against chalkier RB-heavy builds.

QB Keyone Jenkins, FIU vs. Central Michigan ($7,700 on DK, $10,200 on FD) 

Jenkins remains one of the best value QBs on DraftKings for this slate. In the highest-total game (59.5 points), he's priced well below the top-tier QB yet has a clear path to 250+ passing yards and multiple scores if FIU keeps pace with UTSA. His mobility adds rushing upside, which is critical for unlocking a ceiling game. Pairing Jenkins with Kejon Owens or a WR like Alex Perry ($5,600 DK, $9,400 FD) creates strong correlation without sacrificing salary flexibility. It's worth noting that Jenkins is recovering from a groin injury, but he is trending toward playing. Make sure to verify before starting for this play.

RB Darius Taylor, Minnesota vs. Central Michigan ($6,400 on DK, $9,000 on FD) 

Taylor is the centerpiece of Minnesota's offense and offers one of the safest workloads on the slate. He dominates touches, especially near the goal line, and has a strong chance to hit the 100-yard rushing bonus on DraftKings. In a low total-game, volume is king, and Taylor's role gives him both a high floor and multi-touchdown upside. He's an ideal anchor for cash games and single-entry builds, and his price point makes him a priority spend-up in balanced lineups.

FanDuel College Football DFS Picks for Friday, December 26

QB Owen McCown, UTSA vs. FIU ($11,000 on FD, $8,000 on DK) 

McCown is the top-tier quarterback option for FanDuel thanks to his role in the highest-total game (59.5 points). He's the selection here because the other QBs on the slate are too highly priced in lower scoring environments. UTSA's offensive thrives on tempo and explosive plays, and McCown has shown efficiency as a passer with enough mobility to add rushing upside. Against FIU's vulnerable defense, he's positioned for multiple touchdowns and a strong yardage floor. His ceiling makes him an ideal for single-entry and GPP builds where raw points matter more than salary flexibility.

WR Dorian Thomas, New Mexico vs. Minnesota ($5,600 on FD, $5,200 on DK) 

Thomas is a sneaky tight end play who benefits from New Mexico's balanced offense. While the overall game total is modest (44.5 points), Thomas has carved out a red-zone role and offers touchdown equity at a position that's often tough to fill on FanDuel. His price point provides salary relief without sacrificing upside, making him a strong pivot for differentiation in tournaments, especially if Minnesota sells out to stop the run. Thomas averaged 6.5 targets per game and had four touchdowns on the season. WR Keagan Johnson ($7,100 FD, $5,500 DK) is also intriguing if you have the funds available.

RB Trey Cornist, Central Michigan vs. Northwestern ($4,800 on FD, $4,300 on DK) 

Cornist is a volume-based play in a low-total game (43.5 points), which makes him more appealing on FanDuel where touchdowns carry extra weight. He's expected to handle the bulk of the carries for CMU, including goal-line work, giving him a path to 80+ yards and a score even in a defensive matchup. His price point allows flexibility for stacking UTSA pieces while still locking in a player with a solid workload and touchdown potential.