Looking for the best way to assemble your FanDuel college football lineup for Thursday’s NCAA football season-opening schedule? Below, I’ve pieced together an optimal FanDuel lineup with my top picks and sleepers, along with my thoughts and FanDuel strategy. Notice I stayed away from the Michigan vs. Utah game, figuring those players would be heavily owned in a marquee game highlighted by Jim Harbaugh’s coaching debut for Michigan, his alma mater. 

With a good mix of stars, stacks and value plays, this is the type of college fantasy football lineup you should be striving for in FanDuel contests Thursday. Even if you don’t like all the players mentioned here, take note of the thought process behind each pick to help you build your own FanDuel squad and win some cash!

READ MORE: Daily fantasy content at SN | NFL fantasy draft prep | FanDuel NFL Sunday Million!

FanDuel college football lineup

Cooper Rush, QB, Central Michigan ($6,500). Rush capped off a nice sophomore season for the Chippewas by going absolutely bonkers in a 493-yard, seven-touchdown performance during the 2014 Bahamas Bowl. Overall last year, the 6-3 gunslinger completed 63.6 percent of his pass attempts for 3,157 yards and 27 scores. Rush is certainly flying under the radar as he gets set for his 2015 opening act against Oklahoma State. The Cowboys allowed the 17th-most passing yards in the nation last season.

Aaron Green, RB, TCU ($8,300). Green emerged as a prime producer for the TCU offense during the second half of last season. Over the Horned Frogs’ final six games of the 2014 campaign, Green averaged a stellar 7.8 yards per carry while racking up 644 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns. The Golden Gophers ranked 59th nationally against the run last fall and should be an inviting matchup for a supercharged TCU attack.

Nick Wilson, RB, Arizona ($10,100). As a freshman in 2014, Wilson put up seven games of 100-plus rushing yards, five of 150-plus yards and one 200-yard performance. The young tailback piled up 1,375 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground last season. To some, Wilson enters this fall as a darkhorse Heisman Trophy candidate. An opening matchup against UT-San Antonio will afford Wilson an opportunity for a big start.

James Washington, WR, Oklahoma St. ($6,000). Washington led the Cowboys with six touchdown receptions as a true freshman and should once again be a major part of the passing attack in 2015. The dynamic wideout really found a groove late last fall, pulling down three of his touchdowns in the last four contests. Washington is one piece of a crowded receiver situation at Oklahoma State, but he sets himself apart with big-play ability.

Kolby Listenbee, WR, TCU ($5,900). TCU’s top receiving option, Josh Doctson, is expected to be in action during Thursday’s season opener, but he has dealt with a couple of injuries the last few months. Listenbee is the clear No. 2 for star quarterback Trevone Boykin and could obviously become the go-to guy should Doctson be limited. Listenbee is a lightning-quick route runner who averaged 18.4 yards per catch while hauling in 41 passes a year ago.

Anthony Rice, WR, Central Michigan ($4,700). Rice will step into a starting role among aforementioned quarterback Cooper Rush’s group of targets this season. Rice was a significant contributor for the Chippewas as a sophomore in 2014, catching 30 passes for 321 yards and one touchdown. At just $200 above the minimum price point on FanDuel, he is a true bargain for Thursday’s slate.

Braxton Deaver, TE, Duke ($3,500). After missing all of the 2014 season with a torn ACL, Deaver was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA and will almost assuredly be a key cog in the Duke passing game this fall. Deaver caught 46 passes for 600 yards and four touchdowns as a junior in 2013 and was actually being touted as an NFL prospect before his injury last August. The 6-5 tight end could cause serious matchup problems for the Tulane secondary.