Below is our game-by-game previews on which players should be considered on your roster as well as which players you may want to stay away from.
Iowa State At Oklahoma
Kickoff: 7:00PM EST
Spread: Oklahoma -24.5
O/U: 60.5
Iowa State
Team Expected Points: 18
Oklahoma has one of the best defenses in the country as they are 21st in total yards allowed which for the Big 12 is incredible. On an 11 game slate there is very little reason to take anyone from Iowa State, as this game is going to be lopsided in Oklahoma’s favor.
Oklahoma
Team Expected Points: 42.5
QB- Baker Mayfield- $8,000
Analysis:
Baker Mayfield is one of the more inconsistent quarterbacks in college football this year. The issue is that the team has so much talent with two great running backs in Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine that they will often change it up between a run heavy and a pass heavy week. Most weeks we are able to figure this out as they play to their opponent’s weaknesses, but this week Iowa State is below average against both the pass and the run. They are 94th against the pass and 85th against the run. There may not be a
Recommendation:
Mayfield is a great GPP play this week, but since he is one of the most expensive options on the slate at the quarterback position there are better options for cash games. With Oklahoma being a heavy favorite in this game, if the game script has them get out to an early lead via non-passing touchdowns it will be difficult for Mayfield to hit value.
WR- Sterling Shepard- $6,800
Analysis:
Like Mayfield, Shepard has been extremely inconsistent this year, but his results are directly correlated to Mayfield’s great performances. As previously mentioned Iowa State is ranked 94th against the pass this season, which provides a great opportunity for Shepard
Recommendation:
Shepard at $6,800 is a great pairing option for Mayfield in GPP’s. He is not recommended for cash games this week due to the potential blowout and the inconsistency of Mayfield this season.
WR- Mark Andrews- $3,000
Analysis:
Mark Andrews has been great so far this season as a tight end. In six of his teams eight games this season he has either went over 50 yards or he has a touchdown. The two games this did not happen Oklahoma was held to 31 points or less which were there two lowest scoring games of the season. Oklahoma is going to score more than 31 points this week, so if history repeats itself, Andrews should have a great opportunity to have 50 yards or a touchdown.
Recommendation:
At $3,000 he makes for an excellent punt play this week in both cash games and GPP’s, as he is in a great opportunity to get 10-12 points and provide some much needed salary relief this week.
Michigan State At Nebraska
Kickoff: 7:00PM EST
Spread: Michigan State -5.5
O/U: 57.5
Michigan State
Team Expected Points: 31.5
WR- Aaron Burbridge- $6,700
Analysis:
Burbridge has been one of the more consistent wide receivers this season. Over the last three games he has went over 100 yards in each of them with eight or more receptions. He is in a dream matchup this week, as he is facing a Nebraska team that has allowed 316 yards passing per game which is fourth most in college football.
Recommendation:
Burbridge is right up there with Carrington as the top wide receiver on this slate.
WR- R.J. Shelton- $4,000
Analysis:
If you’re looking to save money off of Burbridge, R.J. Shelton is a great option. He is in a great matchup as we mentioned that Nebraska has allowed 316 yards passing per game. Shelton is a nice secondary option that should provide some salary relief.
Recommendation:
If you’re looking to punt at the wide receiver Shelton is a great play.
Nebraska
Team Expected Points: 26
RB- Imani Cross- $3,300
Analysis:
Imani Cross is not a great football player, but is a beneficiary of the fact that Terrell Newby has not practiced this week and is looking extremely unlikely to play. Cross so far this season has only had 3.7 yards per carry, but he is a running back who gets better with volume as he is a 240 pound bruising back. Michigan State this season has been great against the run allowing only 115 yards per game, but they have allowed a few big games to running backs this season including a 157 yard two touchdown game to Markell Jones of Purdue. Nebraska is going to want to establish the run, and if Newby is out Cross should have an opportunity for 15-20 carries.
Recommendation:
Check to make sure that Newby is out, as if Newby is playing then he has no value. If Newby is indeed out, Cross is the top punt play of this slate as it does not take much for him to make value. He would be a great GPP and cash game play.
Navy At Memphis
Kickoff: 7:00 PM EST
Spread: Memphis -8
O/U: 66
Navy
Team Expected Points- 29
QB- Keenan Reynolds- $7,500
Analysis:
Keenan Reynolds is one of the top quarterbacks in college football that people have not heard of. He has the upside that very little quarterbacks have, as he has a 5 rushing touchdown game this season. The matchup is a tough one as Memphis has allowed only 118 yards per game rushing which is not ideal for the triple option quarterback.
Recommendation:
He is a GPP play only as the matchup is a tough one.
Memphis
Team Expected Points- 37
QB- Paxton Lynch- $9,000
Analysis:
Paxton Lynch has been one of the best quarterbacks in college football this year and NFL scouts are taking notice as his draft stock is increasing by the day. Lynch has thrown for 300+ yards in each of his last 7 games and has had two or more touchdowns in six of those games. The matchup is a tough one as Navy has only allowed 215 yards passing per game, while some of this is inflated due to their schedule, but with how much Navy runs the ball it limits the amount of possessions that Navy’s opponents have.
Recommendation:
We prefer going with Goff and Kessler to save salary, but there is not a safer option on the slate than Lynch.
Auburn At Texas A&M
Kickoff: 7:30 PM EST
Spread: Texas A&M -7.5
O/U: 60
Auburn
Team Expected Points- 26.25
RB- Peyton Barber- $6,400
Analysis:
Peyton Barber is not a great running back, as over the last three games he only has 3.3 yards per carry. However, he does have the touchdown upside that over his last four games he has 11 touchdowns which is the most in the nation. Texas A&M has allowed 207 yards per carry, which is one of the highest in college football so there is an opportunity for Barber to have a big game, he is just risky due to his low yard per carry total.
Recommendation:
Barber is a GPP play only as he does have upside and is in a great matchup, but is not the most talented running backs so he should not be used in cash games.
Texas A&M
Team Expected Points- 33.75
QB- Kyler Murray- $7,400
Analysis:
If you did not see Kyler Murray’s first start as a quarterback, he is one of the most athletic quarterbacks in college football. While we knew his running ability was some of the best in college football, he really impressed with throwing the football last week against South Carolina. He is in a great matchup again this week, as Auburn has one of the worst defenses in the nation allowing 447 yards per game. With very little running game in Kevin Sumlin’s offense, Murray will have one of the highest usage rates of any quarterbacks on this slate, and has great upside on a weekly basis.
Recommendation:
Murray is a player that is likely going to have some volatility as he is still a true freshman. However, it is hard to discount the upside that he brings with his legs that is unmatched of any quarterback on this slate. While Cody Kessler and Jared Goff are safer options on this slate Murray is a great option in both cash games and GPP’s as he has the upside to win your contest.
South Florida At East Carolina
Kickoff: 7:30 PM EST
Spread: East Carolina -4
O/U: 54
South Florida
Team Expected Points- 25
QB- Quinton Flowers- $5,700
Analysis:
Quinton Flowers, is a player like a lot of running quarterbacks that is very inconsistent, as two weeks ago he had 40 points made up primarily due to running for 200+ yards and three touchdowns. Last week, he had less than 10 points as he only ran for 15 total yards in a loss to Navy. Fortunately for Flowers, the matchup is a great one, as he is facing an East Carolina team that has allowed 412 yards per game which is 104th in the country. While East Carolina has not faced a lot of dual threat quarterbacks as athletic as Flowers, they did allow 142 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns to Keenan Reynolds of Navy.
Recommendation:
Flowers is a great GPP punt play, but cannot be trusted in cash games to his success being completely dependent on his running ability.
East Carolina
Team Expected Points- 29.
WR- Isaiah Jones- $6,300
Analysis:
East Carolina runs a two quarterback system which typically means that no one is fantasy relevant. Fortunately Isaiah Jones has been great with either quarterback making him the only fantasy relevant player on the East Carolina roster. He has had 9+ receptions in three of his last four games, which make him a great upside play. South Florida has been good against the pass this season allowing only220 yards per game through the air, but Jones has such a high usage rate as he is 10th in college football in total targets with 71 this season.
Recommendation:
While the matchup is not ideal, Jones is one of the top wide receivers on this slate, as there just are not the typical elite wide receivers that we are used to. He can safely be used in cash games due to his high target rate, and has the upside to be used in GPP’s.
Utah At Washington
Kickoff: 7:30 PM EST
Spread: Washington -2
O/U: 43.5
This game falls under the typical rule of unless there is a significant value, do not take anyone in a game with an over under less than 45. While Britain Covey and Kenneth Scott can be used in GPP’s due to their value, there is no one that stands out as both of these teams are tremendous defensively.
Kansas At Texas
Kickoff: 12:00 PM EST
Spread: Texas -28
O/U: 53
Kansas
Team Expected Points- 12.5
Kansas is the worst team in the power five conferences. There is no one who is fantasy relevant on this team.
Texas
Team Expected Points- 40.5
RB- Jonathan Gray- $4,900
Analysis:
Jonathan Gray’s success this year has been directly correlated with Texas winning. In the Big 12 games that Texas has won, Gray is averaging 20 carries per game, whereas the games that they have lost he has only seen 11 carries per game. Fortunately for Gray, winning should not be a problem for Texas as they are facing a Kansas team that is one of the worst in college football. Kansas has had no success stopping the run as they have allowed 247 yards rushing per game which is 120th in college football.
Recommendation:
Gray is one of the top value running backs on this slate, and you can use him in both cash games and GPP’s. The matchup will not be any better for the running back and he should be leaned on heavily due to Kansas’ inability to stop the run.
LSU At Alabama
Kickoff: 8:00 PM EST
Spread: Alabama -7
O/U: 45
We recommend avoiding this game and just sitting back and enjoying two great teams in what should be a defensive struggle. Both teams are priced up based on the last few weeks and with an over/under at 45 we are recommending taking players from other teams.
Minnesota At Ohio State
Kickoff: 8:00PM EST
Spread: Ohio State -23
O/U: 53.5
Minnesota
Team Expected Points- 15.25
Ohio State has one of the top defenses in the country, and while Mitch Leidner has played much better over the past few weeks, it is still not a recommended play this week.
Ohio State
Team Expected Points-38.25.
RB- Ezekiel Elliott- $8,400
Analysis:
People seem to have forgotten how good Ezekiel Elliott is and his ownership percentage has been far less than what it should be. This is the only running back to have run for more than 200 yards against Alabama during the Nick Saban era. Elliott has ran for 100+ yards in every game this season, and more recently he has been used in the passing game as he has 13 receptions over the last three games. Minnesota is one of the best teams against the pass allowing only 176 yards per game, but they have been susceptible to the run as they have allowed 148 yards per game which presents an opportunity for Elliott to be leaned on in this game.
Recommendation:
Elliott is the top non-quarterback on this slate and should be in most of your rosters this week.
Arizona At USC
Kickoff: 10:30PM EST
Spread: USC -19.5
O/U: 67
Arizona-
Team Expected Points- 23.75
RB- Jared Baker- $4,800
Analysis:
Nick Wilson is expected to miss this game which severely hinders the Arizona offense. Jared Baker has big shoes to fill, but will see the volume that you are typically going to look for in a running back. USC has been susceptible to the run allowing 153 yards per game, so there is an opportunity for Baker, but the issue is he is just not talented of a running back which limits his upside.
Recommendation:
Baker is fine for cash games, but should not be used for GPP’s, as he is just not talented enough to win you a GPP.
USC
Team Expected Points- 43.25
QB- Cody Kessler- $7,300
Analysis:
Arizona has one of the worst defenses in college football as they have allowed 280 yards passing per game, which is 116th in college football. This presents a great opportunity for Cody Kessler to rebound after two straight poor games. While Juju-Smith-Schuster is unlikely to play this week, USC has enough options for Kessler to have one of those big games that we have been accustomed to seeing from Kessler where he has 300+ yards and 3-4 touchdowns.
Recommendation:
At $7,300 Kessler is one of the top value option this week, and can safely be used in cash games and GPP’s.
RB- Ronald Jones- $4,300
Analysis:
For those that have not seen the freshman play, he is as close to a Jamaal Charles clone as we have seen in college football. He is averaging 7.6 yards per carry so far this season, and while the volume has not always been consistent as they have two other good running backs (Tre Madden and Justin Davis) Jones has scored a touchdown in three of his last four games. Arizona is 80th against the run in the nation, which when you opponent adjust it they are far worse than that. All of the running backs are in play this week for USC, but Jones is our favorite due to the pure talent and the price.
Recommendation:
Ronald Jones is one of the top value running backs on this slate, as he has the opportunity for 70-80 yards and a touchdown. He has more upside than this based on his pure talent, but would need to see a volume increase or break a long run in order to break through that 100 yard threshold.
WR- Deontay Burnett- $3,500
Analysis:
This recommendation is entirely dependent on Juju Smith-Schuster being out as he is questionable. When Smith-Schuster left last week, Burnett stepped in admirably with three receptions for 82 yards. Burnett is a true freshman, so there is significant risk here, but if Smith-Schuster is out, Burnett should continue to have the opportunity to have a significant role in this offense.
Recommendation:
Keep checking Juju-Smith Schuster’s status as Burnett is riskier if Smith-Schuster is active. If he is out, Burnett turns into one of the top punt options on the slate.
Cal At Oregon
Kickoff: 10:30PM EST
Spread: Oregon -3.5
O/U: 75.5
Cal
Team Expected Points- 36
QB- Jared Goff- $7,900
Analysis:
Jared Goff has struggled the past three weeks, but he has an opportunity to right the ship this week in a great matchup this week. Oregon is the third worse team against the pass allowing 318 yards per game, and Goff is the perfect quarterback to be able to exploit that as he is going to be throwing at a high volume in this game that should be a shootout.
Recommendation:
Goff is the top quarterback play this week, he should be used in cash and GPP’s this week.
Oregon
Team Expected Points- 39.5
RB- Royce Freeman- $8,500
Analysis:
Royce Freeman has been the key piece of Oregon’s offense in what has largely been disappointing so far this season. Over his last four games, he has been averaging 165 yards and over a touchdown per game. Cal does have one of the best defenses in the Pac-12, but they have been susceptible to the run allowing Devontae Booker to run for 222 yards a few weeks ago.
Recommendation:
If you can somehow fit both Elliott and Freeman, we recommend doing so, but there is not a ton of value options on this slate which will make it difficult. Freeman is a better GPP option than a cash game option as Elliott has played a bigger role in the passing game over the past few weeks which when evaluating two top options is the difference between recommending one or the other.
WR- Darren Carrington- $5,200
Analysis:
Since Darren Carrington has returned from injury, he has been the wide receiver that Oregon needs this season. In the two games that he has been back he has over 100 yards and a touchdown in each of the games back. He is facing a Cal defense that is one of the best in the Pac-12 but are 95th in the country against the pass, so while there still should be plenty of opportunities for Carrington to continue his success.
Recommendation:
He is one of the top wide receiver plays this week, and should be safely used in cash games and GPP’s.
