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A rushing or passing matchup rating of 5 is an extremely attractive matchup for the offense, while a 1 means the team is facing a tough defensive matchup and should probably be avoided in daily fantasy lineups. The star rankings take into account the team's Vegas total, relative strength of the offense's passing and rushing attack against the opposing defense and the expected game script (including blowout potential). The matchup ratings will help you to focus your research on the smaller number of teams and positional groups with the best matchups.
Thursday/Friday Slate
Team | Spread | Over/Under | Team Total | Opponent | Run | Pass |
Miami (FL) | -6.5 | 68 | 37.25 | Cincinnati | 5 | 4 |
Temple | -24 | 48 | 36 | Charlotte | 4 | 3 |
Memphis | -8.5 | 62 | 35.25 | S Florida | 3 | 4 |
BYU | -18.5 | 45.5 | 32 | Connecticut | 4 | 3 |
Cincinnati | 6.5 | 68 | 30.75 | Miami (FL) | 4 | 3 |
S Florida | 8.5 | 62 | 26.75 | Memphis | 2 | 3 |
Connecticut | 18.5 | 45.5 | 13.5 | BYU | 1 | 2 |
Charlotte | 24 | 48 | 12 | Temple | 1 | 1 |
5 Star Matchups
Miami Rushing According to the advanced stats, Cincinnati ranks just 127th nationally against the run. They could be exploited against Miami's 20th ranked rushing offense. Miami's offensive line ranks in the top 15 for adjusted line yards, while the Bearcats Defensive Line is 128th in adjusted line yards. Miami should have a major advantage in the trenches which should allow Joseph Yearby and backup Mark Walton plenty of room to run.
4 Star Matchups
Temple Rushing Temple can be a tough team to figure as they have had some game plans that were extremely run-heavy and others that were extremely pass-heavy. They should have their pick against a weak Charlotte defense and the guess is that as heavy favorites the Owls will lean heavily on Jahad Thomas and the run game in Week 5.
Memphis Passing South Florida has a soft pass defense (86th ranked) and Memphis has had a lot of success throwing the ball in recent weeks with Paxton Lynch spreading the ball around to his deep crew of receivers.
Miami Passing Miami is a slightly above average passing team (58th nationally) while Cincinnati has a slightly below average pass defense that was shredded by Memphis last week. Brad Kaaya has a deep group of receivers including Rashawn Scott, Herb Waters and Braxton Berrios.
Cincinnati Rushing The Bearcats are a balanced offensive team with average success on the ground (64th) and above average success through the air (50th). However, Miami is a top-50 unit against the pass and will be much tougher to throw against than Memphis was last week. Miami's weakness has been rushing defense (only 124th nationally in adjusted efficiency). Tion Green and Hosey Williams could combine for a solid rushing performance.
BYU Rushing BYU is a heavy favorite against Connecticut and could resort to a run-heavy attack if they can build an early lead. The UConn defense projects as a slightly below average rush defense.
Saturday Early
Team | Spread | Over/Under | Team Total | Opponent | Run | Pass |
Baylor | -17 | 89 | 53 | Texas Tech | 5 | 5 |
California | -19 | 70.5 | 44.75 | Wash State | 4 | 5 |
Houston | -5.5 | 81.5 | 43.5 | Tulsa | 4 | 5 |
Ohio State | -21 | 66 | 43.5 | Indiana | 4 | 5 |
TX Christian | -15 | 71 | 43 | Texas | 5 | 4 |
Michigan St | -21.5 | 56.5 | 39 | Purdue | 4 | 3 |
Tulsa | 5.5 | 81.5 | 38 | Houston | 4 | 4 |
Iowa State | -16 | 57 | 36.5 | Kansas | 4 | 3 |
Texas Tech | 17 | 89 | 36 | Baylor | 4 | 4 |
GA Tech | -7.5 | 62 | 34.75 | N Carolina | 4 | 3 |
Oklahoma | -7 | 57.5 | 32.25 | W Virginia | 3 | 4 |
Florida St | -19.5 | 45 | 32.25 | Wake Forest | 4 | 3 |
Nebraska | -6.5 | 57 | 31.75 | Illinois | 3 | 4 |
Oklahoma St | -8 | 50.5 | 29.25 | Kansas St | 3 | 3 |
Georgia | -2 | 55 | 28.5 | Alabama | 3 | 3 |
Texas | 15 | 71 | 28 | TX Christian | 3 | 3 |
NC State | -4.5 | 50.5 | 27.5 | Louisville | 4 | 2 |
Wisconsin | -6.5 | 48 | 27.25 | Iowa | 3 | 3 |
N Carolina | 7.5 | 62 | 27.25 | GA Tech | 3 | 3 |
VA Tech | -4.5 | 49 | 26.75 | Pittsburgh | 2 | 2 |
Alabama | 2 | 55 | 26.5 | Georgia | 3 | 2 |
Wash State | 19 | 70.5 | 25.75 | California | 2 | 4 |
W Virginia | 7 | 57.5 | 25.25 | Oklahoma | 3 | 3 |
Illinois | 6.5 | 57 | 25.25 | Nebraska | 2 | 4 |
Missouri | -4 | 42.5 | 23.25 | S Carolina | 2 | 2 |
Louisville | 4.5 | 50.5 | 23 | NC State | 3 | 2 |
Duke | -6.5 | 39.5 | 23 | Boston Col | 2 | 2 |
Indiana | 21 | 66 | 22.5 | Ohio State | 3 | 2 |
Pittsburgh | 4.5 | 49 | 22.25 | VA Tech | 2 | 2 |
Northwestern | -4 | 40 | 22 | Minnesota | 3 | 1 |
Kansas St | 8 | 50.5 | 21.25 | Oklahoma St | 2 | 2 |
Iowa | 6.5 | 48 | 20.75 | Wisconsin | 2 | 2 |
Kansas | 16 | 57 | 20.5 | Iowa State | 2 | 2 |
S Carolina | 4 | 42.5 | 19.25 | Missouri | 2 | 2 |
Minnesota | 4 | 40 | 18 | Northwestern | 2 | 1 |
Purdue | 21.5 | 56.5 | 17.5 | Michigan St | 1 | 2 |
Boston Col | 6.5 | 39.5 | 16.5 | Duke | 1 | 1 |
Wake Forest | 19.5 | 45 | 12.75 | Florida St | 1 | 1 |
5 Star Matchups
Baylor Passing Seth Russell has been arguably the nation's hottest passer and he faces a Texas Tech defense that has given up more than 300 yards passing on average. With a team total of 55, Baylor is expected to pour on the touchdowns this weekend. Corey Coleman is one of the top receivers in the country and Jay Lee and KD Cannon both have the potential to put up big games as well.
Ohio State Rushing Indiana has historically struggled stopping Ohio State's rushing offense and have gave up big yardage in Week 1 against an FCS team. With the Hoosiers top defensive lineman suspended this week, Ohio State should find plenty of lanes to run and Vegas expects the Buckeyes to score early and often. Expect a big day from Ezekiel Elliott.
Houston Passing Houston is tied with Ohio State for the 3rd highest team total on the slate in what is expected to be a very high-scoring shootout against Tulsa. Greg Ward Jr. is a dual-threat quarterback who should have a great day and his top target Demarcus Ayers is likewise expected to rack up the yardage.
Baylor Rushing Texas Tech allowed 166 yards and 3 touchdowns to Aaron Green and TCU last week. Baylor enters as heavy favorites and also have a powerful ground game led by Shock Linwood. While the passing matchup for the Bears is juicier, the team total of 53 means their should be plenty of fantasy points scored both on the ground and through the ari.
TCU Rushing Fresh off of a 55-point performance against Texas Tech, the TCU offense is again expected to have a big day. Texas has given up nearly 200 yards of total offense and 2 touchdowns per game to opposing running backs this season and have not faced an offense as good as TCU's. Aaron Green should have another big week and Trevone Boykin could put up big rushing numbers as well.
California Passing With the second highest team total on the slate, California should have a field day running and passing. Star quarterback Jared Goff against a terrible Washington State defense is a huge mismatch and the talented passer should put up big numbers throwing to Kenny Lawler and his deep corp of receivers and pass catching backs.
4 Star Matchups
Ohio State Passing
TCU Passing
Houston Rushing
Tulsa Passing
Michigan State Rushing
Texas Tech Passing
Texas Tech Rushing
Tulsa Rushing
Iowa State Rushing
Oklahoma Passing
Florida State Rushing
Nebraska Passing
NC State Rushing
Washington State Passing