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 offensive position groups with the most talent and the best matchups.
Thursday/Friday Slate
| Team | Spread | Game Total | Team Total | Opponent | Run | Pass |
| Memphis | -10.5 | 77 | 43.75 | Tulsa | 4 | 5 |
| UCLA | -3.5 | 68 | 35.75 | California | 4 | 4 |
| App State | -6.5 | 61.5 | 34 | GA Southern | 4 | 1 |
| Tulsa | 10.5 | 77 | 33.25 | Memphis | 3 | 4 |
| California | 3.5 | 68 | 32.25 | UCLA | 2 | 4 |
| GA Southern | 6.5 | 61.5 | 27.5 | App State | 4 | 1 |
| E Carolina | -2.5 | 51.5 | 27 | Temple | 2 | 2 |
| Temple | 2.5 | 51.5 | 24.5 | E Carolina | 3 | 1 |
| Utah State | -5 | 44 | 24.5 | San Diego St | 3 | 2 |
| San Diego St | 5 | 44 | 19.5 | Utah State | 3 | 1 |
5 Star Matchups
Memphis Pass- The Tigers are top five in the nation with 9.8 yards per passsing attempt and facing a defense that gives up 7.9 yards per attempt and 277 passing yards per game. Memphis averages 371 passing yards per game and project to a similar total against a soft Tulsa pass defense. Paxton Lynch has been extremely impressive with 1,919 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and only 1 interception. Anthony Miller (25-436-2) and Mose Frazier (29-362-3) have been the top targets, but Memphis boasts a deep stable of skill position players and Lynch spreads the ball around.
4 Star Matchups
Memphis Run- The Tigers are a balanced offense that averages 44 rushing attempts per game. However, Memphis has not been able to assemble an efficient run game (3.7 yards per rush). Against a Tulsa defense that has given up 5.3 yards per attempt and 249 rushing yards against however, Memphis could find increased success on the ground. Jarvis Cooper leads the team with just 67 rushes and 320 yards and it is tough to guess from game-to-game which Memphis backs will be featured. Sam Craft is a RB/WR and leads the team with 7 total touchdowns.
Tulsa Pass- The Golden Hurricanes are averaging 355 passing yards per game and face a Memphis defense that has allowed 373 passing yards per game (though that number is inflated due to a rough game against Cincinnati). Memphis has a solid run defense and is likely to jump out to an early lead, which means Tulsa could have to throw even more than their average of 41 passes per game. Dane Evans has thrown for 2,127 yards but just 11 touchdowns (RB Zach Langer has 11 rushing touchdowns). With star Keevan Lucas injured, the pass game relies heavily upon Keyarris Garrett (45-698-2) and Joshua Atkinson (36-576-2). The lack of passing touchdowns is the only thing keeping Tulsa's passing offense from being elite.
UCLA Pass and Run- UCLA has a balanced offense that averages 38 rushes per game and 37 passes per game. California is a slightly below average defense against the pass and run. With a team total of ~36, UCLA is expected to slightly exceed their season average of 35 points per game, so season averages of 196 rushing yards and 267 passing yards seem like reasonable projections for this matchup. Paul Perkins is having another strong season with almost 800 total yards and 8 touchdowns. Jordan Payton (31-486-4) and Thomas Duarte (23-348-5) have emerged as the top two targets for true freshman Josh Rosen (1,569 yards and 12 touchdowns).
California Pass- Boasting one of the nation's most talented quarterbacks, Cal ranks 13th with 332 passing yards per game and 19th with 8.5 yards per passing attempt. However, UCLA is 7th nationally allowing only 5.5 yards per passing attempt and just 176 passing yards per game. This is a strength-on-strength matchup and whichever side has more success should win this game. With Cal projected to score ~33 points (about their season average), it appears that Vegas is banking on California being able to move the ball successfully through the air. Jared Goff has thrown for 1,970 yards and 17 touchdowns. His favorite target has been Kenny Lawler (34-465-8), but he spreads the ball around to a number of targets with six targets having at least 150 receiving yards already.
Appalachian State Run- App State runs 70% of the time and ranks 7th nationally with 268 rushing yards per game. Georgia Southern has been strong against the run (only 100 yards per game against). However, Georgia Southern has only faced two top 100 teams and face a stiffer test against App State. Expect at least 200 rushing yards for both teams in this game. Running back Marcus Cox has rushed for 692 yards this season, but just four touchdowns. Quarterback Taylor Lamb is a dual-threat and has rushed for 234 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Georgia Southern Run- GSU is one of the most run-heavy teams in the nation (85-15 run-to-pass ratio) with a whopping 57 rushing attempts per game and a nation-leading 402 rushing yards per game. Georgia Southern has been averaging just under 40 points per game but has a team total of only ~27 against Appalachian State, who boasts a solid run defense that has allowed just 3.5 yards per rush this season. Even if Georgia Southern doesn't approach their ridiculous per game averages, they should still rack up plenty of rushing yardage. Star running back Matt Breida has rushed for 875 yards and 11 touchdowns this season and is one of the top options on the slate.
Saturday Slate
| Team | Spread | Game Total | Team Total | Opponent | Run | Pass |
| Baylor | -37 | 80 | 58.5 | Iowa State | 5 | 5 |
| Oklahoma St | -33.5 | 60.5 | 47 | Kansas | 4 | 5 |
| Oklahoma | -14.5 | 73.5 | 44 | Texas Tech | 4 | 5 |
| Michigan St | -16.5 | 63.5 | 40 | Indiana | 4 | 4 |
| Arizona | -7.5 | 72 | 39.75 | Wash State | 5 | 3 |
| Houston | -21.5 | 57 | 39.25 | Central FL | 5 | 3 |
| N Carolina | -17.5 | 61 | 39.25 | Virginia | 4 | 3 |
| Toledo | -14 | 62.5 | 38.25 | U Mass | 5 | 3 |
| Alabama | -15.5 | 54 | 34.75 | Tennessee | 4 | 3 |
| Wash State | 7.5 | 72 | 32.25 | Arizona | 2 | 5 |
| Clemson | -6.5 | 56 | 31.25 | Miami (FL) | 3 | 3 |
| Nebraska | -7.5 | 51.5 | 29.5 | Northwestern | 3 | 3 |
| Texas Tech | 14.5 | 73.5 | 29.5 | Oklahoma | 2 | 3 |
| Arkansas | -5.5 | 51 | 28.25 | Auburn | 4 | 2 |
| Penn State | -6.5 | 47 | 26.75 | Maryland | 3 | 2 |
| Wisconsin | -6.5 | 46 | 26.25 | Illinois | 3 | 2 |
| Miami (FL) | 6.5 | 56 | 24.75 | Clemson | 3 | 2 |
| U Mass | 14 | 62.5 | 24.25 | Toledo | 1 | 3 |
| Indiana | 16.5 | 63.5 | 23.5 | Michigan St | 2 | 3 |
| VA Tech | -2.5 | 43.5 | 23 | Duke | 2 | 2 |
| Auburn | 5.5 | 51 | 22.75 | Arkansas | 3 | 1 |
| Northwestern | 7.5 | 51.5 | 22 | Nebraska | 2 | 1 |
| Virginia | 17.5 | 61 | 21.75 | N Carolina | 1 | 2 |
| Iowa State | 37 | 80 | 21.5 | Baylor | 2 | 2 |
| Duke | 2.5 | 43.5 | 20.5 | VA Tech | 2 | 1 |
| Maryland | 6.5 | 47 | 20.25 | Penn State | 1 | 1 |
| Illinois | 6.5 | 46 | 19.75 | Wisconsin | 1 | 2 |
| Tennessee | 15.5 | 54 | 19.25 | Alabama | 2 | 1 |
| Central FL | 21.5 | 57 | 17.75 | Houston | 1 | 1 |
| Kansas | 33.5 | 60.5 | 13.5 | Oklahoma St | 1 | 1 |
5 Star Matchups
Baylor Run and Pass- Baylor is leading the nation with both 7.1 yards per rush and 12.2 yards per attempt. Iowa State's defense ranks in the bottom half nationally against both th run and the pass. With a team total of 58.5, Baylor should approach season averages of 336 rushing yards and 371 passing yards. The key to whether Baylor's offensive stars are a great play or merely a good play will be whether Iowa State's offense can do enough to force Baylor to play it's starters into the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma State Pass- The Cowboys are averaging 308 passing yards per game and face a horrible Kansas defense allowing 311 passing yards per game. Oklahoma State could pass for 400+ yards if motivated to do so or if Kansas' offense is able to keep the game competitive into the second half. Neither of those things are guaranteed, so there is some risk in investing too heavily in the Cowboys passing offense.
Oklahoma Pass- The Sooners have been incredibly efficient throwing the ball (9.7 yards per attempt) and have averaged 330 passing yards per game. Tech is giving up 285 passing yards per game and a healthy 8.1 per attempt. Expect Oklahoma to pick up big chunks of yardage through the air and to exceed their season average with 350+ passing yards. Baker Mayfield and Sterling Sharpe are nice options Saturday.
Washington State Pass- The Cougars are underdogs after a pair of impressive victories. Washington State is the most pass-heavy team in the nation (73% pass and 57 passing attempts per game) and is averaging 417 passing yards per game. Arizona is vulnerable against the pass (allowing 7 yards per attempt) and the game script points to the Cougars having to be aggressive through the air. Luke Falk, Dom Williams, and Gabe Marks should have big games.
Arizona Run- The Wildcats rank 8th nationally with 5.8 yards per rush and are also 8th nationally with 266 rushing yards per game. Washington State is giving up a healthy 5.0 yards per rush and over 200 yards rushing per game. With a team total of ~40, expect Arizona to put up big numbers on the ground.
Houston Run- The Cougars are 6th nationally with 282 rushing yards per game. With dual threat quarterback Greg Ward Jr. and tough back Kenneth Farrow, Houston presents matchup problems for all opposing rush defenses. UCF is a slightly below average rush defense and does not have the talent to take away both Ward and Farrow, so at least one of the two should have a big game on the ground on Saturday.
Toledo Run- The Rockets are averaging 205 rushing yards per game and face a horrible UMass defense that has allowed 231 rushing yards per game. As two touchdown favorites, the game script should be favorable for Toledo to rack up 250+ rushing yards with the duo of Kareem Hunt and Terry Swanson leading the way.
4 Star Matchups
Oklahoma State Run- Oklahaoma State has a team total of 47 and are 33.5 point favorites. Usually a team favored by such a big margin and expected to score so many points is a great bet to put up big numbers on the ground (especially in the second half). Oklahoma State has struggled to run the ball this year though. Averaging just 3.5 yards per attempt, this is not a good rushing offense. However, they wouldn't be the first team to get healthy against the Jayhawks.
Oklahoma Run- Oklahoma's offense has been very balanced with a 53-47 run-to-pass ratio. However, the Sooners are averaging a surprisingly poor 3.8 yards per rush. Texas Tech hasn't stopped anyone and have given up 5.6 yards per rush and a ridiculous 255 rushing yards per game. If Oklahoma can build an early lead through the air as expected, they should have success with Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon on the ground if they try to slow it down a little and play keep away from the high-octane Red Raiders offense. With a huge 44 point team total, a few rushing touchdowns are likely as well.
Michigan State Run and Pass- Can the Spartans avoid a hangover after their stunning upset over Michigan? If they can, the offense should have a field day against a weak Indiana defense that just gave up 55 points to Rutgers last week. Michigan State would probably like to just pound the ball on the ground with LJ Scott; against an Indiana defense giving up 4.8 yards per rush, they should have some success doing just that. However, Indiana has shown that as underdogs they like to load the box and force teams to beat them through the air. The Spartans are averaging 8.3 yards per attempt and against an incredibly young Indiana secondary, Connor Cook and Aaron Burbridge should be able to do whatever they want.
Alabama Run- Tennessee is just an average rushing defense. Alabama has been very successfull lately running the ball with Derrick Henry and rank in the top 30 nationally with 199 rushing yards per game. As more than two touchdown favorites, Alabama's offense could become especially run-heavy if they can build an early lead.
Arkansas Run- Auburn’s giving up a ridiculous 5.5 yards per carry and 205 rushing yards per game. Arkansas has ran the ball well this season with 4.8 yards per carry in a run-heavy offense (55% run ratio). Despite the lower team total, this is a sneaky good matchup and Alex Collins should have a big game.
North Carolina Run- The Tar Heels have been a force on the ground. UNC ranks 3rd nationally with 6.8 yards per rush. Virginia is giving up 4.8 yards per rushing attempt and are unlikely to slow dual-threat quarterback Marqise Williams and running backs Elijah Hood and T.J. Logan. With so many likely focused upon the Greg Ward Jr., Seth Russell and some of the other big-name quarterbacks, Williams makes an especially intriguing GPP option.
