CFF Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em – Week 10
When you’re debating what to do with a spot in your fantasy line-up there’s one thing you can always depend on – experience. Purple Reign unlocks his 16 years of College Fantasy Football experience to bring you his hand-picked start/sit player selections, and answer your submitted questions. Purple Reign will release question submission threads on X (Twitter) and through the Chat section that’s found on the top of the website’s homepage.
QUARTERBACKS: Start ‘Em
Giovanni Lopez (SoAl) vs Georgia Southern
Last week I called for Lopez to be sat and it proved to be a good call as he compiled just 17 fantasy points against UL-Monroe. This week the fantasy match-up has improved greatly for Lopez. Vegas is calling for South Alabama to score 32 points in this one which makes sense when the Georgia Southern defense gives up touchdowns in the red zone 73.1% of the time. Lopez’s dual-threat ability can take advantage of an all-around poor defense. Georgia Southern’s rush defense ranks #108 in fantasy points allowed, and their pass defense ranks #119 in fantasy points allowed.
Jalen Kitna (UAB) vs Tulsa
I will admit this is a start ’em pick for people in very deep leagues. Kitna had his best game last week with a 25 fantasy point performance against South Florida. Now he faces off against a Tulsa pass defense that is ranked #132 in fantasy points allowed. The improving UAB passing game can take advantage of Tulsa’s pass defense giving up 2.63 passing TDs a game, giving up a touchdown in the red zone 80.7% of the time, and Vegas calling for UAB to score 31 points. I also like how the Tulsa rush defense is better than the UAB rush offense to help force the game plan into utilizing the passing game more.
QUARTERBACKS: Sit ‘Em
Diego Pavia (Vand) at Auburn
Pavia is not a terrible play this week as his dual-threat ability can make points appear out of nowhere. Having said that, Vandy’s rush offense ranks #68 in fantasy points scored and they face off against an Auburn rush defense that ranks #47 in fantasy points allowed - giving up just 1.38 rushing TDs/game. The passing game match-up is even worse with Auburn’s pass defense ranking #24 in fantasy points allowed. The 0.75 passing TDs/game allowed and 56% red zone TD’s allowed is forcing the Vegas lines to keep Vandy’s point total for the game around 21 points.
Behren Morton (TxTch) at Iowa State
Morton left last week’s game with an injury and it is expected that he will play this week. This week’s match-up is a doozy and I never advise starting a passing game player against Iowa State. Their #2 ranked pass defense in fantasy points allowed gives up just 0.71 passing TDs/game. This likely is a game where Texas Tech will lean on their running game for the better match-up and to keep Morton from taking too many hits as they try and keep him healthy.
RUNNING BACKS: Start ‘Em
AJ Turner (Marsh) vs UL-Monroe
Turner had a lights-out game last week against Georgia State where he scored 45 fantasy points - don’t expect those same results this week. The ULM pass defense ranks #8 in fantasy points allowed which should help the running game get more of a focus in the game plan. The ULM rush defense ranks #112 in fantasy points allowed, and I especially like the 4.58 yards/carry and 2.14 TDs/game allowed.
Jevon Jackson (UTEP) vs Middle Tennessee
UTEP’s offensive team stats are just bad, but their play the last few weeks is a decent improvement. I like how Middle Tennessee is worse at third downs and red zone TD scoring which means UTEP should see a boost in these areas. Jackson has been averaging 24 carries/game over the last two games, and a workload like that against a rush defense that ranks #122 in fantasy points allowed should create a great fantasy performance.
RUNNING BACKS: Sit ‘Em
Tawee Walker (Wisc) at Iowa
Walker is the brightest spot on this Wisconsin offense but he will be entering a Hawkeye buzz saw this week. The Iowa rush defense is scary good. They rank #3 in fantasy points allowed, and give up just 3.5 yards/carry and 0.25 rushing TDs/game. While both teams are about even in red zone scoring, Iowa has the edge in third down conversions. With Vegas calling for Wisconsin to score only 18 points there’s not going to be a bunch of opportunities for Walker to find the end zone.
Demie Sumo (KY) at Tennessee
At the time of writing this article Sumo was listed as questionable for playing in this week’s game. Tennessee is coming off a big win against Alabama but I think they will be just as fired up for rival Kentucky. Sumo hasn’t logged more than 12 carries in a game since September 14, and if he does play with such a small workload I can’t see any chance he puts up decent numbers against a Tennessee rush defense that ranks #4 in fantasy points allowed. I think this game might end up being more of a mismatch than the season stats show.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Start ‘Em
Amare Thomas (UAB) vs Tulsa
Thomas has come on strong in the month of October, averaging 22.9 PPG and 10.3 targets/game. I really like how Tulsa is giving up 2.63 passing TDs/game, and giving up red zone TDs 80.77% of the time. I think UAB has a chance to score more than what Vegas is predicting since the UAB passing game has been making strides each week. Its not impossible for Thomas to pull in two TDs this week.
Savion Williams (TCU) at Baylor
The TCU running game has struggled this season and two weeks ago the coaches decided to start using Williams on the ground. In those two weeks he had 32 total touches and scored 45.2 fantasy points. Its time to keep riding the hot hand in what should be a high scoring match-up with Baylor. Baylor has the advantage in the running game but TCU should keep finding ways to feed Williams carries. Baylor’s pass defense ranks #89 in fantasy points allowed and gives up 1.75 passing TDs/game. Savion should be good for one touchdown of the 30 points Vegas is predicting that TCU will score.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Sit ‘Em
Dane Key (KY) at Tennessee
This sit selection is a continuation of what I mentioned earlier in the article about this game. Kentucky’s pass offense ranks #127 in fantasy points scored and they have to face a Tennessee pass defense that ranks #9 in fantasy points allowed. What is even scarier for Key’s fantasy outlook this week is the 0.57 passing TDs allowed per game, and the 34.78% red zone TDs allowed by Tennessee. Just sit all Kentucky players this week.
Caleb Goodie (ColSt) at Nevada
With WR Tory Horton out for the season, Goodie has stepped up as the new WR1 in the offense. I see a bright future for him and I actually like him more than the season stats show in this match-up. I’m still including him because Vegas is calling for Colorado State to score just 22 points and Nevada only gives up 1.11 passing TDs/game. Don’t be afraid to pick Goodie up on the waiver wire even if he has a down performance this week though.
TIGHT ENDS: Start ‘Em
Pat Conroy (OD) at Appalachian State
I like this game to have scoring on both side and to remain competitive throughout. This is a good environment for a tight end to be included in the offense and to have a fantasy productive day. Conroy has a decent shot of getting one of the 2 passing TD/game that the App State defense gives up.
TIGHT ENDS: Sit ‘Em
Jack Velling (MSU) vs Indiana
The Indiana defense is for real and they are going to make things tough for the Michigan State offense this week. Indiana has a complete advantage in the passing game, with MSU’s pass offense ranking #110 in fantasy points scored and Indiana’s pass defense ranking #19 in fantasy points allowed. Add in that Indiana only gives up 0.88 passing TDs/game and its going to be tough for Velling to find the end zone.