CFF Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em – Week 11
When you’re debating what to do with a spot in your line-up there’s one thing you can always depend on – experience. Purple Reign unlocks his 16 years of CFF experience to bring you his hand-picked start/sit player selections, and answer your reader submitted questions. For this week only this article is FREE to read for everyone. Starting in Week 12 there will be a limited amount of Start/Sit selections available in the free preview.
QUARTERBACKS:
START ‘EM: All of this week’s Start ‘Em selections come from Group of 5 schools. Veltkamp’s match-up with New Mexico State favors more rushing TDs being allowed by the defense, but Western Kentucky has shown that they still get the majority of their TDs in the air against opponents like this so don’t focus too much on the 1.5 passing TDs allowed/game stat. Houser has a competitive match-up with FAU’s pass defense but the ECU passing game ranks a bit higher so I like Houser to have a good day. Both Veltkamp and Houser face defenses that are giving up red zone TDs less than 60% of the time which isn’t ideal. Navarro has a great passing match-up but the dual-threat QB has a good rushing match-up too. Kent State’s rush defense ranks #134 in fantasy points allowed, they give up 5.9 yards/carry, and give up 3.25 rushing TDs/game. Wooldridge can also rack up some rushing stats this week. The Arkansas State rush defense ranks #127 in fantasy points allowed, gives up 5.4 yards/carry, and give up 2.5 rushing TDs/game.
SIT ‘EM: Dart has struggled against top tier teams and I expect more of the same this week. While the stats in Iamaleava’s match-up are favorable for fantasy success, I see the running game dominating this match-up leaving Nico with few scoring opportunities. The Mississippi State rush defense ranks #115 in fantasy points allowed and they give up 2 rushing TDs/game. Edwards will have plenty of opportunities to throw the ball while playing from behind but I don’t think he can generate enough “garbage time” fantasy points to be a viable option. Drones is questionable to play this week, and I don’t expect him to play to his full abilities if he does play.
RUNNING BACKS:
START ‘EM: I really like Bennett to make multiple explosive plays this week and he has a good chance to find the end zone twice. Cooper has a great match-up and if he can chew up clock he’ll be able to keep the running game going in the game script deep into the second half. Pettaway does damage on the ground and in the air. Georgia State’s pass defense is middle of the pack but he should still be able to find production as a pass catcher. I’m looking for Brown to have a bounce-back game this week and am including him even though Vegas is calling for Northern Illinois to score less than 30 points.
SIT ‘EM: Martinez keeps suffering from split carries and limited red zone scoring opportunities. I see the Miami passing game dominating here so Martinez might only see yardage production and potentially be held out of the end zone. While I see BYU beating Utah worse than Vegas expects, I still think the tough Utah rush defense will make things difficult for Martin to get rolling. I believe Washington is going to have a very unhappy trip to Happy Valley this week and I can see Washington scoring less than the 16 points that Vegas is calling for. Etienne is listed as questionable for this week and if he plays will have to go against the #3 ranked rush defense for fantasy points allowed. If he plays I see him sharing the workload more than usual.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
START ‘EM: Sowell has been red hot lately and I expect his fantasy production to remain high against a decent but slightly outmatched FAU pass defense. Assuming WR Ryan Wysong remains out of action, Davis should retain his WR1 role in the offense and have a good day. The New Mexico ground game has been very productive lately and that could steal scoring opportunities away from Davis. Tyson is my favorite Start ‘Em pick this week at WR and with RB Cameron Skattebo listed as doubtful to play, the offense will likely lean on Tyson to pick up that missed production. Robinson has been up and down this season but the match-up with Coastal Carolina has the right ingredients for a high scoring affair.
SIT ‘EM: I mentioned earlier that I believe Washington is going to be in for a long day at Penn State. Boston will get targets in “garbage time” but the Penn State secondary might not give him much room to reel in many of those targets. Felton has a much better chance for “garbage time” fantasy points but the question is if he’ll be able to find the end zone. The UL-Monroe pass defense is better than most people realize, and when you couple that with the way Texas State spreads their pass targets around it could limit the opportunities that Hobert will have to make plays in this one. We’ve seen just how good the Tennessee pass defense is and I see them getting lots of pressure on the passer this week. The Vols pass defense is giving up red zone TDs just 32% of the time.
TIGHT ENDS:
START ‘EM: I can see the Cal passing game having a huge day against a very poor Wake Forest pass defense. Endries should be a lock for one TD, with an outside chance of scoring twice. I’m BIG on Royer this week. No Cincinnati pass catcher has been dominate lately so don’t be surprised if the ball gets spread around more which will benefit Royer. I’m a little on the fence with Thompson. I can see him having an above average day, but I could also see the JMU ground game dominating scoring opportunities as Georgia State gives up 2.4 rushing TDs/game.
SIT ‘EM: Stowers has the potential to put up decent yardage stats in this game but I think the Gamecocks defense will make it difficult for him to score. I mentioned earlier how Dart tends to struggle against top tier teams. If he does indeed struggle it will be hard for Prieskorn to get many target opportunities. Bosma has been very productive lately but the NIU defense gives up red zone TDs only 35% of the time. The red zone is where Bosma needs to be strong to put up the fantasy numbers we’ve seen in recent weeks.
READER SUBMISSIONS
cc @cc12280871
RB pick 1, .5 PPR: Ollie Gordon (OkSt), Elijah Gilliam (Fres), or Micah Bernard (Utah)?
Bernard should not be considered out of this group. I have Gordon ranked the highest this week because of his talent level and the fact he can exceed expectations. He would be your best ceiling play for the week. Gilliam is the best floor play hands-down and your safest option. If you’re on the bubble of making the playoffs then I would say shoot big and go with Gordon. If you’ve secured a playoff spot or are out of playoff contention then I’d go the safe route with Gilliam.
READER SUBMISSIONS
Jacob Guthrie @beastmodeyacapo
QB pick 1: Bryson Daily (Army), John Mateer (WaSt), Joey Aguilar (App), or Alonza Barnett (JMU)?
I have Mateer as my #1 QB for the week and I see him as hands down the best choice from your group. He has the highest Vegas point total, best match-up for pass defense and passing TDs allowed/game, and best match-up for run defense and rushing TDs allowed/game. Most of your QBs have a rushing element to their game, but Mateer has the best mix of passing and rushing scoring opportunities of all these players.
READER SUBMISSIONS
Andrew Bracht @brachta
TE pick 1, 2 PPR: Brant Kuithe (Utah) in a tough match-up or Oronde Gadsden (Syr) in an easier match-up?
Andrew I love my loyal readers and you’re throwing me a tough ass question this week! When it comes to team stat match-ups Syracuse has the better situation compared to Utah. Syracuse has a better QB situation (barely) than Utah as well. I think the talent level is the same between these two so I’ll lean toward my earliest points. Roll with Gadsden but I have them VERY close in this week’s player rankings.