CFF Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em – Week 3
In a College Fantasy Football move that will go down in history as nothing short of monumental, Volume Pigs and Purple Reign have combined their CFF “mega powers” to form an unstoppable team.
Each week this heavyweight duo will outline College Fantasy Football players to start and sit at each position, and answer questions submitted on X (Twitter) from our readers.
QUARTERBACKS: Start ‘Em
Purple Reign
Anthony Colandrea (UVA) vs Maryland
Colandrea is HOT right now. He’s led the Virginia offense to two 30+ point performances, he is averaging 12 carries/game, he led his team to a close win against Wake Forest last week, and he has another opportunity to gain a competitive win against Maryland. Maryland’s rush defense is better than their passing defense, and Maryland’s pass defense ranks #126 for fantasy points allowed. That defense matched-up against Virginia’s ranks #30 pass offense for fantasy points scored means that Colandrea will have no problem picking apart up Maryland.
Mikey Keene (Fres) vs New Mexico State
If you need help with a spot start this week at QB then look no further than Keene. Fantasy owners may have forgotten about him after a lackluster showing against Michigan (what would you expect?). Last week against Sacramento State we saw the Keene we know, throwing for 358 yards and 2 TDs. New Mexico State’s pass defense is ranks #118 in fantasy points allowed and the Fresno passing game is just warming up. This is the beginning of a mouth watering slate for Keene.
Volume Pigs
Chandler Morris (UNT) vs. TTech
Despite throwing three INTs last week, Morris still finished with a solid output. I don’t think that three turnovers will be the norm (though I suppose it could be) for Morris and the Mean Green get Texas Tech, who John Mateer just scored 50 points against.
Cameron Ward (MIA) vs. Ball St
Miami is in the resume building business this season with a forgiving schedule and a roster that should be in the CFP. Their matchup this week? The Ball State Cardinals, a MAC program. Miami will do what they want in this one and Ward should score multiple times before being given the hook (if that even happens).
QUARTERBACKS: Sit ‘Em
Purple Reign
Thomas Castellanos (BC) at Missouri
The transition to Tom O’Brien’s new offense appears to be seamless for Castellanos. We have yet to see him in a game where he if forced to throw the ball throughout. He is averaging just 13 pass attempts per game but being productive in that limited workload averaging 3 TDs/game. This type of ultra-high efficiency won’t hold up against Missouri. The Tigers haven’t played a competitive opponent yet, but they rank #1 in pass defense and #35 in rush defense for fantasy points allowed. If Missouri jumps up and forces BC to to throw a bunch, the Tigers defense could make this a long day for Castellanos.
Jalon Daniels (Kans) vs UNLV
Daniels being matched-up against UNLV looks tasty, but there’s too many questions to make this play in your line-up. Daniels has been disappointing so far this year averaging 144.5 passing yards/game, 2 INTs/game, only 5 carries/game for just 3.5 yards/carry. The UNLV game “could” be the match-up he needs to start correcting these bad stats, or it “could” just be a continuation of what we’ve been seeing. Believe it or not, but UNLV doesn’t match-up poorly to this Kansas offense. Their rush defense is ranks #10 in fantasy points allowed, and their pass defense is ranks #83 while Kansas’ pass offense is ranks #87.
Volume Pigs
Carson Beck (UGA) vs. Kentucky
I have a feeling that this game will end up resembling more Beck’s output vs. Clemson than it did vs. Ten. Tech. If the Dawgs are scoring virtually every pass (like 5 passing TDs on 18 completions), then Beck is a strong CFF producer. I don’t see that being the case vs. Kentucky and if I know Kirby, he’ll be looking to get the backups in as soon as possible.
RUNNING BACKS: Start ‘Em
Purple Reign
Jonah Coleman (Wash) vs Washington State
Coleman is averaging 13.5 carries/game but this has come in tune-up games. The Apple Cup calls this week and the coaches know they need to keep the Cougar offense off the field. I expect Coleman to get at least 20 carries in this game. While Washington State hasn’t played any team that can run the ball, their run defense ranks #105 in fantasy points allowed. Expect Coleman to rumble like a bowling ball through this Cougar defense and finish as the game’s MVP.
Jamious Griffin (OreSt) vs Oregon
Last week Ashton Jeanty exposed Oregon’s run defense and Oregon State loves to run the ball. Playing the game at home, I can see the Beavers coaches shortening the game and wearing down the defense with the ground game. It might take a while in the game before this approach starts to pay dividends, so don’t be surprised if Griffin has a slow start before his production begins to snowball in the second half. Oregon State’s run offense ranks #16 in fantasy points scored while Oregon’s run defense ranks #78 in fantasy points allowed.
Volume Pigs
Desmond Reid (Pitt) vs. WVU
Reid is coming off back to back performances of 30+ fantasy points and the matchup this week likely calls for a close, competitive game to the end with lots of scoring (at least, one can hope). I like Reid to continue his 100-yard streak.
Kaleb Johnson (Iowa) vs. Troy
This is not the Troy defence of old and Kaleb Johnson looks to have officially taken over as Tim Lester’s RB1, which has been a lucrative CFF position in the past. The only concern is the same concern as always with the Hawkeyes: how many TDs will they score?
RUNNING BACKS: Sit ‘Em
Purple Reign
Ismail Mahdi (TxSt) vs Arizona State
Mahdi’s performance this season is inconsistent due to playing inferior teams. Arizona State has played Wyoming and Mississippi State, but neither are good at running the ball. That fact skews Arizona State’s #2 ranked run defense for fantasy points allowed. I think the talent level in the trenches will favor the Sun Devils and Texas State will use their #33 ranked pass offense for fantasy points scored against Arizona State’s #53 ranked pass defense for fantasy points allowed. That should limit Mahdi’s workload and efficiency stats in this one.
Roman Hemby (MD) at Virginia
On paper this is a good match-up for Hemby. Maryland’s run offense ranks #53 in fantasy points scored while Virginia’s run defense ranks #83. The issue comes with Hemby’s workload as the coaches have been splitting time between him and Nolan Ray. Last week at Michigan State was the first competitive game for Maryland and the coaches stuck with the split carries approach. This week will be the second competitive game and I don’t see the coaches changing their workload approach between these two.
Volume Pigs
Braedon Sloan (Ball St) vs. Miami
It was a great week one for Sloan, the EKU transfer, finishing with over 30 fantasy points scored. This is one I’d sit out, though, as the Cardinals had their hands full with an FCS opponent last week, what do you think is going to happen vs. Miami this week? Hard to see a path where Sloan gets 20+ points in this one. Though, I will say, this has been a strange year for MAC vs. P4 opponents when it comes to the RB production. Jalen Buckey vs. Wisconsin, Antario Brown vs. ND, Anthony Tyus vs. Syracuse… we’ve seen some strange outcomes.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Start ‘Em
Purple Reign
Malachi Fields (UVA) vs Maryland
Fields finally got to show us what he can do last week in a competitive game against Wake Forest by garnering 13 targets for 11 receptions, 148 yards and no TDs. This week he gets a match-up with a pass defense from Maryland that ranks #126 in fantasy points allowed. Maryland was so bad last week that they helped make Aidan Chiles look good throwing the ball! What I like even more is that Vegas is calling for this game to be close, ensuring that Fields keeps getting targets late into the game.
Konata Mumpfield (Pitt) vs West Virginia
Mumpfield has had a nice start to his 2024 season. He’s averaging 8.5 targets, 89.5 yards and 1.5 TDs per game. Last week he racked up 123 yards and 2 TDs in a competitive game against a Cincinnati pass defense that ranks #116 in fantasy points allowed. West Virginia’s pass defense ranks #115, while Pitt’s pass offense ranks #8 in fantasy points scored. Add in playing a rival at home and Mumpfield looks poised for a good day.
Volume Pigs
Kamdyn Benjamin (Tulsa) vs. Oklahoma St
Benjamin has quietly turned himself into an elite producer through two weeks. He’s averaging nine targets per game and they now get Oklahoma State, who let Arkansas’ receivers run all over them the week prior. Yes, Tulsa isn’t as good as Arkansas, and they may struggle overall in the game, but if you’re looking to shoot from deep this week, Benjamin’s not a bad idea.
Rico Flores (UCLA) vs. Indiana
This one could get wild and Flores is coming off a nine target performance in week one. The Bruins were on BYE last week so people have forgotten about them, but CFFers in desperate need of a plug and play WR should pay attention to the WR room. Flores only caught three of his nine targets in week one, but he still went over 100 yards and scored.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Sit ‘Em
Purple Reign
Eugene Wilson (Fla) vs Texas A&M
Wilson was a beneficiary of DJ Lagway starting at QB last week. After a poor performance against Miami in Week 1, Wilson bounced back with the help of Lagway in Week 2 and had 8 targets for 6 receptions, 141 yards and 1 TD. That was against Samford and that defense is nowhere near as tough as Texas A&M. The Aggies have the #23 ranked pass defense for fantasy points allowed, and with the “Lagway bump” Florida’s passing offense is just #58 in fantasy points scored. Look for another Miami game performance out of Wilson this week.
Pat Bryant (Ill) vs Central Michigan
Before I get started, I know that Central Michigan has only played Central Connecticut and Florida International. Their pass defense is #10 in fantasy points allowed, but their run defense is ranked #112. Expect Illinois to do some passing, but mainly just ram the ball down the Chips’ throat. So far this season Bryant is only averaging 4 targets/game, and you can’t expect him to score 2 TDs in this game like he did against Eastern Illinois. Don’t be surprised if he ends up with a stat line similar to 3 receptions for 55 yards and 1 TD.
Volume Pigs
Jimmy Horn (COL) vs. CSU
I’m hoping for some reverse psychology here as I’d love for Horn to have a nuclear performance this week—my home league squad needs it. Surely, if I put him in the ‘sit’ section he will have the game of his life… that’s the way things have been going with this series (see Ashton Jeanty last week). In all seriousness, I just don’t trust anything about Colorado in a standard league where you have to choose starters. They’re all great in bestball, but at WR it looks like it’ll be different guys popping off at different times, and while the matchup is amazing, and I hope Horn has a huge game, I wouldn’t put my trust in him if I’m choosing a starter this week.
TIGHT ENDS: Start ‘Em
Purple Reign
Tyler Neville (UVA) vs Maryland
As I’ve mentioned in the QB and WR section, I love the match-up between the Virginia passing game and the Maryland pass defense. When it comes to TEs I like close competitive match-ups and Vegas is calling for this one to stay close. Don’t expect what you saw last week from Neville where he had 4 targets for 4 receptions, 68 yards and 2 TDs as those are not replicable numbers. The targets could be matched in this game, but maybe 40 yards and 1 TD are more realistic.
Volume Pigs
Holden Willis (MTSU) vs. WKU
I don’t know if Willis has TE eligibility in your league, but if he does, start him without reservation. He’s coming off a 12 target game. Enough said for the TE position.
TIGHT ENDS: Sit ‘Em
Purple Reign
Michael Trigg (Bayl) vs Air Force
I have several concerns here. QB Dequan Finn is only averaging 21.5 pass attempts per game. Trigg is the most productive pass catcher so far this season, commanding a 21% target share of Finn’s pass attempts. That percentage wouldn’t be bad if the overall passing volume was higher. Baylor’s pass offense ranks #74 in fantasy points scored while Air Force’s pass defense ranks #60 in fantasy points allowed. I can see Air Force eating clock, limiting Baylor’s possessions, and diminishing Trigg’s target opportunities.
Volume Pigs
Jack Velling (MSU) vs. PVAM
Trust is earned, not given. And this MSU passing attack has yet to earn my trust. Velling looks like a shell of his former self in this anemic offence. Find someone else to start this week. The one caveat is that this is an easy matchup (or should be), so maybe this is finally the week where we see Chiles find rhythm.
READER SUBMISSIONS
Tony Anderson @TonyJAnderson
Braedon Sloan vs MiaFL or Marion Lukes vs ILL in a no transactions league?
Purple Reign: Neither of these options are very good to be honest. Central Michigan has played poor competition and their rush offense ranks #80 in fantasy points scored. Ball State’s rush offense ranks #50 with similar competition, but I don’t see their o-line getting much push against Miami. I’d go with Sloan because he is more involved in the passing game than Lukes and can provide some garbage time points that way.
Volume Pigs: Basically agree with everything Joe said. Not great options either way, at least Sloan might be so involved that he sneaks a TD score. I wrote about Sloan above in my S/S section, so you might want to read that.
READER SUBMISSIONS
Andrew Marro
Flex (start 1) - RB Tyus (Ohio), RB Martinez (MiaFL), WR Amare Thomas (UAB), RB Sanders (SCar), or RB Mockobee (Purd)
Flex (start 2) - RB Tyus (Ohio), RB Martinez (MiaFL), WR McCuin (UTSA), RB Chalk (SJSU), WR M Williams (Tul), RB Edwards (K St)?
Purple Reign: First Flex – Off the bat I would stay away from Thomas since the UAB passing game has yet to push the ball downfield. I also would not play Mockobee against Notre Dame in a game where ND will be pissed off from last week’s loss and want to take it out on a hapless rivalry opponent. LSU could push a lead early and take South Carolina out of a game script where Sanders can get his touches. Martinez is good but we just don’t know if Fletcher might vulture goal line TDs. Tyus gives you a guy that should get a decent workload and has a good match-up. Second Flex – Both WRs have poor match-ups and Edwards is a RB2 so you can cut those. Tyus is still your best guy so lock him in. The decision comes down to what type of play do you want to make. If you want a safe floor then Martinez is your guy. If you want to shoot for the highest ceiling regardless of risk, than Chalk is your guy.
Volume Pigs: I agree with Joe, by process of elimination Tyus would be my choice, probably for both flex questions.
READER SUBMISSIONS
Andrew Bracht
6 point passing TDs, 2 point PPR
QB - McCloud (TxSt) or Salter (Lib)?
WR - Burden (MIZ), Nash (SJSU), or Bernard (Bama)?
Purple Reign: I’ll make this easy, I ranked Salter my #1 QB for this week so I’d roll with him. UTEP’s run defense ranks #128 in fantasy points allowed so Salter should have a field day carving them up on the ground. I also have Nash as my #1 ranked WR this week as Kennesaw State hasn’t been able to stop any pass heavy offenses and their pass defense ranks #114 in fantasy points allowed.
Volume Pigs: Both QBs feel like good options this week, though Salter has been disappointing to start the year. I’d roll the dice with McCloud vs. AZ State as I think he’ll be passing all game to keep up with the Sun Devils. Salter could take the foot off the gas vs. UTEP. On the WRs, Nash by default because Burden’s health is a question and Bernard hasn’t been very good so far.
READER SUBMISSIONS
Adan Melgar
Start 2, 6 point passing TDs
Josh Hoover (TCU), Behren Morton (TxTch), Eli Holstein (Pitt), Brendan Sorsby (Cin), or Anthony Colandrea (UVA)? Thinking of dropping KJ Jefferson (UCF) and sitting Castellanos.
Purple Reign: In this week’s “Keep Or Cut?” article I mention waiting to drop Jefferson until you see how he does against TCU this week, and above you saw I mentioned Castellanos to be sat. All of the other QBs you mentioned made the top 20 in my QB rankings this week. Morton, Colandrea, and Holstein face the weaker pass defenses (very similar in rank). All three of them are involved in one/two score leads based on Vegas odds. I ranked Morton one spot above Colandrea but Morton didn’t look good last week. Colandrea is a safer pick that maybe doesn’t have the same ceiling as Morton, but that ceiling isn’t too far behind due to Colandrea’s rushing ability.
Volume Pigs: I’d pick two out of Hoover, Holstein, and Sorsby. With Sorsby’s ankle being a question that was raised this week, by elimination I think I’d choose Hoover and Holstein. Though Colandrea could make a case for a selection also due to his matchup. I wouldn’t drop KJ yet.
READER SUBMISSIONS
Dan Melgar
0.5 PPR
Andrew Armstrong (Ark), Kevin Coleman (MissSt), Donovan Greene (Wake), or Theo Weese (MIZ) at WR?
Purple Reign: I’m not a fan of Armstrong and Greene’s match-ups this week so avoid them. That narrows it to Weese and Coleman. We don’t know if Luther Burden will play yet. If Burden doesn’t play, then I would roll with Weese. If Burden does play then Coleman looks like the best play here.
Volume Pigs: Keep your eyes peeled on the Burden injury news. If he’s out, Weasr is a no brainer. If he’s in, Wease could still be a play as Burden may be limited. I’m intrigued by Greene, but I don’t know if I trust him this week. If not Wease, then Armstrong is who I’d roll with.
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