Bench
Kellen Mond, Texas A&M at Alabama
In three games this season, all at home, Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond has accounting for nine touchdowns, six passing and three rushing. In his first road test of 2018, the sophomore quarterback must face an Alabama defense allowing only 9.3 points per game and just over 200 passing yards per game (201.0).
Ben Hicks, QB-SMU vs Navy
There are probably a handful of owners still holding on to Hicks after he was replaced by freshman Will Brown in the second half of last week’s game at Michigan. This week’s matchup looks good on paper, as the Navy defense is allowing over 250 yards per game in the air, but Hicks isn’t a guarantee to start.
Trayveon Williams, RB-Teaxs A&M at Alabama
Trayveon Williams is off to a solid start in 2018, rushing for 399 yards in three games. However, the only Power 5 team that the Aggies have played so far is Clemson, and the Tigers limited Williams to 31 yards on the ground. This week, the junior back will have to face an Alabama defense that has not allowed a rushing touchdown so far this season.
Stephen Carr, RB-USC vs Washington State
Usually, the bench list is comprised mostly of players facing some of the tougher defenses in the country. That isn’t the case with USC running back Stephen Carr this week. There is no denying that Carr is probably the Trojans’ most talented back, but he has not carried the ball more than ten times in any of the first three games of the year. Until Carr and the USC offense get rolling, it would be wise to bench him and hold him, but we’re not ready to drop him.
Stevie Scott, RB-Indiana vs Michigan State
The 6-foot-3 and 233-pound freshman has gotten off to an impressive start, rushing for 388 yards and three touchdowns in three games. However, his 5.6 yards per rush average could take a hit this weekend against the Michigan State defense. The Spartans are only allowing 34.5 rushing yards per game and 1.3 yards per attempt, both tops in the FBS.
Start
Qadree Ollison, RB-Pitt at North Carolina
Ollison has topped the 70-yard rushing mark in all three games this season and has rushed for at least 91 yards and a touchdown, and has averaged 19 carries, in the past two games. This week, Pitt will face a North Carolina defense that is allowing 190.0 yards per game on the ground.
JaTarvious Whitlow, RB-Auburn vs Arkansas
It may have taken three weeks to sort out, but it seems as if JaTarvious Whitlow is the Tigers’ No. 1 running back. Last week, Whitlow carried the ball 22 times for 104 yards and a touchdown against LSU. This week, we’re confident that the redshirt freshman will find the end zone against an Arkansas defense that is giving up 32.7 points per game.
Benny LeMay, Charlotte at Massachusetts
Benny LeMay has been a workhorse, logging at least 25 rush attempts in two of Charlotte’s first three games and totaling 385 yards of offense (263 rushing/122 receiving). This Saturday, LeMay will face the seventh-worst run defense in the FBS, as Massachusetts is allowing 266.3 yards per game on the ground. The Minutemen are also one of only four teams to give up at least eleven rushing touchdowns this year
Emmanuel Esukpa, RB-Rice at Southern Mississippi
On the season, Emmanuel Esukpa has carried the ball 66 times for 358 yards and two touchdowns. The 5-foot-11 and 232-pound junior has carried the ball at least 17 times in every game, topping the 100-yard mark twice and scoring in two of three games. Now, the Southern Miss defense remains one of seven teams in the country not to allow a rushing touchdown this year, but Esukpa and the Rice offense should knock them off that list this weekend.
Tylan Wallace, WR-Oklahoma State vs Texas Tech
With 19 receptions for 319 yards and two touchdowns through three games, Tylan Wallace has established himself as the Cowboys’ top receiver. On Saturday, Wallace will face a Texas Tech defense that has given up an average of 399 passing yards and 48 points to their two FBS opponents this season (Ole Miss & Houston) .