Bench
Ty Gangi, QB-Nevada vs Boise State
Ty Gangi’s absence last week against Fresno State greatly affected the offense’s ability to move the ball, as the Wolf Pack were held to three points in a 21-3 loss. Gangi did return to practice this week, but Nevada hosts a Boise State team that could be looking to take out some frustrations after dropping a home conference game to San Diego State last week.
Drew Lock, QB-Missouri at Alabama
Alabama is currently outscoring opponents 238-55 in the first half of games this season and the defense have only given up four first half passing touchdowns through six games. However, opposing offenses have reached the end zone eight times in the second half against the Crimson Tide, but chasing late points during garbage time may not be the safest option if you are considering Missouri quarterback Drew Lock this week.
Khalil Tate, QB-Arizona at Utah
The only game in which Khalil Tate accounted for more than two touchdowns was against FCS opponent Southern Utah in Week 3. The junior quarterback has totaled only 109 rushing yards through six games this year. Last year, he rushed for more than 100 yards in a game six times. The 2017 version of Khalil Tate has disappeared and he won’t likely reappear Friday night against the nation’s 3rd-best rushing defense.
Miles Sanders, RB-Penn State vs Michigan State
The Nittany Lions may be a two-touchdown favorite at home against the Spartans, but don’t expect Penn State to do much on the ground. Michigan State has the nation’s No.1-rated run defense, allowing only 33.8 rushing yards per game and 1.3 yards per attempt. Sparty have not allowed more than 63 rushing yards in any one game this season.
Kalija Lipscomb, WR-Vanderbilt vs Florida
After earning a spot in our Week 5 Start list, Lipscomb finds himself on our Bench list in Week 7. The junior receiver only caught two passes in last week’s game at Georgia and things won’t get much easier at home against Florida. Lipscomb is averaging an impressive 7.5 receptions per game, but the Gators are only allowing 13.2 completions per game in 2018.
Start
Malcolm Perry, QB-Navy vs Temple
Navy quarterback Malcolm Perry has only totaled 114 yards of offense over the past two games after totaling 603 yards of offense over the first three weeks of the 2018 season. Perry’s recent struggles make him a slight risk this week against Temple, but his ceiling is too high to ignore in the Midshipmen option attack.
Trey Ragas, RB-Louisiana vs New Mexico State
Louisiana running back Trey Ragas has rushed for at least 100 yards and a touchdown in four of five games this season. This Saturday, he’ll face one of the ten-worst rush defenses in the FBS, New Mexico State. The Aggies are allowing 243.2 rushing yards per game and have given up 19 rushing touchdowns.
BJ Smith, RB-Troy at Liberty
Troy’s BJ Smith has not carried the ball more than seventeen times in any one game this season, but the junior running back has scored at least two touchdowns in three of the last four games and has topped the 100-yard rushing mark in the last two. This Saturday, the Trojans travel to Liberty and face the nation’s fifth-worst run defense, as the Flames are giving up 261.2 rushing yards per game.
LeVante Bellamy, RB-Western Michigan at Bowling Green
Halfway through the 2018 season, Western Michigan running back LeVante Bellamy is on pace to rush for 1,000 yards and score ten touchdowns. If he is to reach both of those marks by the end of the year, he’ll likely need a big game this week at Bowling Green. No defense in the FBS has given up more rushing yards per game (332.3) and more rushing touchdowns (27) than the Falcons.
Kawaan Baker, WR-South Alabama vs Alabama State
South Alabama receiver Kawaan Baker has scored eight touchdowns this season, averaging a touchdown every 6.5 touches. He has at least five receptions in five of six games and has rushed for at least 49 yards in each of the Jaguars’ last three games. After three consecutive road games, at Memphis, Appalachian State, and Georgia Southern, Baker could potentially explode in a home matchup against Alabama State.