Bench
Cole McDonald, QB-Hawaii at Fresno State
Cole McDonald is not a ‘must bench’ because he is on this list, but fantasy owners should consider other options on their roster before making the final call. There is no doubt that the sophomore quarterback has taken advantage of a fairly easy schedule, throwing three or more touchdown passes in six of eight games, but his two worst games of the year were against the only two teams he faced that are allowing fewer than 250 passing yards per game (Army and BYU). This week, Hawaii travels to Fresno State and faces a Bulldogs defense ranked in the Top 15 in passing yards allowed (173.3). In fact, only eight FBS defenses have allowed fewer touchdown passes this season than Fresno State (Miss. St., App. St., Ga. So., So. Carolina, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame) and only one defense has more interceptions (LSU-15, Fresno St.-13).
Austin Walter, RB-Rice at North Texas
It was tough to keep Walter out of the lineup throughout the first half of the season, as he totaled over 80 yards of offense in each of the Owls first six games and scored five touchdowns. However, the senior back has only totaled 95 yards of offense in the past two games combined, and in Week 9, faces the Mean Green’s 15th-ranked rush defense.
Trivenskey Mosley, RB-Southern Miss at Charlotte
After totaling 215 yards on the ground over the past two games, Mosley landed on our Week 8 Waiver Wire. However, fantasy owners may want to wait a week before starting the freshman back, as Southern Miss travels to Charlotte and faces the nation’s 6th-rated rushing defense.
Cam Akers, RB-Florida State vs Clemson
Cam Akers finished two yards shy of what would have been his first 100-yard rushing game of the season last Saturday against Wake Forest. His 126 yards of total offense and two touchdowns helped lead the Seminoles to a 38-17 win. Unfortunately, Akers will go from playing the worst scoring defense in the ACC to playing the best scoring defense in the conference, as the Tigers are only allowing 13.4 points per game.
Start
Steven Montez, QB-Colorado vs Oregon State
Many fantasy owners may be waiting to get an update on WR Laviska Shenault before deciding on whether or not to start Steven Montez. It shouldn’t matter. Montez will face one of the worst defense in the FBS, as the Beavers are giving up over 47 points per game and over 540 yards per game.
Ross Comis, QB-UMass @ UConn
Ross Comis moves into the starting role now that Andrew Ford has been lost for the season with a torn meniscus. He couldn’t be stepping in at a better time, as the Minutemen face one of the worst defenses in college football. The Huskies are giving up more points (51.4) and yards (651.4) than any other team in the FBS.
Travon McMillian, RB-Colorado vs Oregon State
Senior running back Travon McMillian is a must-start against a porous Oregon State run defense in Week 9. The Beavers are allowing over 270 yards per game on the ground, which is third-worst in the FBS, and are one of twelve teams that have given up 20 or more rushing touchdowns. McMillian’s fantasy owners actually benefit from the absence of WR Laviska Shenault, who remains questionable with a toe injury.
Jalen Reagor, WR-TCU at Kansas
Jalen Reagor is the Horned Frogs’ leading receiver with 38 receptions for 465 yards and four touchdowns. The dismissal of KaVontae Turpin this week means that Reagor is the only player on the roster with more than 20 receptions. The sophomore receiving has caught at least six passes in four of the last five games and has scored in three of the last four.