Bench
Nick Fitzgerald, QB-Mississippi State at Alabama
Consider: Senior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald has accounted for eight touchdowns in the past two weeks and is coming off back-to-back 200-yard passing games. However, Alabama is only allowing 102.1 yards per game on the ground and have given up the fewest rushing touchdowns in the FBS (3). The Crimson Tide have more interceptions (13), than passing touchdowns allowed (12).
Lexington Thomas, RB-UNLV at San Diego State
Consider: The Rebels have lost six consecutive games and running back Lexington Thomas has only one 100-yard rushing game during the team’s current losing streak. This week, Thomas will face the FBS’ fourth ranked rushing defense, as the Aztecs are only allowing 83.1 yards per game on the ground.
Benny LeMay, RB-Charlotte at Marshall
Consider: Charlotte running back Benny LeMay has rushed for at least 80 yards in five consecutive games and has three 100-yard rushing games this season. However, the Marshall defense is only allowing 103.5 rushing yards per game and they have not allowed a 100-yard rusher through eight games, a stretch that included the Herd snapping FAU running back Devin Singletary’s 19-game scoring streak.
Jordan Cronkrite, RB-South Florida at Cincinnati
Consider: Three weeks ago, South Florida running back Jordan Cronkrite tied the school record for consecutive 100-yard rushing games, but he’s been the Bulls’ second-best fantasy back during the past three weeks. Not only is Cronkrite competing for carries with freshman running back Johnny Ford, but Cincinnati is only allowing 105.2 rushing yards per game and only two defenses in the FBS have allowed fewer rushing touchdowns.
Start
Ben Hicks, QB-SMU at UConn
Consider: Quarterback Ben Hicks has passed for at least 290 yards and two touchdowns in each of the past three games. This week, Hicks will face a Connecticut defense that has allowed 293.9 passing yards per game and has given up more passing touchdowns than any other team in the FBS (26).
Anthony Russo, QB-Temple at Houston
Consider: Sophomore quarterback Anthony Russo has thrown three or more touchdowns passes in three of Owls’ last four games. On Saturday, Russo will face a Houston defense that has given up the most passing yards in the FBS this season (324.0 PYPG).
DeAndre Torrey, RB-North Texas at Old Dominion
Consider: North Texas running back DeAndre Torrey is coming off his first 100-yard rushing performance of the season, a game in which he scored four touchdowns. Having now scored seven touchdowns in the past three games, Torrey will face an Old Dominion that has given up 24 rushing touchdowns in nine games this season. The Monarchs are also allowing 232.8 rushing yards per game, which is 12th-worst in the the FBS.
Deon Jackson, RB-Duke vs North Carolina
Consider: Sophomore running back Deon Jackson is coming off back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, both on the road, and has scored in six of the past seven games. This week, Jackson and the Blue Devils return home to face a North Carolina defense that is allowing 225.0 rushing yards per game.
Romello Ross, RB-Central Michigan vs Bowling Green
Consider: Of all the names included on our Start lists in 2018, Central Michigan running back Romello Ross’ may be the biggest surprise. Why should fantasy owners reach for a guy that has not had more than 12 fantasy points in any of the five games in which he has played? The matchup. Bowling Green has the nation’s second-worst run defense, allowing 320.9 rushing yards per game. The Falcons have allowed a 100-yard rusher in eight straight games and have allowed ten 100-yard rushers this season.