Bench
Frankie Hickson, RB-Liberty at Auburn
Consider: Hickson has rushed for at least 90 yards in five of his last seven games, 100 yards in three of his last five, and has scored at least two touchdowns in three consecutive games. However, Auburn will be the most physical defense that the Flames will face in 2018. The Tigers are the only defense ranked in the Top 25 in points allowed that are giving up more than 350 totals yards per game, but only only three teams in the entire FBS have given up fewer rushing touchdowns. Sure, Hickson could surprise, but if you’ve made it this far, you probably have safer options on your roster.
Spencer Brown, RB-UAB at Texas A&M
Consider: Brown has been one of the more consistent fantasy backs in the country, as the 6-foot and 220-pound sophomore has scored in all but one game this season. However, Texas A&M will be the first Power 5 defense the Blazers will face in 2018 and the Aggies have the second-best rushing defense in the country, allowing only 77.8 rushing yards per game.
Stevie Scott, RB-Indiana at Michigan
Consider: Scott started fast in 2018, struggled through a four-game stretch in the middle of the season, but has rushed for at least 90 yards and a touchdown in three consecutive games going into this week’s matchup at Michigan. However, the Wolverines’ defense is coming off their best three-game stretch of the 2018 season, as they have not allowed more than seven points in any of the previous three games.
Jermar Jefferson, RB-Oregon State at Washington
Consider: After scoring twelve touchdowns in the first six games of the season, Jefferson hasn’t reached the end zone in four consecutive weeks, despite rushing for 100 yards in two of the last three games. In Week 12, fantasy owners are left debating the possibility of starting a potential 100-yard back, who will be challenged to score against a Top 10 scoring defense (Washington-16.0 PPG). Jefferson may be worth an active spot in Power 5 leagues, particularly at Flex, but an active spot in Full FBS leagues is debatable.
Scottie Phillips, RB-Mississippi at Vanderbilt
Consider: Two weeks ago, Scottie Phillips rushed for 141 yards and three touchdowns against South Carolina, but an ankle injury in last week’s game at Texas A&M limited the junior back to three rushing attempts. Now, Phillips is said to be day-to-day leading up to Saturday’s matchup at Vanderbilt. If we do not get more favorable news in the next 24 hours, the risk to start Phillips could be too great in Week 12.
Start
Ty Gangi, QB-Nevada at San Jose State
Consider: Senior quarterback Ty Gangi is coming off his third four-touchdown game of the 2018 season in a 49-10 win against Colorado State. This week, he’ll face a San Jose State pass defense that is allowing 277.6 passing yards per game, eleventh-worst in the FBS. Only one team in the country has given up more passing touchdowns than the 28 allowed by the Spartans this year.
Brett Rypien, QB-Boise State vs New Mexico
Consider: Boise State has played ten games this season, seven games against teams giving up more than 225 passing yards per game, and three games against teams giving up less than 210 passing yards per game. In the seven games against teams giving up more than 225 passing yards per game, Rypien has averaged 342 passing yards and thrown a total of 23 touchdown passes. In the three games against teams giving up less than 210 passing yards per game, Rypien has averaged 217 passing yards and thrown a total of two touchdown passes. Boise State’s opponent this week, New Mexico, is giving up 280 passing yards per game, so we’re expecting at least 300 yards and three touchdowns for Rypien’s fantasy owners.
Aca’Cedric Ware, RB-USC at UCLA
Consider: Senior running back Aca’Cedric Ware will head into this weekend’s matchup at UCLA coming off back-to-back 100 yards games, his third and fourth 100-yard games of the season. Two weeks ago, Ware ran for 205 yards and three touchdowns against the PAC-12’s worst rushing defense, Oregon State. This week, he’ll face a Bruins defense that is allowing over 215 yards per game on the ground and given up 30 rushing touchdowns.
Ke’Mon Freeman, RB-SMU vs Memphis
Consider: Freeman’s late-season emergence has forced many fantasy owners to rethink their starters heading into Week 12. The 5-foot-11 and 225-pound junior has rushed for 223 yards and five touchdowns in the past two games and faces a Memphis defense that has given up 23 rushing touchdowns in ten games.
Armand Shyne, RB-Utah at Colorado
Consider: Filling in for injured starting running back Zack Moss, Armand Shyne ran for 174 yards in the Utes’ 32-25 win over Oregon. With Moss likely done for the season, Shyne will get another start in a Week 12 matchup at Colorado.