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Bench
Jack Plummer, QB-Purdue at Penn State
Consider: Last week, Plummer completed 23-of-41 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns in the Boilermakers’ 38-31 loss to Minnesota. This weekend, the Penn State defense won’t be so soft and points will be hard to come by, as the Nittany Lions are allowing only 7.5 points per game, which is second-best in the FBS.
Bo Nix, QB-Auburn at Florida
Consider: There has been a lot of hype surrounding Bo Nix throughout the first half of the season, but it has been deserved. The freshman quarterback opened 2019 with a big come-from-behind win against Oregon and has led Auburn to a 5-0 record. Now, Nix and the Tigers must prepare to play three consecutive road games over a four week stretch in October. Nix was victorious in his first road conference game, a 28-20 win at Texas A&M two weeks ago, but The Swamp will be on another level when it hosts this Top Ten showdown. Through five games, the Gators are allowing 8.8 points per game and have only given up three touchdown passes.
King Doerue, RB-Purdue at Penn State
Consider: The freshman running back was probably a hot name on the waiver wire in many leagues this past week after running for 94 yards and two touchdowns against Minnesota. After losing quarterback Elijah Sindelar and receiver Rondale Moore to injuries, the Purdue offense will be limping in Happy Valley, so it would be wise to pass on Doerue in Week 6.
DK Billingsley, RB-Troy at Missouri
Consider: Since taking over as the starting running back, DK Billingsley has posted back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. At 5-foot-11 and 207 pounds, the sophomore back has also barreled into the end zone in three of Troy’s first four games. However, we suggest tempering expectations this weekend as the Trojans travel to face an SEC opponent that allow less than 100 yards per game on the ground.
Christopher Brown, RB-Cal at Oregon
Consider: Cal started the season 4-0, which included a road win at Washington in Week 2, but they could not hold on for a win last Friday at home against Arizona State after losing starting quarterback Chase Garbers to a shoulder injury. The loss of Garbers certainly puts more pressure on the running game, but a road trip to Oregon makes things worse, as the Ducks are allowing an impressive 10.5 points per game and have only given up one rushing touchdown.
Start
Anthony McFarland, RB-Maryland at Rutgers
Consider: After scoring in the Terrapins’ first three games of 2019, McFarland and the Maryland offense were shutout last week at Penn State 59-0. Now, many fantasy owners may be second-guessing themselves heading into this weekend’s game at Rutgers. Don’t. The Scarlett Knights defense is allowing nearly 200 yards per game on the ground (199.5) and are one of 16 FBS schools that have given up at least eleven rushing touchdowns.
Ahmari Davis, RB-New Mexico at San Jose State
Consider: Through four games, Ahmari Davis has logged two 100-yard rushing games and scored four touchdowns. The senior back has rushed for at least 99 yards in all but one game, the Lobos’ Week 3 loss at Notre Dame. This week, New Mexico travels to San Jose State to face a Spartans defense allowing over 200 yards per game on the ground, so don’t hesitate to put Davis into an active roster spot for Friday night’s matchup.
DeeJay Dallas, RB-Miami vs Virginia Tech
Consider: Running back DeeJay Dallas has rushed for at least 95 yards in three of the first four games of the season and has totaled five rushing touchdowns. Following a bye week, Miami hosts a Virginia Tech team coming off an embarrassing 45-10 loss at home to Duke. The Hokies are giving up 189 yards per game on the ground and we don’t think they have had enough time to regroup, so get Dallas into your lineup this weekend.
Jason Huntley, RB-New Mexico State vs Liberty
Consider: Jason Huntley got off to a slow start in 2019, but that was expected, as the Aggies opened up with Washington State, Alabama, and San Diego State. After totaling over 100 yards in back-to-back games, the senior back has proven he needs to be in an active slot when the schedule softens, as it has the past two weeks. This weekend, New Mexico State hosts Liberty and the Flames are giving up 228.2 yards per game on the ground.
Brenden Knox, RB-Marshall at Middle Tennessee
Consider: Running back Brenden Knox has carried the ball sixteen times in back-to-back games since teammate Tyler King left the team. He has totaled at least 99 yards of offense in the previous two games and has scored in three of the Thundering Herd’s first four games of 2019. The Blue Raiders’ defensive numbers are inflated because they have played some heavyweights, but giving up 254.3 yards per game on the ground shows where they are most vulnerable. This weekend, we expect Knox to get a heavy workload in the first conference game of the season.