QB Keelon Russell ($8,300) is listed as probable and expected to start, but we’re approaching him cautiously despite a favorable projection and a Vanderbilt defense allowing 22.2 FPPG to quarterbacks. We simply don’t envision the Commodores making this a competitive, back-and-forth scoring environment. With Alabama’s WR corps fully healthy, we’re also avoiding the elevated salaries at the position, especially with no wideout commanding more than a 22% target share.\ The tight ends are far more appealing. TE Marshall Pritchett ($4,000) has recorded multiple receptions in seven straight games, while TE Kaleb Edwards ($3,600) has scored touchdowns in consecutive weeks. Vanderbilt allows 11+ FPPG to opposing tight ends, and with Josh Ford lost for the season, both should benefit from a more condensed rotation. At their respective salaries, Pritchett and Edwards are among the more intriguing Alabama options.

The real contrarian opportunity might be in the backfield. Alabama ranks 134th nationally in rushing yards over the last three weeks, continuing the same frustrating trend we saw last season. That should keep ownership extremely low on RB Daniel Hill ($4,800) and RB Trae’Shawn Brown ($4,800), but the matchup couldn’t be much better. Vanderbilt ranks 13th in the SEC in rushing defense and 115th nationally in rush defense success rate. If Alabama is ever going to get its ground game rolling, this would be the spot. The problem, of course, is identifying which back benefits. Bown’s rushing prop is 16 yards higher than Hill if that is any indicator.

Outside of WR Junior Sherrill ($7,000), there’s very little to like about Vanderbilt’s offense that ranks 14th out of 16 teams in the SEC in scoring. QB Jared Curtis ($6,000) is an easy fade, with Alabama allowing just 14.1 FPPG to opposing quarterbacks. RB Sedrick Alexander ($4,900) is another player we’re avoiding despite a favorable projection relative to his salary. Alexander offers limited upside and an extremely low floor against a Crimson Tide defense ranking 14th nationally in EPA per run play and 11th in rush defense success rate. Sherrill is the lone exception, commanding a massive 30% target share with an astounding 39 more receptions than the next-closest Vanderbilt pass-catcher. That kind of volume keeps him in consideration regardless of matchup, even at an elevated $7,000 salary.

Our initial instinct is to roster RB DeSean Bishop ($8,700) and move on, but Tennessee being favored by just 2.5 points against a floundering Texas A&M team raises some eyebrows. Insert the Brian Windhorst “Now why is that?” meme. Bishop is matchup-proof at this point, with Tennessee leaning heavily on its workhorse throughout SEC play. Over the last five weeks, he’s averaging a massive 28.4 rushing attempts and 30.2 fantasy points per game. At $8,700, we’d much rather spend for Bishop than Nate Sheppard in a significantly tougher matchup.

The surprisingly narrow spread also keeps WR Mike Matthews ($6,500) and WR Braylon Staley ($4,300) firmly in consideration. Could this be a trap game for Tennessee, traveling to College Station after last week’s blowout win over Kentucky? If the Aggies keep things competitive, the Vols may need more from their passing attack than anticipated. Matthews and Staley account for a combined 53% target share and six of Tennessee’s 10 receiving touchdowns, making them the clear options if targeting the passing game.

Texas A&M is a near full-team fade for us against the SEC’s second-ranked scoring defense. The Aggies are averaging just 16 PPG in conference play and have failed to reach double digits in half of those contests. QB Marcel Reed ($6,100) is an easy pass against a Tennessee defense holding opposing quarterbacks nine fantasy points below their seasonal averages. RB Rueben Owens ($4,600) finally broke out with 137 rushing yards on 19 carries against South Carolina, but are we really buying a resurgence three seasons and 10 games into his college career? We won’t completely dismiss him, as Tennessee ranks just one spot ahead of South Carolina in rushing defense and 52nd nationally in rush defense success rate. At $4.6k, there’s at least some tournament appeal.

The receiving corps hinges on WR Mario Craver’s ($4,900) availability after being listed as questionable. If he sits, WR Isaiah Horton ($4,400), WR Aaron Gregory ($3,800) and WR TK Norman ($3,100) should dominate the snaps. Norman would step into the slot role and has quietly shown promise with Craver battling injuries, recording 15 receptions over his last five games. At near-minimum salary, we’d argue Norman becomes the best DFS option on the entire Texas A&M roster if Craver is ruled out.