Oh it is Week 11…well, I mean it will be next week. A time for playoff games to be won and to separate the men from the boys….or young ladies from young women. With tilts on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights aplenty, there are games almost every night to whet your appetite and to take advantage of as you chase a title or berth in a championship game. Some of those matchups are better than others. That is why we look ahead…..
FIU a fantasy powerhouse?
Maybe next week they should be, as they welcome the winless (as of this writing) Florida Atlantic Owls to town. We all know T.Y. Hilton is a must start, but Wesley Carroll is a sneaky quarterback play, while Kedrick Rhodes is approaching 1,000 yards on the season not to mention seven rushing scores. Even the FIU defense is a reliable option and one that can capitalize on a terrible offense.
Start your Wildcats, all of your Wildcats
First the FAU Owls, now the Rice Owls get picked on. Last week Case Keenum hung 73 points on Rice. Next weekend they have the unenviable task of slowing down Northwestern’s quick strike offense. We know Dan Persa and Drake Dunsmore are virtual locks to play, but Jeremy Ebert is a sure matchup play, as well as Kain Colter because of the various ways they use him in the offense. This can be a high scoring affair, with plenty of 20+ point fantasy performances coming from this one.
Best QB Matchup of the Weekend: Ryan Aplin vs. Blaine Gautier?
Over the course of the last couple of weeks two quarterbacks have not played better then these two, and in a battle for conference supremacy, the quarterbacks will be on display. The Louisiana-Lafayette QB Gautier has had an amazing season, throwing for 13 touchdowns to just two interceptions, while also adding two rushing scores. Aplin on the other hand has been just as hot for Arkansas State and because of his dual-threat ability, is a must-start for fantasy owners. Expect plenty of offense and productivity from the QB’s in this one.
Bench Bobby Rainey? Now???
Unfortunately for fantasy owners that is the toughest call of the weekend. Bobby Rainey, who has had another stellar season with close to 1,000 rushing yards and twelve total touchdowns, is a definite bench candidate in Week 11. Why? Because he faces LSU’s defense. Either LSU will be flying high off of their win over Alabama or they will be pissed after losing the “Game of the Century." Either way this is a tough pill to swallow, but for one week, Rainey may need to be benched.
Battle for the Pac-12 Conference
The stars will be out at Oregon when the Cardinal and Ducks battle. In this matchup, much like the Stanford-USC game, you have to start your stars. Luck, Thomas, James, Fleener, Taylor, etc. all should start. Enjoy this one, as this is a defacto National Semifinal.
Other Matchups to Exploit
WR Phillip Payne, UNLV vs. New Mexico
All BYU skill offensive players and defense vs. Idaho
Jalen Saunders, Robbie Rouse & Derek Carr, Fresno State vs. New Mexico State
Keola Antolin, Juron Criner, Nick Foles, Arizona vs. Colorado
The Houston marching band vs. Tulane….ok that one is a joke
Good Luck!