College Fantasy Football: Defenses to watch for Week 7
Week 7 of the college football season is already here. Let’s take a look at five defenses that should be put in your college fantasy football lineup.
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OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes are ranked as the fifth-best defense by fantasy points, so it’s not hard to put them in your starting lineup, but Ohio State’s squad could be especially effective this weekend. Minnesota only averaged 2.8 yards per carry last week in a high-scoring contest against Iowa but threw the ball well. The Gophers scored only 13 points the week before against Maryland. Ohio State has five- and four-star prospects all over its defense. Expect Minnesota’s points to come at a premium.
AUBURN
One spot ahead of Ohio State in the defensive fantasy football rankings is Auburn and the Tigers could have a big showing this weekend. Coming off a 23-9 loss to Mississippi State where Auburn gave up only 69 passing yards, it allowed 349 yards on the ground and that’s unacceptable in SEC play. That should change this weekend since Auburn only allowed 13 points to Southern Miss and three to Arkansas the week before. Tennessee’s offense only scored 12 points against Georgia and 14 in the season opener against West Virginia, two of the best defenses the Vols have seen so far.
BOSTON COLLEGE
The first thing that stands out is Louisville only averages 20.5 points per game. Its leading rusher has 220 yards on the season. The quarterback situation is bad with Jawon Pass throwing six touchdowns and seven interceptions. Boston College has allowed only eight passing touchdowns all season and the Eagles battled a very talented NC State squad in a 28-23 loss last weekend. By all measures, the Cardinals cannot just get their offense working in high gear, so Boston College has to be a safe bet here.
GEORGIA
The LSU-Georgia game should be one of the more intriguing this weekend, but a low score is expected especially since the Bulldogs’ defense has been so great this season. Last weekend, the Tigers had to play Florida’s defense and Georgia’s is arguably just as good, if not better in some ways.
So far, the Bulldogs have allowed only 13 points per game. Running and passing the ball has been tough. And LSU’s offense has not exactly blown the roof off. Quarterback Joe Burrow has thrown only six touchdowns in six games this season. If Georgia’s front can stop RBs Nick Brossette and Clyde Edwards-Helaire then LSU shouldn’t be able to move the ball much at all.
VIRGINIA TECH
The Hokies’ defense has been really hot and cold this year, but this weekend could be an opportunity to bounce back in a big way. Notre Dame put up 45 points last week. In a shocking loss to Old Dominion, the Monarchs scored 49 points and threw for 494 yards and four touchdowns. But the Hokies have also been excellent at times on defense and this North Carolina team has not been fantastic yet, scoring only 10 against Miami, 19 against East Carolina and 17 versus Cal in the season-opener.
