College Fantasy Football: Defenses to watch in Week 5
Week 5 of the college football season is here. Let’s take a look at five defenses that should start this week in your college fantasy football leagues.
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MICHIGAN STATE
There are many things factoring in favor of the Spartans here: Central Michigan scored 20 against Kentucky, 7 against Kansas, 16 against Northern Illinois and 17 in a win over Maine last weekend. The Chippewas offense cannot put up points. Plus, Michigan State’s defense has allowed only 98 rushing yards in three games, that’s good for 1.1 yards per attempt. If Central Michigan gets in second- and third-and-long situations, will it be able to move the chains? No. The Spartans’ defense should dominate.
INDIANA
Indiana is allowing just 22.2 points per game - and that’s against decent competition in Michigan State and Virginia. Rutgers is maybe one of the worst teams in FBS and the Scarlet Knights are averaging just about 16 points per outing. Quarterback Artur Sitkowski has thrown one touchdown and seven interceptions so far, his backup has not produced. The Scarlet Knights scored 14 points against Kansas and 13 against Buffalo.
GEORGIA
The Bulldogs stymied probable first-round quarterback Drew Lock last weekend in a win at Missouri and Kirby Smart was still not pleased after the game, so his team should be extra-focused this weekend. That’s especially good news because Tennessee’s offense is a mess and had only three points early in the third quarter last week against Florida. The Vols scored late once the blowout was well in hand. Georgia has allowed only seven offensive touchdowns against some talented offenses.
FLORIDA STATE
As much as Florida State’s offense deserves criticism early in the season, the Seminoles’ defense has been playing really well and could have another solid weekend against a Louisville offense that is struggling to find its way. The Cardinals scored three points last week in a loss to Virginia. Louisville scored 17 points against a weak Western Kentucky defense. If Florida State has a slight weakness so far in its defense, it’s the numbers against the pass, but Louisville has not had much success moving the ball that way. The Seminoles should keep the scoring low.
TCU
Iowa State is a team that plays hard and is well-coached - but also a team that cannot score much. The Cyclones have played good competition early in the season, but they’re still just averaging 18.6 points per game. TCU could be exhausted after tough, frustrating losses to Ohio State and Texas, but my guess is the Horned Frogs are itching for the opportunity to get back to winning - and the defense could go a long way in fixing that problem.
