College Fantasy Football: Five best defenses through Week 3
We are three weeks into the college football season, so this is a good time to review which five teams have performed best from a fantasy perspective at each position and also look at one team who has surprisingly been quiet in the first few weeks. Today, we review the defenses.
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RELATED: Five best QBs through Week 3 | RBs | WRs | TEs
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1. NEBRASKA
There is tremendous value when it comes to defenses in the fantasy game and Nebraska tops the list. Owned in only 17 percent of leagues, the Huskers have scored the most fantasy points so far this season. Nebraska has five interceptions, four fumble recoveries, two blocked kicks and special teams has scored a couple times as well. The schedule is more than manageable through early November, so go out and pick up Nebraska’s defense.
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2. MARYLAND
The Terrapins have been a huge surprise early this season with two blowout wins and the defense has stepped up as well, although much bigger tests are on the horizon. Still, Maryland is owned in only 7 percent of leagues, so this could be a complete steal for someone looking for a spark on their fantasy teams. The Terrapins are allowing just 1.1 yards per carry and less than 200 passing yards per game. There is a lot to like.
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3. OHIO STATE
In three games, the Buckeyes have given up two passing touchdowns and one rushing score. Sure, it has been against Florida Atlantic, Cincinnati and Indiana, but Ohio State is one of the best teams in the country and its defense is proving it. As has been the theory all along, first-year coach Ryan Day is trying to make a point that the Buckeyes have not fallen off one iota since he took over for Urban Meyer and locking things down on defense is another step in that direction.
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4. GEORGIA
Georgia shut out Arkansas State this past weekend and only gave up six points to Vanderbilt (Murray State did score 17) as this Bulldogs’group has been outstanding at almost every position. Twelve sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries is a good way to start the season. A huge test for this Georgia team comes to Athens this weekend in Notre Dame and the SEC schedule will be tough, but coach Kirby Smart is one of the best in the business and this is a lockdown group.
5. MISSOURI
After giving up 37 points in a surprising loss to Wyoming in Week 1, Missouri has been phenomenal on defense, allowing just seven points to West Virginia two weeks ago and shutting out Southeast Missouri State last weekend. The schedule looks pretty good until early November. And while it’s a risk, the Tigers could be a great pickup, especially since Missouri is only owned in 3 percent of leagues.
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ONE SURPRISING MISS: LSU
The LSU offense has been so fantastic early this season that the defense really hasn’t been relied on much. The Tigers had a knock-down, drag-out affair against Texas a few weeks ago in a 45-38 shootout, so the defense has not been doing as well as expected. LSU gave up only three points to Georgia Southern and 14 to Northwestern State, but the defense has allowed six passing touchdowns without any picks this season. Owned in nearly 90 percent of leagues, LSU doesn’t rank as one of the top 25 defenses in fantasy leagues.