College Fantasy Football: Five defenses to consider picking up
The college fantasy football playoffs are almost here and a late-season spark might be needed to make the cut. Here are five defenses that are owned in fewer than 60 percent of leagues that could provide a late boost to your fantasy squad.
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RELATED: Five QBs that you may want to pick up | Five RBs | Five WRs | Five TEs
CLASS OF 2020 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals100 | Position | Team | State
OREGON
The over/under in the Arizona-Oregon game is approaching 70 points, so that might not be a good sign to take the Ducks here, but the Pac-12 power is giving up only 15.8 points per game and has allowed just three rushing touchdowns all season. Owned in just 58 percent of leagues but ranked sixth overall among all fantasy defenses, Oregon could be available this weekend and there is a clear difference in talent between these two teams.
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BAYLOR
Owned in just six percent of leagues, Baylor’s defense ranks No. 10 among all fantasy defenses, giving up just 19 points per game and seven touchdown passes all season. This is the classic “live by the sword, die by the sword,” strategy though, since you would be starting Baylor’s defense against Oklahoma’s offense. This is another game with an over/under in the high 60s, so it might not be worth the risk but Baylor should be available if you want to live on the wild side.
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MISSOURI
Florida’s offense might be hitting its stride late in the season so this could be yet another tough situation, but the Tigers have been phenomenal against the pass and rank No. 13 among all fantasy defenses. Missouri is owned in just eight percent of leagues and is at home this weekend, so it might be worth a shot, but Florida’s offense has been better in recent weeks.
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MINNESOTA
The Golden Gophers are undefeated but have to fight off being overconfident after beating Penn State last weekend at home as they to Iowa in what could be a slow, back-and-forth slug-fest in the Big Ten. Minnesota is stingy against the run (it allows just 124 rushing yards per game), but it has allowed 11 rushing TDs. Owned in just 11 percent of leagues, I don’t think Minnesota is getting the respect it deserves and if Iowa is going to win this game, it’s probably going to be slow and low-scoring and that’s perfect for a fantasy defense.
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INDIANA
The Hoosiers are owned in just six percent of leagues and they’re in the top 20 of all defenses in the fantasy game, but they could be walking into a buzz-saw this weekend. Indiana visits Penn State one week after the Nittany Lions are coming off their first loss of the season and they’re two-touchdown favorites. The Hoosiers are giving up just 20 points per outing, but this will be tough duty against a Penn State team that still has a lot to play for.