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Published Aug 27, 2018
College Fantasy Football: QBs set to have a huge Week 1
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Adam Gorney  •  Rivals.com
National Recruiting Director
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Week 1 of college football is finally here. Let’s get to some recommendations for who could have a huge opening week at quarterback to help your college fantasy football team.

MORE COLLEGE FANTASY FOOTBALL: Rivals fantasy home | SEC advice | Pac-12 advice | ACC advice | Big 12 advice | Big Ten advice | Five risky picks | Top 20 sleepers | Potential busts | 15 players on verge of stardom | 25 freshmen worth drafting | Top offensive lines that add value to running backs | What to expect from first-year coaches | Meet the new coordinators

Oregon's Justin Herbert

Herbert played in only eight games last season but he threw 15 touchdown passes and the Ducks averaged 52 points per outing when he was in the game. Bowling Green’s defense was atrocious last season and first-year coach Mario Cristobal might want to get Herbert going on the right track early in the year. Bowling Green allowed 38 points per game last season (66 points to Toledo late in the year) and more than 506 yards per outing. There’s a lot of returning starters on defense for BG, but is that a good or bad thing? Herbert should roll early.

Arizona's Khalil Tate

It’s still unknown how Tate will be utilized in first-year coach Kevin Sumlin’s offense, but he’s such a tremendous athlete and he put up such outstanding numbers last season that keeping him on the bench in fantasy leagues could be a mistake. BYU’s defense could be tough, especially coming off a disappointing season, but if Tate has refined his passing ability and he continues to make things happen with his feet then a lot of points could be scored.

Missouri's Drew Lock

The Tigers showed no compassion for poor Missouri State last season in the season opener as Lock threw for 521 yards and seven touchdowns in a 72-43 victory. Tennessee-Martin is not a bad football team and its defense was outstanding last season, but Missouri’s offense will be way too much. Lock has a bevy of outstanding receivers in Johnathon Johnson, Emanuel Hall, tight end Albert Okwuegbunam and others. Points will be scored.

Georgia Tech's Taquon Marshall

Marshall led the team in rushing last season with 1,146 yards and 17 touchdowns and he could have another huge year, especially if the offensive line plays up to its potential. Alcorn State has not dealt with a tricky flexbone offense like this and its defense could be completely frustrated all day. Marshall should put up big numbers again and if he can improve on his passing even marginally then more stats should come his way in a game that should be a blowout.

Georgia's Jake Fromm

Austin Peay’s defense played admirably last season - except against high-level competition when UCF scored 73 on the Governors. Georgia’s defense should absolutely dominate and force a bunch of three-and-outs, so Fromm should have numerous opportunities to score lots of points. The Bulldogs have a lot of speedy playmakers who could stretch the field and help Fromm post big stats. It will be interesting to see how coach Kirby Smart integrates five-star freshman QB Justin Fields in the offense, but this should be Fromm’s show at least early on.

Also consider...

West Virginia's Will Grier

Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt might be a defensive wizard, but West Virginia has so many options at wide receiver and the Vols have serious questions at cornerback. Grier has Gary Jennings, David Sills, Alabama transfer T.J. Simmons and others in his arsenal. Tennessee’s defense could be dangerous, but Grier might have too many options in the passing game to not start him in fantasy leagues.

Arizona State's Manny Wilkins

How the Sun Devils’ offense runs under first-year coach Herm Edwards is anyone’s guess, but Wilkins put up impressive numbers a year ago and he has a receiver duo in N’Keal Harry and Kyle Williams that can be unstoppable, especially by the likes of UTSA. The Roadrunners' defense is not terrible, but the offense could be a mess, which means ASU’s offense should be on the field often.

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