College Fantasy Football: QBs to watch for Week 12
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The playoffs are here for college fantasy football, so it’s more important than ever to have the right players in your lineup. Here is a look at some quarterbacks who should be strongly considered for this week:
There is no way around it. Browning is having a disappointing season with 2,243 passing yards but only 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He might’ve gotten benched during Washington’s loss to Cal as the Huskies looked for a spark. But coming off a bye week, and even more importantly, playing Oregon State, Browning should have a big weekend. The Beavers are giving up more than 45 points per game and have allowed 29 passing touchdowns. Owned in only 17 percent of leagues, Browning could be a steal at quarterback this weekend.
This is the first time all season Elliott has been recommended and the fantasy playoffs might be curious timing, but this is all about situational matchups. The Tar Heels are playing Western Carolina and should completely outmatch them as the Catamounts allow more than 40 points per game both on the ground and through the air. Elliott threw the ball 41 times for 221 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Duke this past weekend. North Carolina has not won since Sept. 22. A lot of frustration should be taken out this weekend.
McSorley is dealing with a knee injury, so that’s something to monitor throughout the week but he should play against Rutgers, rack up big stats early and that should be good enough for fantasy owners. The Scarlet Knights’ defense gives up more rushing yards than passing yards, but with McSorley that doesn’t matter since he’s one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in college football. And Rutgers’ offense is so inept that the Nittany Lions should force a lot of three-and-outs to get McSorley and Penn State’s offense back on the field.
The Hawkeyes’ offense was frustrating to watch in their loss to Northwestern as they couldn’t establish a running attack and star tight end Noah Fant was not targeted as much as some would have liked. Stanley did not look like his normal self either as the game took on a typical slow-moving Big Ten West contest. It certainly never felt like a shootout was coming. But Iowa has been able to put up points recently and Stanley is tied for the second-most touchdown passes in the conference. This is another situational matchup where Stanley should shine against an Illinois defense that has given up 54, 63, 49, 46 and 63 points in its last five losses.
Recommending Stidham in fantasy playoffs might incite violence here, but this is another outstanding spot that cannot be overlooked. I completely understand Stidham and Auburn’s offense has been completely predictable and unsuccessful for large portions of this season but the Tigers are playing Liberty - and the Flames just don’t have a good defense. Liberty gave up 45 points and four total touchdowns to Virginia QB Bryce Perkins this past weekend. The Tigers’ defense should dominate and Stidham should have a bunch of opportunities to score. He’s owned in only 11 percent of leagues.
Others to consider...
If Tua Tagovailoa is healthy enough to play against Citadel (or coach Nick Saban decides to rest him ahead of the Iron Bowl) the Alabama offense should dominate through the first half of a guaranteed blowout. Tagovailoa won’t play long but he should easily put up a handful of TDs before taking the rest of the day off.
Georgia is hosting UMass and the Minutemen allow nearly 41 points per game. UMass is especially bad against the run but once that opens up, quarterback Jake Fromm could have a field day.
Owned in just four percent of leagues, Joe Burrow could have a big weekend against a downright awful Rice defense. LSU’s offense is not built for quick strikes but Rice hasn’t won since the season opener, and even that was just a three-point win over Prairie View A&M.