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Published Sep 21, 2018
College Fantasy Football: Week 4 Viewers Guide
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Adam Gorney  •  Rivals.com
National Recruiting Director
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@adamgorney

Week 4 of the college football season is upon us. Here is what we’re watching from a college fantasy football perspective heading into Saturday:

RELATED: QBs to watch for Week 4 | RBs | WR | Defense | Rivals Fantasy Football Home

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BELIEVE IN THE BUCKEYES

One thing I’ve been writing about all week is how I don’t think Ohio State is going to lay an egg in coach Urban Meyer’s return after a three-game suspension. The Buckeyes are coming off a big win over TCU last weekend in Dallas, they’re back home against Tulane and Meyer is coming back to the sidelines.

Whether it’s quarterback Dwayne Haskins, the running back duo of Mike Weber and J.K. Dobbins (Dobbins could have a particularly big week), another number of receivers or Ohio State’s defense with a renewed focus that Nick Bosa is out with an injury, I’ve predicted the Buckeyes put up huge numbers and serve fantasy owners well.

TRUST IN OLE MISS

Ole Miss looked like a team ready to pull a massive upset last week - for one play - when quarterback Jordan Ta’amu hit receiver D.K. Metcalf on a 75-yard touchdown pass 11 seconds into the game. Then Alabama dismantled the Rebels in every way possible, led 49-7 at half and cruised to another victory.

But that’s OK. Ole Miss is primed for another big offensive explosion like it had in the opening weeks against lesser competition and that’s exactly what’s coming to town this weekend in Kent State. The Golden Flashes have to be dragging after now going on the road in three of its first four games and getting pummeled at Penn State last weekend. Ta’amu should have a big game and so should Ole Miss’ receivers, particularly star A.J. Brown who did very little against the Crimson Tide. Load up on Ole Miss skill players.

DON'T TOUCH ALABAMA-TEXAS A&M

I think I know what’s going to happen in arguably the biggest game of the weekend - Alabama will get tested by Texas A&M early but the Crimson Tide are too good to have this stay close for too long. Alabama has outscored its three opponents 170-28 so far this season and this could be one of coach Nick Saban’s best teams - certainly one of the most explosive offensively.

But the Aggies are far better coached under Jimbo Fisher and they have a never-say-die attitude that we all saw in Texas A&M’s close loss to Clemson. Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa will probably throw for four touchdowns, its defense will probably significantly slow down A&M’s offense, but there are too many questions here and a lot of better opportunities in fantasy in other games.

FANTASY DREAM: OKLAHOMA STATE VS. TEXAS TECH

This is fantasy football. We don’t know if Oklahoma State will win or if Texas Tech’s legitimate offense can come into Stillwater and pull the upset. All we care about is that lots of points are going to be scored and Las Vegas set this over/under line at around 77. That means it should be a shootout.

Oklahoma State is averaging more than 52 points per outing. Last weekend in a 63-49 win over Houston, Texas Tech quarterback Alan Bowman threw for 605 yards and five touchdowns, running back Ta’Zhawn Henry rushed for four scores and receiver Antoine Wesley had 13 catches for 261 yards and three TDs. Lots and lots of points should be scored in Stillwater.

SITUATION RIGHT FOR SOONERS

It’s pretty easy to always put Oklahoma’s skill players on your fantasy roster, but this weekend could be particularly valuable. This is one battle Army won’t win.

First, the Sooners’ defense allows just 2.9 yards per carry and running the ball is basically Army’s entire offense. I understand it’s a unique look, but Oklahoma is so stout and skilled, it shouldn’t be a major problem.

And then Oklahoma’s offense is so balanced - it actually has more rushing touchdowns (10) than passing scores (9) so far this season. Army gives up numbers in both areas, and so the Sooners should cruise up and down the field. Quarterback Kyler Murray and receivers Marquise Brown and CeeDee Lamb should be best to play in fantasy leagues.

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