College Fantasy Football: Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Notre Dame in Week 9

Notre Dame football returns from its bye week to face a long-time rival, the Navy Midshipmen. The Irish will look to remain unbeaten and strengthen their case for the College Football Playoff.

They’re going going, back back, to Cali Cali. Gas up the jet, Father Jenkins, the Notre Dame football team is heading to San Diego to face one of the most groundbreaking offenses we have ever seen.

I can sit here and make fun of Navy’s offense all I want. It will not change the fact that, come game time, those guys will possess the ball for 70 percent of the game and rack up over 300 yards rushing.

I cannot wait.

Notre Dame fans have nothing but respect for the Naval Academy. If you are unfamiliar with the relationship of these two institutions and how this rivalry began, I would highly recommend looking it up.

That being said, almost all Notre Dame fans loathe facing the triple option offense each year. However, we are probably slightly more optimistic heading into this matchup. Navy is off to its worst start in a long time. Their offense has not found a rhythm, and their defense cannot seem to stop anyone.

All of this bodes well for the Irish. Here is who you should start and who you should sit in college fantasy football this week.

Start ‘Em

Notre Dame Defense (DST)

In trying to control the clock and limit their opponents’ possessions, Navy’s triple option offense limits its own scoring output. Because of that, Notre Dame’s defense has a relatively high floor in college fantasy football.

The Irish defense has looked like a top-15 unit all season. They will be rested up coming off of their bye week, and they have plenty of players that are very familiar with the option offense. I think they are capable of holding the Navy offense under 20 points in this game.

Ian Book (QB)

Though he completed 81 percent of his passes, Ian Book did not have a good game against Pittsburgh. However, he did finish the game strong — leading a game-winning drive that was capped by a 35-yard touchdown pass to Miles Boykin.

Book should have a much easier time going up against this Navy defense, which ranks outside of the top 100 in both yards per rush attempt allowed and yards per pass attempt allowed.

While I think that the Irish will lean on the running game on Saturday, I think Book can quietly amass close to 200 yards passing with a couple of touchdowns either rushing or passing.

Dexter Williams (RB)

The Navy defense is ranked 110th in yards per rush attempt allowed. That statistic alone should be enough to persuade you to start Dexter Williams in college fantasy football.

Some fantasy owners might be hesitant since running back Jafar Armstrong is set to return to action in the Irish backfield. However, I think Brian Kelly and Chip Long will ease him back into the offense. I would not be surprised if Tony Jones Jr. ends up with more touches than Armstrong in this game.

Williams should have a productive game on Saturday. After a pedestrian performance against Pittsburgh in week seven — when he finished with just 31 yards rushing — I think Williams wants to make a statement.

Sit ‘Em

Miles Boykin (WR)

Boykin has played very well over the past three weeks — racking up 345 receiving yards and scoring four touchdowns. I am not benching him because I think he will struggle on Saturday. I am benching him because I think the Notre Dame offense will have success running the ball.

As I mentioned earlier, the Navy defense ranks 110th in yards per rush attempt allowed. I think the Irish game plan will feature a heavy dosage of Dexter Williams and Jafar Armstrong (returning from injury).

I can see Notre Dame jumping out to a significant lead and sticking with the run game to control the pace of the game. Boykin should have a solid game, but, due to limited opportunities, I do not see him eclipsing 100 yards receiving or scoring a touchdown.

Alize Mack (TE)

Mack has been targeted plenty of times over the past few weeks, but he has yet to have a breakout game. At this point, he has become a bit touchdown-reliant in college fantasy football.

He certainly has a connection with quarterback Ian Book and a role that makes him a threat to score every game, but we have not seen big output.

The tight end market in college fantasy football is sparse, and Mack does have a relatively high floor at this point. Unfortunately, he just has not had the production to make him a starter.