College Fantasy Football: Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Notre Dame Football in Week 10

Notre Dame football returns to the Midwest to take on Northwestern this Saturday and College Fantasy Football is in full swing.

For the second year in a row, Notre Dame football has landed in the top four of the first version of the rankings released by the College Football Playoff selection committee. Irish fans hope that this year they can remain in the top four until the final rankings are released in early December.

The Irish offense got back on track after the bye week. Ian Book was once again efficient as a passer, and Dexter Williams and Jafar Armstrong combined to account for about 50 percent of the offense’s total yardage.

The Northwestern defense should pose more of a challenge than Navy did. However, I think there are some players that are poised to have a good game this Saturday. Here is this week’s version of start ’em sit ’em for Notre Dame.

Start ‘Em

Dexter Williams (RB)

Dexter Williams has been excellent since returning to the team in week five. In the four games he has played in this season, he has 512 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

His first three games back were at a time when fellow running back Jafar Armstrong was out with an injury. Last week was the first time both Williams and Armstrong were in the lineup at the same time. You would think this would limit the production of both running backs, but that was not the case. Because of that, you should feel confident starting Williams this week in college fantasy football.

Williams and the Notre Dame rushing attack have a pretty favorable matchup this weekend. The Northwestern defense currently ranks 75th in yards per rush attempt allowed. Chip Long knows the importance of establishing the run game, and I think he will do just that this Saturday.

Jafar Armstrong (RB)

Wait a minute. Two running backs in the Start ‘Em section?! Yep. You read that right.

Armstrong and Williams are too dynamic to keep off the field. There were even times when both of them were on the field with the offense.

Chip Long wants to get the ball to both of these running backs, and last week he showed us that they can work in tandem without cannibalizing each other’s production.

Notre Dame Defense (DST)

You can feel confident starting the Notre Dame defense in each of the next four weeks. They have proven that they can clamp down on opposing offenses when the need to, and they have the depth to put together solid performances each and every week.

The team might be without captain Drue Tranquill on Saturday, but that should not hinder the defense’s performance too much. Northwestern’s offense is ranked 113th in yards per pass attempt and 128th in yards per rush attempt. It does not take a mathematician to tell that those numbers are b-b-bad.

Sit ‘Em

Ian Book (QB)

This is a bit of a gut decision, and I would not be the least bit surprised if Ian Book makes me look like a fool on Saturday.

Book has been impressively accurate in his first five starts this season. Because of that, I feel like he is due for a slight dip. Maybe that is just the cynic in me.

The difference in weather traveling back to the Midwest from San Diego could play a factor. This will probably be the coldest game they have played in so far this season. Bear with me, I am trying to convince myself that sitting Ian Book in college fantasy football is the right call this week.

Miles Boykin (WR)

The decision to sit Boykin stems from my belief that the Irish offense will be a bit more run-heavy on Saturday, and my very scientific gut feeling that Ian Book will have an average game.

Boykin had a great game last week. He only had four catches, but two of them were touchdowns. His lack of targets does not worry me long term. His role is not reduced, the Irish offense just found production from some other players. I think Saturday against Northwestern may be another one of those relatively quiet games for Boykin.