College Fantasy Football: Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Notre Dame Week 4

Notre Dame returns to South Bend this week to face the 18th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers. The Irish look to get back on track after a hard-fought loss to Georgia.

All eyes were on Notre Dame this past weekend as the Irish clashed with the Georgia Bulldogs under the lights in Sanford Stadium. They may have lost the game, but this Notre Dame team proved they can hang with the top teams in college football.

The Irish offense got one weapon back last week in tight end Cole Kmet, and they are set to get another one back this week in wide receiver Michael Young. The return of those players will have significant fantasy football implications moving forward.

With all that said, here are the Notre Dame players you should start and sit in fantasy football this week.

Start ‘Em

Cole Kmet (TE)

I was in “wait and see” mode with Kmet as he returned from injury last week. Man, did he make me look stupid. The junior tight end hauled in nine passes for 108 yards and a touchdown in his 2019 debut.

It was clear from the very first drive that Chip Long’s game plan was to go to Kmet often. It was not hard to see why: he is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

Maybe I am guilty of overreacting to one performance, but I do not care. If he stays healthy, Cole Kmet is an automatic start for the rest of the season.

Ian Book (QB)

Similar to last week, I think Chip Long’s game plan will be pass-heavy against Virginia. The Cavaliers have a great run defense. Through four weeks of the season, they are allowing the ninth-fewest yards per rush attempt.

Wide receiver Michael Young is expected to return to action this week. In addition to Young bringing a spark to the offense, his return allows Chris Finke to take more snaps at the slot receiver position, where he appears to be the most comfortable.

I expect a bounce-back game for the Irish offense after they were held to 17 points in Athens. I think Ian Book and company want to come out and prove that they are legitimate playoff contenders.

Sit ‘Em

Chase Claypool (WR)

This may come as a surprise given Claypool’s start to the 2019 season — through three games he has 15 catches for 256 yards and two touchdowns. However, he does not have a favorable matchup this week.

Virginia’s Bryce Hall is one of the best cornerbacks in college football and is projected to be selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. I do not think Hall will shadow Claypool for the entire game, but the two will line up across from each other more often than not.