College Fantasy Football: Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Notre Dame vs BC
By Jack Leniart
Notre Dame football will play their final home game of the 2019 season this Saturday against Boston College. Here are my thoughts on Notre Dame players that can either help or hurt your team in the college fantasy football playoffs.
Where in the world did the season go? Different year, same story. The Notre Dame football season is coming to an end far too quickly.
For fantasy football players, one good thing about the end of the season is that the playoffs are taking place. This is the time of year where there is little room for error and matchups can be decided by fractions of a point.
Don’t worry, though. I’ve got you covered. At least for Notre Dame players. Here are the Irish players you should start and sit this week.
Start ‘Em
Chase Claypool (WR)
After his last three games, I should not have to explain why Claypool should be in your starting lineup. The pride of Abbotsford, British Columbia has been torching opposing secondaries.
Claypool has 20 receptions for 332 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Four of those touchdowns came last weekend against Navy. That basically doubled his touchdown total for the season.
Ian Book has played much better the last three weeks for Notre Dame. His improved play has increased the fantasy football value of the Irish pass-catchers, especially Claypool.
Ian Book (QB)
After facing criticism for his sub-par play earlier this season, Ian Book seemed to flip a switch in the final drive against Virginia Tech. He lead the Irish on an 18-play, 87-yard drive to take the lead with 29 seconds left in the game.
In the next two games, Book threw for 465 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 170 yards. The most notable differences in his play are his willingness to take deep shots in the passing game and his involvement in the run game — both of which greatly increase his fantasy football value.
Book has another favorable matchup this week against Boston College. The Eagles defense is allowing 8.8 yards per pass attempt, which ranks 124th among FBS teams.
On The Fence
Cole Kmet (TE)
Let me be very clear: I do not think Cole Kmet will have a bad game this week.
I just think there is some risk starting him in fantasy football given the results of Navy game last weekend. In that game, Kmet did not record a single catch. In fact, no tight end on the team caught a pass in that game.
That result is probably an outlier. However, in the game against Duke the week before, Kmet only had two catches for nine yards.
Kmet is one of the best tight ends in college football. Because of that, opposing defense will pay close attention to him and commit extra defenders to limit his production.
Sit ‘Em
Notre Dame Running Backs (RB)
Similar to what I said last week, none of Notre Dame’s running backs have a big enough role in the offense to warrant starting them in fantasy football.
The play of quarterback Ian Book has also hurt the fantasy value of the Irish running backs. Book has been throwing the ball well the last couple of weeks while also becoming more involved in the running game. He has led the team in rushing yards the last three games.
Next. The Quiet Emergence of Asmar Bilal. dark
It does not look like any Notre Dame running backs will be able to help you win your college fantasy football league this season. Check back next year.