A rushing or passing matchup rating of 5 is an extremely attractive matchup for the offense, while a 1 means the team is facing a tough defensive matchup and should probably be avoided in daily fantasy lineups. The star rankings take into account the team's Vegas total, relative strength of the offense's passing and rushing attack against the opposing defense and the expected game script (including blowout potential). The matchup ratings will help you to focus your research on the smaller number of teams and positional groups with the best matchups.
Thursday/Friday Slate
| Team | Team Total | Spread | Total | Opponent | Rushing | Passing |
| Memphis | 37.75 | -10.5 | 65 | Cincinnati | 4 | 3 |
| Stanford | 32.75* | -15.5 | 50* | Oregon St | 4 | 2 |
| Cincinnati | 27.25 | 10.5 | 65 | Memphis | 3 | 4 |
| Boise State | 26.25 | -2.5 | 50 | Virginia | 3 | 2 |
| Virginia | 23.75 | 2.5 | 50 | Boise State | 2 | 3 |
| Oregon St | 17.25* | 15.5 | 50* | Stanford | 2 | 1 |
* The over/under is not yet avaiblable for the Stanford-Oregon State game, presumably due to the questionable status of QB Kevin Hogan. The O/U of 50 is an estimate.
4 Star Matchups
Memphis Rushing. Memphis has a 59/41 run-to-pass ratio and has rushed 51 times per game so far this season (12th in the nation). Cincinnati is giving up 5.6 yards per rush and 218 yards per game on the ground, so this profiles as a matchup in which the favored Tigers should be able to find plenty of success on the ground. The Tigers unfortunately rotate their backs pretty heavily with Jarvis Cooper, Jamarius Henderson, Sam Craft and Doroland Dorceus all notching at least 26 carries so far. With a small slate, it may be worth rostering one or more of their backs and hoping to pick correctly.
Cincinnati Passing. Cincinnati ranks 6th in the nation with 46 pass attempts per game and 14th with 345 yards per game through the air. Memphis is giving up 7.3 yards per pass and 304 yards passing per game. This is an above average matchup for the Cincinnati pass offense, though star QB Gunner Kiel is a bit banged up. He should be fine to play but his shoulder injury is a bit worrisome. The Bearcats are loaded at WR. Shaq Washington and Chris Moore are probably the safest options while Mekale McKay is a dangerous deep ball threat.
Stanford Rushing. Stanford is just an average rushing team and Oregon State has been efficient at times against the run, but Michigan provided the blueprint for a power-running offense like Stanford when they ran 48 times and scored 4 rushing touchdowns in Week 2. With QB Kevin Hogan questionable with a sprained ankle, the Stanford offense should be even more run heavy than normal (55%).
3 Star Matchups
Memphis Passing. Memphis has a run-heavy offense, but when they do throw have been highly successful. The Tigers are currently completing 79% of their passes with 11.3 yards per attempt (both top 5 national numbers). Cincinnati has done a nice job on pass defense so far this season though, giving up only 5.7 yards per attempt and 155 passing yards per game (both top 20 nationally). Much of Memphis’ passing success has to be attributed to the three incredibly soft pass defenses they have faced so far and Cincinnati will be their stiffest defensive test to date. Paxton Lynch is a pricy option, but on a small slate like this has to be a consideration. Top target Mose Frazier gets some carries as well, which adds to his value.
Cincinnati Rushing. While the passing matchup for Cincinnati is more favorable, the Bearcats run a fairly balanced offense (47% rushes) and have averaged 206 yards per game on the ground this season. Memphis is an average defense so far against the run and Cincinnati should find moderate success running the ball as long as the Bearcats don’t let Memphis build too big of an early lead and find themselves forced to employ a pass-heavy attack. Tion Green and Hosey Williams are 1A and 1B for the Bearcats.
Boise State Rushing. While the Broncos have averaged a pathetic 3.0 yards per carry average, they have continued to try to get the running game going with 42 rushing attempts per game. They face a Virginia defense that has allowed a healthy 6.0 yards per carry to opposing rushers. Expect a heavy dose of Jeremy McNichols who also has multiple touchdown upside.
Virginia Passing. Boise State is allowing next to nothing on the ground so Virginia will probably have to go even more pass-heavy than normal (37 attempts per game). The Cavaliers should be able to average over 7 yards per attempt and on a small slate without a lot of strong pass-game options, this is one of the top spots to look for production. Matt Johns looks often to his top target Canaan Severin and RB Taquan Mizzell should see plenty of targets in the passing game as well.
Saturday Early
| Team | Team Total | Spread | Total | Opponent | Rushing | Passing |
| Baylor | 55.25 | -34.5 | 76 | Rice | 5 | 5 |
| Ohio State | 44.5 | -31 | 58 | W Michigan | 5 | 3 |
| TX Christian | 43.25 | -7.5 | 79 | Texas Tech | 5 | 4 |
| Michigan St | 40.25 | -26.5 | 54 | Central Mich | 4 | 3 |
| Bowling Grn | 40 | -1 | 79 | Purdue | 3 | 5 |
| Purdue | 39 | 1 | 79 | Bowling Grn | 4 | 3 |
| W Virginia | 38.5 | -17 | 60 | Maryland | 3 | 4 |
| LSU | 35.75 | -24 | 47.5 | Syracuse | 5 | 2 |
| Texas Tech | 35.75 | 7.5 | 79 | TX Christian | 4 | 2 |
| Indiana | 35* | 0* | 70* | Wake Forest | 4 | 3 |
| Wake Forest | 35* | 0* | 70* | Indiana | 3 | 3 |
| GA Tech | 34 | -8.5 | 59.5 | Duke | 3 | 1 |
| California | 32.75 | -4.5 | 61 | Washington | 3 | 3 |
| Oklahoma St | 32.5 | -3 | 62 | Texas | 3 | 3 |
| VA Tech | 31.5 | -8 | 55 | E Carolina | 3 | 3 |
| Texas | 29.5 | 3 | 62 | Oklahoma St | 3 | 2 |
| Washington | 28.25 | 4.5 | 61 | California | 3 | 2 |
| Duke | 25.5 | 8.5 | 59.5 | GA Tech | 2 | 2 |
| Boston Col | 25.5 | -4 | 47 | N Illinois | 3 | 2 |
| Michigan | 25.25 | -5.5 | 45 | BYU | 3 | 2 |
| Florida | 25 | -2 | 48 | Tennessee | 3 | 1 |
| E Carolina | 23.5 | 8 | 55 | VA Tech | 1 | 2 |
| Tennessee | 23 | 2 | 48 | Florida | 2 | 2 |
| N Illinois | 21.5 | 4 | 47 | Boston Col | 1 | 1 |
| Maryland | 21.5 | 17 | 60 | W Virginia | 1 | 2 |
| Rice | 20.75 | 34.5 | 76 | Baylor | 1 | 2 |
| BYU | 19.75 | 5.5 | 45 | Michigan | 1 | 1 |
| Central Mich | 13.75 | 26.5 | 54 | Michigan St | 1 | 1 |
| W Michigan | 13.5 | 31 | 58 | Ohio State | 1 | 1 |
| Syracuse | 11.75 | 24 | 47.5 | LSU | 1 | 1 |
*The line and over/under for the Indiana-Wake Forest game is unavailable. Presumably due to the questionable status of QB John Wolford.
5 Star Matchups
Ohio State Rushing. Despite recent struggles, the Buckeyes are still averaging 5.7 yards per carry and 235 yards rushing per game. Western Michigan has given up an astonishingly poor 6.6 yards per carry and 305 rushing yards per game this season. Ezekiel Elliott and the Ohio State rushing offense should get back on track in a big way. Braxton Miller and Curtis Samuel should also get some carries and are threats to break off big plays on any touch.
Bowling Green Passing. The Falcons lead the nation with 456 passing yards per game. Bowling Green plays at a fast tempo and has an almost 60-40 pass/run split, which has led to an average of just over 50 passing attempts per game. Purdue has an average passing defense; so don’t expect over-the-top numbers from Matt Johnson, Roger Lewis and company like we've seen the past two weeks. That being said, there are few safer bets for strong production (350+ passing yards) than the BGSU passing game this weekend.
Baylor Rushing. The Bears lead the nation with over 8 yards per carry and face a defense that has given up just under 6 yards per carry so far. Expect Baylor to match or exceed their season average of 300 rushing yards per game. The Bears split up their carries between their top four backs. Shock Linwood is the top rushing option but it may be worth taking a shot at upside with the lower priced Terence Williams, Johnny Jefferson or Devon Chafin in a GPP.
Baylor Passing. Baylor runs a balanced offense, which will likely settle into a nearly 50/50 run/pass split. The Bears are throwing for 423 yards per game and face a defense that has given up 9.6 yards per attempt. Seth Russell is one of the week’s top options as is his top WR Corey Coleman. Jay Lee has been the offense’s #2 target but KD Cannon should have some big games along the way as well.
LSU Rushing. Unless you’ve been living in a bunker, you’ve seen highlights of Leonard’s Fournette’s dominant performance against Auburn. The star sophomore is averaging 3 touchdowns per game and nearly 200 yards per game. Those type of numbers are within reach again this week against an overmatched Syracuse defense that cannot match LSU’s size and strength.
TCU Rushing. The Horned Frogs have averaged 235 rushing yards per game while Texas Tech has allowed 228 yards per game to opposing offenses. TCU may look to pound the ball on the ground and try to keep the high-powered Tech offense on the sidelines. Aaron Green should have a big day and Trevone Boykin may do much of his damage with his legs as well.
4 Star Matchups
TCU Passing. While TCU leans slightly more heavily towards the run, the Horned Frogs have still thrown for 350 yards per game. The Tech defense has been fairly stout against the pass but they haven’t seen a stable of receiving weapons like TCU possesses. Josh Doctson and Kolby Listenbee are dangerous deep threats and the top passing game options.
Texas Tech Passing. The Tech offense faces a stiff test against Gary Patterson’s well-coached defensive unit, but the Red Raiders feel they can throw against anyone and TCU has allowed 8 yards per attempt so far this season. Patrick Mahomes looks like a potential star and Jakeem Grant, Reginald Davis and Ian Sadler provide plenty of good options.
West Virginia Passing. While the Mountaineers have faced only weak competition to date, their 13.8 yards per passing attempt is tops in the nation. They are facing a Maryland defense that has given up 276 yards per game against that has appeared extremely vulnerable against top competition. Skyler Howard is one of the better bargains on the slate at QB and his top WRs Shelton Gibson, Daikiel Shorts and Jovon Durante are all priced attractively as well.
Purdue Rushing. Purdue has a balanced offense but will be breaking in a brand new Quarterback and likely to focus on establishing a ground game. Bowling Green is giving up more than 5 yards per rush and 237 yards rushing per game. D.J. Knox is Purdue’s top running back and a very nice option this week.
Michigan State Rushing. The Spartans are averaging only 157 rushing yards per game, but those numbers are slightly skewed by game plans that have attempted to stack the box to take away MSU's powerful running game and force them to pass. This is still a Spartans' team that wants to make it's hay on the ground and will likely end up with a 60/40 run-to-pass-ratio by the end of the season. With an overmatched MAC opponent heading to East Lansing, expect the Spartans to run early and often with Madre London and LJ Scott.
