It’s essential to keep in mind that the energy of non-conference schedules can differ wildly from team-to-team. However, do not be fooled by pondering that an SEC workforce taking part in a lowly FCS program interprets to piles of fantasy factors to your respective gamers. Oftentimes the marquee gamers are on ice by the point the second half rolls round in these lopsided matchups.
(*1*)
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Accordingly, I want to goal gamers on respectable P4 offenses which have one thing to show and are going through moderately competent G6 opponents who can cling round lengthy sufficient for the starters to keep within the sport for 3 quarters. With that in thoughts, listed below are my begins and sits for school fantasy soccer Week 1.
Start
Quarterback
Demond Williams, Washington vs. Washington State
In final yr’s Apple Cup, Williams eviscerated the Cougs, finishing 16-of-19 passes for 298 yards with 4 passing touchdowns, whereas speeding for 88 yards and one other speeding rating. This prodigious manufacturing got here in opposition to a reputable Wazzu protection that allowed 20 PPG and 174 passing yards per sport with 31 sacks. This yr, Wazzu loses all 11 starters and usher in from Missouri new HC Kirby Moore, who’s an offensive-minded coach. I count on the Huskies to do something they need and provides Wazzu a bit additional since they’re rivals they usually need to rating some type factors in Game 1, which means Williams ought to have one other large fantasy sport on this yr’s Apple Cup.
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Other QB Options:
Jayden Maiava, USC vs. Fresno State (Friday evening)
Maiava ripped San Jose State final week, finishing 25-of-29 passes for 286 yards and three complete touchdowns (one speeding). Fellow middling G6 program Fresno State ought to get the identical therapy.
Keelon Russell, Alabama vs. ECU
The Crimson Tide trustworthy are clamoring to see their new five-star prodigy in sport motion, and I feel HC Kaleb DeBoer is pleased to oblige and unleash Russell in opposition to ECU.
Bryce Underwood, Michigan vs. Western Michigan
New HC Kyle Whittingham might be aiming to get his new prodigy QB off to a quick begin. I feel we see Underwood used related to Utah QB Devon Dampier which suggests ample speeding manufacturing for Underwood.
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Running Back
Cam Cook, West Virginia vs. Coastal Carolina
West Virginia goes to run the ball with aplomb in Year 2 of the Rich Rodriguez resurgence in Morgantown. WVU went 4-8 final yr as Rich Rod reorganized the roster in his visage, however this yr the Mountaineers boast 120 line begins after portaling in 4 FBS beginning offensive linemen and hiring OL guru Rick Trickett, which ought to significantly improve their middling 161 speeding yards per sport common final yr. For their half, CCU and new HC Ryan Beard are simply serviceable sufficient to preserve WVU’s starters within the sport till This fall. That is essential since CCU was gorged for five.1 YPC and 208 speeding yards per sport in 2025. Cook ought to clear 100-yards and punch in at the least one TD in opposition to the tender underbelly of the Chanticleers defensive entrance.
Other RB Options:
Makhi Hughes, Oregon vs. Oregon State
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Hughes was placed on ice by Oregon final yr, however in 2024 he obtained 20+ carries in 8-of-11 video games versus FBS opponents for Tulane. I feel we see the same workload underneath HC Willie Fritz, who was additionally his coach for the Green Wave throughout that magical season.
Kamari Moulton, Iowa vs. Northern Illinois
Iowa is breaking in an inexperienced new quarterback, and will play two QBs relying on how the sport goes. The Hawkeyes might be leaning on their established RB1 Moulton within the meantime whereas determining who’s greatest suited to signal-calling duties.
Jamal Roberts, Missouri vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff
Star RB Ahmad Hardy is out for Week 1 and really a lot doubtful going ahead. I count on to see a gradual dose of Roberts all through the primary half and probably put up a 2-touchdown efficiency, signifying his arrival as a fantasy asset.
Get more begin/sit recommendation with Eric’s Week 1 Rankings
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Wide Receiver
Ryan Coleman-Williams, Alabama vs. East Carolina
Head coach Kalen DeBoer enters Year 3 of his Alabama tenure and has the pleasure of breaking in five-star phenom QB Keelon Russell in opposition to a retooling ECU protection that loses all however two starters from a yr in the past. ECU brings in new OC Jordan Davis, who orchestrated North Texas’ potent offense the final three years and will conceivably rating a landing or two to preserve Alabama engaged for the primary three quarters of play earlier than bringing within the backups. We’ve been listening to rave evaluations about Coleman-Williams all summer time after his 10-drop sophomore stoop final yr. I feel DeBoer force-feeds RCW so as to get him and Keelon on the identical web page proper out of the gate earlier than Bama travels to Kentucky subsequent week of their SEC opener.
Other WR Options:
Dallas Wilson, Florida vs. FAU
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Wilson was damage for a lot of final season, however was focused closely, drawing 23 targets over three video games when he was within the lineup. With Florida going through off in opposition to an up-tempo FAU who can rating should you aren’t prepared for his or her unfold assault, I feel Wilson punches in a landing and is a viable Flex possibility in P4 leagues.
Tre Spivey, Arizona vs. Northern Arizona
The regular drumbeat from Arizona camp is saying Spivey is prepared to take over as their true WR1. With the Wildcats drawing in-state FCS program NAU, count on to see Spivey catch at the least one landing to set the tone for the upcoming season.
Christopher Barnes, Oklahoma State vs. Tulsa
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Barnes commanded a huge 30% goal share, created 17 chunk features and averaged a pristine 8.9 yards after catch final yr. He was listed as an uncontested starter on OSU’s depth chart, and is poised to explode in opposition to Tulsa.
Tight End
Jamari Johnson, Oregon vs. Boise State
I like that Oregon’s highly effective offense faces a great G6 program within the opener, because the Ducks ought to want to rating 40+ factors to distance themselves from the Broncos earlier than pulling the starters. For his half, Johnson was deadly as a downfield weapon regardless of being calmly used early within the season behind NFL first-round draft alternative Kenyon Sadiq. Johnson created at the least one explosive move play in every of his last 9 video games, and now has the first TE function all to himself. I count on Johnson to log a full snap load and obtain 6+ targets with a landing for good measure, making him a must-start for CFF functions.
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Other TE Options:
Benjamin Brahmer, Penn State vs. Marshall
Marshall is a aggressive Sun Belt program and has the power to probably preserve the sport respectable in opposition to a retooled Penn State. The Nittany Lions will doubtless need to get the brand new offense buzzing earlier than they enter Big Ten play, which suggests Brahmer ought to see 6+ targets.
Willie Rodriguez, Kentucky vs. Youngstown State
TE-friendly HC Willie Stein enters the image, which is nice information for Rodriguez, who paces all returning P4 tight ends who obtained 20+ targets with an 11.2-yard common depth of goal.
Sit
Quarterback
Sam Leavitt, LSU vs. Clemson
I’m very bullish on Leavitt from a season-long perspective, as I feel he bears all of the hallmarks of a profitable Lane Kiffin quarterback, i.e. Matt Corral and Jaxson Dart. However, early within the yr there are just too many different quarterbacks going through lower-level G6 opponents to begin Leavitt in opposition to a top-25 opponent with a stable protection. Be protected and sit Leavitt whereas beginning a less-heralded QB like Malik Washington (FCS Hampton) or Steve Angeli (FCS UNH), gamers who ought to gasoline it up in opposition to inferior competitors.
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Other QB Sits:
Gunner Stockton, Georgia vs. Tennessee State
Georgia will simply dispatch an overmatched Tennessee State workforce and have its starters on ice by halftime, leaving treasured little alternative for the veteran QB to rack up substantial yardage totals.
CJ Carr, Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin
Wisconsin performs gradual and can try to grind the sport to a snail’s tempo so as to corral Notre Dame’s potent offense. I do not suppose we see Carr run a lot in opposition to the Badgers, leaving many superior choices to take into account beginning on the QB place.
Running Back
Micah Ford, Stanford vs. Miami
Ford performed solely 9 video games in every of the final two years due to a number of nagging accidents that reduce brief two more video games in each 2024 and 2025. In final yr’s opener he obtained 26 carries for 113 yards at Hawaii. In his subsequent sport (two Weeks later following Bye) he solely noticed 12 carries for 21 yards vs. a wonderful BYU protection.
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Last week, Ford rushed 25 instances for 99 yards vs. Hawaii. Stanford now has the displeasure of taking part in on a brief week vs. a vicious Miami Hurricanes protection that’s going to be residing in its backfield. Stanford ranked second to final in yards per profitable rush and lifeless final with an virtually not possible .01 yards earlier than contact final yr. That is a recipe for catastrophe for Stanford and Ford. Don’t get swayed by his three-touchdown efficiency in opposition to Hawaii, the sugar excessive wears off Friday evening in opposition to the U.
Other RB Sits:
LJ Martin, BYU vs. Utah Tech
Martin is the clear, unquestioned RB1 for BYU and can deal with a landslide of carries this season. There is totally no cause to run him into the bottom in opposition to lowly Utah Tech, so depart him on the bench, which is the place he might be a lot of the sport as BYU eviscerates UTU.
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DeSean Bishop, Tennessee vs. Furman
In related vogue, DeSean Bishop is a made man in Tennessee’s backfield and the Vols will deal with getting new freshman beginning QB Faizon Brandon rolling on this cake stroll. We will see more motion from backup RB Javin Gordon than Bishop, who has nothing to show and desires to stay wholesome for the SEC grind.
Isaac Brown, Louisville vs. Ole Miss
There is not a lot nuance to this sit choice, as there is no such thing as a cause to trot Brown out in opposition to a stout Ole Miss protection except you are determined for a flex play.
Wide Receiver
Tre Richardson, Louisville at Mississippi
Richardson is one in all my favourite CFF wideouts this yr, as he has an unnatural potential to create separation out of his breaks and now has the pleasure of taking part in for the Brohm brothers at Louisville. While his 38% deep goal charge at Vanderbilt final yr is attractive, the prospect of beginning Richardson on the street at The Grove vs. Pete Golding’s upper-tier SEC protection is a harmful proposition. Best depart him on the bench in Week 1 and deploy Richardson subsequent week in opposition to Villanova if he will get a gradual stream of targets versus the Rebels.
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Other WR Sits:
Wyatt Young, Oklahoma State at Tulsa
Arguably the most important faller of the Week 1 depth chart releases, Young was listed behind fellow North Texas switch Miles Coleman on the preliminary OSU depth chart. There is concept that that is harm associated, however you can’t take the possibility in Week 1 with little info out there. Wait and see on Young’s taking part in time and regulate accordingly.
Jayce Brown, LSU vs. Clemson
While Brown is listed as a starter, it is anybody’s guess as to how the goal distribution will play out in new HC Lane Kiffin’s transfer-laden WR room. Plus with LSU taking up a reputable Clemson protection, it is higher to play it protected and see how the snap counts shake out this week earlier than counting on Brown.
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Bryant Wesco, Clemson vs. LSU
I’m involved about new beginning quarterback Chris Vizzina, because it’s fully attainable that true freshman dual-threat QB Tait Reynolds will get some reps if Vizzina falters. There is an excessive amount of uncertainty for me to belief Wesco in opposition to a DC Blake Baker-led LSU protection given the QB conjecture.
Tight End
Randy Pittman Jr., SMU at Florida State
At Florida State, 65% of Pittman’s snaps got here from the slot and one other 5% out broad, making a 70% flex charge. An 8.2-yard common goal depth and 18.5% deep-target charge provided intermediate and vertical entry. However he is now at SMU and has to compete for snaps with inline viking Theo Melin Ohrstrom. Throw in a considerably compromised QB Kevin Jennings, who suffered a damaged finger in camp, and there is an excessive amount of conjecture to belief Pittman in Week 1 earlier than now we have a greater thought of his snap rely and utilization charge.
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Other TE Sits:
Hunter Andrews, Utah vs. Idaho
We do not know what to count on from the brand new regime at Utah concerning TE utilization. I feel it is fully attainable that Utah focuses on getting its inexperienced offensive line going, which suggests a gradual dose of Dampier, Wayshawn Parker and backup QB Byrd Ficklin.
Brody Foley, Louisville at Ole Miss
Similar to Isaac Brown, it is higher off to play it protected in opposition to Ole Miss’ protection. Plus, we do not know the way intriguing switch TE Brock Foley will match into the Brohm offensive scheme that prioritizes an Alpha WR1 goal hog within the passing sport.