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Nebraska Running Back Jamal Rule Listed As Doubtful
Nebraska running back Jamal Rule is listed as doubtful for the team's Big Ten matchup against Maryland on Saturday with an undisclosed injury that he suffered in Week 4 against Michigan State. The true freshman has burst onto the collegiate scene this year with 42 carries for 333 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He has also caught 4 passes for 82 yards and one touchdown. Rule was limited to just eight snaps in the team's 31-13 win in Week 4. Junior running back Mekhi Nelson appears set to step in during Rule's absence. Nelson is in his third year with the Cornhuskers, and this season he has 42 carries for 227 rushing yards and two touchdowns; he's also caught five passes for 106 yards and one touchdown.
Source: Pete Nakos Of On3
Source: Pete Nakos Of On3
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Indiana Running Back Turbo Richard Listed As Probable
Indiana running back Turbo Richard is listed as probable for the Week 5 matchup against Rutgers. Turbo twisted his ankle in Indiana's 29-23 Week 4 win over Northwestern. Through the team's first three games, Turbo was the team's lead back, averaging 13 carries for 105 rushing yards and over one touchdown per game. This season, the junior running back has 383 rushing yards, four touchdowns, and an average of 7.7 yards per carry. Fantasy owners should be firing Richard up for this matchup against a poor Rutgers defense.
Source: Pete Nakos Of On3
Source: Pete Nakos Of On3
Northwestern TE Luke Dehnicke Doubtful For Week 5
Northwestern tight end Luke Dehnicke has been listed as doubtful for the Week 5 matchup against Penn State on Friday night with a head injury. The sophomore tight end had a breakout game against Indiana in Week 4, catching seven passes for 140 yards. This season, Dehnicke has 11 catches for 208 yards and is still waiting to score his first touchdown. Dehnicke was an unranked prospect out of Andover, MN, and dominated as a freshman at the University of Minnesota Duluth. In Division II, he caught 61 passes for 1,119 yards and 14 touchdowns. It's unclear when Dehnicke will return to action.
Source: Pete Thamel Of ESPN
Source: Pete Thamel Of ESPN
Miami Defense Should Have a Day vs. Clemson
The Miami defense is No. 4 in RotoBaller's weekly rankings as the Hurricanes look ahead to a matchup with Clemson on Saturday night. The Tigers have yet to score more than 28 points in a game this season, while they managed just 363 total yards of offense and turned the ball over twice against Cal last week. Miami is allowing just nine points per game, the fourth-fewest in the country, while allowing 224.5 total yards per contest, second-best in the nation. The Hurricanes are projected to score 8.5 fantasy points in Week 5 against the Clemson offense, which is averaging the 13th-fewest yards per game (314.0) in the country.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Stingy Notre Dame Defense No. 1 in Rankings
The elite Notre Dame defense sits atop RotoBaller's weekly rankings and is projected to score 10.2 fantasy points against North Carolina in Week 5. The Tar Heels haven't exactly set the world on fire offensively, as they've averaged just 23.3 points per game and 366 total yards per contest. Notre Dame has been stingy throughout the year, never allowing more than 13 points over four straight wins. Last week, during a 49-10 win over Purdue, the Irish recorded six sacks and recovered a fumble while allowing just 218 yards of total offense and an average of 4.8 yards per pass. North Carolina fell 28-20 to Clemson in Week 4, racking up 349 yards of total offense and turning the ball over twice in defeat.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Texas A&M Defense Desperate for Rebound Performance
The Texas A&M defense has struggled the past two weeks, allowing 31 or more points in lopsided defeats at the hands of Kentucky and LSU. This past week, against the Tigers, the Aggies allowed a whopping 506 total yards, including 312 yards passing to LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt. Still, Texas A&M is RotoBaller's eighth-ranked defense this week as the Aggies square off with an inferior opponent in Arkansas. The Razorbacks have averaged just 23 points per game but are coming off their highest scoring output of the season, a 34-point effort in a blowout win over Tulsa last week. Texas A&M is projected to score 8.1 fantasy points against Arkansas.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tennessee Defense a Solid Play
The Tennessee defense has been one of the stoutest in the country through Week 4, allowing just 15.5 points per game and 282.3 total yards per contest. Last week, the Volunteers fell at the hands of No. 1 Texas, but it wasn't because of their defense, which allowed the Longhorns to score just 20 points and record 262 yards of total offense. Tennessee is RotoBaller's ninth-ranked defense in Week 5 and is projected to score 7.9 fantasy points against Auburn, which has averaged 30 points per game but managed just 21 in a slim win over Vanderbilt a week ago.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Houston Defense Faces Intriguing Matchup
The Houston defense is RotoBaller's 11th-ranked defense entering Week 5, as the Cougars look forward to a matchup with UCF on Saturday afternoon. The Knights earned a big win over TCU last week, but did so behind a strong defensive effort, while the UCF offense struggled to get going, finishing with just 266 total yards in the win. The Houston defense had an up-and-down day this past week against Georgia Southern, allowing Eagles quarterback Max Johnson to throw for 284 yards passing and three touchdowns. The Cougars did a nice job against the run, slowing Georgia Southern's ground game while allowing 2.5 yards per carry throughout a 42-28 win. Houston is projected by RotoBaller to score 7.6 fantasy points against UCF.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
LSU Defense Coming Off Strong Effort
The LSU defense put forth an outstanding effort during a 35-6 blowout win over Texas A&M a week ago. The Tigers limited the Aggies to just 197 yards of total offense while recording four sacks and two takeaways. LSU is RotoBaller's 19th-ranked defense in Week 5, when it will go up against an inferior opponent in McNeese. The Tigers are projected to score seven points against the Cowboys, who recorded 412 yards of total offense in a win over East Texas A&M last week. In that win, McNeese quarterback Jake Strong threw for 202 yards and a touchdown, while lead running back Omari Wiggins ran for 116 yards rushing and a touchdown on just 12 carries. LSU has allowed just 226.8 total yards and 15.5 points per game this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bryce Underwood Looks to Keep it Rolling
Despite a disappointing defeat at the hands of Iowa, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood performed well in Week 4. Underwood finished a 20-19 loss, going 17 of 28 passing for 276 yards and two touchdowns, along with an interception. He also ran the ball 14 times for 36 yards. This week, Underwood and the Wolverines go up against Big Ten foe Minnesota, which allowed Washington's Demond Williams Jr. to throw for 239 yards passing and two touchdowns, intercepting him twice. Williams Jr. also ran the ball 15 times for 15 yards and a touchdown. Underwood is RotoBaller's 33rd-ranked quarterback and is projected to score 19.1 fantasy points against Minnesota.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josh Hoover Faces Vulnerable Rutgers Pass Defense
After a disappointing offensive performance during a 29-23 win over Northwestern Indiana, Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover will look to put forth a stronger effort against Rutgers in Week 5. Hoover finished the victory over Northwestern 19 of 29 passing for 201 yards and a touchdown, while also adding a touchdown rushing. This week, the Hoosiers face a Scarlet Knights defense that has allowed 194.3 yards passing per game, including 277 yards and two touchdowns through the air to USC quarterback Jayden Maiava in Week 3. Hoover is RotoBaller's 25th-ranked quarterback and is projected to score 21 points this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Byrum Brown Faces Stingy Tennessee Pass Defense
Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown is RotoBaller's 19th-ranked quarterback as the Tigers get set to face Tennessee this weekend. Brown is projected to score 22.3 fantasy points against a Volunteers pass defense that made things tough for Texas quarterback Arch Manning last week. Manning finished a slim 20-17 Longhorns win just 14 of 19 passing for 201 yards and an interception. Tennessee has allowed just 163.5 yards passing per game this season. Brown recorded 140 yards passing, a touchdown and an interception, to go with 10 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown in Week 4 against Vanderbilt.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Marcel Reed Hopes to Bounce Back
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed is coming off a disappointing effort during a 35-6 loss to LSU and is hoping to get back on track in Week 5. Reed finished the defeat at the hands of the Tigers just 10 of 26 passing for 106 yards and threw an interception, while he recorded -13 yards rushing on 10 carries. It was a rough day for Reed, who is RotoBaller's 44th-ranked quarterback as he and the Aggies take on an inferior Arkansas team on Saturday. The Razorbacks' defense put forth a strong effort a week ago, limiting Tulsa to just 176 yards passing during a 34-6 blowout win.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Virginia Tech's Luke Reynolds Faces Elite Defense In Week 5
Virginia Tech tight end Luke Reynolds is looking to rebound against Pitt on Saturday. The junior tight end has already set career highs in receptions (30), receiving yards (280), and touchdowns (four), which makes him the TE1 this season with 67.1 fantasy points. Reynolds is leading the Hookies in target share with 24% of the team's targets. For a tight end, Reynolds has a low ADOT of 5.3 yards, and his longest reception is only 25 yards, suggesting he does most of his damage on screen passes. Pitt's defense is only allowing 17.5 receiving yards and four fantasy points per game to tight ends this season. Furthermore, Pitt is allowing only 8.5 points per game to opponents. Reynolds has a very low floor this week against an elite defense; however, I can't suggest sitting the TE1 for the season. RotoBaller ranks Reynolds as the TE1 for the week.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Maryland's Chris Durr Jr. Has Low Floor In Week 5
Maryland wide receiver Chris Durr Jr. has a terrifying Week 5 fantasy matchup in Big Ten foe Nebraska. Durr ranks among the top 15 wide receivers in fantasy points this season with 69.7. The junior transferred from Wyoming to Maryland this season and is on pace for his best collegiate season. He has hauled in 35 of his 48 targets for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Durr is dominating the Terrapins' targets with a 30% target share; however, he has only 6.3 ADOT and has operated in the slot 88.4% of his snaps. Maryland welcomes the Nebraska Cornhuskers to town Saturday in what should be Durr's toughest test of the season thus far. The Cornhuskers allow only 143 passing yards per game, which ranks seventh in the country. RotoBaller ranks Durr as WR27 for Week 5, and fantasy owners should view him as a low-end flex option.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Gavin Freeman a High-Floor Flex Play Against ASU
Baylor wide receiver Gavin Freeman has a high floor in Week 5 against Arizona State. Freeman has been one of the best target earners at wide receiver this season with 48 targets. However, he has yet to turn that into elite fantasy production as he is the WR19 on the season. Of his 48 targets, Freeman has hauled in 35 of them for a 72.9% catch rate, 364 yards, and two touchdowns. The transfer senior is setting a career high ADOT of 9.3 yards per target which is abnormal considering he has lined up as the slot wide receiver 96.8% of the time for Baylor. Arizona State has been one of the better pass defenses in the country this season allowing only 161.3 yards per game. Freeman is ranked as RotoBaller's WR41 for Week 5 and fantasy owners should view him as a high floor flex play.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Will Collin Dixon Finish Week 5 As a WR1?
Illinois wide receiver Collin Dixon has a great matchup against Purdue in Week 5. The senior wide receiver is having a breakout season and is currently the WR4 with 100 fantasy points. Dixon has hauled in 75% of his 40 targets for 430 yards and seven touchdowns. The 6'1 wideout has been much better at earning targets this season and is on pace to obliterate his previous career high of 55 targets in a season. Ohio State kept him in check in Week 4 with five receptions for 63 yards; however, he still earned 8 targets. In the three previous games, Dixon averaged a whopping 30.4 fantasy points per game. Purdue has been a below-average passing defense, allowing 246.5 yards per game. Dixon is ranked as RotoBaller's WR2 heading into Week 5, and he should dominate a weak Purdue defense.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Malachi Toney Faces First Real Test Of Season
Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney will finally get to show his talents against Clemson in Week 5. The star wideout did not face Clemson in his freshman year but has supreme confidence heading into this matchup. Through four games, Toney is the WR3 with 109.4 fantasy points on 34 receptions for 564 yards and six touchdowns. Toney has a solid 29.3% target share and a ludicrous 91% catch rate. Toney may be the best slot wide receiver in college football with 132 of his 192 snaps coming from the slot, per PFF. Toney will likely line up frequently against Clemson star cornerback Ashton Hampton in the Week 5 ACC clash. Hampton is only allowing a 28% catch rate on 25 targets for 24.5 yards per game. Toney is ranked as RotoBaller's WR4 heading into the Week 5 matchup, and fantasy owners should feel confident starting him.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Pitt's Ja'Kyrian Turner Listed As Questionable
Pitt running back Ja'Kyrian Turner (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Week 5 against Virginia Tech. The sophomore running back has been dealing with an undisclosed injury all season and has been limited to just one game. In his only game this season, Turner was limited to 11 carries, rushing for 39 yards and catching 4 passes for 69 receiving yards. Turner was suited up for Pitt's Week 3 matchup against Syracuse but did not play, and he did not suit up for the team's Week 4 matchup against Bucknell. Virginia Tech is one of the toughest fantasy matchups for running backs, allowing only 83.3 rushing yards per game. Because of the tough matchup and uncertainty about whether Turner will play, fantasy owners should have a backup plan in place.
Source: Pete Nakos Of On3
Source: Pete Nakos Of On3
KJ Duff Faces Top-10 Opponent
Rutgers wide receiver KJ Duff will face his toughest matchup so far this season in Week 5 against No. 6 Indiana. The star wide receiver is having a breakout season and is currently the WR2 after finishing last season as the WR25. Through the first third of the season, the 6'6" wideout has a catch rate of 59% on a 38.5% target share for 550 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. However, heading into Week 5, Duff faces the Hoosiers, who are only allowing 168 passing yards per game. The Hoosiers' pass defense is a little misleading, as in their first three games against non-P4 teams they allowed 126 passing yards per game; however, in Week 4 Northwestern passed for 293 yards on them. Duff is ranked as RotoBaller's WR7 heading into this matchup, and fantasy owners should be starting him anywhere and everywhere.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jeremiah Smith Faces Top-12 Pass Defense
Ohio State star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has a tough task in Week 5 against No. 14 Iowa. Smith has been the best wide receiver in college football this season, hauling in 33 of 47 targets for 617 yards and a ridiculous seven touchdowns, for 120.7 fantasy points and an average of 30.17 fantasy points per game. The standout junior is coming off of his best game in his two-plus years as a Buckeye. Against Illinois in Week 4, Smith had 12 receptions for 217 yards and four touchdowns, racking up 51.7 fantasy points. The Buckeyes travel to Kinnick Stadium to face Iowa in Week 5. Iowa ranks 12th in the country in passing yards allowed per game, allowing only 152 passing yards. However, they have yet to face a receiving threat like Jeremiah Smith. Smith is RotoBaller's WR9 heading into Week 5, and fantasy managers should start him in all leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
