Start vs. Sit: Players to Start, Players to Bench for Week 15

I don't really root for a college football team, born largely out of the fact that I when I went to college I went to schools that played Division II football for undergrad and grad (I didn't finish grad school for the record, lest you think this is some weird excuse for a humblebrag). However, growing up I rooted for the Michigan Wolverines, and I still have friends and family who are Wolverines fans. The game between Michigan and Ohio State was canceled for this week. To me, this is the most-striking example of how strange and at times melancholic this season has been. All I can do though is keep providing you players to start and sit for fantasy purposes because that's the name of the game. Let's get to it!

AAC

START

Clayton Tune, QB, Houston at Memphis

There are only three AAC teams scheduled to be in action this week. Fortunately, one of them is Memphis, a team that has allowed 481.8 yards per game to FBS squads. Tune has had issues this season, as he's thrown six interceptions against 11 touchdowns, but the Tigers have allowed over 300 yards per game through the air. Plus, Tune has added 233 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He can get it done in multiple ways.

SIT

Nelson Smith, RB, Navy at Army

When these two triple-option teams play, the games tend to go pretty swiftly. That means less drives and less scoring. Speaking of scoring, Army has only allowed 16.3 points per game, admittedly with multiple FCS teams on the schedule. Smith has rushed for eight touchdowns, but Navy doesn't feed a single player in the run game due to the offensive system, so you never know on that front.

ACC

START

Jalen Mitchell, RB, Louisville vs. Wake Forest

Javian Hawkins is done for the season, and Mitchell seems like the player who should benefit most. He's gotten double-digit carries in each of his last two games, the only Cardinal to do so, and he's scored in both contests as well. He's only a redshirt freshman and wasn't playing when the season began, but Mitchell has upside. Oh, and also a matchup with a team that has allowed 182.0 yards per game on the ground.

SIT

Jaquarii Roberson, WR, Wake Forest at Louisville

It may surprise you given their reputation, but the Cardinals' defense ranks fourth in the ACC in yards allowed per game, and two of them teams above them (Clemson and Notre Dame) aren't playing this week. Specifically, Louisville has given up 185.7 passing yards per contest. That's legitimately good! Robertson has been the top receiver for the Demon Deacons, but believe it or not this matchup is a poor one for him.

Big 12

START

Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas at Kansas

Texas just smashed Kansas State for 69 points. Now the Longhorns are playing the Wildcats' Sunflower State compatriots, a team with an even worse defense. The Jayhawks have allowed a whopping 46.0 points per game. I don't believe that Robinson can repeat last week's performance where he rushed for 172 yards and three touchdowns on only nine carries, but I expect big numbers nevertheless.

SIT

Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma at West Virginia

West Virginia got trounced by Iowa State last week, but even with that, it ranks in the top 10 in yards allowed per game. Rattler has had some good games, but if you remove the game against Missouri State he's thrown for 20 touchdowns against seven interceptions in eight games, and last week against Baylor he threw for only 193 yards with two touchdowns and a pick. Rattler is still a redshirt freshman, and Morgantown is not an easy place to play.

Big Ten

START

Dedrick Mills, RB, Nebraska vs. Minnesota

Mills has been limited by injury this year, but he rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown in his last game. Plus, last season he rushed for 745 yards and 10 touchdowns, so we've seen him have success. I am admittedly wary of Minnesota even taking the field, but it has allowed 215.6 rushing yards per outing, so I think Mills could end his senior season on a high note.

SIT

Tyler Goodson, RB, Iowa vs. Wisconsin

Yes, Goodson has rushed 132 times for 656 yards and two touchdowns. However, Wisconsin has allowed a mere 72.3 rushing yards per game on the ground. They remain tops in the league in yards allowed per contest. This is not a defense to be trifled with, and Goodson isn't exactly Breece Hall.

Conference USA

START

Deion Hankins, RB, UTEP vs. North Texas

Hankins has had a couple of poor games this year, though one of those was against Texas, which is forgivable. He's played in six games, though, and he's rushed for over 100 yards three times and also has seven rushing touchdowns. North Texas' defense has been porous, having given up over 41 points and 500 yards per game. I'd be surprised if Hankins doesn't cross the century mark once again.

SIT

Victor Tucker, WR, Charlotte at Marshall

Marshall got upset by Rice last week in one of the biggest upsets of recent memory, but that was on the offense. The defense held up its end of the bargain, and it has given up a paltry 11.4 points and 253.9 passing yards per contest. Tucker had 909 yards and seven touchdowns last season, but this year he only has 400 yards and two scores in a chaotic campaign for the 49ers.

MAC

START

Harrison Waylee, RB, Northern Illinois at Eastern Michigan

Eastern Michigan upset Western Michigan last week, but even so it allowed 42 points. The Eagles have allowed 36.6 points and 504.4 yards per game, the latter of which is second highest in the FBS. Specifically, EMU has allowed 250.0 yards per game rushing. Waylee is a true freshman, but the Huskies have thrown him right into the mix. Last week against Toledo, he had his first 100-yard game, and he also scored his first collegiate touchdown.

SIT

Kobe Lewis, RB, Central Michigan at Toledo

Lewis started his season off with gusto, as he scored six touchdowns over his first four games while racking up three 100-yard outings as well. However, in his last game, Lewis only had 19 yards on nine carries. There aren't exactly any lockdown defenses in the MAC, but Toledo has given up just 115.6 rushing yards per contest.

Mountain West

START

Chevan Cordeiro, QB, Hawaii vs. UNLV

When Hawaii is at home, I'm usually conducive to turning to it for starts, and Cordeiro is the gem of the group. He doesn't throw the ball like Hawaii quarterbacks of the past, but he adds value with his legs. Cordeiro actually leads the team in rushing yards with 364, and he has five rushing scores as well. I'm happy about that because UNLV has given up 250.4 rushing yards per game.

SIT

Greg Bell, RB, SDSU at BYU

BYU is no longer undefeated, but it still has allowed only 294.0 yards per game to FBS teams. The Cougars have also only given up 14.8 points. Playing at home, instead of on the road on short notice, should benefit a BYU team looking to get back to its winning ways. That's unfortunate for Bell, especially since the Aztecs have only averaged 140.1 passing yards per game. The Cougars can easily focus on Bell and dare the passing game to beat them.

Pac-12

START

Jayden Daniels, QB, Arizona State at Arizona

Daniels has only been able to play in two games this season, but this is a nice matchup to try and shake off any remaining rust. The passing numbers are lacking a bit, but he has a 100-yard rushing game and a rushing touchdown already, and Arizona is a much easier matchup. That little extra bit of rushing skill should serve Daniels well, as the Wildcats have given up 273.5 rushing yards per contest

SIT

Jaylon Redd, WR, Oregon vs. Washington

Redd came into the year atop Oregon's depth chart after having seven receiving touchdowns last season. This year, he has 20 catches through five games, but for 235 yards and zero scores. Washington's defense is still strong, perhaps the best in the conference, and it has allowed 185.0 passing yards per contest.

SEC

START

Eric Gray, RB, Tennessee at Vanderbilt

Gray has been solid on the ground, rushing for 698 yards and four touchdowns in eight games. However, I get extra encouragement from what he's done in the passing game. The sophomore has 29 catches for 245 yards and two scores, including seven catches last week versus Florida. Tennessee may be spiraling, but even it should be able to handle Vanderbilt. The Commodores have ceded 36.8 points and 480.9 yards per game to opponents.

SIT

Larry Rountree, RB, Missouri vs. Georgia

Missouri has been a fun story, and Rountree has been a big part of that. The senior has been a reliable back for a few years, and this year he has 11 rushing touchdowns. You don't want to mess with Georgia's defense, though, especially if you are a running back. The Bulldogs have allowed a scant 75.3 rushing yards per game playing SEC football.

Sun Belt

START

Layne Hatcher, QB, Arkansas State vs. Incarnate Word

Ending the year with an FCS team? Sounds good to me! Hatcher will be missing Jonathan Adams, but I'm not worried in this matchup. The quarterback has thrown for 19 touchdowns and only two interceptions and just threw for 356 yards and five scores. As long as Hatcher has players to throw the ball to, somebody is going to get in the end zone.

SIT

Kaylon Geiger, WR, Troy vs. Coastal Carolina

The Chanticleers are heading toward a potential undefeated season, and the defense has been a big reason for that. Coastal Carolina has allowed 16.8 points and 330.5 yards per game. In particular, it has only given up 187.7 passing yards per contest. Geiger has 55 catches for 639 yards but he only has three touchdowns, so he's not getting in the end zone much.