Start vs. Sit: Who to Play, Who to Bench Week 9

PLAYERS TO START

Gunner Kiel, QB, Cincinnati (vs. Central Florida)

Kiel got off to a bit of a slow start to the season, and then he got injured during the Memphis game, knocking him out of action for a couple of games. However, he returned last week against Connecticut to throw for 327 yards and two touchdowns and he also rushed for a score. More importantly, this week he gets to face off against a winless UCF team that just lost their head coach to retirement. It's an even easier matchup than UConn, and he's had a week to get acclimated to playing again, so it should be a nice chance for Kiel to make his overall numbers look better.

Nick Mullens, QB, Southern Mississippi (vs. UTEP)

Mullens has thrown for more than 300 yards in all but two games, and he has three games with at least four touchdowns and no interceptions, including last week. Meanwhile, UTEP is giving up almost 40 points and more than 300 yards passing per game. It's a perfect storm for Mullens, who should up big numbers in for the pass-happy Southern Miss offense.

Taylor Lamb, QB, Appalachian State (vs. Troy)

Even though Lamb doesn't run the ball a ton, he runs it enough to give him a little extra fantasy value. There's real potential there, too, because he rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown two weeks ago. He's also thrown 17 touchdowns against five picks, and that includes a poor game at Clemson. Troy's numbers defensively are looking a little better after games against Idaho and New Mexico State, but Appalachian State is much better, and Lamb should lead their offense to a big day.

Matt Breida, RB, Georgia Southern (vs. Texas State)

Georgia State has the top rushing offense in the FBS, although that's not all because of Breida. While Breida only rushed for 78 yards on 14 carries last week against Appalachian State, he gained at least 137 yards and scored a touchdown in five straight games coming into the contest. Appalachian State has been a fairly stingy defense, but Texas State is truly lousy, giving up more than 555 yards per game. Breida should start a new touchdown streak this week, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him find the end zone a couple times.

Larry Rose III, RB, New Mexico State (vs. Idaho)

New Mexico State got blown out by Troy 52-7 last week, which makes this seem like an offense you don't want any part of. However, Rose was the entire Aggies offense against Troy, rushing for 180 yards and catching five passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. He was also able to rush for over 60 yards and a touchdown against Florida, a sign of a level of legitimate skill. Idaho gives up over 200 yards a game on the ground, so Rose should be fine, regardless of how the rest of NMSU's offense does.

Qadree Ollison, RB, Pittsburgh (vs. North Carolina)

Ollison isn't quite of the same caliber of James Conner, but he's been far from a burden on the Pitt offense. Aside from a bad game against the tough Iowa defense, he's run well, and he has at least one touchdown in every game that didn't involve the Hawkeyes. North Carolina's scoring defense has been good, but their defensive strength has been against the pass; they give up over 200 yards per game on the ground. It may not be a good day for the Panthers' passing game, but Ollison should be good to go.

Keyarris Garrett, WR, Tulsa (at Southern Methodist)

The loss of Keevan Lucas has made Garrett Tulsa's leading receiver, and his 14-catch, 268-yard, three-touchdown game against Memphis has him among the FBS leaders in receiving yards. Garrett has had huge games against Oklahoma and Memphis, so a game against SMU's porous defense is a great opportunity for him.

Courtland Sutton, WR, Southern Methodist (vs. Tulsa)

Tulsa's defense isn't quite a juggernaut either. This has all the makings of a high-scoring, pass_heavy game. Sutton only has two games with over 100 yards receiving -- though one was against TCU -- but he has seven touchdowns in seven games and he's the lead receiver for the Mustangs. If this game is a barnburner, it should be a nice outing for Sutton.

Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis (vs. Tulane)

It took Miller a little while to get integrated into the Memphis offense, but in recent weeks an increase in his performance has led him to lead the undefeated Tigers in receiving. He has over 100 yards in three of his last four games, and he has a touchdown in all three of those games as well. Tulane is allowing 37.4 points per game, and with Paxton Lynch mounting an under-the-radar Heisman campaign, Miller has a very good quarterback working to get him the ball, perhaps leading to another 100-yard game.

PLAYERS TO SIT

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech (vs. Oklahoma State)

Texas Tech has a prolific offense, obviously, and they pass the ball extensively. However, while Mahomes has had some great games, he's also shown a propensity to turn the ball over, as evidenced by his 10 interceptions. He threw four picks last week against Oklahoma, in fact, and the Sooners' instate counterparts are allowing fewer than 19 points per game and around 180 passing yards per game. Mahomes only has one touchdown pass in his last two games, so the Cowboys may be catching him at the right time.

Kyle Allen, QB, Texas A&M (vs. South Carolina)

Kyle Allen seems like he may be going the way of Kenny Hill. In his last two games, he only has one touchdown pass to four interceptions, and he was pulled against Ole Miss even though, in theory, the Aggies were still in the game. South Carolina hasn't exactly been great, but this is more a vote of no confidence in Allen than anything else.

Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson (at North Carolina State)

Clemson is having an excellent season, and Watson has a lot of skill, but his fantasy numbers aren't as impressive as you might think. He has 15 touchdown passes to seven interceptions and he only one has game with over 265 yards passing. NC State is allowing just 144 yards per game through the air, and 16.1 points per game overall, so this seems like it may be a low-scoring affair. Watson is having one of those seasons that are better in real life than they are from a fantasy perspective, and that could continue this week.

C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame (at Temple)

Prosise is having a great year, and from a practical perspective there are probably fantasy owners who won't find a better option. However, while Prosise might be fine this week, there are reasons to think he won't be as good as usual. The upstart Temple Owls are allowing fewer than 100 yards per game on the ground, and they will make things tough for Prosise. There are less risky options out there involving similarly talented players in much better matchups.

Kenneth Farrow, RB, Houston (vs. Vanderbilt)

Farrow has been outrushed by quarterback Greg Ward Jr. so far, though Farrow has had some good games of his own. However, six of his eight touchdowns have come against UCF and SMU, two poor defenses. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt is an SEC team with a good defense. It'll be a more difficult day for Farrow, who is unlikely to score three touchdowns against the Commodores – if he scores any at all.

Sony Michel, RB, Georgia (vs. Florida)

Since taking over for Nick Chubb, Michel has been good, but perhaps not as good as was expected. He has not scored a touchdown in his last three games, and last week Missouri held him to 87 yards on 26 carries. Mizzou may have a good defense, but the Gators are not pushovers, either. Georgia's passing offense also doesn't help out Michel and the running game much, either. He'll get his carries, but the chances of a breakout game are slim.

River Cracraft, WR, Washington State (vs. Stanford)

Wazzu has looked good since their disappointing season-opening loss, and nothing stops coach Mike Leach from passing the ball with impunity. However, there's a difference being a lot of passing attempts and a good day passing the ball. Stanford has been even better than the Cougars since their own season-opening loss, and so it might not be as good a day for Washington State. While Gabriel Marks is probably too good to write off, Cracraft hasn't been quite as prolific as Marks, so he could be in for a lesser day.

Nelson Spruce, WR, Colorado (at UCLA)

Spruce scored a touchdown last week, but it was only his second of the season. On top of that, he has yet to have more than 87 yards in any game. He hasn't had any terrible games, but he's mostly just been OK, and OK isn't really what fantasy owners are looking for. Additionally, while UCLA's defense hasn't been great, they are giving up fewer than 200 yards a game through the air, even against a strong Pac-12 schedule.

Geronimo Allison, WR, Illinois (at Penn State)

Allison was on this list last week. He ended up catching eight passes for 99 yards, somewhat justifying his inclusion, but he has at least eight catches in his last four games, so clearly he is a major target. However, he has an even tougher matchup this week, a road trip to take on Penn State, who is only allowing 161.4 yards per game through the air. Don't be surprised if he's kept out of the end zone again.