Week 7 features a series of important intra-conference games that will shape college fantasy lineups as we hit the halfway mark of the college football regular season. Here are my start/sits for this week that include several players whose value has increased and decreased from their preseason value.
Start ‘Em
QB
Connor Weigman, Houston vs. Oklahoma State
A preseason consensus top-10 signal caller, Weigman has been nothing short of excellent for the 5-1 Cougars. Since throwing for 305 yards with two touchdowns in a Week 1 victory over a feisty Oregon State, Weigman has accounted for at least 3+ scores in each of his last five games and has scored 25+ points against every FBS opponent while averaging an elite 28.5 PPG on the year. He leads all Power Four quarterbacks with 21 total touchdowns and is protecting the ball admirably, having committed just two turnovers (one INT, one fumble).
He faces an Oklahoma State defense that has been pretty solid against the pass, allowing a 34% passing success rate (13th) but has given up 20+ yards on 19% of completions (107th). The Cowboys are not so effective against the run, allowing 2.10 yards before contact (81st) with a 43% rushing success rate allowed (87th). With Houston ranking in the top three nationally in success rate (55%), three-and-out rate (9.4%) and average starting field position (35-yard line), I expect Weigman to lead Houston to a comfortable victory and record 28+ fantasy points.
Avery Johnson, Kansas State vs. Kansas
Kansas has gotten demolished by every P4 program it’s played so far, giving up 41 points to Utah and 38 to Missouri. Johnson is handling 22% of the Wildcats’ carries and averages 25.1 PPG, with Kansas State ranking second nationally in yards before contact (3.8). He should carve up their in-state rivals and post 28+ points in the process.
JC French, Cincinnati at West Virginia
French runs the show for a Cincinnati offense that ranks fifth among P4 programs averaging 231 rushing yards per game, and boasts two NFL-caliber tackles. He is putting up 21.8 PPG and faces the most fantasy-friendly defense in the land, as WVU ranks 128th in 20+ yard plays allowed.
RB
Gideon Davidson, Clemson vs. Charleston Southern
Clemson is coming off a bye following a 41-13 thrashing at the hands of Miami. While its D has been solid against non Miami/LSU opponents, the offense is far and away its primary Issue. Its offense ranks a brutal 97th in SP+, 124th in rushing success rate (36%) and is one of the least effective passing offenses in the P4 while throwing freshman dual-threat QB Tait Reynolds into the fire. The most effective aspect of the Tigers’ attack is their talented backfield that averages 3.0 YAC (18th) as a team with 10.5 Yards Per Successful Rush (30th).
The catalyst for those solid marks is RB Gideon Davidson, who leads the team in yards before contact and YAC, with just 15% of his rushes producing zero or fewer yards. Despite the three-game losing streak and struggling offense, I’m starting Davidson against FCS Charleston Southern in a get-right spot for the Tigers, where they should rack up 450+ yards in an attempt to turn things around.
Micah Ford, Stanford vs. Elon
We’re going from a disappointing Clemson squad to a downright pitiful Stanford team that needs some form of success to get back on track after losing four of their last five games, with the last two versus Wake and ND by a margin of 115-10. They get to square things away against FCS Elon, who allowed Rhode Island and UNH to score 30 points on them. Ford is the unquestioned RB1 who has received at least 15 touches in five of six contests. He’s a factor in both phases of the game with 12 recs, and has scored at least 13+ points in each of their three competitive games. I expect a similar showing to his 28.5-point explosion versus Hawaii, as this will be Stanford’s easiest game all year.
Isaac Brown, Louisville at Syracuse
Brown started slow, but he has erupted for 360 yards and three touchdowns over his last two games. Syracuse’s secondary is very strong, but the front-seven is allowing 10.4 yards per successful rush (115th) and 2.5 YAC (106th), making Brown an easy start this week
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Caleb Komolafe, Northwestern at Michigan State
Northwestern OC Chip Kelly broke out the option against Penn State, running for an absurd 413 yards on 6.6 YPC. Komo should feast on MSU’s beleaguered defense that ranks 106th in marginal explosiveness and 112th in points per scoring opportunity (4.87).
WR
Lotzeir Brooks, Alabama at Tennessee
Star wideout Ryan Coleman-Williams is likely out this week, which means Lotzier Brooks will have the WR1 role locked up against the Vols. As is typically the case with HC Kalen DeBoer-led offenses, the Tide have been lethal throwing the ball with superstar QB Keelon Russell, averaging 8.9 yards per dropback (9th in FBS) and a superb 26% of completions gaining 20+ yards (10th).
They’re also pushing the ball downfield a dizzying 21% of the time (7th) and are facing a Tennessee secondary that is allowing 28% of passes defended to go to wide-open pass catchers (113th). I expect Lotzier to see a season-high in targets with a target share in the range of 33%, which means you cannot leave him on your bench in this heated rivalry game between two programs that need this win to stay in CFP Playoff consideration.
Junior Sherrill, Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas
Sherrill has produced at least 55 yards in every game this year, and is out-targeting Vandy’s next receiver 48-to-18 with a 68% catch rate and an excellent 11.0 yards per target. They rank 10th nationally in passes of 20+ air yards (20%) and have been far more potent since five-star freshman phenom Jared Curtis took over the QB1 role. On the other side, Arkansas ranks 124th in yards per successful dropback with 30% of targets being considered “Wide Open” (119th). The Razorbacks’ uninspiring secondary plays right into Sherrill’s hands, as he is commanding a 27% target share and producing 2.6 fantasy points per touch for a pass-oriented Vanderbilt offense that is throwing the ball 70% of the time on passing downs.
Chris Durr Jr., Maryland v. Rutgers
Maryland has lost four straight games and is hungry for a convincing victory. Durr Jr. is the clear WR1 and should have a big game against Rutgers’ fantasy-friendly defense that allows a 66% completion rate (114th) with a 47% passing success rate (124th)
Mario Craver, Texas A&M vs. Citadel
Texas A&M has been terrible offensively, but has the good fortune of hosting FCS Citadel as they try to get QB Marcel Reed going. Craver should find the end zone in the first half as A&M tries to get their groove back.
TE
Jacob Harris, Wisconsin at UCLA
Harris has been one of the most productive undrafted tight ends in the country, stringing together three straight games of double-digit point performances for the surging 4-1 Badgers. He has established himself as a vital cog in the Wisconsin passing attack alongside WR Tyrell Henry, as their run game has been woefully inefficient, averaging a 35% rushing success rate that ranks a brutal 124th nationally. To compensate for the lack of rushing acumen, OC Jeff Grimes has leaned into the passing attack, ranking 88th in standard downs run rate with 21% of targets being distributed to the tight ends (29th).
This approach lines up nicely with UCLA’s Achilles heel defensively, which is allowing a slew of chunk pass plays as the Bruins rank 135th in FBS with a 17.8 yards per successful dropback average. The Badgers will need to throw in order to keep pace with the undefeated Bruins, and that script should result in another double-digit outing from Harris.
Baron Naone, Washington at Purdue
Naone is the designated move-tight end and had rung up three straight games of 11+ points before Washington’s loss to a stout Iowa defense last weekend. I think he gets back on track against Purdue’s porous defense that ranks 100th in FBS.
Sit ‘Em
QB
Ashton Daniels, Florida State at Miami
Daniels has been a surprisingly fantasy-relevant quarterback whose ability to produce points on the ground has led to 10 rushing touchdowns and six consecutive games of 21+ points. However, the Noles have only defeated one Power Four program and now have to face in-state rival, and National Championship runner-up, Miami, on the road. The Canes defense has been sensational, ranking No. 1 nationally in three-and-out rate (53%), marginal explosiveness, points per scoring opportunity (2.29) and points per drive (.79).
They are also generating a relentless 37% pressure rate (5th), which is key since Daniels has taken 3+ sacks in all four games against P4 opponents, suppressing his rushing utility outside of goal-line packages, which accounts for his sky-high rushing touchdown total. I have major reservations about FSU’s ability to punch in touchdowns against the Canes and run the ball effectively, which is why I am benching Daniels.
Byrum Brown, Auburn at Georgia
Brown’s running ability has been able to prop up his lackluster passing ability despite an unacceptable 5-to-7 TD/INT ratio against FBS opponents. He won’t have the luxury of gashing Georgia’s top-flight run defense that ranks fifth nationally in yards before contact and 10th in yards per carry (3.6).
RB
Jordan Marshall, Michigan vs. Penn State
Michigan has scored 20 points just once all season, and it came against a UTEP team that ranks 132nd in defensive SP+. It is playing at the 101st pace with its opponents ranking dead last in FBS (138th) at 32 seconds per play, as it attempts to slow down the game and put pressure on Michigan's anemic offense. And why wouldn’t it? UM is arguably the least potent offense in the Power Four, ranking 128th in marginal explosiveness and averaging a paltry 7.3 yards per successful rush (127th) while going three-and-out 33% of the time (115th).
Marshall has yet to rush for 60 yards in any of his five games, with just one game scoring above 11.0 fantasy points. With just 5.5% of his carries gaining 10+ yards, Marshall lacks the juice to beat a respectable PSU defense that is allowing just 5.1% of plays to gain 20+ yards (31st). He needs to be on your bench until Michigan plays Rutgers in Week 9.
Aneyas Williams, Notre Dame at BYU
Williams was thought to be the lead rusher for a devastating ND run game that graduated two first-round running backs. Unfortunately, freshman Jonaz Walton has exploded on the scene with 301 rushing yards and 56 receiving yards over the last two games, sending Aneyas to the bench.
Ty Clark, Wake Forest at Cal
Wake Forest prefers to throw the ball 47% of the time on standard downs (100th), and ranks 132nd in passes to running backs. With Deuce Lawrence eating away at Clark’s carry share, i’m staying away from starting Clark until the RB room shakes out.
WR
Duce Robinson, Florida State at Miami
A profound disappointment after averaging 17.1 PPG in 2025, Robinson has been victimized both by FSU’s run-heavy scheme and his inability to separate, which has contributed to a team-low 49% catch rate. The Seminoles have used him in a big slot role in order to get him going, but to no avail, with Duce recording two receptions for 25 yards or less with zero touchdowns in three of four contests against P4 competition.
He is in the same boat as his aforementioned QB Daniels, facing a Miami D that ranks ninth in suppressing explosive pass plays (8.9%) and fourth in yards per successful dropback allowed. FSU throws to their running backs 28% of the time, as their accuracy-challenged quarterback leans on his legs. I’m fading the entire FSU passing attack this week.
Evan Stewart, Oregon vs. Nebraska
Stewart is banged up and questionable heading into this weekend and could potentially be saddled with a third-string quarterback if QB Dante Moore cannot suit up again. I’m exercising caution and keeping Stewart on ice against a Nebraska secondary that is allowing a stifling 54% completion rate (10th).
Blue Hicks, Pitt at BC
Pitt is still finding its footing under new QB Holden Geriner, clouding Hicks’ profile. I’m sitting him against a legitimately strong BC secondary that ranks third in yards per successful dropback and fourth in completions of 20+ yards allowed.
TE
Mason Mini, Cal vs. Wake Forest
Mini started strong out of the gate, catching four-of-five passes for 58 yards and a touchdown for 13.8 points in a 45-24 loss to UCLA. However, since then he’s been almost invisible and hasn’t cleared the six-point barrier in five contests, sporting a disappointing 11.2% target share with a 54% catch rate of the Cal passing attack.
With starting QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele highly questionable to play this weekend, I am leaving Mini on the bench until JKS returns and they play a lower-tiered pass defense.