College fantasy football rankings for Week 3: QB, RB, WR, TE and FLEX

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Two weeks of games have given college fantasy football managers more useful information, but the player pool still has plenty of uncertainty. Week 3 brings the first real pressure points of the college football season.

Lane Kiffin returns to Oxford with LSU, Georgia opens SEC play at Arkansas and Florida visits Auburn for its first conference test under Jon Sumrall. Ohio State must also answer for a fourth-quarter collapse at Texas, while Houston and Texas Tech meet in a ranked Big 12 opener.

Those games give this week’s fantasy rankings more tension than a typical September slate. Stars still matter, but the best options are attached to the teams and matchups that will shape Saturday.

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FLEX rankings outlook

No game carries more emotion than LSU at Ole Miss, where Kiffin will coach from the visiting sideline for the first time since leaving Oxford. Kewan Lacy enters that stage with touchdowns in 11 straight games, the longest Ole Miss streak since 1956. Rebels coach Pete Golding said, per Hotty Toddy, Lacy played through a hip pointer against Charlotte because, “Those are my guys.”

The FLEX rankings also reach into Florida-Auburn, a game that should tell us more than two weeks of mismatches did. Jadan Baugh has rushed for 296 yards and five touchdowns. Aneyas Williams draws the Notre Dame-Michigan State rivalry, while Houston’s Amare Thomas enters a ranked Friday night game at Texas Tech.

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QB outlook

Jayden Maiava finally gets a Power Four opponent after USC opened with three comfortable wins. He has completed more than 80% of his passes for 896 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception. Rutgers is 0-2, but a road conference game should keep Maiava working longer than USC’s earlier matchups.

Gunner Stockton carries different momentum into Arkansas after throwing five touchdown passes in Georgia’s 70-point outburst. LSU’s Sam Leavitt threw three first-half interceptions against Louisiana Tech before recovering with 344 passing yards and four total touchdowns. Ole Miss wants to trap him in the pocket, and Golding said, “I’ve been really impressed with the athlete he is.”

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RB outlook

Florida’s first SEC road game should reveal whether Baugh’s huge start travels. He has scored five times on 28 carries, and his presence has opened the field for quarterback Aaron Philo. Per Florida Athletics, Baugh said Florida “can be one of the best offenses in the country.” Auburn offers the first serious test of that claim.

Lacy brings the steadiest scoring streak into the week’s biggest game. DeSean Bishop comes off 147 yards and two touchdowns as Tennessee rushed for 299 against Georgia Tech. Makhi Hughes faces Texas Tech’s strong run defense, while Isaac Brown meets SMU in a ranked ACC opener.

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WR outlook

Houston scored 77 points last week, but Friday’s trip to Texas Tech changes the assignment for Amare Thomas. The Red Raiders return experience at every level and rank 13th nationally against the run. Houston coach Willie Fritz called Tech the Cougars’ toughest opponent so far, which could push more work toward Thomas.

Indiana’s Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker come out of a 55-0 win. Becker scored on all three touches before sitting out the second half. Western Kentucky offers another favorable afternoon before Big Ten play. Jeremiah Smith faces a different question after Ohio State blew a 23-3 fourth-quarter lead at Texas. Kent State is a get-right game, though another blowout could limit Smith’s volume.

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TE outlook

Trey’Dez Green led LSU with 104 receiving yards last week and now sits in the middle of LSU-Ole Miss. The Tigers’ four first-half turnovers make a dependable target valuable in Oxford. Crowd noise and familiarity between the coaching staffs could complicate everything before the snap.

The position also has two pieces in Houston-Texas Tech. Patrick Overmyer gives the Cougars an answer against a defense built to stop the run. Terrance Carter Jr.’s availability must be monitored after Joey McGuire said he hoped to have him for the Big 12 opener. Oregon’s Jamari Johnson gets a rebound spot against Portland State, while USC freshman Mark Bowman just earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors.

Team offense outlook

Ohio State remains the most interesting offense. The Buckeyes controlled Texas for three quarters, then stopped attacking as a 23-3 lead disappeared. Kent State gives Ryan Day a chance to restore confidence, but the response matters more than the margin.

Texas returns home against UTSA after Arch Manning led three fourth-quarter touchdown drives. Indiana and Tennessee draw overmatched opponents, creating huge ceilings with some risk that starters leave early. USC visits Rutgers for its first Power Four test. Georgia opens SEC play at Arkansas, while Notre Dame renews its rivalry with Michigan State after scoring 52 against Rice.

Team defense outlook

Ohio State’s defense owns the same rebound opportunity as its offense. The Buckeyes controlled Texas until the fourth quarter, and Kent State should offer little resistance. Penn State has a plus matchup against Buffalo. Michigan returns home after holding Oklahoma to 10 points. Notre Dame forced four turnovers and allowed 128 yards against Rice before renewing its Michigan State rivalry.

Indiana may carry the best recent form into Week 3. The Hoosiers forced eight three-and-outs and returned a deflection for a touchdown. Per IU Athletics, Curt Cignetti said the defense “flew around, swarmed the ball, dominated the line of scrimmage.” Western Kentucky now gets the chance to prove that performance was only opponent-driven.

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College Fantasy Football FLEX Rankings

Updated: Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 9:45 a.m. ET

College Fantasy Football QB Rankings

Updated: Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 9:45 a.m. ET

College Fantasy Football RB Rankings

Updated: Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 9:45 a.m. ET

College Fantasy Football WR Rankings

Updated: Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 9:45 a.m. ET

College Fantasy Football TE Rankings

Updated: Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 9:45 a.m. ET

College Fantasy Football Offense Rankings

Updated: Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 9:45 a.m. ET

College Fantasy Football Team Defense Rankings

Updated: Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 9:45 a.m. ET

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