Fuel line routing through front fender well

You could fabricate any number of guards, whether for heat or road rubble damage

IMHO the OEM tested many scenarios in how to rout the lines and chose the rout they did for a number of reasons. I'm sure one is protection during a crash.

I would run hard line from tank to pump (short flex hose at the junctions of course)

And if heat is a concern a simple tin shield can work wonders. Look at your catalytic converter.