| Daily Blog •Thursday, November 19th |
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Welcome once again to my Thursday blog in which I select some deserving players to watch for the upcoming week. Remember most of my selections are surprise picks, so I am proud of my record of 50-21-4 (70%) the last 8 weeks. First a review of last week’s picks which I have graded as 9-5 for the second straight week.
My Quarterback selections from last week:
Ryan Griffin, tulane and jimmy clausen, notre dame
Ryan Griffin, Tulane - Griffin hit 24 of 41 (58.5%) for 261 yards with 3 TD’s and 1 int in the 28-20 loss to Rice. Griffin came into the game averaging 181 yards with a 4-2 ratio in his previous four games. Despite the loss, the 24 completions and 3 TD’s tied season-highs. WIN
Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame - Clausen hit 27 of 42 (64.3%) for 283 yards with 1 TD and 1 int in the 27-22 loss to Pittsburgh. It was just another day at the office for Clausen who was facing a strong Pitt defense. The 27 completions were the most the Pitt defense had allowed all season. WIN
Top Honorable Mention performances:
Andy Dalton, TCU-Dalton hit 17 of 29 (58.6%) for 207 yards with 1 TD and 1 int in the big 55-28 win over Utah. While Dalton’s numbers weren’t overwhelming, he did lead the TCU offense to 549 yards of offense and 55 points. The 549 yards allowed by the Utah defense was 207 more than they allowed in any game this season and the 55 points scored was the most a Ute defense had given up since 1996!
Sean Canfield, Oregon St - Canfield hit 21 of 29 (72.4%) for 185 yards with four TD’s and 0 interceptions in the 48-21 win over Washington. The 4 TD’s were a season-high and Canfield is now completing 69.8% of his passes with 17-5 ratio on the season.
No Brainers:
Colt McCoy, Texas-McCoy hit 23 of 34 (67.6%) for 181 yards with two TD’s and 0 int in the 47-14 win over Baylor. The Longhorns focused on their running game (224 yards), and it was only the second time this season that they cracked the 200-yard mark. While my computer predicted more than 300 yards passing, McCoy with the win did tie former Georgia QB David Greene for the NCAA record of 42 career wins as a starter.
Joe Webb, UAB-Webb was 18 of 25 (72%) for 378 yards with 3 TD’s and 0 int in the 31-21 win over Memphis. Webb also rushed for 52 yards (2.5) and a touchdown. The 378 yards passing were easily a season-high for Webb.
My Running Back selections from last week:
roy helu, nebraska, darius ashley/vic anderson, louisville
leon wright-jackson/alex green, hawaii and john clay/montee ball, wisconsin
Roy Helu, Nebraska - Helu ran for 156 yards (5.6) with 3 TD’s in the Huskers’ 31-17 win over Kansas. Helu is finally healthy again had his second straight 100-yard game. The 156 yards were the second-most this season and the three TD’s tied a season-high. BIG WIN
Darius Ashley/Vic Anderson, Louisville-Ashley and Anderson combined for 39 yards rushing (2.3) in the 10-9 win over Syracuse. Anderson who had missed the last 2.5 games with a shoulder injury returned only to re-aggravate the injury. Ashley proved to be ineffective as Syracuse dominated the time of possession. Loss
Leon Wright-Jackson/Alex Green, Hawaii-A week after gaining 360 yards on the ground, Hawaii went back to focusing on its passing game in the 24-6 win over New Mexico St. Wright-Jackson/Anderson combined to run for 76 yards (4.5) with two touchdowns. The duo also added 45 yards receiving. Still this is Hawaii and the RB combo had 121 yds of offense and 2 TD’s, so I will count that as a WIN
John Clay/Montee Ball, Wisconsin-This duo combined for 213 yards rushing (5.1) with 1 TD in the 45-24 win over Michigan. Clay’s 151 yards (5.8) was impressive considering he was coming off a concussion he suffered against Indiana. The 213 combined yards was their second-best combined effort on the season. WIN
Top Honorable Mention performances:
Toby Gerhart, Stanford-Gerhart continued his fantastic season with 178 yards (6.1) and three TD’s in the 55-21 domination of USC. Gerhart was a big reason the Cardinal scored the most points ever on a USC team! Gerhart who now is in the running for the Heisman has 1,395 yards (5.3) and 19 TD’s on the season with two more games remaining!
Andre Anderson, Tulane-Anderson ran for 135 yards (5.2) but 0 TD’s 28-20 loss to Rice. Anderson’s numbers were far above his season average as he came in averaging 86.4 ypg and (4.5). The 135 yards were the most yards Anderson has had this season an FBS opponent.
No Brainer:
Donald Buckram, UTEP-Buckram ran for 241 yards (7.3) and a touchdown in the heartbreaking 35-31 loss to SMU. Buckram also added 66 yards receiving (13.2) and another touchdown. Buckram has rushed for 1,422 yards (6.6) and 14 TD’s this season. He also has 24 receptions (14.3) with 3 TD’s.
My Wide Receiver selections from last week:
Keith Smith, Purdue-Smith had 15 receptions for 152 yards (10.1) with 2 TD’s in the Boilermakers’ 40-37 loss to Michigan St. The receptions, yards, and TD’s were all season-highs for Smith who has now passed the 1,000 receiving yard mark on the season. WIN
AJ Green, Georgia-Green had just 3 receptions for 19 yards in the 31-24 win over Auburn. Green came in leading the SEC in receiving ypg (91.5) and receptions per game (5.5). Green suffered a shoulder injury early in the 2nd quarter and didn’t return to the game. Green sat out the previous week vs FCS Tennessee Tech with a bruised lung and now is expected to miss the Kentucky game this week. Loss
Jeremy Williams, Tulane-Williams had 10 receptions for 113 yards (11.3) and 2 TD’s in the 28-20 loss to Rice. The receptions and TD’s tied season-highs, as Williams now needs only 8 yards to pass the 1,000-yard mark on the season. WIN
James Cleveland, Houston-Cleveland had a solid 8 receptions for 88 yards (11.0) in the disappointing 37-32 loss to UCF. However, it was his teammate Tyron Carrier who stole the show with 9 receptions 149 yards (16.6) and two touchdowns. Loss
Top Honorable Mention performances:
TE Ed Dickson, Oregon-Dickson had 3 receptions for 24 yards and a touchdown in the Ducks’ 44-21 win over Arizona St. Dickson leads Oregon on this season with 37 receptions for 488 yards (13.2) with five touchdowns.
Shay Hodge, Mississippi-Hodge led the Rebels with 5 receptions for 77 yards (15.4) in their 42-17 win over Tennessee. Hodge and the other Mississippi receivers were limited because of the play of RB/WR Dexter McCluster who ran for 282 yards (11.3) and 4 touchdowns.
No Brainers:
Jordan Shipley, Texas-Shipley had 6 receptions for 46 yards (7.7) with two touchdowns in the Longhorns’ 47-14 win over Baylor. The two TD’s tied a season high as Shipley remains the front-runner for the Biletnikoff Award with 81 receptions, 1,096 yards (13.5) and 8 TD’s on the season.
My Defense selections from last week:
TCU vs Utah-The TCU defense held the Utes to just 284 yards in their dominating 55-28 win. The Utes were only able to run for 65 yards by far their lowest of the season as they were averaging 187 ypg coming in. The 28 points scored were a little deceiving as Utah scored a meaningless TD with less than 2 minutes remaining. WIN
Oregon vs Arizona St-The Ducks held the Sun Devils to just 211 yards in their 44-21 win. A week after giving up 505 yards to Stanford, the Oregon defense was resurrected and held the Devils to 140 yards below their season average. WIN
Ohio St vs Iowa-The Buckeye defense was a little disappointing despite the 27-24 win over Iowa to clinch their first Rose Bowl since the 1996 season. While 300 yards given up to a 9-1 team would be respectable for most teams, the Buckeyes were facing an inexperienced QB making his first career start on the road. Also Ohio State was giving up only 183 total ypg in their previous three weeks. Loss
Top Honorable Mention performances:
UCLA vs Washington St-The Bruin defense easily had their best game of the season in the 43-7 win over the Cougars. UCLA gave up a season-low 181 total yards and amazingly outgained Washington St by 375 yards! The Bruins also forced four Cougar turnovers. WIN
Boise St vs Idaho- An up and down game for the Bronco defense. On the plus side they won by 38 points and forced an amazing seven turnovers, six of them from Idaho quarterback Brian Reader who was starting his second consecutive game for Nathan Enderle. However, the Broncos gave up a season high 514 yards of offense and 305 yards passing.
Upset of the Week Last Week: UTEP over SMU
The Miners lost a heartbreaker 35-31 to the Mustangs despite outgaining them by 190 yards! (627-437) After trailing 21-7 in the first half, UTEP rallied to take 24-21 and 31-28 leads. The Mustangs got a TD pass with 4:34 left to lead 35-31. The Miners then drove down the field only to have the game end with a sack of UTEP QB Trevor Vittatoe at the SMU 21 yard line on fourth down in the final minute. Loss
Now for this week’s selections:
QUARTERBACKS:
My QB’s of the Week (4 selections): Colt McCoy, Texas, Jacory Harris, Miami FL, Colin Kaepernick, Nevada, and Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
Colt McCoy, Texas-McCoy hasn’t had a 300 yard passing game this year versus a Big 12 team, but this could be the week. McCoy is averaging 263 pass ypg (72%) with a 19-9 ratio which is good enough for #15 in the NCAA in pass efficiency, but hasn’t been as dominating as expected this year and is falling behind in the Heisman projections. This week Texas takes on a Kansas team that has lost 5 in a row, but is #36 in my pass defense rankings allowing 224 pass ypg (60%) with a 12-7 ratio. If McCoy has his first 300 yd passing game in Big 12 play vs the #36 pass D, that would be a surprise pick.
Jacory Harris, Miami FL-Harris has had some ups and downs this year and is coming off a poor outing vs North Carolina in which he threw for 319 yds but had 4 int. I’m calling for a turnaround this week versus a Duke team that is only allowing 187 pass ypg (55%) with an 11-7 ratio. Duke hasn’t faced many strong passing attacks this year with 2 FCS opponents and Army and Georgia Tech both being triple option teams. Duke allowed 338 yds to Kansas and 327 pass yds to Virginia Tech (which isn’t exactly a pass-first offense). Calling for a QB with a 1-4 ratio last week to have a strong week vs a team allowing only 187 pass ypg is a surprise pick.
Colin Kaepernick, Nevada - The Wolf Pack offense is on FIRE averaging 50 ppg and 513 yards per game in their 7 game win streak. In those games Kaepernick is putting up numbers that Tim Tebow would envy as he is accounting for 283 ypg with 25 total TD’s and just 1 interception. This week the Pack take on a New Mexico St defense which is #104 in the NCAA allowing 192 ypg (5.2). My computer projects the Pack to stay on track with 536 yds and 47 pts which means that Kaepernick should have a huge game vs an Aggies team who upset them last year with Kaepernick committing a game-changing 3Q fumble which was returned 83 yds for a TD.
Ryan Mallett, Arkansas-Mallet has been appearing on my list almost weekly and has improved greatly since the season began. With all of the great QB’s in the SEC, Mallett leads the conference by far averaging 288 pass ypg (60%) with a 23-4 ratio. Last week versus Troy he threw for 405 yds (77%) with a 5-1 ratio. This week he faces Mississippi St which is only allowing 203 pass ypg (56%), #52 in my pass defense rankings. The only pure passing QB (like Mallett) the Bulldogs have faced this year is Houston’s Case Keenum and he passed fro 434 yds and 4 TD’s.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Sean Canfield, Oregon St-When you think of the best QB’s in the Pac-10, I bet that Canfield’s name isn’t the first you think of, but he is leading the Pac-10 in passing ypg (257) and has completed 70% of his passes with a 17-5 ratio. He has four 300+ yd passing games this year including versus the defenses of Cal, USC and UCLA. This week the Beavers take on a struggling Washington St team that is allowing 283 pass ypg (67%) with an 18-8 ratio that ranks #110 in my pass defense rankings.
No Brainers:
Case Keenum, Houston - Keenum is coming off a down week by his standards (hit 33 of 56 for 377 yds with a 3-1 ratio) and with Houston’s loss to UCF, he likely fell out of the Heisman race. His numbers are still spectacular as he is # 1 in NCAA averaging 419 pass ypg (69.6%) which is 100 ypg more than the #2 guy with a 31-6 ratio. He has thrown for 500+ yds three times this season & has thrown 4 or more TD’s in 4 games. My projections have the Cougars scoring 51 pts & throwing for 493 yds vs a Memphis defense that is #100 in my pass defense efficiency rankings allowing 256 ypg (58%) with a 20-8 ratio. I think Houston can name the score here and coming off a tough loss, I wouldn’t be surprised if they keep the gas pedal to the floor.
RUNNING BACKS:
My RB’s of the Week (4 selections): DaJuane Collins, Toledo, Donald Buckram, UTEP, CJ Spiller, Clemson and Montario Hardesty, Tennessee
DaJuane Collins, Toledo-Collins is a player that no one has heard of who leads the Rockets in rushing with 773 (5.5) and 10 TD’s and has three 100+ yd rush games. Last year versus Eastern Michigan he rushed for 168 yds (8.8) and 2 TD’s. Eastern Michigan is allowing 280 rush ypg (6.4), so Toledo would be wise to ride Collins to a big win to keep in the hunt for bowl eligibility.
Donald Buckram, UTEP - The “Buck” definitely hasn’t been stopped over the last few weeks. Buckram has 2 straight 230+ yd performances, including last week when he rushed for 241 (7.3) vs an improved SMU defense. He also added 66 receiving yds & another TD. This week he faces a very young (1 senior in current 2-deep) Rice defense that is #103 allowing 192 rush ypg on the ground. UTEP HC Price said his team is focused on getting Buckram the NCAA rushing title (currently trails Fresno’s Mathews by 69 yds), so expect Buckram to tote the rock 30-35 times.
CJ Spiller, Clemson - Jack of all trades Spiller is one of the NCAA’s top all-around players averaging 195 yards per game. Despite being limited by injury all season he still is one of only 2 players in the NCAA to rush for over 100 yds vs TCU’s tough defense. This week on senior day he takes on a Virginia defense which is allowing 166 ypg rushing (4.0) with 4 teams piling up over 200 yds.
Montario Hardesty, Tennessee-With all of the drama from the last week at Tennessee, it’s easy to overlook this hard-working senior who finally has stayed healthy for a full season and now has 956 yds (5.0). He only has three 100+ yd rush games this year, but should get a 4th this week as Tennessee attempts to clinch bowl eligibility versus a banged up Vanderbilt team this week. Vanderbilt might be missing their #2 tackler Patrick Benoist (85 tkls, 5.5 tfl) for this one after he suffered a concussion last week. Vanderbilt is allowing 197.5 rush ypg (4.3) which is last in the SEC and Tennessee would be happy to control the clock with their ground game so Hardesty should have plenty of opportunities.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Roy Helu, Nebraska-Helu is #3 in the Big 12 in rushing with 962 yds (5.8) but has posted back-to-back 100+ yd rushing games the last 2 weeks since finally getting healthy. This week Nebraska takes on Kansas St in a must-win game to capture the Big 12 North Title and K-St is only allowing 106 rush ypg (3.7), but allowed 207 yds (5.0) ot Iowa St and 185 yds (7.2) to Texas Tech! My computer predicts that Nebraska will rush for 167 yds versus K-St and Helu will get the bulk of the carries.
Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon St - After a spectacular freshman season Rodgers has quietly compiled another 1,000 yard campaign, but is only the second leading rusher in the state behind Oregon’s LaMichael James. My computer projects the Beavers to rush for 226 yds vs an overmatched Washington St defense which is allowing a Pac-10 worst 229 ypg (5.8).
WIDE RECEIVERS:
MY WR’s of the WEEK (3 selections): Michael Floyd/Golden Tate, Notre Dame, Austin Pettis, Boise St, and Danario Alexander, Missouri
Michael Floyd/Golden Tate, Notre Dame-Since Floyd’s return from injury both Irish receivers have had 100 yd games two weeks in a row. Connecticut has basically played 3 quality pass attacks this season (Pitt, Rutgers and Cincinnati) allowing 4 WR’s to have 100 yd games in those matchups including both of Cincinnati’s WR’s in their loss 2 weeks ago. The tragic death of Jasper Howard left the Huskies very thin at CB spot with the 2 players starting at the spot being rFr while the other corner spot is manned by senior Robert McClain who is 5’9” 180 who gives up 6” and 50 lbs to Floyd and can’t match Tate’s 4.4 speed.
Austin Pettis, Boise St-Week in and week out Boise has been dominating their opponents and a lot of the credit goes to QB Kellen Moore who now leads the NCAA in passing efficiency. I would like to feature another important member of the team this week who is perhaps overlooked and certainly not a national name like Moore. Pettis leads the team with 58 receptions for 781 yds (13.5) with 14 TD’s this year and has four 100+ yd receiving games. He’s been called one of the best WR’s Boise history. This week Boise travels to Utah St which is allowing 235 pass ypg with a 22-11 ratio (#51 in my pass D rankings). Outside of Idaho, no one has heard of Pettis.
Danario Alexander, Missouri-Alexander is a player with big-time stats (81 receptions for 1,238 yds and 11 TD’s) who isn’t getting all the press that guys like Texas’ Shipley and Notre Dame’s Tate are receiving and his stats are better than both of those guys. Alexander has eight 100+ yd receiving games this year including back-to-back 200 yd gms the last 2 weeks! This week Missouri takes on Iowa St and my computer predicts that the Tigers will throw for 328 yds and Alexander could have another 200+ yd game.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Joe Adams, Arkansas-This is definitely going out on a limb because Arkansas has so many playmakers at WR plus TE DJ Williams is one of the best receiving TE’s in the nation. I picked Adams because he has made a remarkable comeback after suffering a mild stroke midseason which caused him to miss 3 games. Despite that, he is still #3 on the team in receiving yds with 501 and averages 20.0 per catch with 5 TD’s. Since returning from his stroke, he has 9 receptions for 185 yds (20.6) and 3 TD’s in 3 games and is one of the most reliable WR’s in Arkansas’ talented corps.
Jordan Shipley, Texas-Shipley is one of the leading contenders for the Biletnikoff Award and is #6 in the NCAA in receiving ypg (109.6) with 81 receptions for 1,096 yds (13.5). Shipley has five 100+ yd receiving games this year and my computer predicts that Texas will pass for 265 yds this week vs Kansas despite KU having the #36 pass defense in my rankings.
DEFENSES:
MY DEFENSES of the WEEK (5 selections): USF, Oregon St, UCLA, Clemson, and Florida St
USF vs Louisville-The disappointing Bulls are just 2-3 in the Big East standings but don’t blame the defense which ranks in the NCAA’s top 30 in 3 different categories including ppg (19). USF returns home after being embarrassed on national TV vs Rutgers and the defense will want to atone for that performance vs an impotent Louisville offense which totalled a miniscule 11 first downs and 151 yds of total offense in their 10-9 win over Syracuse.
Oregon State vs Washington St-Oregon St’s defense is in the lower half of the Pac-10 in scoring defense (#7) allowing 23.4 ppg and #6 in total defense allowing 355 ypg. My computer predicts they will hold Washington St well below those averages with just 12 points and 259 total yds. Though Washington St’s offense hasn’t been very productive, 12 points and 259 yds is a good day versus any Pac-10 team.
UCLA vs Arizona St-On the national scene, UCLA’s defense is good, but not great as the Bruins rank #35 in the NCAA in scoring defense allowing 21.4 ppg (just below Kent St!). The Bruins rank #37 in total defense allowing 341 ypg. My computer predicts that UCLA will hold Arizona St to just 13 points and 248 total yds this week which would be the 2nd lowest total they have allowed in Pac-10 play this year (allowed 7 pts and 181 total yds last week to WSU). This is a must-win game for UCLA to clinch bowl eligibility with a trip to rival USC on deck.
Clemson vs Virginia-Clemson’s defense has produced one of the most dominating games of the year when they held Boston College to just 54 total yards and 7 pts (4 first downs) back in September. This week Clemson can clinch a spot in the ACC Championship game with a win over Virginia. My computer predicts that Clemson will hold UVA to 8 points and 160 total yards which are both well-below Clemson’s season averages of 18 ppg and 299 ypg allowed.
Florida St vs Maryland-Florida St’s defense is allowing 436.8 ypg which is last in the ACC and #109 in the NCAA, so why would I pick them?? FSU is allowing 193 rush ypg (5.2) also last in the ACC. However, this week they take on a struggling Maryland team that has been banged up on offense. This is longtime DC Mickey Andrews’ last home game, and I think the team will send him out with a big defensive showing reminiscent of the glory years of tough, stingy Seminole defenses that Andrews has produced in the past. My computer predicts that FSU will hold Maryland to 323 total yds and 24 points which are both below their season averages, and I think FSU’s defense will surprise some folks this week.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Nebraska vs Kansas St-These 2 teams are battling for the Big 12 North Title and my computer predicts that Nebraska will hold K-St to just 8 points and 223 total yds which is 17 pts and 131 yards below K-St’s season averages. The Blackshirt defense is #1 in the Big 12 in scoring defense allowing just 11 ppg and 280 ypg (#3 in the Big 12).
Texas vs Kansas-Texas has overtaken Florida this week to be #1 in the NCAA in total defense allowing 232.3 ypg and the Longhorns allow just 12.6 ppg (#7 NCAA). This week they take on a Kansas team that averages 29 ppg and 422 total ypg. My computer predicts that Texas will hold them to less than half of their season averages with 11 points and 200 total yards including 5 rush yds! If Texas shuts down such a productive offense, that will qualify as a surprise pick.
Mississippi vs LSU-Last year Ole Miss dominated holding #18 LSU to 13 points and 215 total yards. This year LSU’s offense has struggled and last week starting QB Jefferson and starting RB Scott were both out and the Tigers were held to 246 total yards by Louisiana Tech. RB Scott is out this week, but Jefferson returned to practice and is expected to play but might not be 100% with an ankle injury. My computer predicts that Ole Miss will hold LSU to 15 pts and 256 total yards which are both well below their season averages.
No Brainers:
TCU vs Wyoming - DE Jerry Hughes (10.5 sks) and company take on a true freshman QB and could try to make a statement vs an offense which totalled 273 yards vs Texas early this year.
Florida vs Florida International-Florida’s #2 in the NCAA in total defense and takes on FIU which is #101 in the NCAA in total offense. FIU had 214 total yds in their opener at Alabama including only 1 net rush yd. My computer predicts Florida will hold FIU to 105 yds and zero points.
UPSET OF THE WEEK: San Jose St over Hawaii
Keep in mind I have some big upsets picked in my Top 25 forecasts so I will try to stay away from those and pick a different one. I have a huge amount of respect for Dick Tomey at San Jose St and he has announced that he is retiring at the end of the year. I feel the Spartans will rally around this and give a big effort and Hawaii’s QB is not 100% and they are traveling to the mainland and are ripe for the small upset.
A special thanks to our friends at CFFinsider.com for providing us with their Week 12 Rankings
A special thanks to our friends at CollegeFootballGeek.com for providing us with their Waiver Wire Report for Week 12.
WAIVER WIRE REPORT – WEEK 12
Need to bolster your roster? Here is a look at the top college fantasy football prospects who may be available on the waiver wire.
QUARTERBACKS
Jeff VanCamp, Florida Atlantic
JVC has logged 7 total TDs and 500 passing yards over the past two weeks. Troy is up next, but week 13 is a juicy match up with WKU.
Andy Dalton, TCU
Like his “real life” team, Dalton hasn’t gotten much love in fantasy circles this year. Maybe he deserves some love with Wyoming next on the docket.
Sean Canfield, Oregon State
Because he’s up against Wazzu this week.
Zac Dysert, Miami(OH)
Dysert has logged 25, 35, 30, and 22 points over the past month. He has one game left versus Buffalo in week 12.
Steven Sheffield, Texas Tech
The Red Raider QB position has been a mess this season. However, Sheffield might be worth grabbing for his week 13 match up against Baylor. At the very least, consider adding Sticks as a defensive move.
RUNNING BACKS
Shane Vereen, Cal
Vereen makes our list for the second week in a row. He produced in Best’s absence last week, and he’s worth adding if you need RB help.
Cody Johnson, Texas
Had a 19-109-2 statline on Saturday. 6 TDs in his last 3 games. Kansas and Texas A&M are up next.
Jermaine Thomas, Florida State
Our “sneaky play” last week, Thomas came through with a 25-149-1 performance. In his last 3 games, he’s totaled 71 carries for 450+ yards and 4 TD’s. And woeful Maryland is up next.
Alfred Morris, Florida Atlantic
Pick up Morris if you need help in week 13 when the big FAU back faces Western Kentucky.
Shawnbrey McNeal, SMU
The dude has been on our waiver wire many times this season. He ran all over UTEP for 169 yards and a score. Marshall and Tulane are left on the docket.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Toren Dixon, Rice
Dixon was a preseason sleeper pick who has been a huge bust until recent weeks. He exploded for 7-153-3 this week, and has 8, 6, 7, and 7 catches over the past four games.
Armon Binns, Cincinnati
Binns continues to produce at a high level, much to the chagrin of Gilyard owners. He has a bye this week, but should be a solid start against the Illini in week 13.
Jeff Moturi, UTEP
Moturi has been a disappointment this year, but has shown some signs of life lately. He sandwiched a bad 3-27-0 outing with 7-161-0 and 5-153-1, making him a classic hit or miss prospect. Hopefully he is a “hit” against a bad Rice squad this week.
Frantrell Forrest, UAB
After being hampered by injury during the middle of the season, Forrest has exploded the past two weeks, catching 10 balls for 198 yards and 4 TDs.
Jermaine Kearse, Washington
Kearse has logged 12-184-4 over the past two games. He has a bye this week before facing Wazzu in week 13.
TIGHT ENDS
Joe Halahuni, Oregon State
Halahuni was on our waiver list last week and he came through with a 2 TD performance. Wazzu is up next.
Jack Doyle, WKU
If you’re looking ahead to week 13, Doyle is a possibility. He’s registered 11, 8 and 8 fantasy points (PPR) over the past 3 weeks.
DEFENSES
Oregon State Beavers
It’s Wazzu!
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Those of you who took our advice to platoon Rutgers this year have been richly rewarded. They pitched a shutout last week and rolled up 7 sacks and 4 turnovers. They have Syracuse and Louisville up next.
A special thanks to our friends at CollegeFootballGeek.com for providing us for their Sneaky Plays for Week 13.
SNEAKY PLAYS – WEEK 12
Do you need roster help this weekend, but missed out on the hot waiver wire pick ups? Here are some sneaky, under-the-radar players who have favorable matchups this week.
Quarterbacks
Tyrod Taylor QB Virginia Tech vs. NC State:
Fresh off a 340 total yards and 3 score effort, Taylor will look to continue his hot streak against lowly NC State. This Hokie is a threat to run every time he takes the snap and has actually developed into a decent passer this season. The Wolf Pack will have no answer for Tyrod and all that he brings to the table. He is an excellent spot starter this week and may just lead your team to a victory.
EJ Manuel QB Florida State vs. Maryland:
This stud redshirt freshman took the reigns last week against Wake Forest and showed why he was so highly touted coming out of high school. He can run well and also possesses a very strong arm. With the 99th ranked Terrapins pass defense up next, Manuel should have a big game.
Jacory Harris QB Miami vs. Duke:
This talented sophomore had a horrible game last week against a touch North Carolina defense. He should rebound nicely this week as Duke comes to town. The Hurricanes should be able to move the ball all day long and Harris will lead the charge.
Running Backs
Adam Robinson RB Iowa vs. Minnesota:
Originally thought to be out for the rest of the season, Robinson shocked many by returning last week and logging an impressive 20 carries. This week he takes aim at the 74th ranked run defense of the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Daniel Herron RB Ohio State vs. Michigan:
This sophomore totted the ball an outstanding 32 times last week against Iowa and should see another heavy workload this week against Michigan. While this is a huge rivalry game, the Buckeyes should find it pretty easy sledding against a putrid
Trent Richardson RB Alabama vs. Chattanooga:
This super talented freshman should see plenty of action this week as Bama faces a severely out matched Mocs team. With the starters being pulled early in this contest, Richardson should see a steady dose of carries in a mop up role.
Wide Receiver
Mohamed Sanu WR Rutgers vs. Syracuse:
The Scarlet Knights have found a gem in Sanu and are finding many different ways to use their new toy. Last week against South Florida, Sanu was used as a receiver and also in the backfield running the wildcat formation. With him getting so many touches he is a good bet to put up nice numbers against a poor Syracuse pass defense that ranks 103rd in the country.
Marcus Easley WR UCONN vs. Notre Dame:
This Husky has scored in five straight games and should continue that streak this week against Notre Dame. The Golden Domers rank 85th in the country against the pass and the Huskies will have to throw often to keep pace with a high-powered ND offense.
Week 12 Sneaky Defenses:
Oregon State vs. Washington State
Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt
More…
For more college fantasy football information, visit CollegeFootballGeek.com:
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- Injury Reports
- Player Stock Reports
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- Sneaky Plays of the Week
- Waiver Wire Report