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Daily Blog • Thursday, October 8th
Phil’s Week 6 College Fantasy Picks
It has been a good year for these players of the week with just one 2-3 week in the bunch and the rest all winning weeks including 7-2-1 the last 2 weeks. This week there are a LOT of great choices and it was tough to leave some of these off the table as just honorable mention selections! Don’t just stop at the player of the week but check out all of the honorable mentions as well! Keep in mind these are NOT the obvious picks. I do not take the nation’s leading passer facing a weak secondary and pick him as my QB of the Week. These are mostly SURPRISE projections and I tell you why.
Here are my picks for top QB (with reasoning), RB, WR and Defenses of the Week plus an Upset Special. I also give you reasoning on several Others to Watch. Keep in mind these are NOT the obvious picks. I do not take the nation’s leading passer facing a weak secondary and pick him as my QB of the Week. These are mostly SURPRISE projections and I tell you why.
First a recap of last week’s selections and I grade them win, loss or push.
QUARTERBACKS:
MY PICK: Omar Clayton, UNLV and Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
Clayton (shoulder/knee) did not play in last week’s 63-28 loss to Nevada.
Mallett hit 17 of 27 (63%) for 271 yards with a FOUR TOUCHDOWNS in the 47-19 win over A&M – WIN!
Top Honorable Mention performances:
Aaron Opelt, Toledo – Opelt hit 30 of 38 (79%) for 422 yds with FIVE TD’s in the 7 point win over Ball St.
Joe Cox, Georgia – Cox threw for 229 yards with 2 TD’s in the 20-13 loss to LSU.
Tony Pike, Cincinnati – Pike threw for 270 yards with a 2-1 ratio in a 37-13 win over Miami, OH.
RUNNING BACKS:
MY PICK: CJ Spiller, Clemson
Spiller ran for 72 yards (4.0) in the 24-21 loss to Maryland. He also had a 93 yard dazzling kick return for a TD and 7 yards receiving. PUSH
Top Honorable Mentions:
Darius Marshall, Marshall – Marshall ran for 141 yards (5.0) with 2 TD’s in a 21-17 loss to East Carolina.
Daniel Thomas, Kansas St-Thomas ran for 96 yards (3.8) in a 24-23 win over Iowa St.
LaMichael James, Oregon – James ran for 81 yards (6.2) with 2 TD’s in a 52-6 walloping of Washington St.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
MY PICK:AJ Green, Georgia
Green grabbed 5 receptions (19.8) with 1 TD which was a GREAT leaping catch over the defender in the endzone in a 7 point loss to LSU. WIN!
Top Honorable Mentions:
Stephen Williams, Toledo-Williams had 10 rec (23.1) with 2 TD’s in a 37-30 win over Ball St.
Kendall Wright, Baylor- Wright had 9 rec (13.9) but 0 TD in a 31-15 win over Kent St.
DEFENSES:
MY PICK: Ohio State
Ohio St held Indiana to 228 total yards including just 18 yards rushing (0.7) which was their best rush D performance of the season. Indiana came in averaging 398 yards per game and it would have been less than half their average but at the end of the game Ohio St fumbled at their own 40 and Indiana drove 40 yds for a garbage TD on the final play of the game vs the Buckeye backups. WIN!
Top Honorable Mentions:
San Diego St- The Aztecs held New Mexico St to 234 total yards including 88 yards rush (1.9) in their best defensive showing of the season so far. Be honest did you think San Diego St would hold ANY team this year to 234 TOTAL yards in a game?
UPSET OF THE WEEK
MARSHALL OVER EAST CAROLINA – Despite a 306-286 yardage edge and an 18-17 FD edge, the Herd could not pull their 3rd upset in a row. Loss
A solid 3-1-1 record for last week and my surprise picks are 7-2-1 over the last two weeks!
Here are my picks for week 6:
QUARTERBACKS (TWO PICKS THIS WEEK)
MY PICK: Bo Levi Mitchell
Mitchell threw for 240 yds vs a tough TCU defense last week on the road! Mitchell is averaging 305 pass ypg (58%) with an 8-10 ratio. This week he goes against East Carolina which has faced just ONE QB that is in the top 60 in pass efficiency (WV’s Brown #20). One of the QB’s EC has faced was starting his first career game (Appalachian St’s Presley) while UCF’s QB Hodges was making his first career road start (2nd start overall). East Carolina is allowing just 321 ypg TOTAL offense and 196 ypg passing in two CUSA games so far this year. My computer predicts that Mitchell will throw for 343 yds vs the Pirates.
Honorable Mentions:
Aaron Opelt, Toledo - Opelt is #4 in the NCAA in total offense leading the NCAA’s #9 offense and the surprise is that no one outside of the MAC has heard of him. He has 2 big time targets in WR Williams (34, 16.5) and frosh Page (37, 15.8) who both rank in the NCAA’s top 10 in receiving yards per game. The offense must be confident after last week’s win over Ball St in which Opelt hit Williams with a 51 yd TD bomb with :27 left to beat the Cardinals 37-31. The Rockets return to the Glass Bowl for the first time since Sept 11th when they had 624 yds and 54 pts vs Colorado and now take on a Western Michigan defense which is allowing 390 ypg.
Colt McCoy, Texas – After a “quiet” start to the season (286 ypg, 71%, 9-5 ratio), McCoy can make some serious noise in the Heisman race the next 4 weeks by establishing himself solidly as the Big 12’s best QB. First up is a Colorado defense which has been shredded on their 2 previous road contests for 515 ypg and 44.5 ppg. In those contests (Toledo and West Virginia) the opposing QB averaged 234 ypg (64%) with a 6-0 ratio. What better way to tune up for next week’s big showdown with Oklahoma?
Ryan Mallett, Arkansas – Mallett had a nice comeback last week throwing for 271 yds with a 4-1 ratio vs Texas A&M one week after a hideous 12 of 35 for 160 yd performance vs Alabama. Mallett is averaging 287 pass ypg (55%) with an 11-2 ratio on the year. This week Arkansas takes on rival Auburn that hasn’t faced a strong passing QB yet. Auburn is only allowing 191 pass ypg (54%) with a 6-8 ratio and is ranked #24 in the NCAA in pass efficiency defense which makes this an upset pick. My computer predicts that Mallett will throw for 320 yds vs Auburn this week and this should be a shootout.
Steven Sheffield, Texas Tech – No one will be picking Sheffield as their QB to watch this week, but I think he will have a big game. After starting QB Potts was injured last week, Sheffield came in and hit 20 of 29 (69%) for 290 yds with a 4-1 ratio vs New Mexico despite the fact that it was the first time he had thrown a pass in a collegiate game. This is the first time in the Mike Leach era at Texas Tech that a backup QB has started! Texas Tech faces Kansas St this week and the Wildcats are only allowing 152 pass ypg (49%) with a 6-5 ratio which ranks #22 in the NCAA pass efficiency defense rankings, but K-St hasn’t faced a passing offense at all this year and certainly not one of Texas Tech’s caliber.
Christian Ponder, Florida St – Ponder has had a solid season averaging 271 ypg (66%) with a 4-1 ratio despite the team’s other troubles. FSU comes into this week’s Georgia Tech game off a loss to BC (2nd ACC loss and 3rd loss overall) with fans screaming for Bowden to step down. Georgia Tech comes into Tallahassee with a 4-1 record and is allowing 228 pass ypg (59%) with a 10-6 ratio which ranks #88 in the NCAA’s pass defense rankings. GT allowed 261 yds and 3 TD to Clemson’s Parker and 270 yds and 3 TD to Miami FL’s Harris and even 278 yds and a TD to Miss St’s QB Lee last week. My computer predicts that Ponder will throw for 290 yds this week. FSU is playing at home with their backs-against-the wall and that is when they excel and Ponder will lead the way.
RUNNING BACKS: (2 Top Picks This Week)
MY PICKS:
Ryan Mathews, Fresno St
This one is pretty academic. Matthews is the nation’s 2nd leading rusher averaging 148 ypg (6.8) and takes on a Warrior defense which was just pounded for 352 yds (6.2!) on the ground vs Louisiana Tech last week vs the first true power football team they’ve faced this year. Fresno HC Hill has said he wants to make Matthews his workhorse TB so expect him to saddle up once again on the islands. 200 plus yards from Matthews is a strong possibility.
Anthony Dixon, Mississippi St
Dixon is coming off a 106 yd rush performance vs Georgia Tech last week, but lost 2 fumbles in the span of 6 carries. The first fumble was returned 40 yds for a TD by GT and the 2nd fumble was at the GT 3 yd line meaning a 14 point difference in the gm (11 pt loss). Dixon had 329 consecutive touches including 301 consecutive carries without losing a fumble prior to last week, so that was an aberration. Dixon needs only 181 yds to become MSU’s all-time leading rusher and my computer predicts that MSU will rush for 269 this week vs Houston with the bulk of the carries going to Dixon. Houston is allowing 205 rush ypg (5.3).
Honorable Mentions:
Robert Turbin, Utah St - Here’s a guy with very little press but Turbin is averaging 105 rush ypg (7.0) and has three 100+ yd rush games this year including 148 yds vs Utah and 121 yds vs Texas A&M. He was held to 47 rush yds last week by BYU, but this week takes a big step down in level of competition facing New Mexico St at home. NMSt has allowed 146 rush ypg (4.8) and my computer predicts that Utah St will rush for 228 yds this week.
Toby Gerhart, Stanford – Gerhart is productive week-in and week-out and is averaging 130 rush ypg (5.4) which is #4 in the NCAA. Oregon St is only allowing 87 rush ypg (3.2) but my computer predicts that the Cardinal will double that with 175 rush yds.
Darius Marshall, Marshall – I want to mention this guy every week until he has a bad week because he is someone who doesn’t get a lot of press but is currently leading the NCAA in rushing with 160 ypg (7.0). He has four 100+ yd rushing games in a row (always on this list) and faces Tulane this week. My computer predicts The Herd will rush for 234 yds this week and Darius Marshall has 74% of the team’s carries despite only playing in 4 of the team’s 5 games.
WIDE RECEIVERS
MY PICK: Moe Brown, South Carolina
Brown fumbled on the 2nd play last week and later dropped a pass that would have kept a drive alive in the 1H vs South Carolina St but had 4 receptions in the 3Q including a 40 yd TD rec and a 9 yd TD rec and finished with 6 rec for 100 yds with 2 TD last week. Brown has just 18 rec for 283 yds (15.7) with 2 TD on the year. This week they take on Kentucky which boasts one of the best CB’s in the country, Trevard Lindley. However, Lindley left last week’s game with an ankle injury and UK HC Brooks said he won’t play vs South Carolina and another top CB Paul Warford was out with a bruised thigh last week and is questionable to play this week. Kentucky has a solid pass D allowing just 169 yards per game and 49% completions. With UK future NFL CB Lindley, Brown should keep his momentum going this week.
Honorable Mentions:
Dezmon Briscoe/Kerry Meier, Kansas-The Hawks are fresh off a bye and take on a tired Cyclones team which is on their 3rd road game in 4 weeks and hasn’t won a Big 12 road game since 2005 (13 straight). Briscoe (18, 18.4) leads the league in receiving yds per game while Meier (27, 12.4) is #4 in receptions per game. ISU has yet to face a true passing offense but is #11 in the league in pass efficiency defense allowing 201 ypg (57%) with a 10-6 ratio.
T.Y. Hilton, FIU – Hilton is one of the top all-purpose players in the nation with 4.2 speed, but he doesn’t get a lot of press since he plays in the Sun Belt conference. He is #6 in the NCAA in receptions per game (8.5) with 34 rec (10.7) with 4 TD plus leads the team in PR’s (12.0) and KR’s (34.0) with a TD. Hilton averages 182.3 all-purpose yards per game which is #6 in the NCAA. Hilton had 11 rec for 117 yds with a TD in FIU’s only Sun Belt game this year (last week’s 48-35 loss to ULM). This week FIU faces new Sun Belt member Western Kentucky in a must-win situation. Both teams are 0-4, but FIU has had some close losses while WKU has been mostly blown out. WKU is #46 in the NCAA in pass defense only allowing 199.8 pass ypg, but they have allowed 75% completions with a 10-4 ratio taking on a very weak slate of opposing QB’s including FCS member Central Arkansas and Navy’s triple option offense. Hilton should be all over the field in this one!
Chris McGaha, Arizona St – McGaha set career highs with 15 receptions for 165 yds in ASU’s loss to Oregon St last week. McGaha leads the team with 25 rec (10.5). ASU takes on Washington St this week and they rank #108 in our pass defense rankings allowing 310 pass ypg (67%).
Max Komar, Idaho – Komar is the Vandals’ top receiving threat with 25 rec for 408 yds (16.3) and averages 82 rec ypg. Komar had 12 rec for 152 yds and a TD vs Colorado St last week. Idaho is surprisingly 4-1 with 2 wins over Mountain West teams and takes on San Jose St this week. SJSt ranks #105 in my pass defense rankings allowing 208 pass ypg (60%) with a 4-2 ratio.
DEFENSES
MY PICK: TCU vs Air Force
The Horned Frogs are #1 in the NCAA in rushing defense allowing just 47 ypg (1.76 ypc) and know how to shut down the option as they have limited the Falcon rush attack to 146 yds below their season average the last 3 years as their 4-2-5 defense matches up well with option attacks. Last year I used TCU as my defense of the week and they held Air Force to 161 yds with 111 coming on 2 carries and TCU won 44-10. The Falcons are also off an emotionally draining OT loss on the road to their rival Navy and haven’t scored an offensive TD since the 3Q of its Sept 19th game vs New Mexico (141:15 of football). In fact, the Air Force offense has been grounded the last 2 weeks with just 294 total yds vs San Diego St and 240 yds vs Navy. My computer predicts that Air Force will have 279 total yds this week, but that doesn’t take into account TCU’s solid matchup edge.
Honorable Mentions:
Oklahoma vs Baylor – The disappointed Sooners are off their 2nd one point loss of the season and now face the Bears who were forced to go with their 3rd string QB and 2nd string RB in last week’s win over Kent St. After losing their first game of the season in Texas Stadium, the Sooners bounced back to post back-to-back shut outs in Norman where they are allowing 157 ypg this year. OU will have to refocus their goals on another Big 12 title and the defense will lead the way. My computer calls for 207 yards for Baylor this week.
Virginia vs Indiana – UVA is just 1-3 and though they are off a big upset of North Carolina, Head Coach Al Groh is still on the hot seat. Last year UVA started out 1-3 and then went undefeated in October to save Groh’s job. This week they take on a 3-2 Indiana team that is averaging 364 ypg and 25.4 ppg. Despite their 1-3 record UVA has held opponents to an average of 302 ypg and held North Carolina to just 174 total yds last week on the road! Picking a 1-3 team’s defense against a 3-2 team that is avg 364 ypg is a surprise pick!
Ohio St vs Wisconsin-The Bucks have allowed 32 pts in their last 4 games with the first team defense basically allowing just 2 legitimate TD drives in that span (USC’s first TD came on a 2 yd ‘drive’ after an interception return while Indy scored a TD on the last play of the game vs OSU’s backups). Wisconsin is the only BCS team in the country that is undefeated yet remains unranked but the Bucks will be ready and welcome back All-Big Ten SS Coleman. UW’s Clay is the conference’s top rusher but OSU is #10 NCAA allowing just 83 ypg (2.7) and the strong Buckeyes’ front four should put pressure on inexperienced QB Tolzien who has yet to face a defense of this caliber.
UCLA vs Oregon – UCLA is #20 in the NCAA in total defense allowing 281 ypg but this week takes on Oregon which racked up 514 yds vs Washington St last week. The Ducks are off games in which they have rolled up 524 and 514 yards offense in back to back weeks! My computer predicts that UCLA will hold the Ducks to just 298 total yds this week and Oregon has yet to prove it can move the ball on the road.
Virginia Tech vs Boston College-BC has had 398 and 399 total yds in the last 2 games at home but now must travel to Virginia Tech. BC’s only road game this year was a 25-7 loss at Clemson in which the Eagles were held to just 54 total yds! VT is allowing 340 total ypg but if you take out the Alabama game, the Hokies have allowed just 300 ypg and allowed just 209 total yds in their only ACC home game vs Miami.
UPSET OF THE WEEK
MY PICK: UCLA over Oregon
I used Marshall in each of the last 3 weeks and for most of last week’s game I thought they were going to pull out their 3rd straight outright upset but they came up short. This week we have an unranked UCLA at home off a 24-16 loss at Stanford. We also have an Oregon team that is now #13 in the AP poll and has just rolled their last two opponents by a combined 94-9 margin including a Cal team that was in the Top 10. Oregon finished #10 in the country last year and UCLA was 4-8. Despite those facts, I believe UCLA is the stronger team and they play their best ball at home as they are 40-18 at home this decade and just 21-29 on the road. They did beat SEC member Tennessee in Knoxville this year. Oregon has one of the best homefield edges in football at Autzen stadium and the crowd helped propel them to the “perfect storm” game vs Cal where they dominated a superior opponent. They now travel for the first time in over a month and in their only road game this year they did not get a FD until 7:20 was left in the 3Q vs Boise St. QB Masoli is also not 100% for the Ducks and UCLA pulls the upset.
A special thanks to our friends at CFFinsider.com for providing us with their Week 6 Fantasy Rankings
Last week G.J. Kinne of Tulsa became our first top rated quarterback to let us down. Two touchdowns is just not going to cut it when compared to performances churned out by the others we've had in the top slot this year. This week we look to redeem ourselves with Toledo's Aaron Opelt. The Glass Bowl should be rocking with Opelt and Western Michigan's Tim Hiller airing it out in a MAC affair. There was a fight for the number one tailback spot this week between Marshall's Darius Marshall and Fresno State's Ryan Mathews. Fantasy owners should be happy going into the week with either in their starting lineup. You'll also notice some surprising running backs in the top 20 this week: DeMaundray Woolridge, Ike Nduka, Seth Smith, Bernard Pierce and others. Toledo wide receiver Stephen Williams hooks up with Opelt to take down the top wide receiver spot. A number of familiar names head up our tight end list in Dennis Pitta, Cody Slate, George Bryan and Ed Dickson. Looking for a defense? Look no further than the team lucky enough to play Washington State each week.
| Top 30 QBs | Top 30 RBs | Top 30 WRs |
| 1) Aaron Opelt, TOL vs WMCH | 1) Ryan Mathews, FRST @ HAW | 1) Stephen Williams, TOL vs WMCH |
| 2) Colin Kaepernick, NEV vs LATC | 2) Darius Marshall, MRSH @ TUL | 2) Eric Decker, MINN vs PUR |
| 3) Dan LeFevour, CMCH vs EMCH | 3) Joe Martinek, RUT vs TXSO | 3) Antonio Brown, CMCH vs EMCH |
| 4) Jerrod Johnson, TXAM vs OKST | 4) Dimitri Nance, AZST @ WAST | 4) Dezmon Briscoe, KAN vs IWST |
| 5) Russell Wilson, NCST vs DUKE | 5) Andre Anderson, TUL vs MRSH | 5) Jeremy Williams, TUL vs MRSH |
| 6) Case Keenum, HOU @ MSU | 6) Harvey Unga, BYU @ UNLV | 6) Mike Williams, SYR vs WVU |
| 7) Ricky Dobbs, NAVY @ RICE | 7) Daniel Porter, LATC @ NEV | 7) Naaman Roosevelt, BUFF vs GAWB |
| 8) Colt McCoy, TEX vs COL | 8) Anthony Dixon, MSU vs HOU | 8) Duke Calhoun, MEM vs UTEP |
| 9) Steven Sheffield, TXTC vs KNST | 9) Jacquizz Rodgers, ORST vs STAN | 9) Emmanuel Sanders, SMU vs ECU |
| 10) Todd Reesing, KAN vs IWST | 10) DeMaundray Woolridge, IDAH @ SJST | 10) Eric Page, TOL vs WMCH |
| 11) Max Hall, BYU @ UNLV | 11) Montario Hardesty, TENN vs GA | 11) Chris McGaha, AZST @ WAST |
| 12) Jacory Harris, MIA vs FLAM | 12) Ike Nduka, BUFF vs GAWB | 12) James Rodgers, ORST vs STAN |
| 13) Tim Hiller, WMCH @ TOL | 13) Keith Toston, OKST @ TXAM | 13) Freddie Barnes, BGSU @ KENT |
| 14) Tyler Sheehan, BGSU @ KENT | 14) Evan Royster, PSU vs EILL | 14) Demaryius Thomas, GTCH @ FSU |
| 15) Terrelle Pryor, OSU vs WIS | 15) Donald Buckram, UTEP @ MEM | 15) T.Y. Hilton, FIU @ WKTY |
| 16) Daryll Clark, PSU vs EILL | 16) Toney Baker, NCST vs DUKE | 16) Dwayne Harris, ECU @ SMU |
| 17) Mike Kafka, NWU vs MIOH | 17) Undrea Sails, LALF vs NOTX | 17) Jordan Shipley, TEX vs COL |
| 18) Zac Robinson, OKST @ TXAM | 18) Seth Smith, NMSU vs UTST | 18) Jordan White, WMCH @ TOL |
| 19) Riley Skinner, WFST vs MYLD | 19) Bernard Pierce, TEMP vs BLST | 19) Kerry Meier, KAN vs IWST |
| 20) Bo Levi Mitchell, SMU vs ECU | 20) DeMarco Murray, OKLA vs BAY | 20) Ryan Whalen, STAN @ ORST |
| 21) Theo Scott, OHIO @ AKRN | 21) Brandon West, WMCH @ TOL | 21) Marshall Williams, WFST vs MYLD |
| 22) Nick Foles, ARZ @ WASH | 22) Damion Fletcher, SMISS @ LOU | 22) Marvin McNutt, IOWA vs MICH |
| 23) Zach Maynard, BUFF vs GAWB | 23) Jake Sharp, KAN vs IWST | 23) David Reed, UTAH @ COST |
| 24) Danny Sullivan, AZST @ WAST | 24) Ralph Bolden, PUR @ MINN | 24) Torrey Smith, MYLD @ WFST |
| 25) Ryan Mallett, ARK vs AUB | 25) Warren Norman, VNDY @ ARMY | 25) Phillip Payne, UNLV vs BYU |
| 26) Terrance Cain, UTAH @ COST | 26) Luke Lippincott, NEV vs LATC | 26) Greg Salas, HAW vs FRST |
| 27) Chris Todd, AUB @ ARK | 27) Chris Garrett, OHIO @ AKRN | 27) Chad Bumphis, MSU vs HOU |
| 28) Diondre Borel, UTST @ NMSU | 28) Javarris James, MIA vs FLAM | 28) Brandon Banks, KNST @ TXTC |
| 29) Kewuan Jakes, WKTY vs FIU | 29) Roy Helu Jr., NEB @ MO | 29) Moe Brown, SOCAR vs KTKY |
| 30) Donovan Porterie, NMEX @ WY | 30) Noel Devine, WVU @ SYR | 30) Chris Givens, WFST vs MYLD |
| Top 30 Tes | Top 30 Ks | Top 30 D |
| 1) Dennis Pitta, BYU @ UNLV | 1) Hunter Lawrence, TEX vs COL | 1) Oklahoma, OKLA vs BAY |
| 2) Cody Slate, MRSH @ TUL | 2) Kai Forbath, UCLA vs ORE | 2) Arizona St, AZST @ WAST |
| 3) George Bryan, NCST vs DUKE | 3) Jerry Phillips, BGSU @ KENT | 3) Vanderbilt, VNDY @ ARMY |
| 4) Ed Dickson, ORE @ UCLA | 4) A.J. Principe, BUFF vs GAWB | 4) TCU, TCU @ AF |
| 5) Jack Doyle, WKTY vs FIU | 5) Jordan Mannisto, HOU @ MSU | 5) Penn St, PSU vs EILL |
| 6) Jameson Konz, KENT vs BGSU | 6) Brett Swenson, MIST @ ILL | 6) Rutgers, RUT vs TXSO |
| 7) Dedrick Epps, MIA vs FLAM | 7) Stefan Demos, NWU vs MIOH | 7) South Carolina, SOCAR vs KTKY |
| 8) Jesse Rack, BUFF vs GAWB | 8) Aaron Pettrey, OSU vs WIS | 8) Navy, NAVY @ RICE |
| 9) Garrett Graham, WIS @ OSU | 9) Spencer Lanning, SOCAR vs KTKY | 9) Connecticut, UCONN @ PITT |
| 10) Dorin Dickerson, PITT vs UCONN | 10) Wes Byrum, AUB @ ARK | 10) Florida, FLA @ LSU |
| 11) Mike McNeill, NEB @ MO | 11) Caleb Sturgis, FLA @ LSU | 11) Tennessee, TENN vs GA |
| 12) Tracy Moore, OKST @ TXAM | 12) Kevin Goessling, FRST @ HAW | 12) Texas, TEX vs COL |
| 13) Evan Rodriguez, TEMP vs BLST | 13) Scott Enos, HAW vs FRST | 13) Iowa, IOWA vs MICH |
| 14) Tom Burzine, TOL vs WMCH | 14) Alex Henery, NEB @ MO | 14) NC State, NCST vs DUKE |
| 15) Ladarius Green, LALF vs NOTX | 15) Dan Bailey, OKST @ TXAM | 15) Ohio, OHIO @ AKRN |
| 16) Riar Geer, COL @ TEX | 16) Brandon McManus, TEMP vs BLST | 16) Oregon, ORE @ UCLA |
| 17) Nick Tow-Arnett, MINN vs PUR | 17) Ian McGarvey, BLST @ TEMP | 17) UCLA, UCLA vs ORE |
| 18) Jamie McCoy, TXAM vs OKST | 18) Grant Ressel, MO vs NEB | 18) UNC, UNC vs GASO |
| 19) Dennis Morris, LATC @ NEV | 19) Ryan Lichtenstein, SYR vs WVU | 19) Kansas, KAN vs IWST |
| 20) Derrick Catlett, IWST @ KAN | 20) Alex Steigerwald, TOL vs WMCH | 20) Mississippi, MISS vs ALA |
| 21) Coby Fleener, STAN @ ORST | 21) Robert Randolph, Va vs IND | 21) Air Force, AF vs TCU |
| 22) Ben Thayer, EMCH @ CMCH | 22) Matt Waldron, VATC vs BC | 22) Alabama, ALA @ MISS |
| 23) Aaron Hernandez, FLA @ LSU | 23) Erik Folk, WASH vs ARZ | 23) Miami (Fla), MIA vs FLAM |
| 24) Allen Reisner, IOWA vs MICH | 24) Logan Barrett, UTEP @ MEM | 24) Arizona, ARZ @ WASH |
| 25) Taylor Wardlow, RICE vs NAVY | 25) Alex Tejada, ARK vs AUB | 25) East Carolina, ECU @ SMU |
| 26) Luke Aubrey, LALF vs NOTX | 26) Trey Farquhar, IDAH @ SJST | 26) Indiana, IND @ VA |
| 27) Jimmy Scheidler, BGSU @ KENT | 27) Daniel Murray, IOWA vs MICH | 27) Michigan St, MIST @ ILL |
| 28) Andrew Quarless, PSU vs EILL | 28) Josh Jasper, LSU vs FLA | 28) Nebraska, NEB @ MO |
| 29) Charlie Gantt, MIST @ ILL | 29) Sean Brauchle, MSU vs HOU | 29) Northwestern, NWU vs MIOH |
| 30) Lucas Reed, NMEX @ WY | 30) Josh Czajkowski, NCST vs DUKE | 30) Pittsburgh, PITT vs UCONN |
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. A special thanks to our friends at collegefootballgeek.com for providing us with their Sneaky Plays for week 6.
Quarterbacks
Paul McCall (FIU) vs. Western Kentucky
McCall posted a 300 yard, 3 TD games last week again ULM and should be able to match those numbers this week against the Hilltoppers, whose total defense ranks No. 119 in the land.
Ryan Coburn (Fresno State) vs. Hawaii
When he’s not handing off to Ryan Mathews, Coburn will be chucking the rock against the Rainbow Warriors traditionally poor pass defense in what could be a high-scoring affair on the Island.
Running Backs
Mikell Simpson (Virginia) vs. Indiana
Simpson had be hampered by injuries early in the season, but he seemed 100% last week against a stout UNC defense with 24 touches for 145 yards and a score. He should be able to build upon that success against a weak Indiana squad.
Ike Nduka (Buffalo) vs. Gardner Webb
Nduka got his first start last week against Central Michigan and looked good (22-172-0). He should be able to rip through the Runnin’ Bulldogs defense.
Dmitri Nance (Arizona State) vs. Washington State
Nance has quietly scored 5 touchdowns on the young season, and is averaging 26 touches over his last couple games. Look for him to post a solid statline against cellar dweller Wazzu.
Wide Receivers
Max Komar (Idaho) vs. San Jose State
Komar exploded last week against Colorado State for 12 catches, 152 yards and a score. He has another favorable match up this week against SJSU’s 110th ranked defense.
Chris McGaha (Arizona State) vs. Washington State
A good rule of thumb in fantasy leagues: start everyone you can against Wazzu. McGaha caught a whopping 15 balls last week against Oregon State, so a 7-8 catch performance this week is reasonable.
Tight End
Derrick Morris (La Tech) vs. Nevada
Nevada has one of the worst pass defenses in the country. La Tech will need to throw more than last week to keep up with the Wolfpack on their home turf, and Morris should be a part of the equation.
Defenses
Rutgers vs. Texas Southern
Miami (FL) vs. Florida A&M
North Carolina vs. Georgia Southern
More…
For more college fantasy football information, visit CollegeFootballGeek.com:
• Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em
• Injury Reports
• Player Stock Reports
• Player Rankings
• Top Fantasy Games of the Week
• Sneaky Plays of the Week
• Waiver Wire Report
Need to bolster your roster? Here is a look at the top college fantasy football prospects who may be available on the waiver wire. A special thanks to our friends at collegefootballgeek.com for providing us with their Waiver Wire Report for week 6.
QUARTERBACKS
THE HOT NAMES
Bryant Moniz (Hawaii)
With Greg Alexander out for the year, Moniz takes over the reigns of the high-powered Hawaii offense. Can produce at a similar level as the veteran? Time will tell, but you can bet that many owners will be willing to take the chance.
Steven Sheffield (Texas Tech)
Taylor Potts was pulled from Saturday’s game after being knocked around like a rag doll. He is doubtful for this week, opening the door for Sheffield to get the start. He is a must-play if named starter.
SOLID OPTIONS
Trey Revell (UL-Monroe)
The dual threat is hitting his stride as Sun Belt play begins. 25 and 30 fantasy points the past two weeks.
Grant Stucker (Colorado State)
The Rams QB has been remarkably consistent so far this season. Last four games: 22, 24, 22, 28 fantasy points.
Nathan Enderle (Idaho)
600 passing yards and 6 TD passes over the past two weeks. San Jose State, Hawaii and Nevada are up next.
Paul McCall (FIU)
27 fantasy points each of the last two weeks. A tasty date with Western Kentucky is up next.
Riley Skinner (Wake Forest)
Has put up over 22 fantasy points in each of his last four weeks.
WATCH LIST
Theo Scott (Ohio)
Put up 30 fantasy points in what should be the first of many MAC shootouts. Remember, Boo Jackson is out for the year with a shoulder injury, so it’s Scott’s show now.
Nick Florence (Baylor)
Took over for the injured Robert Griffin (and Blake Szymanski) and put up a 27 point fantasy performance.
Donovan Porterie (New Mexico)
Threw for over 313 yards and 2 scores against Texas Tech. Wyoming and UNLV are up next.
Grant Gregory (Kansas State)
Gregory, the South Florida transfer starting in place of the ineffective Carson Coffman, completed 16-of-23 passes for 206 yards, two touchdowns and an INT in K-State’s 24-23 victory over Iowa State. He also rushed 14 times for 29 yards and a score.
RUNNING BACKS
AWAKENINGS
Charles Scott (LSU)
Woke up from his slumber with a 19-95-2 performance, including the game-winning TD in the final minute.
Mikell Simpson (Virginia)
Posted 20-100-1 against a stout UNC defense, and added 4-45-0 in the receiving game. He appears to finally be heathy, and has Indiana and Maryland up next.
THE HOT NAMES
Donald Buckram (UTEP)
What are we to make of the UTEP offense? In the preseason, they were thought to be a prolific passing offense. September brought a swoon of epic proportions. Now in October they become a running juggernaut? Regardless, Buckram’s 32-264-4 statline cannot be ignored. It is his third 100 yard rushing performance of the season.
Mike Ball (Nevada)
Ball rushed 15 times for 185 yards and FIVE touchdowns on Saturday as Nevada pasted UNLV for 773 yards of offense. The Wolfpack have a tough matchup with Louisiana Tech coming up next, but after that, then the schedule opens up considerably. The question becomes: what happens to Ball when Vai Taua gets back on the field?
Ike Nduka (Buffalo)
Thermo who? Ike posted 22-170-0 on Saturday in his first start for the ineffective Brandon Thermilus. His match up against a weak Gardner-Webb squad on Saturday has owners licking their chops.
SOLID CONSIDERATIONS
Rodney Stewart (Colorado)
Posted 32-127-2 and 21-105-1 in his past two games, and with Darrell Scott disappearing from the game plan, Stewart is The Man. After facing Texas this week, the schedule gets easier.
Chad Spann (Northern Illinois)
If you’re in a TD-heavy league (or maybe even if you’re not), Spann is a great option as he’s racked up 10 scores on the young season.
Joe McKnight (USC)
With Stafon Johnson out for the season, McKnight looks to have become the true focal point of the USC running attack. He is still available in a number of leagues, and is worth picking up.
Harrison Jeffers (Texas Tech)
Only a consideration if you like to torture yourself with trying to figure out the Red Raiders offense. Racked up 13 touches for 120 total yards and 4 touchdowns on Saturday.
Bernard Pierce (Temple)
Don’t be afraid to reach out for Pierce if you’re in a deep league. He’s become the go-to RB for the Owls, rushing 45 times for 300 yards and 3 TDs over the past two games. Ball State is up next.
WATCH LIST
A.J. Butler (New Mexico)
His continued success hinges on James Wright’s injury status.
Walter Kazee (San Diego State)
Kazee took advantage of injuries to Sullivan and Henderson to post a 22-110-1 statline on Saturday.
WIDE RECEIVERS
SOLID CONSIDERATIONS
Marshall Williams (Wake Forest)
Has accumulated 18 catches for 252 yards and 3 scores over his past two games against some pretty good defenses (BC and NC State).
James Cleveland (Houston)
The Iowa transfer is starting to light it up for the Cougs, posting 8-85-1 and 14-147-2 the past two weeks. Just beware the possibility of “Red Raider Syndrome” whereby Case Keenum spreads it around each week, making the Houston WRs a guessing game at times.
Brandon Caleb & Cameron Kenney (Oklahoma)
With Ryan Broyles going down to injury (out 2-4 weeks), and Gresham already on the bench, somebody is going to have to catch all of those Sooner passes. Caleb & Kenney figure to be the two best options.
WATCH LIST
Max Komar (Idaho)
Carlton Mitchell (USF)
Chad Bumphis (Mississippi State)
Briggs Orsbon (Ball State)
Tandon Doss (Indiana)
David Leonard (Wyoming)
Bert Reed (Florida State)
TIGHT ENDS
PICK ‘EM UP
Riar Green (Colorado)
Posted a 7-89-0 statline against West Virginia last week. Should see plenty of targets at the Buffs figure to be playing from behind in most games.
Ladarius Green (UL-Lafayette)
Green has started to become a part of the ULL passing game, and should post good TE numbers in Sun Belt play.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Darian Williams (Florida Atlantic)
Tom Burzine (Toledo)
Colin Peek (Alabama)
Dennis Morris (La Tech)
DEFENSES
Here are some good defensive options for this week:
North Carolina vs. Georgia Southern
Rutgers vs. Texas Southern
Miami(FL) vs. Florida A&M
Previous Blogs In old blog format • interactive previous blogs available here
| Wed Oct 7 | Top 25 | 2009 Players to Circle | |
| Tues Oct 6 | More News & Notes | Radio Shows | |
| Mon Oct 5 | News & Notes | 2004 (grade performances) | |
| Sun Oct 4 | Recap of Top 25 performances | Attention FCS Fans!!! | |
| Sat Oct 3 | NFL Selections | Most Improved NFL Tms | |
| Fri Oct 2 | Phil's FBS Selections! | FBS Career Starts Returning | |
| Thu Oct 1 | College Fantasy | College Football Hall of Fame | |
| Wed Sep 30 | Top 25 | How Important Are NFL Injuries? | |
| Tues Sep 29 | Non-Conf Projections | Final Fan Votes | |
| Mon Sep 28 | News & Notes | NFL's Toughest Schedule | |
| Sun Sep 27 | Recap of Top 25 performances. | NFL Mag's are Here | |
| Sat Sep 26 | NFL Selections | 2005 Top performances | |
| Fri Sep 25 | Phil's FBS Selections! | Philsteele.com | |
| Thu Sep 24 | College Fantasy FB | 2006 -Top Performances | |
| Wed Sep 23 | WEEK FOUR - TOP 25 | Q&A with Phil Steele | |
| Tue Sep 22 | Additonal News & Notes, non-con | 2007 -Top 10 individual game efforts | |
| Mon Sep 21 | News & Notes | Coaches (Hot Seat) | |
| Sun Sep 20 | Interesting Thoughts on Top 25 gms | Results for all 120 teams comb | |
| Sat Sep 19 | NFL Selections | Current away records this decade. |
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| Fri Sep 18 | Phils FBS Selections! | Home records this decade | |
| Thu Sep 17 | College Fantasy FB | Marquee gms - by Golden Nugget | |
| Wed Sep 16 | WEEK THREE - TOP 25 | PhilSteele.com Store | |
| Tues Sep 15 | Additional News&Notes/Non-Conf Proj | Conf tms of the decade | |
| Mon Sep 14 | News & Notes | Non BCS Schools - Part 1 | |
| Sun Sep 13 | Interesting Thoughts on Top 25 gms | SEC, Big 12 and Pac 10 | |
| Sat Sep 12 | NFL Selections | NFL - The YPP Factor | |
| Fri Sep 11 | Phil's 60 FBS Selections! | Top 3 BCS Conf of the decade | |
| Thu Sep 10 | College Fantasy FB | NFL - Finding Value in the YPG | |
| Wed, Sep 9 | WEEK TWO - TOP 25 | NFL Playoffs - Division Champs | |
| Tues, Sep 8 | Additional News/Notes/Non Conf Proj | NFL Magazine, Slipping & Sliding | |
| Mon Sep 7 | News & Notes | Top 15 Questions | |
| Sun Sep 6 | Recap of Top 25 gms | Random thoughts | |
| Sat Sep 5 | FCS Preview | Odds | |
| Fri Sep 4 | Selections for Wk1 | NFL Preview is expanding!! | |
| Thu Sep 3 | College Fantasy | '08’s Top performances | |
| Wed Sep 2 | Non-Conf Poll Resutls | National Elimination Bracket | |
| Tue Sep 1 | WEEK ONE - TOP 25 | Help Wanted | |
| Mon Aug 31 | Injuries, Awards, Polls | Mountain West Conference | |
| Aug 29-30 | College fantasy football | Advertising | |
| Fri Aug 28 | Latest Happenings in College FB | FCS - An Early Look | |
| Thu Aug 27 | FCS Updates | Who will be this year’s Vanderbilt? | |
| Wed Aug 26 | Home Field Edge | MIP Off Pts & MIP Def Pts | |
| Tue Aug 25 | Injuries | Turnovers=Turnaround | |
| Mon Aug 24 | Free Fantasy Football Guide | Most Accurate Chart update | |
| Aug 22-23 | Final Fan Votes | Regional Mag, IAA, Facebook | |
| Fri Aug 21 | Friday Notes | Going Up....Going Down | |
| Thu Aug 20 | Polls | Toughest Sched for '09 | |
| Wed Aug 19 | How often do underdogs win outright? | The Closs Loss Factor | |
| Tue Aug 18 | You Pick the Conference Contest | Magazines, Blogs | |
| Mon Aug 17 | 2009 Starters Adjusted | Draft Day Party Hangover | |
| Aug 15-16 | Non-Conference Projections | Q&A w/PS, Facebook.... | |
| Fri Aug 14 | Friday Thoughts | Experience Chart | |
| Thurs Aug 13 | Tenn Radio Show/L12 Yr Results | Experience Chart | |
| Wed Aug 12 | FCS, FCS, FCS! | Experience Chart | |
| Tue Aug 11 | AP Polls | Guidelines for each of the FCS teams. | |
| Mon Aug 10 | Overrated/ Underrated teams | '09 % of Lettermen Ret | |
| Aug 8-9 | Coaching Changes | % of Yds Ret (Off) | |
| Fri Aug 7 | MAC Media Days | Phil Steele FB Preview | |
| Thurs Aug 6 | Injuries | The biggest favs among conferences | |
| Wed Aug 5 | Ssn Forecast: Pt. 2 | % OF Tackles returning | |
| Tues Aug 4 | Ssn Forecast: Pt. 1 |
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| Mon Aug 3 | Phil Steele's Favorite Tms for '09 |