Daily Blog • September 30, 2010 |
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Last year I started a weekly blog that included my surprise fantasy picks for each week of the college football season. Each week I picked the players that were flying under the radar and I continued my weekly surprise fantasy picks last week with a 4-2-5 record. Overall on the season I am 29-10-11 (66%). To check out last week's picks click here. Here are my picks for this week.
QUARTERBACKS:
My QB’s of the week are: TJ Yates, North Carolina, Alex Carder, Western Michigan and Trevor Vittatoe, UTEP
TJ Yates, North Carolina-Yates has had a solid season avg 275 ypg (68%) with a 5-1 ratio. This week he takes on a East Carolina pass defense that allowed 300+ yds to Tulsa and Memphis earlier this season as QB’s on the year are hitting 63.3% against them. My computer projects 300+ yds for Yates as the Tar Heels roll against my #115 rated ECU pass defense.
Alex Carder, Western Michigan-I picked Carder a couple of weeks against Toledo and he turned it over 6 times in the loss. I am going to give him a mulligan here with two weeks to prepare against a Idaho defense traveling across the country and last week allowed 494 yds to a Colorado St team that snapped their 12 game losing streak in the 36-34 Rams win. My computer calls for 318 yds passing for Carder as the Broncos get the upset.
Trevor Vittatoe, UTEP-Vittatoe is avg 247 ypg (57%) with a 8-2 ratio and this week goes up against one of the worst defenses in the NCAA in New Mexico which is giving 506 total ypg including 285 passing with a 66.7% comp rate and a 11-1 ratio. Vittatoe could have one of his best games of the year and should easily top his 247 ypg average.
RUNNING BACKS:
My RB’s of the week are: Vai Taua, Nevada, LaMichael James, Oregon and Johnathan Franklin, UCLA
Vai Taua, Nevada-The Wolf pack have rushed for a combined 1,003 yds the last two years vs UNLV and this year Nevada is avg 286 rush ypg and are led by Taua with 453 (5.6) and 5 TD’s. The UNLV defense this year is improved as they are allowing 161 rush ypg (4.2) as compared to 221 (5.7) last year. However in their only game against a very good running attack this year they allowed 278 yds (5.6) to Wisconsin. My computer projects 298 rush yds for the Pack and I think Taua and Kaepernick both go over 100 yds rushing (3 players 170+ rush yds last year).
LaMichael James, Oregon-While the Stanford defense is allowing just 116 rush ypg, they did give up 207 (3.9) to Wake Forest a couple of weeks ago. James has been on a tear the last three games after his suspension and leads the Ducks with 447 (7.8) and 4 TD’s. My computer projects 288 rush ypg and it would not surprise me to see James pass the 116 rush total that Stanford is giving up to entire teams this season.
Johnathan Franklin, UCLA-Franklin is off back-to-back 100 yd games and this week goes up against a Washington St team that just allowed 282 rush yds to USC. Franklin and the Bruins proved last week they are a physical team with 260 rush yds against Texas. With QB Prince questionable I expect more RB carries with Franklin get most of the load.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
My WR’s of the week are: Kealoha Pilares and Greg Salas, Hawaii, Aldrick Robinson, SMU and Jordan White, Western Michigan
Kealoha Pilares and Greg Salas, Hawaii-These two WR’s have combined for 52 rec (16.9) and 9 TD’s so far this season. This week they face a Louisiana Tech team that has to make the long road trip and ranks just #105 in pass defense ratings. My computer projects 410 yds passing for the Warriors and if that happens Pilares and Salas could combine for 200 yds receiving.
Aldrick Robinson, SMU-Robinson has just 16 rec (17.1) on this season but does have 4 TD’s and this week will be taking on a Rice defense that is allowing 261 pass ypg. I expect Robinson to have his best game so far this season.
Jordan White, Western Michigan-White is avg 9 rec and 127 ypg with 3 TD’s this season and this week takes on a poor Idaho pass defense that allowed 386 yds passing last week to Colorado St. I expect White and WMU’s other receiver Juan Nunez to have big games as the Broncos get the upset.
DEFENSES:
My Top Defenses of the Week: Rutgers, LSU and UCLA
Rutgers vs Tulane-The Knights defense is allowing just 274 ypg including just 94 rush ypg. This week they take on a Tulane offense avg just 298 ypg with just 107 ypg on the ground. My computer projects just 8 points and 60 rush yds for the Green Wave and anytime you hold a team to those numbers you have to be considered one of the top defenses of the week.
LSU vs Tennessee-This will be the first road start for a young QB and inexperienced O-line in a very hostile place to play. The Volunteers barely survived last week vs UAB and are avg just 286 ypg the last two games. This week they take on an attacking Tiger defense that is allowing just 254 ypg and last week gave up just 179 total yds to an explosive West Virginia team. My computer projects just 10 pts and 205 yds this week for the Vols as the Tigers roll to 5-0.
UCLA vs Washington St-The Bruins are a very physical team and they showed the nation last week in their 34-12 upset of #7 Texas by forcing 5 TO’s and limiting the Longhorns to just 85 yds rushing. This week they take on a poor Washington St team that is fresh off a 50-16 loss to USC last week where they managed just 67 rush yds. My computer projects just 10 pts and 263 yds for the Cougars which would give the Bruins another solid performance.
Upset of the Week:
Western Michigan over Idaho
These two last met in '08 with the Broncos winning 51-28 in the Kibbie Dome. Idaho is on its 3rd road game in 4 weeks and are making a rare trip to the Midwest but did beat Northern Illinois last year 34-31 with the Huskies fresh off their upset of Purdue. Idaho is coming off a tough loss to Colorado St as the Rams hit a FG as time expired. Western Michigan is off a bye and QB Carder is avg 307 ypg (64%) with an 8-6 ratio and is #7 in the NCAA in ttl offense (321 ypg) and has a pair of WR's in White (27 rec, 14.1) and Nunez (25 rec, 8.2). WMU clearly has the intangibles edge in this one and will be playing in front of a HC crowd as they get the upset.
A special thanks to our friends at CollegeFantasyFootballInsider.com for providing us with their Week 5 Rankings
Week Five in college football and conference play is in full swing. Not only are we treated with the annual Red River Rivalry game between Texas and Oklahoma, this week also brings up intriguing matchups between Pac-10 title contenders Stanford and Oregon, an SEC title game rematch against Florida and Alabama, a Thursday night shootout between Texas A&M and Oklahoma State and a Big Ten brawl between Michigan State and Wisconsin. With such big matchups in the mix, it is getting tougher and tougher to pick your starting lineup, but we are here to help with this week’s player rankings.
Visit CollegeFantasyFootballInsider.com for more player rankings and projections.
A special thanks to our friends at CollegeFootballGeek.com for providing us with their Sneaky Plays for Week 5
CollegeFootballGeek.com’s Sneaky Plays - Week 5
By Kevin Mount, CollegeFootballGeek.com
The fifth week of the college football season is already here and there may be some owners looking for some under the radar fantasy options. Check out who we think could fill in nicely for fantasy teams in Week 5.
Quarterbacks
Steven Threet QB Arizona State vs. Oregon State:
Threet has been very productive this season and is coming off a 387 yard and 3 score effort against Oregon. This week he gets to shred the porous secondary of the Beavers in what could be a high scoring affair. Fantasy owners could expect to see another 300-yard effort to go along with a couple of scores.
Austin Dantin QB Toledo vs. Wyoming:
Dantin was a popular sleeper pick heading into the season and looks to be starting to live up to the billing. He was solid last week with 270 total yards and 4 scores in an upset win over Purdue. He gets a home game against Wyoming and their 70th ranked pass defense this week. Look for another productive day from Dantin with the possibility of a really big week.
Riley Dodge QB North Texas vs. Louisiana Lafayette:
Dodge is back as the starting QB for the Mean Green and looked good last week in a win over Florida Atlantic. He only threw for 146 yards but did add 2 scores and 67 yards on the ground. He faces a weak Cajuns secondary that ranks 112th in the country against the pass. This could prove to be a very nice fantasy day from Dodge and maybe signs of things to come.
Ryan Radcliff QB Central Michigan vs. Ball State:
Radcliff has filled in admirably for the fantasy legend, Dan LeFevour. He is averaging 285 yards passing per game and faces a shaky Ball State defense this week. He could hit that magic 300 yard mark and add a couple of scores along the way.
Running Backs
Michael Dyer RB Auburn vs. Louisiana Monroe:
I have a strong feeling that this week will be the arrival party for this highly touted freshman. The kid is a beast and is coming of a 23-carry game in which he gained 100 yards against a stingy South Carolina defense. I would expect another 100-yard effort and maybe 1 or 2 trips to the end zone for Dyer this week. This could be the start of a monstrous fantasy career for Mr. Dyer.
Jonathan Franklin/Derrick Coleman RB UCLA vs. Washington State:
It is always a good idea to start anyone who is playing against the Cougars and this week both of these backs look like good options. Both scored last week and had roughly 100 yards rushing in a big upset win over Texas. It looks like a good possibility for both guys to exceed 100 yards and a couple of scores against the lowly Cougars rush defense, which ranks 108th in the country.
Ray Graham RB Pittsburgh vs. Florida International:
The main man in the Panthers backfield was supposed to be Dion Lewis, but he has struggled mightily and Graham has been the better player on the field. He has earned more carries and should see plenty against an overmatched FIU team that Pitt will look to get their offense going against this week. Look for a decent outing from Graham with the upside to be really good.
Deantre Lewis RB Arizona State vs. Oregon State:
This freshman has been very explosive this year and is coming off a 192 total yards and 1 score performance against Oregon last week. He splits carries with Cameron Marshall, but Lewis has been more productive and doesn’t need a ton of carries to compile big numbers. He should find plenty of space this week when he faces a Beavers defense that is really shaky right now. Another day of 100 total yards and a score seem like a distinct possibility this week.
Wide Receivers
Hubert Anyiam WR Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M:
Anyiam has not lived up to expectations this season, but he appears to be healthy and should become more heavily involved in the Pokes passing game. This game against the Aggies could be fantasy gold and Anyiam just might figure prominently in the outcome. A 100-yard game and a score seem possible this week.
Torrey Smith WR Maryland vs. Duke:
Smith is the top playmaker for the Terrapins and is fresh off a monster game in which he tallied 159 yards and a score. This week he gets to catch passes against a suspect Blue Devils defense and could see another long TD reception in his future. Another 100-yard day is very likely in a game that could be a shootout.
AJ Green WR Georgia vs. Colorado:
Green would not normally make this list as he is a star and should be in the starting lineups on a weekly basis. The reasoning here is that fantasy owners may have forgotten a bit about Green while he served a 4 game suspension and we want to remind them just how good he is on the field. I would expect that Green is chomping at the bit to get back on the field and that can only be good news for fantasy owners everywhere.
Michael Johnson WR UNLV vs. Nevada:
Johnson had a huge game last week with 138 yards receiving a 3 scores. The Rebels could find themselves behind early this week against Nevada and might have to throw the ball all over the field to try and play catch up. The Wolf Packs pass defense ranks 89th in the country and could give up a bunch to Johnson this week.
Eric Lair TE Minnesota vs. Northwestern:
Lair has been decent this season and just recorded a game with 7 receptions for 94 yards. With the TE position so thin this season, Lair could pay off in a big way this week. The Gophers may have to throw often to stay with Northwestern and Lair may see a bunch of passes come his way. Add in the fact that Northwestern is ranked 102nd against the pass and all signs point to a big game for this Gopher.
Sneaky Play Defenses
Auburn vs. Louisiana Monroe
Mississippi State vs. Alcorn State
Florida State vs. Virginia
UCLA vs. Washington State
Pittsburgh vs. Florida International
South Florida vs. Florida Atlantic
Fresno State vs. Cal Poly
There you have it everyone, enjoy this week’s action and always remember to have fun playing college fantasy football.
More…
For more college fantasy football information, visit CollegeFootballGeek.com:
- Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em
- Injury Reports
- Player Stock Reports
- Player Rankings
- Sneaky Plays of the Week
- Waiver Wire Reports
CollegeFootballGeek.com is your home for 2010 college fantasy football content! Draft kit, injury reports, player news, player projections, player rankings, mock drafts, community forums, and much more!
A special thanks to our friends at CollegeFootballGeek.com for providing us with their Week 5 Player Rankings
QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | ||||||
Rank | Name | School | Rank | Name | School | Rank | Name | School |
1 | Collin Kaepernick | NEV | 1 | DeMarco Murray | OKLA | 1 | Mohamed Sanu | RUT |
2 | Denard Robinson | MICH | 2 | Kendall Hunter | OKST | 2 | Randall Cobb | KENT |
3 | Jerrod Johnson | TXA&M | 3 | Johnathan Franklin | UCLA | 3 | Jeff Fuller | TX A&M |
4 | Bryant Moniz | HAW | 4 | Chad Spann | NILL | 4 | Titus Young | BOISE |
5 | GJ Kinne | TULSA | 5 | Derrick Locke | KNTKY | 5 | Justin Blackmon | OKST |
6 | Dan Persa | NW | 6 | LaMichael James | OREG | 6 | Aldrick Robinson | SMU |
7 | Robert Griffin | BAY | 7 | Vai Taua | NEV | 7 | Lyle Leong | TTECH |
8 | Terrelle Pryor | OHST | 8 | John Clay | WISC | 8 | Austin Pettis | BOISE |
9 | Brandon Weeden | OKST | 9 | JJ Di Luigi | BYU | 9 | Jordan White | WMU |
9 | Alex Carder | WMICH | 10 | Doug Martin | BOISE | 10 | Greg Salas | HAW |
10 | Kyle Padron | SMU | 11 | Jacquizz Rodgers | ORGST | 11 | Ryan Broyles | OKLA |
11 | Landry Jones | OKLA | 12 | Pilal Powell | LOUIS | 12 | Kamar Jorden | BGREEN |
12 | Ben Chappell | IND | 13 | Mark Ingram | ALAB | 13 | Armand Robinson | MIA-OH |
14 | Austin Dantin | TOLED | 14 | Vick Ballard | MISST | 14 | Ronald Johnson | USC |
15 | Taylor Potts | TTECH | 15 | Zach Line | SMU | 15 | Kealoha Pilares | HAW |
16 | Andrew Luck | STAN | 16 | Adam Robinson | IOWA | 16 | Cody Wilson | CMU |
17 | Matt Barkley | USC | 17 | Andre Ellington | CLEM | 17 | Demarlo Belcher | IND |
18 | Cameron Newton | AUB | 18 | Christine Michael | TXA&M | 18 | Jeremy Ebert | NW |
19 | Christian Ponder | FSU | 19 | Michael Dyer | AUB | 19 | Jermaine Kearse | WASH |
20 | Steven Threet | AZST | 20 | LeVeon Bell | MCHST | 20 | Conner Vernon | DUKE |
21 | Nathan Enderle | IDAHO | 21 | Brandon Bolden | MISS | 21 | Chris Owusu | STAN |
22 | Chandler Harnish | NILL | 22 | Stevan Ridley | LSU | 22 | Damaris Johnson | TULSA |
23 | Darron Thomas | OREG | 23 | Lance Dunbar | NTEX | 23 | Tandon Doss | IND |
24 | Ricky Stanzi | IOWA | 24 | Jordan Todman | CONN | 24 | Torrey Smith | MARY |
25 | Kellen Moore | BOISE | 25 | Edwin Baker | MCHST | 25 | Eric Page | TOL |
26 | Jeremiah Masoli | MISS | 26 | Benard Pierce | TEMP | 26 | Michael Floyd | ND |
27 | Jake Locker | WASH | 27 | Da'Rel Scott | MARY | 27 | AJ Green | UGA |
28 | Jerry Davis | BUFF | 28 | Sam McGuffie | RICE | 28 | DeVier Posey | OHIO ST |
29 | Adam Weber | MINN | 29 | Alvester Alexander | WYOM | 29 | Dwayne Harris | ECU |
30 | Ryan Radcliff | CMICH | 30 | Ryan Williams | VTECH | 30 | Kendall Wright | BAY |
31 | Diondre Borel | UTST | 31 | Deantre Lewis | AZST | 31 | Kris Adams | UTEP |
32 | Russell Wilson | NCST | 32 | Matthew Tucker | TCU | 32 | Juan Nunez | WMU |
33 | Kirk Cousins | MCHST | 33 | Jared Tew | AFA | 33 | Chad Bumphis | MISSST |
34 | Jacory Harris | MIAFL | 34 | Johnny White | UNC | 34 | Darvin Adams | AUB |
35 | TJ Yates | UNC | 35 | Michael Shaw | MICH | 35 | Jeremey Kerley | TCU |
36 | Ryan Aplin | ARKST | 36 | Tauren Poole | TENN | 36 | Darius Johnson | SMU |
37 | Dayne Crist | ND | 37 | Paris Cotton | CMICH | 37 | D. Sanzenbacher | OHIO ST |
38 | Brian Anderson | MARSH | 38 | Cameron Marshall | AZST | 38 | Marcus Rivers | BUFF |
39 | Josh Nesbitt | GTECH | 39 | Montel Harris | BC | 39 | Donovan Varner | DUKE |
40 | Sean Renfree | DUKE | 40 | Daniel Herron | OHST | 40 | Hubert Anyiam | OKST |
41 | Spencer Keith | KENST | 41 | Alexander Robinson | IWST | 41 | Jheranie Boyd | UNC |
42 | Tyler Hansen | COLO | 42 | Charles Clay | TULSA | 42 | Antavious Wilson | MARSH |
43 | Austin Davis | SMISS | 43 | Trent Richardson | ALAB | 43 | Josh Cooper | OKST |
44 | Tyrod Taylor | VTECH | 44 | Ray Graham | PITT | 44 | Ryan Swope | TX A&M |
45 | BJ Daniels | USF | 45 | Jonathan Williams | ECAR | 45 | Leo. Hankerson | MIAMI |
46 | Andy Dalton | TCU | 46 | Demetris Murray | USF | 46 | Chris Matthews | KENT |
47 | Tim Jefferson | AFA | 47 | Chris Polk | WASH | 47 | Phillip Payne | UNLV |
48 | Zac Dysert | MIAOH | 48 | Damien Berry | MIAFL | 48 | Julio Jones | ALAB |
49 | Ricky Dobbs | NAVY | 49 | James White | WISC | 49 | Kris Burd | UVA |
50 | Riley Dodge | NTEX | 50 | Rodney Stewart | COLO | 50 | Jonathan Baldwin | PITT |
TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS | DEFENSES | ||||||
Rank | Name | School | Rank | Name | School | Rank | Name | |
1 | Lance Kendricks | WISC | 1 | Nate Whitaker | STAN | 1 | Boise State | |
2 | Ladarius Green | ULL | 2 | Devin Barclay | OHIO ST | 2 | TCU | |
3 | Drake Dunsmore | NW | 3 | Kai Forbath | UCLA | 3 | Ohio State | |
4 | Kyle Rudolph | ND | 4 | Philip Welch | WISC | 4 | UCLA | |
5 | Daniel Hardy | IDAHO | 5 | Josh Jasper | LSU | 5 | Rutgers | |
6 | Virgil Green | NEVADA | 6 | Kyle Brotzman | BOISE | 6 | Miss. State | |
7 | Zack Pianalto | UNC | 7 | Kevin Fitzpatrick | TULSA | 7 | Auburn | |
8 | George Bryan | NCST | 8 | Dan Bailey | OKST | 8 | Iowa | |
9 | Rob Housler | FAU | 9 | Anthony Martinez | NEV | 9 | Connecticut | |
10 | David Paulson | OREG | 10 | Blair Walsh | UGA | 10 | Alabama | |
11 | Ted Bolser | IND | 11 | Rob Beard | OREG | 11 | Fresno State | |
12 | Coby Fleener | STAN | 12 | Scott Enos | HAW | 12 | Oklahoma | |
13 | Joe Halahuni | ORG ST | 13 | Wes Byrum | AUB | 13 | Pittsburgh | |
14 | Ben Thayer | EMU | 14 | Matt Bosher | MIA | 14 | Florida State | |
15 | Collin Franklin | IW ST | 15 | Erik Soderberg | AFA | 15 | Temple | |
16 | Luke Wilson | RICE | 16 | Randy Bullock | TXAM | 16 | LSU | |
17 | Dwayne Allen | CLEM | 17 | Justin Kahut | ORGST | 17 | USF | |
18 | Eric Lair | MINN | 18 | Dan Conroy | MICH ST | 18 | C.Michigan | |
19 | Danny Noble | TOL | 19 | Matt Weller | OHIO | 19 | Miami (FL) | |
20 | Charlie Gantt | MICHST | 20 | Stefan Demos | NW | 20 | Air Force | |
21 | Allen Reisner | IOWA | 21 | Thomas Weber | AZST | 21 | Penn State | |
22 | Preston Dial | ALAB | 22 | Ross Evans | TCU | 22 | Florida | |
23 | Chris Pantale | BC | 23 | Josh Czajkoiwski | NCST | 23 | Texas | |
24 | Luke Stocker | TENN | 24 | Ross Evans | TCU | 24 | Texas Tech | |
25 | Cameron Graham | LOU | 25 | Dave Teggart | CONN | 25 | Army | |
For complete college fantasy football player rankings and statistical projections, visit the CFG Big Board. | ||||||||
Scoring System Used for CFG Rankings: | ||||||||
4 points per passing touchdown | ||||||||
6 points per rushing/receiving touchdown | ||||||||
25 passing yards = 1 point | ||||||||
10 rushing/receiving yards = 1 point | ||||||||
1 interception = -2 point | ||||||||
1 reception = 0.5 points |