Erik Kuselias has been one of the leading Fantasy Football experts in the nation for over a decade. Most notably, while at ESPN (2003-2010) Kuselias was asked to create, host and lead ESPN’s first season long Fantasy football show “Fantasy Football Now.’ In its first season, the show was nominated and won ESPN’s First Fantasy Emmy, claiming honors for Outstanding New Show. With Kuselias, the show moved from an ESPN.com venture over to television garnering huge ratings on ESPN2, and “Fantasy Football Now” became one of the leading shows anywhere on fantasy football.

In 2011, Kuselias signed on with The Golf Channel to host “Morning Drive,” a daily talk show that covers golf as well as other sports. The show debuted on January 3, and can be seen from 7-9 AM ET.

This past year I was pleased to have Erik write my Fantasy Football Guide in this year's Pro Football Preview. Today I am going to give you Erik's Fantasy Rankings for Week 9.

Erik Kuselias' NFL Fantasy Rankings Week 9

Erik Kuselias' 32/32

NE: KFaulk is a really nice play or flex in a deep league. He should be picked up in deep leagues immediately.
 
BUF: The D pitched a shutout last week in Canada against the Skins (shutout eh?! Bbbeauty!) Not a bad play this week either
 
JETS: SGreene has burned more people that stoves, but he should be ready for a GREAT stretch run.
 
MIA: RBush seems to have the job…but Id run from him like mayo left out in the sun.
 
INDY: nobody on team had more than 10 rush att but 3 players had double digit targets. Play the WRs. Sit the RB
 
TENN: Get JRinger. But still play CJ til further notice. You cant trade him for 30 cents on the $.
 
HOUS: Its still wait n see on AJohnson. Sorry. Best I can do is insider injury tip. Guys who practice LESS as the week go on are riskier than 2 day old sushi.
 
JAX: Bye week. Unless you have Mo Jo this better not be affecting your team. The rest of the crew should be treated like lefthanded red headed step kids in folklore.
 
CIN: Ced Benson is back. This is me unimpressed. I do love AJ Green tho. As we say, he is a Boy dog warrior beast.
 
BAL: EDickson had 9 targets. Not sayin…just sayin. Ya know bye weeks and all…
 
PITT: How is ABrown available in over 70% of all leagues. Is everyone in a 6 team league?
 
CLEV: Like Ace Ventura said “do NOT go in there!!!”.  That’s how I feel about CLEV D (Hous 2nd worst opp for your fant D)
 
KC: Matt Cassel should be a solid bye week replacement. MIA is the second worst against opp fantasy QBs. Battle still avail in 1/3 of leagues. Get him.
 
OAK: CPalmer is not a horrible play this week (admittedly that’s not a ringing endorsement). Nobody is worse against opp fant QBs than DEN. Play DHB too.
 
DEN: I would not laugh at you if you stashed KOrten on your bench in a deep league. Tebow is great dude, but can’t play dead in a cowboy movie.
 
SD: Even without Tolbert, RMatthews still got less than 50% of the totes. Still “palm springs” aka timeshare.
 
NYG: This week Eli get Pats who cant defend the pass. He’s automatic play; so is any healthy NYG starting WR. Even if it’s the big boy from “Mike & Molly”. Watch Bradshaw injury. Pick up BJake
 
PHI: If stuck, play BCelek. CHI is the worst in NFL against opp fant TEs & MVick seems to be remembering he’s still breathing.
 
DAL: This is THE defense for the week. Sea is the best possible opponent for your fantasy D.
 
WASH: Shut out. Blown out. Off to SF this week. They are becoming one team you want your D to play against in playoffs. PHI/MIN/NYG all look good.
 
MIN: Even in a win nobody but AP stepped up. He rushed, but also led team in targets, catches and rec yds. Other than him SELL SELL SELL (trading places ref)
 
CHI: Forte has been a huge surprise, & it gets better. Philly one of 3 worst  against opp fant RBs. Barber is also a solid pickup as a flex in deep leagues. Should score a TD
 
DET: Coming off this week’s bye, I don’t hate Morris for the rest of the year. Got the rush TD, & solid part of pass game too
 
GB: Pack is the LAST team you want to play your D against. Sit SD defnse this week in all formats.
 
TB: MWill is good value rest of the way. So is JFreeman. In fact offense should start to make strides in 2nd half.
 
ATL: MTurner goes CRAZY. Indy cant stop you/me/9 guys from tech support. He’s top 5 play this week. JJones is my #1 bust out this week.
 
NO: JGraham #1 TE this week. Pick up PThomas w/Ingram out again. Sproles is still best option tho (esp in PPR)
 
CAR: coming off bye week, I don’t hate JStew. Think he’s good cheap insurance.
 
SEA: If you are REALLY stuck, pick up ZMiller. Good quality player in a great matchup. Dal is 2nd worst against opp fant TEs.
 
AZ: Look out for a healthy Beenie. STL is the worst team playing this week against opp fantasy RBs. AZ D is good sleeper. Rams 2nd best opp to play against.
 
STL: A SJax citing! Almost a rare as Lock Ness. BLloyd worth it, nobody other than these two are deserving of roster spot. But wk 10 they do get SEA. Stash Bradford.
 
SF: MCrabtree is avail in 40% of all leagues. That’s too many. You cant all be in 8 team std. Could be nice v. depleated Skins.

Surprise College Fantasy Players of the Week

Two years ago 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 am pleased that I finished my first year at a very successful 83-29-7 (74%). Last year I had another successful year with a winning week every week and an overal 103-45-17 (70%) record.

This year I will again be giving you the surprise fantasy picks each and every week in my Thursday daily blog and here are my picks for Week 10. Keep in mind you will not find players like Andrew Luck, Denard Robinson, LaMichael James or Justin Blackmon in my picks. These are strictly surprise picks of players who are flying under the radar. Last week I went 6-3-1! I am currently 52-30-10 (63%) on the picks so far this season and the last 3 weeks I am 22-7-1 (76%).

QUARTERBACKS:

My QB’s of the Week: Nick Foles, Arizona and Braxton Miller, Ohio St

Nick Foles, Arizona-When you have an anemic running game that averages just 90 ypg, it’s no surprise that Foles is having the year that he’s been having in 2011. On the season he is averaging 366 ypg passing (70%) with a 20-8 ratio and is currently on pace to eclipse former Wash QB Cody Pickett’s ’02 conf mark of 343 ypg passing. My computer projects a 368 yd performance by Arizona this week vs Utah and I feel that he easily tops the 300 yd plateau here.

Braxton Miller, Ohio St-The Braxton Miller era is in full effect after LW’s heroics against Wisconsin as his dual-threat skills accumulated 188 yds of total offense and 3 TD’s (2 rush). After another suspension in the OSU backfield heading into this week and a very favorable matchup against Indiana in which my computer projects the Bucks to have 500 yds of offense, expect the young freshman to display his talents again here as he becomes the cornerstone of the OSU offense for years to come.

RUNNING BACKS:

My RB’s of the week are: Ronnie Hillman, San Diego St and Zach Line, SMU

Ronnie Hillman, San Diego St-Quick, how many of you saw Ronnie Hillman’s 99 yd TD run a week ago against Wyoming? After I picked my jaw up off of the floor I immediately looked at who they had on deck and whether it was a good fantasy matchup for him. Hillman ran for 224 yds while also adding 81 yds in the receiving area (3 total TD’s). With my computer forecasts the Aztecs with 258 yds on the ground vs a New Mexico defense that gives up 287 on the road, expect another big showing here.

Zach Line, SMU-What has Zach Line done so far in the 2011 season in an SMU offense that still passes on 60% of their snaps? Well after his 6th 100+ yard performance of the season a week ago vs Tulsa, Line is just 54 yds away from the 1,000 yard mark for the year. Line is also averaging nearly 6 yds a carry so he’s a safe choice here vs Tulane even if he doesn’t get a desired amount of carries.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

My WR’s of the week are: Juron Criner, Arizona and Royce Pollard, Hawaii

Juron Criner, Arizona-An appendectomy slowed this potential AA down early on but as the year as progressed, so has he. Criner has posted B2B 100 yard receiving games including 5 of his 8 TD’s in meetings vs UCLA and Washington. With the Arizona passing game hitting on all cylinders right now, a 3rd consecutive century mark in receiving yards should be in the offing.

Royce Pollard, Hawaii-After subpar performances against San Jose St and New Mexico St, Pollard broke out again a week ago against Idaho pulling in 10 receptions for 151 yards. My computer has the Warriors projected for 355 yards in the air over Utah St this week, which should give Pollard an opportunity to put together another strong showing.

DEFENSES:

My Top Defenses of the Week: San Diego St, SMU, Tennessee and Michigan St

San Diego St vs New Mexico-Aztec HC Rocky Long gets another crack at his former team here. Despite SDSt allowing 400+ yds in each of their last 6 gms TY, I am looking more at the miniscule numbers that the Lobos have been able to put together on the road this year as they have mustered up just 213 ypg while averaging just 3 ppg.

SMU vs Tulane-The Mustangs have allowed just 297 ypg in Dallas this season while the Green Wave have posted just 266 and 199 yd performances in their last 2 road trips against ECU and Army. My forecast calls for Tulane to put up just 8 pts and 266 yds as SMU gets an easy win.

Tennessee vs Middle Tennessee-The Vols need wins any way they can get them to become bowl eligible which has me thinking that the defense will dominate here despite going up against a Sun Belt opponent in the midst of their SEC schedule. Middle Tenn is projected for just 12 pts and 320 yds in my computer rankings as the Vols flex their muscles early and often here.

Michigan St vs Minnesota-The Gophers are likely still in post-celebration mode after their upset of Iowa while the Spartans are off a stinging loss to Nebraska. When looking closer and Michigan St’s defensive numbers a week ago you will notice that Sparty allowed just 270 total yds as they were done in by their offensive woes. MSU is allowing just 222 ypg and I am wondering if the Gophers will even surpass 150. 

UPSET OF THE WEEK:

Iowa over Michigan

57th meeting and Iowa has never beaten UM 3 str times. Iowa is 4-8 in series but UM has dropped 2 of their L/3 trips to Iowa City incl ‘09 (28-30) when they were -4 in TO’s (-8 L2Y). LY UI led UM 35-14 early 4Q holding on for the win despite being outFD’d (-8) and outgained (-139) but did have a 4-0 TO edge. Vanilla Hawks D has traditionally struggled vs mobile QB’s (ssn’s worst pts and yd ttls vs ISU, NW and Indy TY) with Minny QB Gray running for 2 crucial 4Q 4D conversions including the gm winning TD with 2:48 left LW. The Hawks had 21-15 FD and 446-371 yd edges but missed 2 FG’s and fmbl’d at the UM14 ruining RB Coker’s huge gm (252, 7.9). UM dominated PU scoring 36 straight pts and finishing with a 535-311 yd edge. QB D-Rob (178, 55%, 11-11, 825 rush) may’ve found a RB who can share the rush load as Toussaint had 170 (8.5) vs the Boilers. Wolves are #1 B10 in rush D in conf play allowing 121 ypg (4.1). Hawks have a huge ST edge (#23-111) and are 59-12 at home since 2001.

A special thanks to our friends at CollegeFootballGeek.com for providing us with their Sneaky Plays for Week 10

CollegeFootballGeek.com’s Sneaky Plays – Week 10
By Kevin Mount, CollegeFootballGeek.com

A very interesting Week Nine is in the books and now it is time to look ahead to the tenth week of college fantasy football and the “sneaky” plays it has in store for fantasy owners. Here is a look at some players who might fill in nicely for owners in need of a potential diamond in the rough.
 
 

QUARTERBACKS

Tino Sunseri QB Pittsburgh vs. Cincinnati:
Sunseri has been a major disappointment this season, but finally out together the type of performance fantasy owners were expecting last week against Uconn. He racked up 459 total yards and three scores in his best outing on the year. This junior may be called upon to do even more going forward with star tailback Ray Graham being out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. He will be facing a porous Cincinnati pass defense that yields an average of 285 yards per game through the air; so good numbers can be expected from this Panther in Week Ten.
 
Colby Cameron Louisiana Tech vs. Fresno State:
Cameron got the start last week against San Jose State and responded with a solid effort. He accounted for 286 total yards and two scores and showed he can make plays with his feet with 49 yards rushing. This junior could find more success this week against a shaky Fresno State secondary. Cameron definitely has good upside this week and could help fantasy owners in deep leagues.
 
Matt Faulkner QB San Jose State vs. Idaho:
Faulkner has 300 plus yard passing games in three of his last four games, including 327 yards and three scores last week versus Louisiana Tech. He has thrown a ton of interceptions to go with all the yardage, but fantasy owners have to take the good with the bad. The Idaho pass defense gives up 280 yards per game, so Faulkner could have a big day yardage wise.
 
Jared Barnett QB Iowa State vs. Kansas:
It's not often that two Iowa State players are enticing fantasy options, but this week appears to be just that time. Barnett showed off his running ability last week against Texas Tech with 92 yards and touchdown on the ground. He could be in line for a gaudy stat line against the pathetic Kansas defense that ranks dead last in the country in total defense and gives up over 550 yards per game. Roll with this Cyclone freshman this week.
 
RUNNING BACKS

Tyler Smith Rice vs. UTEP:
Smith had an absolutely gigantic performance last week versus Houston in which he accumulated 243 total yards and three total scores. He is a speedy playmaker who is getting better week-by-week. Smith could enjoy another banner day this week against a weak UTEP rush defense that ranks 87th in the nation against the run. Look for more impressive numbers out of Smith in Week Ten. 
 
Curtis McNeal RB USC vs. Colorado:
It appears to be McNeal’s time to be the lead Trojan back as he has three straight quality outings including a 145 yard and two score effort last week against Stanford. Fantasy owners have to his chances this week against a poor Colorado defense that may have no answer for the Trojans offense. The chances are good that McNeil will top the 100-yard mark again this week with at least one trip to the end zone.
 
Roy Finch RB Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M:
Finch was expected to be a big contributor in the Oklahoma backfield this season, but was beaten out for the starting job by Dominique Whaley. Whaley is out for the rest of the season with an injury and Finch has stepped in nicely over the past two games. He is a good pass catcher out of the backfield and has shown that he is very capable of posting excellent fantasy numbers. Finch could have a nice game this week against Texas A&M in what could be a very explosive affair. Fantasy owners should not be afraid to hitch their proverbial wagons to this young Sooner.
 
James White RB Iowa State vs. Kansas:
This freshman has taken the reigns of the Iowa State backfield and run with them. He is coming off an impressive 31-carry game in which he netted 138 yards and a touchdown. White could be in store for a huge performance this week against the pathetic Kansas defense. The Cyclones should have no problem pummeling Kansas on the ground and White has a high ceiling this week. Anything less than 120 yards and a score would be under whelming for White this weekend.
 
WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS

Tommy Streeter WR Miami vs. Duke:
Streeter has become the go to receiver for Miami and has seven touchdown receptions over the past six games. He is a devastating deep threat who uses his big frame to come down with the jump balls. Fantasy owners may be salivating at the though of Streeter facing a Duke secondary that gets lit up on a regular basis. Streeter should be good for at least one deep touchdown catch this week and likely to hit the 100-yard mark as well.
 
Terrance Williams WR Baylor vs. Missouri:
Williams is averaging 8 receptions for 150 yards and a score over his past two games. He has developed into an important part of the Bears high-powered passing game and is targeted often by Robert Griffin. The 94th ranked Missouri pass defense is up next for Williams and could prove fruitful for savvy fantasy owners. Williams is a decent bet to top 100 yards receiving for the third straight game this Saturday. 
 
Jared Abbrederis WR Wisconsin vs. Purdue:
Abbrederis has quietly put together a five game stretch in which he has 26 receptions for 463 yards and four scores. He is clearly becoming the focus of the Wisconsin passing game and the favorite target of Russell Wilson. The chances are pretty good that Abbrederis will continue his productive ways this week against Purdue. This Badger could be a very useful option this week, especially in BCS only leagues.
 
Jaz Reynolds WR Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M:
Reynolds has clearly become a viable option in the high powered Oklahoma passing attack, with 140 yards and three scores in the past two games. He has an awesome match up this week with the worst pass defense in the country in Texas A&M on the docket. Look for another trip to pay dirt for Reynolds and a decent yardage total. He makes for a solid #3 WR in BCS only leagues this week.
 
Ryan Griffin TE Connecticut vs. Syracuse:
Griffin is hauling in about 4 receptions per game and is posting decent yardage totals for the TE position. He could do some damage this week against a Syracuse secondary that ranks 111th in the country against the pass.

SNEAKY D'S
 
Florida State vs. Boston College
USC vs. Colorado
Georgia vs. New Mexico State
Iowa State vs. Kansas
Houston vs. UAB
Tennessee vs. Middle Tennessee State
Mississippi State vs. Tennessee Martin
San Diego State vs. New Mexico

There you have it everyone, enjoy this week’s action and always remember to have fun playing college fantasy football. Good luck this week!


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A special thanks to our friends at CollegeFootballGeek.com for providing us with their Week 10 Player Rankings