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 3. 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 5-3-2 including my two WR's combining for 353 rec yds and 4 td's!!! I am currently 24-17-9 on the picks so far this season.

QUARTERBACKS:

My QB’s of the Week: Alex Carder, Western Michigan, Collin Klein, Kansas St and Jeff Godfrey, UCF

Alex Carder, Western Michigan-Carder has consistently won for me in the past couple of years on this blog and last week threw for a career-high 479 yards (73%) in the win over Connecticut with a 5-0 ratio! This week my computer calls for 325 pass yds as Carder and the Broncos continue to roll.

Collin Klein, Kansas St-Klein has been very impressive this year avg 120 pass ypg (55%) with a 6-2 ratio and is the Big 12’s #4 rusher with 423 yds (4.6) and 4 TD’s. He has stepped up with B2B big gms as the Cats have pulled 2 straight upsets and this week my computer calls for 170 yards passing and 177 rush with Klein again having the majority as the Wildcats could make it 3 straight upsets.

Jeff Godfrey, UCF-Godfrey is avg 185 pass ypg (69%) but just an 0-1 ratio and has more than made up for it with 8 rush td’s. Godfrey this week takes on a Marshall defense that is giving up 392 ypg. My computer calls for 447 yards for the Knights as they get back to their winning ways led by Godfrey.

RUNNING BACKS:

My RB’s of the week are: Cierre Wood, Notre Dame and Mike Ball, Nevada

Cierre Wood, Notre Dame-Wood is quietly having one of the best seasons by a ND RB since Julius Jones in 2003 with 584 yards (5.7) and 5 td’s and last week had a career-high 191 rush yds vs Purdue. This week he takes on an Air Force team that is allowing 228 rush ypg (4.3) and my computer calls for 227 rush yds for the Irish with Wood having another 100-yd performance.

Mike Ball, Nevada-Ball is leading the Wolfpack with 397 yds (4.7) and this week takes on a UNLV run defense that has allowed just 84 total combined yds the last two weeks. However that was against Hawaii and Southern Utah while Nevada has averaged an incredible 459 rush ypg and 17 TD’s the last 3 games vs the Rebels and I expect Ball to top the 100-yd mark here.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

My WR’s of the week are: Chleb Ravenell, Western Michigan and Tavon Austin, West Virginia

Chleb Ravenell, Western Michigan-Last week I took another Western Michigan WR in Jordan White and he easily delivered for me with 100+ yds and this week I will go back to the Broncos using one of their other outstanding WR’s in Ravenell who has 195 rec yds the last two weeks. He topped the 100-yd mark last week and has a great chance to do it again.

Tavon Austin, West Viginia-I have used Austin a couple of times already this year and he has delivered. He leads the Mountaineers with 35 rec (14.0) and a TD and this week my computer calls for 413 pass yds for WV as Austin should produce another 100-yd effort.

DEFENSES:

My Top Defenses of the Week: Mississippi St, North Carolina, UCF, South Carolina and Virginia Tech

Mississippi St vs UAB-Despite the offense’s problems the past couple of weeks, the Bulldogs defense has performed admirably this year giving up an average of 351 yds and 24 ppg. This week they take on a UAB offense that has a new QB in Johnathan Perry (first start LW), and is averaging just 14 ppg and 290 ypg. My computer calls for just 11 pts for the Blazers and if that happens it will be one of the better performances of the season for the Miss St D.

North Carolina vs Louisville-North Carolina’s defense has not performed well the last 3 weeks allowing an avg of 485 ypg but that will change this week as they take on a Louisville offense that has avg just 360 ypg and 19 ppg. My computer calls for just 268 yards and 8 points for the Cards making it easily one of my top surprise defensive plays of the week considering the recent performances of the Tar Heels.

UCF vs Marshall-UCF’s defense is quietly #2 in the country total D allowing just 190 ypg and 11 ppg. They have held each of the foes to under 265 yards per game and this week take on a Marshall offense that hs twice been held to under 265 yards and is avg just 15 ppg. UCF is off a bye week while Marshall is off a big win traveling for a second straight week. My computer calls for just 223 yards and 10 pts for the Herd easily making it one of the top defensive performances of the week.

South Carolina vs Kentucky-While the ineptitude of the South Carolina offense has gained much of the attention this year, the defense has been solid giving up 310 ypg and the last three weeks just 13 ppg. The Gamecocks are led by DL Ingram who has been named the SEC DL of the Week three times this year already and this week take on a Kentucky offense that is avg just 15 ppg and 256 ypg. This week my computer calls for just 195 yards and 11 pts for the Wildcats as the Gamecocks get an easy win.

Virginia Tech vs Miami, Fl-Yes the Hokies lost by 20 points at home last week to Clemson but don’t blame Bud Foster’s crew as they held Clemson to season lows in points (23) and total offense (323). This week the Hokies take on a Hurricane offense that has been pretty avg TY avg 369 ypg. My computer calls for just 267 yds (100 below the Canes’ ssn avg) and 17 pts as the Hokies get a bounce back win.  

UPSET OF THE WEEK:

ULM over Arkansas St

LY ASU won 34-20 at home (led 21-0) with a 474-391 yd edge and ULM getting a late TD. ULM is off a bye while Ark St is on B2B road trips. There have been 5 outright upsets recently in this series. HT is 14-6 incl 6 str wins (4 by 8 pts or less). Ark St has a huge ST’s edge here (#24-117). Arkansas St had a much tougher than expected game and needed a TD pass with :43 left to defeat WKU LW. Ark St QB Applin is avg 277 (67%) 5-5 ratio but with leading RB Jackson’s status in the air, the Red Wolves rush attack is non-existent and give ULM gets the upset.

A special thanks to our friends at CollegeFootballGeek.com for providing us with their Sneaky Plays for Week 6

CollegeFootballGeek.com’s Sneaky Plays – Week 6
By Kevin Mount, CollegeFootballGeek.com

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

Blaine Gautier La Lafayette vs. Troy: Gautier got on track last week against Florida Atlantic, throwing for 329 yards and two touchdowns. He has a juicy match up this week against a Troy secondary that has struggled mightily this season and allows almost 300 yards per game through the air. This game has the makings of a shoot out and Gautier should be a big part of the fun. Another 300 yard plus effort is a distinct possibility from Gautier this Saturday.   
 
Tyler Hansen QB Colorado vs. Stanford: Hansen has been a pleasant surprise so far in 2011 and is averaging roughly 265 yards passing per game. This Colorado team is having a hard time running the football and asking Hansen to throw it early and often to move the chains. This week he faces a Stanford pass defense that has been surprisingly vulnerable this season. Hansen may have to throw the ball a lot this week to keep pace with the efficient Stanford offense.
 
Ryan Radcliff QB Central Michigan vs. North Carolina State: Radcliff went ballistic last week against Northern Illinois, shredding them to the tune of 387 yards and four scores. He could build upon that performance this week when he faces NC State. The Wolf pack has been very shaky on pass defense and could be in for a tough time against Radcliff. A 300-yard game and a couple of scores are well within the realm of possibility for Radcliff in Week six.
 
Nick Isham QB Louisiana Tech vs. Idaho: This freshman is coming off the best game of his young career against Hawaii, throwing for over 300 yards and adding three touchdowns. A second big game is within reach for Isham, as he will be facing a horrible Idaho pass defense that gives up almost 310 yards per game. This kid has a high ceiling this week and could start rolling up some serious fantasy points.
 

RUNNING BACKS

Dustin Garrison RB West Virginia vs. Uconn: This freshman stole the show last week by rushing for a whopping 291 yards and two scores on 32 carries. Head coach Dana Holgerson was quoted as saying, “I think we found a running back”, which should certainly mean good things for fantasy owners. He faces a stiff test this week against a Uconn rush defense that ranks 8th in the country, but still should be able to crack the 100-yard plateau in Week six. This could be the start of something big with Garrison, so get on board early.
 
Lyle McCombs RB Uconn vs. West Virginia: McCombs is enjoying an excellent freshman season and is coming off a 188 total yard effort against Western Michigan. His stock just went up even more with the news that DJ Shoemate will seek a medical redshirt this season, so the backfield should belong to McCombs. He is receiving a ton of carries and that trend should continue this week against West Virginia. Look for another quality effort from McCombs this weekend.
 
Cierre Wood RB Notre Dame vs. Air Force: Wood is coming of a big performance in which he rumbled for 191 yards and a score versus Purdue. He now has over 100 yards rushing in three of the five games this season and could easily add another this week against Air Force. The Falcons rank a meek 113th in the nation against the run and may not have an answer for Wood this week. Fantasy owners should be happy to throw Wood into the lineup in Week six.
 
Morgan Williams RB Toledo vs. Eastern Michigan: Williams is filling in for the injured Adonis Thomas and certainly didn’t disappoint. He had 147 total yards and a score versus a tough Temple defense last week. Things should be easier this week against Eastern Michigan at home. Fantasy owners looking for a #2 running back could do much worse than Williams in Week six. Look for another game of 100 plus total yards and a score or two.
 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Tevin Reese WR Baylor vs. Iowa State: Reese has back to back solid fantasy performances in which he tallied 192 yards and two scores. He is looking like the second option in the passing game for Baylor, which equates to fantasy production given the Bears explosive offense. He could find some openings this week against a suspect Iowa State pass defense that will be hard pressed to stop the potent passing attack that Baylor possesses. Reese has a good chance of finding the end zone for the third consecutive game in Week six.
 
Josh Cooper WR Oklahoma State vs. Kansas: Cooper is not flashy at all, but he has put decent yardage totals over the past two weeks. He is also averaging just over six receptions per game, so he holds more value in a PPR league. This week he gets to face a Kansas pass defense that has been atrocious and comes in ranked 108th in the nation. Cooper is a good candidate for 70 to 80 yards and maybe a score this week.
 
Kelvin Bolden WR Southern Miss vs. Navy: This is a guy that was ranked fairly high coming into the season but started off slow and injured, so some owners may have forgotten about him. Bolden showed that he is back to form with a 132 yard and one score torching of Rice last week. The Navy pass defense is highly ranked at number seven in the country, but they have not faced a team that can throw like Southern Miss yet this season. It is highly likely that Bolden has another 100-yard game and could find the end zone also.
 
Chleb Ravenell WR Western Michigan vs. Bowling Green: The Western Michigan passing game is humming right now and Ravenell has established himself as a very productive option. He has 195 yards and three scores on 14 receptions over the past two contests. Ravenell could have another big performance against an average Bowling Green defense in Week six. Another 100-yard game could be in the cards for Ravenell.
 

TIGHT ENDS

Mychal Rivera TE Tennessee vs. Georgia: Rivera has been very consistent for the ever-inconsistent tight end position in college fantasy football. He 14 receptions over the last three games and may get even more looks with Justin Hunter out for the season. He is facing a tough pass defense in Georgia, but that sometimes works to the advantage of a tight end.
 

SNEAKY D’s
 
Mississippi State vs. UAB
South Carolina vs. Kentucky
Syracuse vs. Tulane

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 6 Player Rankings