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 6-6 including four Big Wins on defense!!! I am currently 30-23-9 on the picks so far this season.

QUARTERBACKS:

My QB’s of the Week: Dominique Davis, East Carolina, Keith Price, Washington and GJ Kinne, Tulsa

Dominique Davis, East Carolina-Davis is avg just 267 ypg (67%) with a 9-10 ratio and was pulled in the 2H last week vs Houston. This week however he faces a Memphis defense that ranks #106 in my Pass Defense Rankings. My computer calls for 348 pass yds and I will call for Davis to have one of his best games of the season.

Keith Price, Washington-Price has been sensational replacing #1DC Locker and has put up better stats than what Locker did last year as a Senior. Price is avg 242 ypg (68%) with a 17-4 ratio and this week takes on a banged-up Colorado team that is just #79 in my PDR giving up a 14-3 ratio. My computer calls for 258 pass yds and I’ll call for just another day at the office for Price with at least 250 pass yds and a couple of TD’s.

GJ Kinne, Tulsa-Kinne has been banged up this year and has gone up against one of the toughest schedules in the country facing three top 10 teams in Oklahoma, Oklahoma St and Boise St. This week he faces he takes on a UAB pass defense that ranks #118 in my PDR and I’ll call for Kinne to have one of his best games of the season as the Golden Hurricane roll.

RUNNING BACKS:

My RB’s of the week are: Giovani Bernard, North Carolina, Kenjon Barner, Oregon and Henry Josey, Missouri

Giovani Bernard, North Carolina-Bernard made my Mid-Season All-American team and already has 656 yds (6.4) and 8 td’s becoming the first NC player to have 100+ rush yds in 4 straight gms since 1984. This week he faces a Miami run defense that has been surprisingly poor giving up 194 ypg (4.9) this year. My computer calls for nearly 200 rush yds for the Tar Heels and if that is the case you have to feel Bernard will make it 5 straight games with 100+.

Kenjon Barner, Oregon-All-American LaMichael James is hurt so that means Barner will have an expanded role this week vs Arizona St. Last year James was out for the opener and I used Barner in my Surprise Fantasy blog and he ripped off 5 TD’s vs the Lobos. While he won’t get 5 TD’s here I do think he is capable of reaching a 100 rush yds making him a surprise pick.

Henry Josey, Missouri-Josey has 588 rush yds (10.7, #1 NCAA) and 5 td’s for the Tigers and this week take on an Iowa St run defense that gave up 397 rush yds (5.9) last week! My computer calls for 259 rush yds for the Tigers and look for Josey to top the 100-yd mark.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

My WR’s of the week are: Nick Harwell, Miami, Oh and Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers

Nick Harwell, Miami, Oh-Harwell has been tearing it up since his 2-game suspension with 636 rec yds (17.7) and 2 td’s in just 4 gms. I named him Mid-Season 1st-Team All-MAC and this week my computer calls for 250 pass yds for the Redhawks with Harwell having another big game.

Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers-Sanu leads the Scarlet Knights with 45 rec (10.1) and 4 td’s. This week he takes on a Navy defense that ranks #116 in my PDR and my computer calls for 243 pass yds and look for Sanu as usual to get plenty of touches.

DEFENSES:

My Top Defenses of the Week: Penn St and Cincinnati

Penn St vs Purdue-While everyone is talking about Alabama’s and LSU’s defense (and deservedly so), Penn St’s D has quietly put together a strong 2011 allowing just 251 ypg  and just 11 ppg. Keep in mind before the season I rated Penn St’s defense #2 in the country behind Alabama and they have definitely lived up to that billing. This week they take on a Purdue offense that is avg 412 ypg but I will call for them to have their lowest total of the season here.

Cincinnati vs Louisville-The Bearcats defense is much improved over LY all’g just 17 ppg (28 ppg LY) and this week take on a Louisville offense that is avg just 342 ypg. My computer calls for just 9 pts for the Cardinals and that would certainly be a win for a Cincinnati team that is flying under the radar.

UPSET OF THE WEEK:

Mississippi St over South Carolina

They’ve not met S/‘07 but it’s been decade of domination by SC (5-0) and they have won the L/3 by 24,15 and 17 pts avg +130 ypg. Both tms may be playing relatively “green” QB’s in this one as LW SC QB Shaw replaced the struggling Garcia as the starter and he threw for 311 yds (67%) with a 4-0 ratio (Garcia only 4-9 ratio thru 1st 5 gms comb) as the Gamecocks racked up a dominating 639-96 yd edge in their 54-3 win over KY. It was their biggest MOV in an SEC gm since joining the league in ‘92 and the most yds under Spurrier in his tenure here. WR Jeffery finally had a big gm with 6 rec (15.8) and 2 TD’s while the dependable RB Lattimore leads with 779 yds (5.3) and 9 TD. MSU found themselves down 3-0 at HT LW at UAB and QB Russell replaced the ineffective Relf (beating he took early ssn taking its toll) in the 2H while leading the Bulldogs to 3 2H TD’s in their 21-3 win. Russell threw for 166 yds (85%) with a 3-0 ratio while RB Ballard topped the 100 yd mark and he leads with 531 (6.2). LY Miss St beat GA at home and outFD’d Ark 32-21 in an OT loss, have a bye on deck and this will be Shaw’s first true away start as the Bulldogs grab a key conf win.

A special thanks to our friends at CollegeFootballGeek.com for providing us with their Sneaky Plays for Week 7

CollegeFootballGeek.com’s Sneaky Plays – Week 7
By Kevin Mount, CollegeFootballGeek.com

A very interesting Week six is in the books and it is now time to look to the seventh 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

Zac Dysert QB Miami Ohio vs. Kent State:
Dysert exploded last week accounting for 381 total yards and five touchdowns against Army. He has a great receiving option in Nick Harwell and is asked to throw often as Miami Ohio struggles to run the ball effectively. This week he faces a Kent State defense that is not too shabby by the numbers, but they have not faced many passing teams and no wide outs the caliber of Harwell. Dysert could post nice fantasy numbers in Week seven against Kent State.
 
Matt Barkley QB USC vs. Cal:
Barkley is averaging almost 320 yards per game through the air and just dropped 468 yards and five total scores on Arizona in Week five. The Trojans have become a pass first team and Barkley is locked on to Robert Woods like glue. He should find more success this week against a susceptible Cal pass defense that will likely have no answer for the USC passing attack. Fantasy owners can probably expect another 300 plus yard effort from Barkley this Thursday night.
 
Matt Christian New Mexico State vs. Idaho:
Christian has been very productive filling in for the injured Andrew Manley. He showed off his dual threat skills two weeks ago against New Mexico when threw for 296 yards and four scores and ran for 101 yards and a touchdown. With Idaho on the docket this week, Christian could be in store for a huge stat line. Don’t be afraid to roll the dice on Christian this week as the reward could be big.
 
Ricky Nelson QB BYU vs. Oregon State:
Nelson replaced the ineffective Jake Heaps two weeks ago against Utah State and appears to have seized control of the starting job with his inspired play. He brings the added dimension of a rushing threat and has accumulated 127 yards on the ground in the past game and a half. He could have a pretty productive day this week against an Oregon State secondary that ranks 94th in the nation. Nelson and the BYU offense could post some big numbers in Week seven.
 

RUNNING BACKS

Orleans Darkwa RB Tulane vs. UTEP:
Darkwa was highly ranked by most fantasy experts coming into the season, but has not lived up to expectations until the past two games. He has 211 yards and three scores in that time period and looks to be back on the track to fantasy starter territory. Darkwa could run wild this week against a porous UTEP rush defense that yields just over 200 yards per game. Fantasy owners who held onto Darkwa could be very happy after this week.
 
Paris Cotton RB Central Michigan vs. Eastern Michigan:
Cotton has been white hot recently, compiling 285 total yards and four scores over his last two contests. He could continue his hot streak this week when he faces Eastern Michigan in a fantasy friendly MAC game. Cotton is a decent bet to top the 100-yard mark for the third straight game and help fantasy owners who may be looking for a hidden gem this weekend.
 
Brynn Harvey RB UCF vs. SMU:
Harvey looks to be fully recovered from a knee injury that knocked him out for the entire 2010 season. He rumbled for 180 yards on an impressive 30 carries last week versus Marshall and looks to have reclaimed his starting spot in the backfield. He may not have such a high yardage total against SMU, but he should still post solid numbers and possibly find the end zone also.
 
Kenjon Barner RB Oregon vs. Arizona State:
Barner makes the list this week simply because he could be in line for a bunch of carries if LaMichael James is unable to play. James a horrific looking shoulder injury last week against Cal and there is a good chance he could miss this weeks game against Arizona State. Fantasy owners all know how well that Oregon runs the football and Barner should fill in nicely and put up starter type numbers in Week seven. 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Darius Reynolds WR Iowa State vs. Missouri:
Reynolds has scored two touchdowns in three of the first five games this season for Iowa State. He is clearly the favorite target when the Cyclones take to the air and is having a career season. Reynolds could have another fine outing against a suspect Missouri pass defense. Another 100-yard day with a score and seven or eight receptions are well within reach for Reynolds on Saturday.
 
Brent Leonard WR Louisiana Monroe vs. Troy:
Leonard has put together three solid games in a row with 311 yards and three scores during that time period. He holds huge value in PPR leagues and he hauled in 31 receptions over the past three games. Leonard could have a field day against a woeful Troy pass defense that allows almost 300 yards passing per game. Another double digit reception day could be in the cards for Leonard in Week seven.
 
Rashad Greene WR Florida State vs. Duke:
Greene has scored in every game this season and has developed into the top option in the Florida State passing game. He has 20 receptions for 261 yards and two scores over the past two games. He is a good bet to post  big numbers this week versus a putrid Duke pass defense which ranks 106th in the nation. Look for Greene to go over the century mark again and likely find pay dirt at least once this weekend.
 
Jaxon Shipley WR Texas vs. Oklahoma State:
It has not taken long for this freshman to separate himself and become the #1 wide out for the Longhorns. He has been the best offensive player on the field for Texas and figures to see plenty of action this week against Oklahoma State. Shipley will have to be a major factor for Texas to have any hope of hanging with the potent Cowboys offense.

TIGHT ENDS

Tim Biere TE Kansas vs. Oklahoma:
Biere has quietly been pretty consistent at the very inconsistent tight end position. He is averaging about four receptions per game and is tied for the team lead in that category. It is fairly likely that Kansas will be down big early and will be throwing the ball all day long against Oklahoma. The beauty about fantasy football is that it doesn’t matter if the stats come in garbage time or in a competitive game, they all count the same.
 

SNEAKY D’s
 
Wisconsin vs. Indiana
Cincinnati vs. Louisville
Temple vs. Buffalo
Florida State vs. Duke
Oklahoma vs. Kansas

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 7 Player Rankings