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 2.

Erik Kuselias' NFL Fantasy Rankings Week 7

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 8-2 including a perfect 6-0 mark with my QB's and RB's!!! I am currently 38-25-9 on the picks so far this season.

QUARTERBACKS:

My QB’s of the Week: Austin Davis, Southern Miss, Collin Klein, Kansas St and Cody Fajardo, Nevada

Austin Davis, Southern Miss-Davis and the Southern Miss offense has exploded for 619 ypg the L/2 gms and Davis is avg 260 ypg (64%) with a 13-6 ratio on the season. This week in a CUSA showdown he faces a SMU defense that has allowed 450+ yds the L/2 games and my computer calls for 300 pass yds for Davis as the Golden Eagles grab a key conference win.  

Collin Klein, Kansas St-Klein “IS” the Kansas St offense this year as he is avg 123 yds (59%) with a 7-3 ratio and is the Cats leading rusher with 578 (4.2) and 10 td’s. This week he takes on the worst defense in the NCAA in Kansas, which is giving up 565 ypg and is #119 in my pass defense rankings. With my computer calling for 173 yards passing and 230 yards rushing look for Klein to have another big outing as he leads them to a 7-0 start.

Cody Fajardo, Nevada-Last week Fajardo completed 20 of 25 passes (80%) for 203 yards and a 0-1 ratio but also added 86 rush yds (6.6) and 2 td’s. Fajardo is the more mobile of the two Nevada QB’s and Fajardo should have some success this week as my computer calls for 283 yards passing and 259 yards rushing as the Wolfpack continue to roll in WAC play.     

RUNNING BACKS:

My RB’s of the week are: Bernard Pierce, Marcus Coker, Iowa and Henry Josey, Missouri

Bernard Pierce, Temple-Pierce is having an All-American season with already 844 yds (5.1) and 14 td’s. This week he takes on a Bowling Green rush defense that has allowed 326 rush ypg (7.0!) the last 3 weeks! My computer calls for 323 rush yds for Temple and I’ll call for Pierce to have an outside shot to get to 1,000 yds on the season this week which means he’ll easily top the 100-yd mark.

Marcus Coker, Iowa-Coker had one of his best performances of the season last week vs Northwestern gaining 124 yds (5.6) and 2 td’s and leads the Hawkeyes with 578 (4.6) and 6 td’s on the season. This week he faces an Indiana defense that is allowing 226 rush ypg (5.0) this year and the last two weeks has allowed an avg of 323 rush ypg. Coker tops the 100-yd mark here.

Henry Josey, Missouri-I used Josey last week and he delivered for me with 129 yds (6.8) and a td and this week he faces an Oklahoma St team that did give up 231 rush yards last week to Texas and on the season is allowing 190 ypg (5.0). This week my computer calls for 249 rush yds for Missouri and I think Josey again tops the 100-yd mark.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

My WR’s of the week are: Lance Lewis, East Carolina and Stedman Bailey, West Virginia

Lance Lewis, East Carolina-Lewis is the leading rec for the Pirates with 45 rec (10.7) and 6 td’s and this week faces a Navy defense that gave up more than 300 yds in their last gm vs a pass-oriented team (Southern Miss) and is just #116 in my pass defense rankings. My computer calls for 310 yards passing for East Carolina and Lewis has a shot to top the 100-yd mark.

Stedman Bailey, West Virginia-While Tavon Austin gets a lot of the attention, Bailey actually leads the Mountaineers with 34 rec (18.6) and 5 td’s. This week he faces a Syracuse defense that is allowing 293 pass ypg (61%). My computer calls for 400 yards for West Virginia and I think Bailey tops the 100-yd mark.  

DEFENSES:

My Top Defenses of the Week: Houston and Temple

Houston vs Marshall-When you think of Houston, defense certainly does not come to mind but the Cougars D has given up 290 yards or less 3 times this season and in their last outing gave up just 3 points and 284 yards to East Carolina. This week they take on a struggling Marshall offense that is avg just 280 ypg and 15 ppg. My computer calls for just 15 points for the Thundering Herd, which would mean another solid performance for the undefeated Cougars.

Temple vs Bowling Green-The Owls defense has been dominating this year giving up just a total of 67 points (10 ppg) and 36 of those came in one game! They also are giving up just 255 ypg and this week take on a Bowling Green offense that is avg 402 ypg on the season but the last 3 weeks has avg just 314 ypg and 17 ppg. My computer calls for just 11 points for the Falcons which means the Owls would put forth another great effort.

UPSET OF THE WEEK:

Michigan St over Wisconsin

Rare night gm in Spartan Stadium (11th, beat ND in OT LY) with the GameDay crew on hand. The HT has won 6 str by 15 ppg. MSU is avg 319 ypg pass (56%) the L4Y vs the UW secondary. LY the gm was also here and MSU had a 444-292 yd edge and won 34-24 under ex-OC Treadwell as Dantonio was out (heart attack complications). MSU is now 4-0 under Dantonio in the gm foll Mich and Sparty won their 4th str win over rival Mich LW. MSU contained UM’s Robinson (165 ttl yd) and finished with a 213-82 rush yd edge capping the gm with 4:53 left when S Lewis had a 39 yd pick six. QB Cousins (220, 66%, 8-4) has the B10’s #2 rec in Cunningham (42, 14.8). MSU is #2 FBS in ttl (186) and #4 in scoring (10.8). Wisky took adv of 3 TO’s and breezed by Indy 59-7 with a 524-287 yd edge. Heisman cand QB Wilson (260, 74%, 14-1) is #1 FBS pass eff and caught a TD pass LW with #1 WR Toon (447, 17.9) out. Underrated UW is #3 FBS in scoring D (9.7). The marquee matchup will be MSU’s stout DL which is #3 FBS in rush D (67, 2.3) vs Wisky’s ground gm (#7 258, 5.9) led by Ball (653, 6.1) and the Spartans already shut down one Heisman cand LW.

A special thanks to our friends at CollegeFootballGeek.com for providing us with their Sneaky Plays for Week 8

CollegeFootballGeek.com’s Sneaky Plays – Week 8
By Kevin Mount, CollegeFootballGeek.com

A very interesting Week Seven is in the books and now it is time to look ahead to the eighth 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

Logan Thomas QB Virginia Tech vs. Boston College: Thomas was considered by many to be a “sleeper” coming into the season, but had not done much until the last two weeks. In those two games, he has accounted for 658 total yards and nine touchdowns. He may have turned the corner and looks to be ready to be a factor in the fantasy world. Thomas could be in for a big day in Week eight against a struggling Boston College defense that ranks 101st in the country against the pass. Expect another solid outing out of this talented Hokie.
 
EJ Manuel QB Florida State vs. Maryland: Manuel returned to the starting role last week versus Duke and did not disappoint. He accumulated 301 total yards and four scores and looked to be fully healthy and in charge of the offense. This dual threat quarterback could have another nice fantasy day against a Maryland team that may be hard pressed to stop Manuel and the Florida State offense. Fantasy owners can expect another 250-300 total yards and a couple of scores from Manuel this weekend.
 
Cody Fajardo QB Nevada vs. Fresno State: This freshman looks to be the next great fantasy quarterback to come out of the fantasy friendly pistol offense that Nevada employs. He is a true threat running the football and is becoming more comfortable throwing also. The immediate future looks bright with a poor Fresno State defense on the docket in Week eight. Fajardo is a good bet to post decent yardage totals and a few scores against Fresno State this week.
 
CJ Brown QB Maryland vs. Florida State: This sophomore has come in and wrestled the starting job right away from Danny O’Brien. He is a huge threat on the ground, rushing for 286 yards and two touchdowns over the past two contests. Brown has a tough matchup at least on paper this week versus Florida State, but the Seminoles do give up some big plays so he could have some success this week. Don’t expect huge numbers this week, but a score or two on the ground are very possible.
 

RUNNING BACKS

Edwin Baker RB Michigan State vs. Wisconsin: Baker was a top 10 to 15 running back heading into this season, but had not lived up to expectations until last week against Michigan. He returned to his 2010 form and tore apart the Wolverines for 167 yards and a score on 26 carries. The Spartans will likely have to use him often this week in a hard fought contest with Wisconsin. Expect to see another 20 plus carry game for Baker and possible a score or two as the Spartans try to control the clock in this prime time match up.
 
Devonta Freeman RB Florida State vs. Maryland: Florida State has been atrocious running the football this season, but may have found an answer to that problem in the form on Devonta Freeman. The freshman burst onto the scene last week with 109 yards and a score versus Duke. He figures to get a bunch more carries this week against a terrible Maryland rush defense that gives up 215 yards per game and over 2 touchdowns per game. Freeman could cement his hold on the starting job with another 100-yard effort this week.
 
Perry Jones RB Virginia vs. North Carolina State: Jones appears to have awoken from his early season struggles and has back to back 100-yard games to his credit. He has also shown his ability to catch the ball with 27 receptions through six games. This do it all back should have success this week against a weak NC State defense that struggles on a weekly basis. Fantasy owners should expect another 100 plus total yards out of Jones in Week eight and maybe a trip to the end zone to top it off.
 
Aaron Crawford RB Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma: Crawford was thrust into the starting spot last week with the season ending injury to Eric Stephens and responded with 124 total yards and a score versus Kansas State. He figures to see the bulk of the carries going forward and has shown he is capable of producing solid numbers. His match up with Oklahoma this week is not the greatest, but he should still see enough touches to put up a decent stat line. A game with 80 to 100 total yards and a score are a distinct possibility.
 

WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS

Jarrett Boykin WR Virginia Tech vs. Boston College: Much like his quarterback Logan Thomas, Boykin has been on a tear the past two weeks. He has 269 yards and two touchdowns during that time period. Boykin could be in store for a third straight huge performance when he faces the putrid Boston College pass defense in Week eight. Fantasy owners should feel good about having Boykin in their lineups this week, especially in BCS only leagues.
 
LaVon Brazill WR Ohio vs. Akron: Brazill has scored eight touchdowns on the season and is averaging five receptions per game. He is the primary weapon in the Ohio passing attack and has proved to be very consistent. The Akron pass defense has been solid so far this season, but Brazill should still find some open room this weekend. Expect another trip to pay dirt for Brazill against Akron.
 
Tavarese Maye UL-Monroe vs. North Texas: Maye has put up decent yardage totals, but his true value comes in PPR leagues as he has hauled in seven receptions in each of the last three games and averages almost 6 receptions on the season. He should once again be on the receiving end of quite a few passes this week versus an awful North Texas pass defense which yields almost 300 yards per game. Expect around seven or eight grabs and possibly a score this week for Maye.
 
Jermaine Kearse WR Washington vs. Stanford: Kearse is not putting up the nearly the numbers he did in 2010, but he still has six touchdowns thus far and seems to be coming on lately. He has twelve catches in his last two games and figures to be targeted often this week versus Stanford. The Huskies could look to do damage against a Stanford defense that is much more vulnerable against the pass than they are against the run. Kearse has a good chance of reaching the end zone again in Week eight.

Cooper Helfet TE Duke vs. Wake Forest: Helfet has consecutive games of 50 yards receiving and a touchdown, which is excellent production for the TE position in college fantasy football. He could be heavily involved in the passing game this week versus a suspect Wake Forest pass defense. He is a good bet to score for the third straight game this week.


SNEAKY D'S
 
Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State
Iowa vs. Indiana
Kansas State vs. Kansas
BYU vs. Idaho State
Oregon vs. Colorado
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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CollegeFootballGeek.com is your home for 2011 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 8 Player Rankings