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 8.

Erik Kuselias' NFL Fantasy Rankings Week 8

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 for a second week in a row!!! I am currently 46-27-9 on the picks so far this season.

QUARTERBACKS:

My QB’s of the Week: Brock Osweiler, Arizona St and Dominique Davis, East Carolina

Brock Osweiler, Arizona St-Osweiler is avg 280 ypg (66%) with a 15-8 ratio and this week takes on a banged up Colorado pass defense that ranks just #100 in my pass defense rankings. My computer projects 310 pass yds for the Devils this week as they and Osweiler roll along to a probable appearance in the first Pac-12 game! 

Dominique Davis, East Carolina-I took Davis two weeks ago and he delivered for me and I’m kicking myself for not taking him again last week as he set the NCAA-record with 26 straight completions and completed 40 of 45 passes (89%) for 372 yards and a 2-0 ratio in the win over Navy. This week he takes on a Tulane team that has an interim HC and my computer calls for another big day for Davis and Co.

RUNNING BACKS:

My RB’s of the week are: Malcolm Brown, Texas and Mike Ball, Nevada

Malcolm Brown, Texas-I placed Brown on my preseason All-Big 12 team and took a lot of heat for putting a true frosh on there but Brown has lived up to expectations so far this season leading the Horns with 516 yds (5.0) and 3 td’s and this week takes on arguably the worst defense in all of college football in Kansas who is allowing 551 ypg and 232 rush ypg (6.2). My computer calls for 239 rush yards for the Horns and I think Brown easily tops the 100-yd mark here.

Mike Ball, Nevada-I picked Ball a few weeks ago only to be burned by him not playing and now he is coming off a 198-yd (7.6) performance vs Fresno St and this week takes on a New Mexico St that is allowing 192 rush ypg (5.1). My computer calls for 289 rush yds and I think Ball tops the 100-yd mark.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

My WR’s of the week are: Deon Long, New Mexico and Markus Wheaton, Oregon St

Deon Long, New Mexico-Long leads the Lobos in receiving yds with 31 rec (18.7) and 3 TD and will be taking on a Air Force pass defense that ranks #117 in my pass efficiency defense rankings allowing 216 ypg (66%) and a 16-6 ratio. Look for Long after being shutdout last week vs TCU to top the 100-yard mark as my computer projects 200 pass yards for the Lobos.

Markus Wheaton, Oregon St-Wheaton easily leads the Beavers with 51 rec (12.7) and the Oregon St pass offense is now avg 297 ypg. This week they take on a Utah defense that has struggled in Pac-12 play allowing 263 pass ypg and 65.2% completions. My computer calls doe 250+ pass yds for the Beavers and Wheaton should top the 100-yd mark here.

DEFENSES:

My Top Defenses of the Week: UCF, Arizona St, Iowa and Mississippi St

UCF vs Memphis-UCF’s defense shockingly allowed 501 yards to UAB last week but still on the season have only allowed 261 ypg and just 16 ppg. This week they take on Memphis who is avg just 289 ypg and 16 ppg. My computer calls for just 7 pts and 183 yards allowed as the UCF defense will get back on track this week.

Arizona St vs Colorado-The Sun Devils defense has been average this season allowing 374 ypg and 23 ppg but get a chance to pad some stats this week as they take on a Colorado offense that is avg just 11 ppg and 255 ypg the L/3 weeks. My computer calls for just 12 pts and 268 yards for the Buffaloes and ASU gets an easy win.

Iowa vs Minnesota-The Hawkeyes D has nowhere near played up to the standards of a typical Norm Parker defense allowing 407 ypg and 23 ppg this year. That might change this week as they take on a Minnesota offense that has avg just 10 ppg and 215 ypg the last 3 weeks. Iowa lost 27-24 at Minnesota LY and TY they get revenge with a big win!       

Mississippi St vs Kentucky-Both of these teams desperately need a conference win if they have any hopes of making a bowl game this year. Miss St’s defense has been solid all year allowing just 19 ppg and has allowed a combined 17 pts in their L/2 gms. This week they take on a Kentucky offense that is avg just 17 ppg and 260 ypg and is avg only 183 ypg and 7 ppg in SEC play. My forecasts calls for 14 pts and 289 yds as the Bulldogs grab the win.        

UPSET OF THE WEEK: Winner LW picking Michigan St over Wisconsin!

Tennessee over South Carolina

Interesting series as Tenn has covered 2 straight and won 15 of 18 BUT they’ve been outgained 8 straight times. LY’s gm was tied 24-24 early 4Q before UT allowed a 70 yd TD pass and a 92/8pl TD drive. Brutal Tenn schedule as this is the final game of 4 str vs my top 4 SEC teams while SC is off a bye. Tenn LY at home vs Oreg, Florida and Bama at HT were tied, down 4 and down 3 but a lack of 2H depth led to them getting overrun in the 2H. The same thing has held true TY as they were tied 6-6 at HT to UGA ( lost 20-12) and were down just 17-7 to LSU 2 wks ago but were outscored 21-0 in the 2H. LW was no different as a spirited Vols squad was tied 6-6 at HT to Bama on the road but were outgained 280-41 in the 2H being outscored 31-0. Matt Simms is avg just 93 ypg (38%) and an 0-3 ratio in his 2 sts filling in for Bray but that was vs my #1 and 2 D's (LSU/Bama). The Vols run gm which avg’d -15 ypg (-0.7) vs UF/UGA has avg’d a respectable 101 (3.2) vs those two elite D's. SC still has the tie-breaker edge in the SEC East over UGA but lost their MVP in RB Lattimore (OFY knee) before the bye and will use a RB-by-committee to try and replace his 818 (5.0) production. QB Shaw will also carry more on his shoulders but after throwing for 311 yds (67%) with a 4-0 ratio vs UK he had just 155 yds (71%) with a 1-2 ratio in his 1st road start at Miss St. South Carolina has survived with 3 wins by 3 pts or less and while both teams have lost key ply'rs, no player in the SEC may be more important than RB Lattimore. The Vols pull the upset!

A special thanks to our friends at CollegeFootballGeek.com for providing us with their Sneaky Plays for Week 9

CollegeFootballGeek.com’s Sneaky Plays – Week 9
By Kevin Mount, CollegeFootballGeek.com

A very interesting Week Eight is in the books and now it is time to look ahead to the ninth 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

Dan Persa/Kain Colter QB Northwestern vs. Indiana:
Persa finally started to look like his old self last week against Penn State, throwing for almost 300 yards and adding two total scores. He did however leave with an injury and is questionable to play this week. If he can’t play, Colter becomes a nice option. The outlook for whomever plays this week looks sunny with a below average Indiana defense on the schedule. Fantasy owners should expect a nice stat line out of Persa or Colter this week. Something along the lines of 300 total yards and two or three scores seem entirely possible in Week Nine.
 
AJ Graham QB Marshall vs. UAB:
Graham has put together back to back solid fantasy performances, accounting for 570 total yards and five scores in those games. He has shown that he is a tremendous rushing threat with 203 yards and three rushing touchdowns over the past two contests. The best could be yet to come for Graham this week when he faces a pathetic UAB defense that ranks 117th in the country in total defense. Graham and the Marshall offense should have no problem moving the ball this week and fantasy points should be aplenty.
 
Sean Mannion QB Oregon State vs. Utah:
Mannion has shown great improvement and has consecutive 300-yard games to go along with five touchdowns on his resume. He has two talented receivers in James Rodgers and Marcus Wheaton to throw to and has shown the ability to make all the throws. His recent success could continue this week against a Utah defense that has been susceptible to the pass. Look for solid numbers from this Beaver in Week Nine.
 
Tre Roberson QB Indiana vs. Northwestern:
This true freshman got his first start last week versus Iowa and put up some nice fantasy numbers. He tallied 278 total yards and showed he is a rushing threat with 84 yards on the ground. His second career start could be a very good one for fantasy owners when he faces a weak Northwestern secondary that ranks 93rd in the country. The match up looks good for Roberson to post a nice stat line this weekend. Roll with the freshman this week.

RUNNING BACKS

Zac Stacy RB Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas:
Stacy has really been coming on of late and has 295 yards and four rushing scores over his past two games. This is not your typical Vanderbilt team, they actually do know how to run the ball and have been posting decent numbers. The hot streak that Stacy has been on could easily continue this week against a struggling Arkansas rush defense that comes in ranked 88th in the nation. It’s not usually good practice to start Vanderbilt players in fantasy lineups, but Stacy may be working on removing that school of though. Look for another solid effort from Stacy in Week Nine.
 
Rolandan Finch RB Boston College vs. Maryland:
Finch appears to have taken the reigns on the Boston College backfield with his recent play. He has 37 carries over the past two games and is averaging about 85 yards per game on the ground. This could be the week he really explodes when he faces a pathetic Maryland rush defense that surrenders 215 yards per game. Finch could easily shred the Terrapins defense for well over 100 yards and find pay dirt at least one time. This BC back looks like a real nice #2 guy this week, especially in BCS only leagues.
 
Jamal Woodyard RB Southern Miss vs. UTEP:
It looks to be the time for Woodyard to shine in the Southern Miss backfield with injuries to Kendrick Hardy and Jeremy Hester. He ran for 116 yards and a score in last weeks drubbing of SMU and now should see an even heavier workload. Woodyard could find plenty of room to run this week versus the 80th ranked rush defense that UTEP brings to the table. We like this kids chances of topping the century mark for the second straight week and staking his claim at the starting tailback position. 

WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS

Juron Criner WR Arizona vs. Washington:
Criner appears on this list only because he has been so bad this season that some fantasy owners may have written him off and forgotten about him. He looks to finally be fully healthy and is coming off a 101 yard and three score performance against UCLA. This week’s match up against Washington could go along way in re-establishing Criner as a top-flight fantasy wide receiver. The Huskies rank 110th in the country against the pass and get torched on a weekly basis. Look for huge numbers from Criner this weekend.
 
Noel Grigsby WR San Jose State vs. Louisiana Tech:
Grigsby is starting to pick up steam and has a whopping 23 receptions for 214 yards over his past two contests. Up next on the schedule is a date with Louisiana Tech and their atrocious pass defense that yields 270 yards per game. Expect Grigsby to keep racking up the yardage this week and maybe find his way into the end zone as a bonus. 
 
TJ Moe WR Missouri vs. Texas A&M:
Moe has not come close to living up to his preseason ranking and has probably been dropped by many fantasy owners. He has shown signs of life the past two weeks, ringing up 161 yards and two scores. Moe could in store for his biggest game of the season when he lines up against the worst pass defense in all of college football in Texas A&M. This game has the makings of a shoot out and Moe should be heavily involved in the passing part of that.
 
Michael Harrison WR Oklahoma State vs. Baylor:
Harrison has not been a huge part of the potent Oklahoma State passing attack, but that could all change this week. With Hubert Anyiam being lost for the rest of the season to a broken foot and star wide out Justin Blackmon being knocked out of the games last week with a concussion and should problem, Harrison figures to be the benefactor. The match up with Baylor is a fantasy owners dream and could produce a ton of yardage and scores. Harrison is a bit of a gamble, but it could pay off in spades.
 
David Blackburn TE Central Michigan vs. Akron:
Blackburn has had two monstrous games in a row for the TE position, racking up 277 yards and three touchdowns in that period. Those numbers are too hard to ignore and it might be wise to ride the hot hand in this case. Blackburn may not put up huge numbers like the past two weeks, but he is worth a shot at the always weak TE position.


SNEAKY D'S
 
Texas vs. Kansas
Iowa vs. Minnesota
Army vs. Fordham
Arizona State vs. Colorado
Cal vs. UCLA
Miss State vs. Kentucky

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 8 Player Rankings