Three 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%). In 2010 I had another successful year with a winning week every week and an overall 103-45-17 (70%) record. Last year I went 82-44-11 (65%). So far this year I am 46-23-3 67%.

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 Denard Robinson, Matt Barkley or Montee Ball in my picks. These are strictly surprise picks of players who are flying under the radar.

My QB's Of The Week:
Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois • Seth Doege, Texas Tech
• Shane Carden, East Carolina

QB Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois vs Buffalo – Jordan Lynch is the prototypical dual-threat QB as he has the most rushing yards among QB’s (789 yds, 9 td’s) in all of the FBS while also posting a solid 1,255 yds through the air with an additional 9 td’s. Lynch should be in good shape here at home against the Bulls.

QB Seth Doege, Texas Tech vs West Virginia – While the Red Raiders aren’t the same pass-every-down offense now that Mike Leach has departed, Seth Doege still has an excellent chance to put up some big numbers this week against a WVU secondary that is allowing 336 ypg on the season. Doege has a 15-6 ratio and is near 70% completions and another 300 yd performance (3 out of 5 so far TY) should be expected.

QB Shane Carden, East Carolina vs Memphis – While Carden hasn’t put up impressive numbers this season, we like his matchup this week against a Memphis squad that is allowing 322 passing yds on the road this year and are off of a rare victory which could affect their preparation. In a week that doesn’t feature a great amount of situational matchups, Carden and the Pirates should make us look good in this meeting.

My RB's Of The Week:
David Fluellen, Toledo • Kasey Carrier, New Mexico • Zach Line, SMU

RB David Fluellen, Toledo vs Eastern Michigan – With the emergence of David Fluellen at RB, the Rockets aren’t as much of a one-dimensional team as they once were. Fluellen has rushed for 100+ yds in 3 contests including a 213 yd, 3 td performance just 2 weeks ago against Western Michigan. Another favorable matchup here against Eastern Michigan should see Fluellen reach that milestone yet again.

RB Kasey Carrier, New Mexico vs Hawaii – As new Lobos HC Bob Davie attempts to re-establish the New Mexico program, it’s not much of a surprise to see him lean on one of his RB’s to lead the offense. Over the past 3 games Carrier has rushed for 406 yds and 6 td’s as the Lobos have knocked off Texas St and New Mexico St and nearly pulled the upset against Boise. Look for the offense to stay on the ground again here against a Hawaii defense that has allowed 315 rushing ypg in their 3 conference matchups.

RB Zach Line, SMU vs Tulane – How can we go wrong with a RB that has 17 career 100 yard rushing efforts? Line’s in for another big outing this weekend against a Tulane defense that is surrendering 267 yds on the ground through 5 games this season. If he’s available in your league, grab him now before it’s too late.

My WR's Of The Week:
Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas • Mike Shanahan, Pittsburgh • Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin

WR Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas vs Kentucky – A healthy Travis Wilson at QB usually results in high productivity from Cobi Hamilton. After pulling in an amazing 303 receiving yards against Rutgers, Hamilton has strung together 2 more solid outings with 18 catches and 248 yds against A&M and Auburn. On the docket this week is a struggling Kentucky team that the Hogs should have no problem moving the ball against.

WR Mike Shanahan, Pittsburgh vs Louisville – Mike Shanahan is putting together a career year in his senior campaign as QB Sunseri’s #1 target. Believe it or not, he’s just 138 yds away from topping his career-high season (589 receiving yards) through just 5 games. Expect another 6 reception, 100 yard performance from this veteran wideout.

WR Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin vs Purdue – How good has Jared Abbrederis been for the Badgers since returning from injury? Well over a 3 game span he has pulled in 20 receptions for 406 yds and 3 td’s. Abbrederis’ 516 receiving yards on the season is more than 400 yards greater than Wisconsin’s #2 receiver. Another favorable matchup awaits against Purdue, as the Badger offense continues to heat up in Big Ten play.

My Defenses Of The Week:
Connecticut • BYU • Rutgers

Connecticut Defense vs Temple – Despite the loss to Rutgers a week ago, the Conn defense should have plenty of confidence heading into this weekend’s matchup with Temple. The Huskies are allowing just 226 ypg at home while the Owls are averaging just 303 ypg this season. The Huskies front 7 should dominate here as Temple makes its first road trip since rejoining the Big East Conference.

BYU Defense vs Oregon St – The Beavers were dealt some bad news following last week’s win over Wash St as QB Sean Mannion will miss extensive time with a knee injury. Cody Vaz has appeared in only five games in his career, completing six of 17 passes for 48 yards. The junior has not played in a game since the 2010 season. Adding to the bad news is a matchup with BYU’s defense, which hasn’t given up more than 261 total yards through 6 games including allowing 7 or fewer points in 4 of those contests!! Vaz is in for a long day as the Cougars make our list of Top Fantasy Defenses this weekend.

Rutgers Defense vs Syracuse – Rarely do we use a Fantasy Defense for consecutive weeks but Rutgers’ D is still undervalued. The Knights are fresh off of a 19-3 victory over Conn last week where they allowed just 244 total yards. How impressive has their defense been at home so far in 2012? How about allowing just 197 ypg!! Grab the Knights defense again this week!!

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 ahead to the Seventh 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

Trevone Boykin TCU QB vs. Baylor:
Boykin was thrust into action last week after starting quarterback Casey Pachall was suspended indefinitely following a DWI arrest. The freshman had an average game against Iowa State, but did show that he is a dual-threat player who could be difficult to stop with more game experience. He should get that game experience this week against a pathetic Baylor defense that is dead last in total defense, allowing an average of 571 yards per game. Expect Boykin to post an excellent stat line against the Bears on Saturday night.

Tyler Van Tubbergen Western Michigan QB vs. Ball State:
Van Tubbergen started last week for the injured Alex Carder and responded by throwing five touchdown passes against UMASS. He should be under center again this week and could go ballistic against a lousy Ball State secondary. The Cardinals come in allowing a shade under 300 yards passing per game and could be hard pressed to stop a potent Western Michigan passing attack. Expect Van Tubbergen to post an excellent yardage total and add a few scores this weekend in a potential MAC shoot out.

RUNNING BACKS

George Winn Cincinnati RB vs. Fordham:
Winn has been very consistent this season and is averaging 111 rushing yards per game. He tore through Miami Ohio last week for 128 yards and two scores on the ground. This Bearcat could have a short but productive day this week facing an overmatched Fordham squad. Look for Winn to cross the 100-yard mark and score at least once against the Rams in Week Seven.

Jeff Scott Ole Miss RB vs. Auburn:
Scott ran past Texas A&M last week for 108 yards and a score. He is one of the top playmakers for the Rebels and will likely be used often this week against Auburn. The Auburn defense is quite simply pathetic and could really be challenged by Scott and the Ole Miss offense. Scott seems like a good bet to post his 2nd straight game of 100 or more yards rushing against the Tigers.

Carlos Hyde Ohio State RB vs. Indiana:
This bruiser is coming off a demolition of Nebraska in which he tallied 140 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He was filling in for the injured Jordan Hall and likely will this week against a lousy Indiana rush defense that is ranked 99th in the country. Check the injury status of Hall later in the week and be sure to insert Hyde into the lineup if Hall is indeed out again. The Hoosiers will likely have no answer for the powerful Buckeye rushing attack.

Andrew Buie West Virginia RB vs. Texas Tech:
Buie started last week for the injured Shawnee Alston and likely ripped the starting gig right away from him. This sophomore rolled up 273 total yards and two rushing touchdowns in a showdown with Texas. This guy runs bigger than his build and showed great burst through the holes last week. With opposing defenses concentrating on the vaunted West Virginia passing game, Buie could find many open lanes to run through on a weekly basis. Look for this Mountaineer to have another solid showing against Texas Tech this weekend.

Kasey Carrier New Mexico RB vs. Hawaii:
Carrier has quietly posted nice numbers in three straight games, including 191 yards and four scores last week versus Texas State. His streak could continue this week facing an inept Hawaii rush defense that is ranked 106th in the nation and has allowed 18 rushing touchdowns on the season. Carrier could post excellent fantasy numbers as the Lobos enter conference play. Look for Carrier to cross the 100-yard mark once again on the Big Island.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Stefon Diggs Maryland WR vs. Virginia:
This highly touted true freshman has officially arrived with back-to-back games of over 100 yards receiving. He is an electric playmaker who has been compared to DeAnthony Thomas. Diggs is the only real weapon that Maryland has on offense and could be used often versus Virginia. Starting Diggs does come with some risk because of the inadequacies of the Maryland offense, but his ceiling is fairly high this week.

Josh Stewart Oklahoma State WR vs. Kansas:
Stewart is averaging around 92 yards receiving over the past two games and has scored three times in that period. He was a high school teammate of QB JW Walsh and that has certainly helped him develop good chemistry together. The Cowboys have the 5th ranked passing offense in the nation at 360 yards per game and Stewart is a key part of it. His value is probably a bit higher with Walsh at QB instead of Wes Lunt, but Stewart should be a good play this week regardless of who is under center.

SNEAKY DEFENSES:
Arizona State vs. Colorado
Ohio vs. Akron
Nevada vs. UNLV
Florida vs. Vanderbilt
Arkansas State vs. South Alabama
Cincinnati vs. Fordham
UCF vs. Southern Miss

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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