| Daily Blog • October 18th |
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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 55-26-3 68%.
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:
Chuckie Keeton, Utah St • David Fales, San Jose St
• Kolton Browning, ULM
QB Chuckie Keeton, Utah St vs New Mexico St – A big reason why Utah St finds themselves a win away from bowl eligibility has been the play of sophomore QB Chuckie Keeton, who over the L/3 games has passed for 879 yds with a 7-1 ratio. New Mexico St has struggled on the road against the pass allowing 302 ypg against the likes of Ohio, UTEP and Idaho. This is a good spot for Keeton to deliver.
QB David Fales, San Jose St vs UTSA – The Spartans are off to a 4-2 start with David Fales passing at will including a 467 yard, 3 td performance a week ago against Utah St. Fales has thrown for more than 260 yds in each of his L/5 games recording a solid 11-2 ratio in that span. A road trip to the controlled climate of San Antonio is on the docket this week and judging by the performance the UTSA defense had a week ago against Rice (allowed 483 total yards), Fales is a safe bet here.
QB Kolton Browning, ULM vs WKU – In what could be the game that decides the SBC Champion this weekend at WKU and ULM QB Kolton Browning is a featured piece. After a subpar performance against FAU LW, Browning should come closer to his seasonal averages of 268 ypg passing and continue to improve an already solid ratio of 14-3. He brings solid rush numbers to the table as well too as he has eclipsed the 40 yd rushing mark in all but 1 game thus far in 2012 (3 rush td’s). We expect ULM to take out the Hilltoppers here with Browning leading the way.
My RB's Of The Week:
Anthon Samuel, Bowling Green • Ka'Deem Carey, Arizona
• Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech
RB Anthon Samuel, Bowling Green vs UMass – A foot injury a week ago left Anthon Samuel off this list of top fantasy producers but we won’t make that mistake again here!! Samuel has now recorded three consecutive 100 yard rushing efforts including LW’s 171 yard showing in their win over Miami. The Falcons now face a UMass unit that appears to be overmatched making a 4th consecutive 100 yard milestone a distinct possibility.
RB Ka’Deem Carey, Arizona vs Washington – While QB Matt Scott and the Arizona passing game has been getting most of the publicity in Rich Rod’s first year in Tucson, don’t forget about RB Ka’Deem Carey and his four 100 yard rushing efforts this season (10 rush td’s). With an improved Washington secondary, expect Carey to see plenty of touches as the Wildcats look to stay in competition for the Pac-12 South Title.
RB Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech vs Idaho – Similar story for La Tech RB Kenneth Dixon as he has been forced to take a backseat to the Bulldogs’ pass-happy offense. His numbers, however are very close to Carey’s as he has also recorded four 100 yard efforts and has 10 rushing td’s of his own. With an expected romp of Idaho this weekend expect the LT offense to slow it down some in the 2nd half and feed Dixon on a frequent basis.
My WR's Of The Week:
Bernard Reedy, Toledo • Alex Amidon, Boston College
• Justin Hardy, East Carolina
WR Bernard Reedy, Toledo vs Cincinnati – 21 combined catches the past 2 weeks cannot be ignored and Bernard Reedy therefore makes our list of fantasy WR’s this week against Cincinnati. On the year Reedy has now posted 4 games in which he has pulled in 9 or more receptions but none were greater than LW’s 11 catch, 237 yd, 2 td performance against EMU (also had a KR td). The Glass Bowl will be rocking in Toledo as ranked Cincinnati comes to town and Reedy should put together another solid outing.
WR Alex Amidon, Boston College vs Georgia Tech – Alex Amidon began the 2012 season on fire pulling in 33 catches for 559 yds through the first 4 games. After facing a tough Florida St defense a week ago, the matchup is a little better here for BC as they go on the road to take on a GT team that allowed 436 and 397 passing yds against Miami and Clemson.
WR Justin Hardy, East Carolina vs UAB – After finding some success from ECU QB Shane Carden last week, we opted to stay with the team again here by selecting his favorite target in Justin Hardy, who over the past 3 games has pulled in 22 catches for 351 yards and 4 td’s. The UAB pass defense was thrashed LW for 380 yds giving us even more of a reason to take Hardy in this matchup.
My Defenses Of The Week:
Wisconsin •Michigan • Bowling Green
Wisconsin Defense vs Minnesota – With questions at the QB position for the Gophers and the improvement the Badger defense has made in each of the past 2 games (284 vs Illinois, 252 vs Purdue), Wisconsin makes our list for the 2nd time this year as our power ratings are calling for the Badgers to allow just 230 yards and single digit points.
Michigan Defense vs Michigan St – The Michigan defense has to be loving this weekend’s matchup against “Little Brother” as the Spartans have found no consistent passing game this year and the Wolverines have surrendered just 92 ypg rushing over their past 4 contests. Look out Le’Veon Bell, Michigan will be keying on you all game long as they deliver another fine defensive showing.
Bowling Green Defense vs UMass – Allowing less than 260 total yards in 2 of their last 3 games and a matchup against a Minuteman squad that has been held to 264 yds or less in 4 of their 6 contests this year has us loving this matchup for the Falcons. Our power ratings are calling for BG to hold UMass to just 11 pts in an easy road victory.
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 8
By Kevin Mount, CollegeFootballGeek.com
A very interesting Week Seven is in the books and it is now time to look ahead to the Eighth 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
Cody Vaz Oregon State QB vs. Utah: Vaz was basically thrown to the wolves last week against a stout BYU defense on the road and performed remarkably. He tore the Cougars apart for 332 yards passing and three scores. Things figure to be a bit easier for Vaz this week in a night home game with Utah. The Utes defense is nothing special and could be in for a long night chasing down wide outs Markus Wheaton and Brandin Cooks. Look for Vaz to continue his Wally Pip impersonation this week with another strong performance against Utah.
Anthony Alford Southern Miss QB vs. Marshall: This highly recruited dual-threat freshman appears to have “run” away with the starting QB gig for Southern Miss. He has work to do to become a more proficient passer, but it is impossible to ignore the damage he can do with his legs. This match up with Marshall could be his fantasy coming out party as the Thundering Herd come in allowing roughly 230 yards per game on the ground. Look for the freshman to dazzle this week.
David Fales San Jose State QB vs. UTSA: Fales is coming off a 467-yard and three-touchdown performance against Utah State and has thrown ten touchdown passes in the last four games. The Spartans have the 10th best passing offense in the country and Fales is at the helm. He could top 300 yards passing this week against a UTSA defense that may have a difficult time stopping Noel Grigsby and Ryan Otten.
RUNNING BACKS
Alex Singleton Tulsa RB vs. Rice: Who is second leading touchdown producing running back in the country this season? That’s right, it is Mr. Alex Singleton of Tulsa. He has scored 13 touchdowns this season, including eight in the last three games. Singleton could have a huge scoring day against a Rice rush defense that is ranked 116th in the country and has allowed 19 rushing scores on the year. Fantasy owners could realistically see Singleton cross the goal line three or four times this Saturday.
Zac Stacy Vanderbilt RB vs. Auburn: It has been a winning proposition to start running backs versus Auburn this season and this week is no exception. Stacy is coming on of late with 3 rushing scores over the past two games. He could really produce this week against an abysmal Auburn defense that comes in ranked 93rd in the nation against the run. Expect Stacy to score at least once this week and likely top 100 yards on the ground.
J.C. Coleman Virginia Tech RB vs. Clemson: This freshman burst onto the fantasy scene last week with 183 yards rushing and two touchdowns against Duke. The Hokies have struggled to run the ball all season and may have just found their man in the backfield. He showed home run ability with and 86-yard touchdown run to cap off his day. Coleman could have another big afternoon against a Clemson defense that is ranked 99th in the nation entering this contest.
Andre Williams Boston College RB vs. Georgia Tech: Williams has quietly posted back-to-back games of over 100 yards rushing, including a 191-yard effort against Army two weeks ago. He has logged over 20 carries in each of the last three games and should make it four in a row against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets defense has a propensity for giving up big plays and Williams could take advantage this week. Look for Williams to over 100 yards on the ground for a third straight game in Week Eight.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Devin Street Pittsburgh WR vs. Buffalo: Street has been on a tear recently posting 21 receptions for 241 yards and a score in his last two contests. He has developed into the big play guy for the Panthers and should continue to see plenty of action. This talented junior could have a very productive afternoon against a Buffalo secondary that may struggle to stop the Pitt passing game. Look for Street to clear the 100-yard mark for the third game in a row in Week Eight.
Brandon Coleman Rutgers WR vs. Temple: This giant junior has averaged 6 receptions and 88 yards receiving per game over the last three games. The Scarlet Knights don’t throw the ball a ton, but it is often in Coleman’s direction when they do. Coleman could post another solid stat line against a Temple team that has struggled a bit to stop the pass this season. Look for Coleman to approach 100 yards receiving and possibly find pay dirt on Saturday.
SNEAKY DEFENSES:
Bowling Green vs. Massachusetts
Wisconsin vs. Minnesota
Boise State vs. UNLV
USC vs. Colorado
Oklahoma vs. Kansas
UCF vs. Memphis
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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