| Daily Blog • September 6 |
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH |
PHIL |
Computer |
Computer |
Weekly |
+ / - |
Las |
|
STEELE |
Points |
Yards |
Poll |
Rating |
Vegas |
||
8:00 PM |
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati |
Pitt |
UC |
Pitt |
UC |
UC |
UC |
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|
by 1 |
30-27 |
401-388 |
83% |
by 9.4 |
by 4' |
Surprise College Fantasy Players of the Week
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 13-9-2.
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:
Rakeem Cato, Marshall • Colby Cameron, La Tech
• Wes Lunt, Oklahoma St
QB Rakeem Cato, Marshall vs Ohio – How well has Rakeem Cato done so far this year? How about already throwing for 790 yds thru 2 games including a 413 yard performance against West Virginia in the opener. Add the final 2 games in from last year and Cato has eclipsed the 340 yd passing mark in 3 of those 4 contests with a 9-2 ratio. A favorable matchup against an Ohio secondary has us selecting this promising QB here.
QB Colby Cameron, Louisiana Tech vs Rice – Colby Cameron is an under-the-radar selection in the realm of College Fantasy Football right now as he took over the starting job mid LY and has just one game under his belt this season. How did this year’s opener against Houston go? Pretty good in our opinion as he threw for 353 yds and 3 td’s in their victory over the Cougars. Next on the docket is a Rice defense that was torched for 646 yds in their season opener against UCLA. Cameron should continue to find success here.
QB Wes Lunt, Oklahoma St vs Louisiana – Despite a 3 int performance a week ago against Arizona, Wes Lunt is a solid choice here with a very favorable matchup against the Cajuns. While the 3 picks cost the Cowboys the game, he did throw for 436 yds and 4 td’s against the Wildcats in Mike Gundy’s very QB-friendly offense (see Zac Robinson and Brandon Weeden).
My RB’s of the Week:
Tony Pierson, Kansas • Mike Gillislee, Florida • Kendrick Rhodes, FIU
RB Mike Gillislee, Florida-There were not too many positives to take from Florida’s 27-14 win over Bowling Green last week but Gillislee was one of them rushing for a career-high 148 yards (6.1) and 2 td’s. This week the Gators head to College Station in front of a raucous crowd in the Aggies’ SEC opener. Keep in mind A&M is implanting a new defensive front and will be playing their first game this year after their opener was ppd due to Hurricane Isaac. I will call for a Gators win and another 100-yd performance by Gillislee.
RB Kedrick Rhodes, FIU-One of the more impressive fantasy performances of week one came from Rhodes as he was the only player in the country to top 100 yards rushing and receiving. Despite his 130 rush yds (5.2), 115 rec yds (16.4) and 2 td’s, FIU still couldn’t keep up with Duke. This week he has a chance to duplicate last week’s performance as he faces a weak Akron defense that allowed 56 points to UCF in the opener. My computer calls for 241 yards rushing and 233 yards passing for FIU and I think Rhodes will be the leader once again.
My WR’s of the Week:
Austin Franklin, NMSt • Robert Herron, Wyo • Alex Amidon, BC
WR Austin Franklin, New Mexico St-Last week Franklin put on a show vs Sacramento St and after one week leads the country in receiving yards with 236 (29.5!) and 2 td’s. This week he faces an Ohio team that has been getting pats on the back all week long after arguably the biggest win in program history last week. While he won’t match last week’s amazing effort, I still think another 100-yd performance is in the cards for Franklin.WR Robert Herron, Wyoming-Herron put up very impressive numbers last week against arguably the best secondary in the country with 173 yards (34.6) and 2 td’s including an 82-yard TD reception. This week he faces a Toledo secondary that was burned by Arizona last week to the tune of 387 pass yards. My computer calls for 280 passing yards for the Pokes and I will call for Herron to top the century mark again.
WR Alex Amidon, Boston College-With the Eagles’ receiving corps decimated by injury last week it was kind of surprising to see their QB Rettig put up the most pass yards by a Boston College quarterback since Flutie! Amidon led the way with 149 yards (14.9) and this week it would not shock me to see Amidon top the 100-yard mark again as they take on a FCS foe in Maine.
My Defenses of the Week:
FIU • Virginia • Tulsa
FIU vs Akron-Last week the Panthers were chewed up to the tune of 420 yards and 46 points in their loss to Duke. This week will be a different story as they face a rebuilding Akron team that was hammered by 42 points in their opener. My computer calls for the Panthers to allow just 220 yards and 16 points this week and if that comes to fruition, FIU should roll.Virginia vs Penn St-UVA head coach Mike London has done a great recruiting some elite level players and it is starting to show here in year three. Last week they allowed just 266 yards. This week they take on a Penn St offense that due to off-season attrition is really lacking some playmakers. My computer calls for the Cavs to hold the Lions to just 15 points and I agree!
Tulsa vs Tulane-Even though Tulane HC Johnson’s background is on the offensive side, it was the Green Wave’s offense that struggled last week in the 24-12 loss to Rutgers as they gained just 262 yards. With Tulane RB Orleans Darkwa still not 100%, I look for a talented Tulsa D that was embarrassed last week to hold Tulane under 300 yards and 20 points as Tulsa rebounds this week.