Daily Blog •September 20, 2012

 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th PHIL Computer Computer Weekly + / - Game Las
STEELE Points Yards Poll Rating Grade Vegas
9:00 BYU at Boise St BSU BSU BSU BSU BSU BSU BSU
    By 6 26-22 367-352 78% by 6 by 4.5 by 7.5


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 22-12-2.

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:
Corey Robinson, Troy • Sean Renfree, Duke
• Dominique Blackmn, Idaho

QB Corey Robinson, Troy vs North Texas – 485 yds and 343 yds are what Corey Robinson has been able to throw for in the past 2 weeks against Louisiana and Mississippi St. The big thing to look at in a fantasy aspect however is how many attempts he had in those 2 contests as well (115 total). If he is able to do that again here against North Texas, solid stats should follow.

QB Sean Renfree, Duke vs Memphis – You have to think we’re nuts to pick a Duke QB in our fantasy forecast this week but when further analyzing what Sean Renfree has done so far this season, I think we’re spot on. Renfree is averaging 255 ypg in the air this year with a 5-0 ratio and now gets to match up against a Memphis squad that allowed 619 total yards in their only road game of 2012.

QB Dominique Blackman vs Wyoming – Big sleeper pick here for us as looking at last week’s stats you would have to think we’re crazy. However, a closer look the week prior against Bowling Green (352 pass yds) has us thinking that Blackman could put together a strong performance again here.

My RB’s of the Week:
Cody Getz, Air Force • Damien Williams, Oklahoma
• Stefphon Jefferson, Nevada

RB Cody Getz, Air Force vs UNLV – After pulling the trigger on an option RB in last week’s blog with success (Raymond Maples, Army) we decided to try our luck again here. Cody Getz has rushed for at least 130 yds in each of his 2 games this year and now comes into this meeting vs the Rebels with a week of rest. Take a shot here with this upperclassman and you will be thanking us on Sunday morning.

RB Damien Williams, Oklahoma vs Kansas St – Two games into the season and Damien Williams has already posted B2B 100 yard weeks for the high-powered Sooners. Look for him to repeat that performance here in an early season battle with Kansas St, a team that allowed 140 yds on the ground to SBC foe North Texas a week ago.

RB Stefphon Jefferson, Nevada vs Hawaii – Anyone know who the 2nd leading rusher in all of the FBS is? Stefphon Jefferson would be the answer. In fact, Jefferson and Johnathan Franklin from UCLA are the only 2 backs with more than 400 yds rushing (529 and 541 respectively). 147, 135 and 247 rush yds are what Jefferson has posted thus far and with another favorable matchup against Hawaii, if he is available in your league, grab him now!!

 

My WR’s of the Week:
Andre Davis, USF • Marcus Sales, Syracuse
• Donte Moncrief, Mississippi

WR Andre Davis, South Florida vs Ball St – With a veteran QB behind center for 2012 USF coaches have entrusted BJ Daniels to go deep on frequent occasions so far this year. Reaping the rewards of those plays has been Andre Davis who leads the team with 288 yds receiving to go along with his 21 receptions (11 more than USF’s #2 receiver). With an expected shootout against Ball St in the offing, take a look at this budding star here.

WR Marcus Sales, Syracuse vs Minnesota – With star WR Alec Lemon still on the mend from a preseason injury, Marcus Sales has been the primary target for the Syracuse passing game in 2012. Dating back to his standout bowl performance in 2010 (DNP LY), Sales has pulled in 30 catches for 522 yds and 7 td’s over a 4 game span. Take advantage of him now while opposing defenses are still attempting to adjust.

WR Donte Moncrief, Mississippi vs Tulane – After leading the Rebels a season ago with 31 catches for 454 yds, Moncrief looks like he will top those numbers very quickly in 2012 as he has already pulled in 18 catches for 320 yds including two 100 yard performances already thru 3 games. With a favorable matchup against Tulane this weekend, take a stab at this up-and-coming wideout.

 

My Defenses of the Week:
Miami, Oh •Penn St •Georgia

 

Miami, Ohio Defense vs UMass – How has UMass done on the road so far in 2012? Terrible would be the simple answer as they managed just 159 ypg. While not a dominating defense, Miami has the solid edge here and should do a good job managing the game on offense giving their defense plenty of rest and time to shut down the Minutemen.

Penn St Defense vs Temple – Hats off to the PSU defense under their circumstances this season. Temple is playing just one game over a 3 week span and could be a little sluggish here as we forecast the Owls to barely surpass the 200 yd mark. Back the Nittany Lion defense here that allowed just 197 yds against this same Temple team a year ago.

Georgia Defense vs Vanderbilt – Favorable matchup for the hometown Bulldog defense here against a Vandy offense that has struggled to get anything going on a consistent basis thus far in meetings vs FBS opponents South Carolina and Northwestern. Throw in the fact that the Commodores have QB Carta-Samuels making his first start vs an SEC defense (Jordan Rodgers ineffective) and you should see Georgia hold Vandy under 300 yds of offense and dominate here.

 


 

A special thanks to our friends at CollegeFootballGeek.com for providing us with their Sneaky Plays for Week 4

CollegeFootballGeek.com’s Sneaky Plays – Week 4
By Kevin Mount, CollegeFootballGeek.com

A very interesting Week Three is in the books and it is now time to look ahead to the Third 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

Bo Wallace Ole Miss QB vs. Tulane: Wallace has been a pleasant surprise through the early part of the season. He has shown a good arm and the ability to make some plays with his feet. He could be in line for his best fantasy game to date against a Tulane defense that ranks 107th in the nation in total defense. Wallace could easily account for close to 300 total yards and a few scores this week. He is a decent option in BCS only leagues for owners who have starting QB’s on bye in Week Four.

Sean Renfree Duke QB vs. Memphis: I know it seems like Renfree has been at Duke since the Christian Laetner days, but he still has eligibility. He is not the sexiest pick by any means, but does post nice numbers against inferior opponents. Look for Renfree to find Jamison Crowder and Conner Vernon early and often against Memphis. Renfree could easily approach 300 passing yards and add a few scores this weekend.

Tevin Washington Georgia Tech QB vs. Miami: Washington has been a consistent performer so far in 2012 and is fresh off a four-touchdown performance against Virginia last week. This week he faces one of the worst defenses we have seen in a long time in Miami. The “U” is dead and their defense is a mess. The Georgia Tech offense could carve them up and Washington could post a huge stat line. Fantasy owners could see another multiple touchdown performance from this talented runner in Week Four.

Rakeem Cato Marshall QB vs. Rice: Cato is putting up huge passing numbers and leads the nation averaging 407 yards per game through the air. He has been throwing the ball all over the field and that trend should continue this week against a horrific Rice defense. This game could be one of the highest scoring games of the season period. Cato could approach 450 yards passing with 3 or 4 scores thrown into the mix. Start him this week.

RUNNING BACKS

LaDarius Perkins Miss St RB vs. South Alabama: Perkins has scored in all three games this season including a one-touchdown 179-yard effort last week versus Troy. He should continue his scoring streak this week against an over matched South Alabama defense. Perkins looks to be a solid option to put up #2 type numbers in certain matchups, and this looks like one of those. Look for Perkins to find his way into the end zone on Saturday night and likely add at least 100 total yards.

Rajion Neal Tennessee RB vs. Akron: Neal appears to have assumed control of the starting tailback position for Tennessee and could be useful to fantasy owners against weaker competition. The Akron Zips are just that and will probably have a hard time stopping the Vols from doing whatever they want on the offensive side of the ball. Neal could get a steady diet of carries in the second half after the Zips will has been broken. This junior could find pay dirt at least once this week.

Antonio Andrews Western Kentucky RB vs. Southern Miss: Andrews had not done much until blowing up in last week’s upset of Kentucky. He totaled 161 yards and three scores and more importantly toted the ball 34 times. This may be the springboard for Andrews to assume control as the starter and we all know what a Western Kentucky running back can do. There is some risk here, but the ceiling is very high against a weak Southern Miss defense. This could be the start of something big for fantasy owners..dare we say Bobby Rainey?

Jordan Hall Ohio State RB vs. UAB: Hall saw his first game action of 2012 last week against Cal and responded with 87 yards on 17 carries. He was being talked about as a playmaker for the Buckeyes in the spring before getting injured and now appears to be healthy and ready to contribute. The match up against UAB is a juicy one as they rank 109th in the country against the run, giving up 220 yards per game. Look for Hall to cross the 100-yard mark and likely find the end zone at least one time against the Blazers.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Jamison Crowder Duke WR vs. Memphis: Crowder has been very consistent thus far in 2012. He is averaging almost 8 receptions per game and just under 100 yards. This Blue Devil could torch a horrid Memphis pass defense that ranks 91st in the country. The Duke offense should have no problem moving the ball this weekend and Crowder will likely be a large part of the fun.

Brandon Carter TCU WR vs. Virginia: If Josh Boyce is the #1 in the TCU passing game, then Carter is #1A. He has found the end zone three times in the first two games and is averaging just over 80 yards receiving per game. He is a huge part of an underrated TCU passing game. Carter could find more open space this week in a match up with Virginia that could turn out to be a high scoring affair. He makes a solid #3 wide out with upside in many leagues.

Alonzo Russell Toledo WR vs. Coastal Carolina: This freshman is the leading receiver for Toledo and is coming a 152 yard effort against Bowling Green in Week Three. He is averaging a robust 21.2 yards per reception and could catch a deep one or two against Coastal Carolina. The Toledo offense should be able to move the ball at will this weekend and Russell could continue his hot streak.

Erik Highsmith North Carolina WR vs. East Carolina: Highsmith is showing signs of fantasy life after a slow start to the season. He scored for the first time last week against Louisville and could build upon that this week versus East Carolina. The Pirates pass defense is atrocious, yielding 310 yards per game. The Tar Heels passing game could be in full force this week and Highsmith could be a big factor. Look for him to snare his first 100-yard game of the year this week.

Defense:

Ohio State vs. UAB
Ohio vs. Norfolk State
Northwestern vs. South Dakota
Nebraska vs. Idaho State
Pittsburgh vs. Gardner Webb
Texas A&M vs. South Carolina State
Mississippi State vs. South Alabama
Arkansas State vs. Alcorn State
Toledo vs. Coastal Carolina
Tennessee vs. Akron

There you have it everyone, enjoy this week’s action and always remember to have fun playing college fantasy football. Good luck this week!

More…

For more college fantasy football information, visit CollegeFootballGeek.com:

• National Radio Show on SiriusXM
• Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em
• Injury Reports
• Player Rankings
• Sneaky Plays of the Week
• Waiver Wire Reports

CollegeFootballGeek.com is your home for 2012 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 4 Player Rankings

Todd DeVries, CollegeFootballGeek.com
QUARTERBACKS RUNNING BACKS WIDE RECEIVERS
Rank Name School Rank Name School Rank Name School
1 Cody Fajardo NEV 1 Le'Veon Bell MCST 1 Marquess Wilson WAZZ
2 Tyler Tettleton OHIO 2 De'Anthony Thomas ORE 2 Marqise Lee USC
3 Braxton Miller OHST 3 Kenjon Barner ORE 3 Justin Hunter TENN
4 Geno Smith WVU 4 Beau Blankenship OHIO 4 Stedman Bailey WVU
5 Ryan Aplin ARKS 5 Stefphon Jefferson NEV 5 Keenan Allen CAL
6 Matt Barkley USC 6 Robbie Rouse FRES 6 Tavon Austin WVU
7 Collin Klein KANS 7 Johnathan Franklin UCLA 7 Terrance Williams BAY
8 Taylor Martinez NEB 8 Ray Graham PITT 8 Kenny Stills OKLA
9 Johnny Manziel TXAM 9 Lyle McCombs CONN 9 Robert Woods USC
10 Matt Scott ARIZ 10 Montee Ball WISC 10 Aaron Dobson MARS
11 Nick Florence BAY 11 David Fluellen TOLE 11 Josh Jarboe ARKS
12 Denard Robinson MICH 12 Mike Gillislee FLOR 12 Cordarrelle Patterson TENN
13 Marcus Mariota ORE 13 Cody Getz AFA 13 Austin Hill ARIZ
14 Jordan Lynch NIU 14 Shawn Southward TROY 14 Davante Adams FRES
15 Connor Halliday WAZZ 15 KaDeem Carey ARIZ 15 Austin Franklin NMST
16 Rakeem Cato MARS 16 Eddie Lacy ALAB 16 Marcus Sales SYRA
17 Terrance Owens TOLE 17 David Oku ARKS 17 Sammy Watkins CLEM
18 Brett Hundley UCLA 18 LaDarius Perkins MSST 18 Antonio Andrews WKU
19 Bryn Renner UNC 19 Christine Michael TXAM 19 Michael Campanaro WAKE
20 Tyler Bray TENN 20 Todd Gurley GEOR 20 Ryan Swope TXAM
21 Derek Carr FRES 21 D.J. Harper BOIS 21 DeAndre Hopkins CLEM
22 B.J. Daniels USF 22 Damien Williams OKLA 22 Conner Vernon DUKE
23 Chuckie Keeton UTST 23 Jawan Jamison RUTG 23 Tavarres King GEOR
24 Landry Jones OKLA 24 Jordan Hall OHST 24 Cobi Hamilton ARK
25 Kain Colter NW 25 Ameer Abdullah NEB 25 Bernard Reedy TOLE
26 Kolton Browning LAMO 26 Raymond Maples ARMY 26 Erik Highsmith UNC
27 Taylor McHargue RICE 27 Duke Johnson MIAF 27 Venric Mark NW
28 Tajh Boyd CLEM 28 Marcus Lattimore SCAR 28 Tevin Reese BAY
29 Riley Nelson BYU 29 Chris Thompson FSU 29 Jamison Crowder DUKE
30 Colby Cameron LTEC 30 Matthew Tucker TCU 30 Devin Smith OHST
31 Tevin Washington GTEC 31 Kenny Hilliard LSU 31 Jordan Matthews VAND
32 Logan Thomas VTEC 32 Tim Cornett UNLV 32 Allen Robinson PSU
33 Alex Carder WMIC 33 Fitzgerald Toussaint MICH 33 Jaime Wilson WMIC
34 Bo Wallace MISS 34 Kerwynn Williams UTST 34 Gabriel Marks WAZZ
35 Chris Coyer TEMP 35 Curtis McNeal USC 35 Andre Davis USF
36 Teddy Bridgewater LOUI 36 Anthony Pierson KAN 36 Brelan Chancellor NTEX
37 Zac Dysert MIAO 37 Silas Redd USC 37 Brandon Carter TCU
38 Connor Dietz AFA 38 John White IV UTAH 38 Quinton Patton LTEC
39 Ryan Nassib SYRA 39 Andre Ellington CLEM 39 Justin Hardy ECAR
40 Cody Green TULS 40 Shawne Alston WVU 40 Keenan Davis IOWA
41 Corey Robinson TROY 41 Rex Burkhead NEB 41 Andrew Cruse MIAO
42 Aaron Murray GEOR 42 Jahwan Edwards BALL 42 Cody Hoffman BYU
43 Everett Golson ND 43 Kedrick Rhodes FIU 43 Alonzo Russell TOLE
44 David Fales SJOS 44 Chris Nwoke CSU 44 Jared Abbrederis WISC
45 James Franklin MIZZ 45 Michael  Holmes VTEC 45 Marcus Davis VTEC
46 Trent Steelman ARMY 46 Zac Stacy VAND 46 Brandon Coleman RUTG
47 Jonathan Perry UAB 47 Cierre Wood ND 47 Martel Moore NIU
48 Shane Carden ECAR 48 Trey Watts TULS 48 Chad Bumphis MSST
49 Taylor Kelly AZST 49 Giovani Bernard UNC 49 Markus Wheaton ORST
50 Dalton Williams AKRO 50 T.J. Yeldon ALAB 50 Lanear Sampson BAY
TIGHT ENDS KICKERS DEFENSES
Rank Name School Rank Name School Rank Team
1 Christian Powell COLO 1 Matt Weller OHIO 1 Alabama Crimson Tide
2 Kaneauka Friel BYU 2 Caleb Sturgis FLOR 2 Michigan State Spartans
3 Chris Gragg ARK 3 Drew Alleman LSU 3 Ohio State Buckeyes
4 Joseph Fauria UCLA 4 Dustin Hopkins FSU 4 Texas A&M Aggies
5 Gavin Escobar SDST 5 Drew Basil OHST 5 North Carolina State Wolfpack
6 Dion Sims MCST 6 Casey Barth UNC 6 Nebraska Cornhuskers  
7 Tyler Eifert ND 7 Brian Davis ARKS 7 LSU Tigers  
8 Jordan Reed FLOR 8 Dan Conroy MCST 8 Pittsburgh Panthers  
9 Terrence Miller ARIZ 9 Jeff Budzien NW 9 Virginia Tech Hokies
10 Eric Frohnapfel MARS 10 Brett Maher NEB 10 Georgia Bulldogs
11 Jack Doyle WKU 11 Tyler Bitancurt WVU 11 Tennessee Volunteers
12 Zach Sudfeld NEV 12 Jeremy Shelley ALAB 12 TCU Horned Frogs
13 Jake Murphy UTAH 13 Marshall Morgan GEOR 13 Florida Gators
14 Jacob Pederson WISC 14 Rob Beard ORE 14 Mississippi State Bulldogs
15 Colt Lyerla ORE 15 Quentin Breshears FRES 15 Florida State Seminoles
16 Devin Funchess MICH 16 Michael Palardy TENN 16 Ohio Bobcats
17 Brandon Ford CLEM 17 Aaron Jones BAY 17 Wisconsin Badgers
18 Jordan Thompson OHIO 18 David Scully GTEC 18 Iowa Hawkeyes
19 C.J. Fiedorowicz IOWA 19 Mike Meyer IOWA 19 Northwestern Wildcats
20 Jake Stoneburner OHST 20 Michael Hunnicutt OKLA 20 Boise State Broncos
Scoring System Used for CFG Rankings:
4 points per passing touchdown
6 points per rushing/receiving touchdown
25 passing yards = 1 point
10 rushing/receiving yards = 1 point
1 interception = -2 point
1 reception = 0.5 points