Daily Blog • September 18, 2014

 

A perfect 12-0 start to the 2014 season!
Week 4 Surprise College Fantasy Players

QB Sefo Liufau, Colorado – The Buffaloes have finally found a QB in Liufau who has attempted at least 39 passes per game in ’14 with an 8-3 ratio which included a 318 yard performance against UMass in week 2. Hawaii now makes their first trip to the mainland this season after 3 straight home games. In their last meeting with the P12 (Oregon St week 2) the Rainbow Warriors allowed 300 pass yds in their 38-30 defeat. With a plethora of solid WR’s at his disposal, Liufau should surpass that 300-yard plateau for the 2nd time this year.

QB John O’Korn, Houston – After a horrible outing in the opener against UTSA that saw O’Korn hit less than 50% of his passes with an 0-4 ratio, he’s been able to rebound the past 2 weeks including a 307 yard, 3 TD outing last week vs BYU. This weekend the Cougars get a favorable matchup against a UNLV defense that has allowed over 700 ypg in their losses to Arizona (434 pass yds) and N Illinois.

QB Grant Hedrick, Boise St – BSU’s opponent Louisiana has surrendered over 500 yds each of the past 2 weeks including 340 yds in the air last week vs Ole Miss when we used Bo Wallace as one of our Surprise Fantasy QB’s in this very same blog. Much like the previously mentioned O’Korn, Hedrick also had a rough outing in the season opener with a 1-4 ratio but has since rebounded with 2 solid outings which included 432 yd (352 pass, 80 rush) game vs Colorado St. Hedrick looks poised for another big week here.

RB Samaje Perine, Oklahoma – With the absence of leading rusher Keith Ford for up to the next month, Samaje Perine is expected to earn the starting gig for the Sooners in the immediate future and judging by his 5.5 ypc so far this season, OU looks to be in good hands. This also happens to be a favorable matchup for Perine as WVU has allowed 226 ypg (5.9) on the ground in their 2 contests with FBS foes so far in 2014. Perine is without a doubt the biggest sleeper on this blog for week 4 and will pay immediate dividends.

RB Kareem Hunt, Toledo – Kareem Hunt has posted three consecutive 100 yd rushing performances so far in 2014 despite averaging just 16 carries a game (8.2 ypc). Ball St meanwhile allowed 455 yds in their only matchup against an FBS opponent this season. Throw in the fact that Hunt has shown a nose for the endzone with 6 TD’s (same amount LY on 3x as many carries), and you get a solid selection for this weekend despite the fact that Hunt is hampered by an ankle sprain.

RB Robert Lowe, Texas St – While Texas St is a team that few know much about, Robert Lowe is quickly becoming one of the top RB’s in the SBC with a 945 yd (5.8 ypc), 9 TD season in ’13 and already in ’14 rushed for 242 yds (8.1). Illinois has been unable to stop the run thru 3 games this season allowing the opposition to pave the way for 184 ypg on the ground including a 245 yd mark posted by Washington last week.

WR John Ross, Washington – If you are looking for a homerun threat in the receiving game for this week, John Ross is your guy as while he’s pulled in just 6 receptions in 3 games this season, the catches have made an impact as he has 3 TD’s and an amazing 37.3 average. Throw in his ability in the return game and on the fly sweep (1 TD already this year) and you have a good option here against a Georgia St squad allowing 491 ypg.

WR Joshua McCain, Idaho– Last week the Ohio Bobcats were destroyed by Marshall as they allowed 705 total yds including 448 in the air. While Idaho clearly doesn’t have the same fire power as the Herd, they do have some weapons on offense including Joshua McCain who has 15 receptions, 221 yds and 3 TD’s thru 2 games.

WR Kevin White, West Virginia – We return to the Oklahoma/WVU matchup again as a potential shootout is in the offing. Kevin White is clearly the top WR for the Mountaineers with 460 yds thru 3 games which already includes two 10+ reception games. In fact, White is actually just 47 yds away from his season total of ’13 which he should easily surpass against the Sooners.

Texas A&M Defense – While all is well in Aggieland on the offensive side of the ball, the same cannot be said on defense as they have allowed 457 ypg in their 2 contests with FBS foes. A matchup with SMU is just what they need as the Mustangs have scored just 6 points thru 2 games while averaging 171 ypg on the year. SMU is now also without their HC June Jones who resigned during the bye week. The Aggies defense should capitalize in this one.

Louisville Defense – Excellent spot to use the Louisville defense as they are off an upset loss to Virginia and face a non-conf squad that they are very familiar with. In fact, the Cardinals have taken on FIU each of the past 3 seasons allowing just 15 ppg and 215 ypg in the process. Last season was by far their best defensive performance in the series as they shutout the Panthers 72-0 and allowed just 27 total yds!

Penn St Defense – The Nittany Lions have held all 3 of their opponents under 300 ypg so far in ’14 while allowing just 12 ppg. They now dip back into non-conf play against a UMass offense that have surprisingly posted 69 pts in their last 2 contests against Colorado and Vanderbilt. We do however project for the Minutemen offense to play more like they did in the opener against BC when they mustered just 7 pts and 202 yds. Penn St is clearly the best defense that UMass has faced this season and given the fact that UMass is playing a Power-5 non-conf opponent for the 4th straight week (only FBS team to do so in ’14), Penn St will dominate.

 

CollegeFootballGeek.com’s Daily Fantasy Value Plays of the Week: DraftKings, Week 4

By Todd DeVries & Kevin Mount, CollegeFootballGeek.com

DraftKings has released their Daily Fantasy college football salaries for Week 4, and the experts at CollegeFootballGeek.com have hunkered down and scoured all of the data to find the best Value Plays on the docket. 

These Value Plays are comprised of players poised to out-produce their DraftKings salaries this week.  These are the “diamonds in the rough” that your DFS competitors may overlook.  They are the difference-makers you need in your lineup to win one of the big DFS contests!

For your convenience, we have broken the picks down by DraftKings contest game set. Best of luck this week!

(For more detailed Daily Fantasy analysis, picks, player news, player rankings, and stat breakdowns, check out CollegeFootballGeek.com.  Learn how to SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE!)

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VALUE PLAYS: THURSDAY/FRIDAY GAME SET

Thursday, 7:30PM ET
Auburn @ Kansas State

Friday, 8:00pm ET
UCONN @ USF

The game slate is small, so we are combining positions.

1)    WR D’haquille Williams, Auburn vs. Kansas State ($4900)
This JUCO transfer has been the most productive Tiger receiver and there is no reason to think that will change this week against Kansas State. His price is very enticing.

2)    RB Charles Jones, Kansas State vs. Auburn ($5400)
Jones has scored two touchdowns in each game this season and could certainly find the end zone against Auburn. He is worth a look considering his price.

VALUE PLAYS: SATURDAY (EARLY ONLY) GAME SET

QUARTERBACKS

1)    QB Terrel Hunt, Syracuse vs. Maryland ($5500)
Hunt ran for 92 yards and tallied four total scores last week against Central Michigan and could be in store for another big effort against Maryland. The Terrapins defense is nothing special and could allow Hunt to make some big plays. Look for Hunt to hit value this week.

2)    QB Travis Wilson, Utah vs. Michigan ($5600)
Wilson has put up excellent numbers this year and has not played much more than a half of football in each game. He will likely play the whole game against Michigan and could throw up a nice stat line. Look for Wilson to give the Wolverines some fits on Saturday afternoon.

RUNNING BACKS

1)    RB Christian Powell, Colorado vs. Hawaii ($4200)
Powell ran for 118 yards last week against Arizona State and appears to be emerging as the lead back for the Buffaloes. His price is low and he could easily exceed value with a solid performance. Look for Powell to find the end zone this week against Hawaii.

2)    RB Matt Jones, Florida vs. Alabama ($3800)
Jones was the main ball carrier last week against Kentucky and responded with a big outing. He has a touGh match up with Alabama this week, but doesn’t have to do too much to reach value with such a low price tag. Look for Jones to have a respectable game against the Tide.

3)    RB Kenyan Drake, Alabama vs. Florida ($3100)
Drake has scored five total touchdowns over the past two games and appears to be drastically under-priced this week. The Gators defense is tough, but another trip to the end zone for Drake will allow him to hit value. Plug Drake in and load up at another position.

WIDE RECEIVERS

1)    WR Kenneth Scott, Utah vs. Michigan ($3700)
With all the attention that Dres Anderson receives, Scott has quietly flown under the radar and scored three touchdowns in the first two games. He could have another productive game against the Wolverines and appears to be a great punt option.

2)    WR Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M vs. SMU ($4300)
Reynolds has scored three touchdowns this season and is an important target in a potent Texas A&M passing game. He may see even more targets this week if Speedy Noil is unable to go. Expect Reynolds to easily hit value this week against a terrible SMU defense.

3)    WR Justyn Shackleford, Tulane vs. Duke ($4600)
Shackleford is the main target in the Tulane passing game and quietly puts up consistent numbers. He could have a big day against Duke with Tulane throwing the ball often to keep pace in this game. Look for Shack to easily hit value this week.

TIGHT END

1)    TE Westlee Tonga, Utah vs. Michigan ($3000)
There is not a ton of value at TE in the early slate, so we will roll with Tonga. He gets enough targets to have a good shot at hitting value and could be a nice punt option this week.

VALUE PLAYS:  SATURDAY (LATE ONLY) GAME SET

QUARTERBACKS

1)    QB Drew Hare, Northern Illinois vs. Arkansas ($6000)
Hare accounted for 359 total yards and four total scores against UNLV last week and looks to be the next big fantasy QB at Northern Illinois. He is relatively low priced this week and could be a decent option against Arkansas. Expect a solid stat line from Hare this week.

RUNNING BACKS

1)    RB Cameron Stingily, Northern Illinois vs. Arkansas ($3800)
Stingily ran for 102 yards and two scores last week against UNLV and appears to be back to form. He could have a good day against an average Arkansas rush defense. Stingily appears to be an excellent punt option that will allow DFS players to stack another position.

2)    RB Samaje Perine, Oklahoma vs. West Virginia ($4500)
Perine came on in relief last week after Keith Ford was injured against Tennessee. Perine is a big, bruising back that could do damage against a West Virgina rush defense that ranks 71st in the country. Look for Perine to find pay dirt this week and hit value.

WIDE RECEIVERS

1)    Eric Judge, San Diego State vs. Oregon State ($3600)
Judge could be the main target for SDSU with Ezell Ruffin out with an injury. The Aztecs may have to throw the ball often to keep pace with a potent Oregon State offense. Look for Judge to have a solid game and more than pay for his price this week.

2)    Jordan Westerkamp, Nebraska vs. Miami ($3600)
Westerkamp has scored in all three games this season and is the top receiving target for the Huskers. He appears to be very under-priced this week and could easily exceed value against the Hurricanes. Look for plenty of Westerkamp in prime time on Saturday.

TIGHT ENDS

1)    TE Clive Walford, Miami vs. Nebraska ($3300)
Walford has scored a touchdown in two of three games this season and could make it three of four against the Huskers. He has a good chance of hitting value this week. 

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