For lovers of college football the season began this Thursday, and continued late into Saturday evening. Finally it seemed we had some real games, and even in the blowouts a few lessons were learned.
Owners realized that Chapel Hill is going to become a draft day locale. Watching the Tar Heels roll Rutgers was simply a case of an extremely well coached team beginning to put it together. And this UNC-Chapel Hill awakening was a perfect kickoff to the weekend.
At one point in the 3rd quarter Friday night my buddy Alex commented on how no game on Saturday would be able to match what we were watching between USF and Kansas: two well-schooled and talented programs being led by gutsy gunslingers. In fact Alex commented that Todd Reesing is the best "college" quarterback going, and I have to agree with da man. And we were just getting rolling.
The bad weather notwithstanding, September 13, 2008 was an outstanding day for college (fantasy) fans. At one point late in the afternoon we had Spurrier trying to will a win over the 2nd ranked Bulldogs, Purdue letting one get away against Jeremiah and Blount Force Trauma, and an intriguing Battle of the Techs: Virginia and Georgia. Hell even those stuck in the Bo and Lou era had the slopfest in Notre Dame at their disposal.
Take it with a Grain of Salt
Rusty Smith is a very good college quarterback, and he's an even better college fantasy football quarterback. Yesterday Rusty Smith attempted 34 passes. He completed eight of them. An owner who only glances at the box score will think that Rusty Smith killed a 12-pack at the tailgate and then decided to throw passes with his left hand. Fact is, Rusty's numbers had almost nothing to do with ability and almost everything to do with playing in a torrential downpour.
For every owner bemoaning Rusty's bad fortune, there were even more celebrating Javon Ringer's performance. Ringer ran for 282 yards and two scores on a ridiculous 43 carries. While Coach Dantonio loves to pound the rock, Javon Ringer will not see Lorenzo White carries all season. Fact is running Javon Ringer 43 times was necessary for the win as handling snaps, let alone throwing the football, was an exercise in futility under the conditions.
Games played in crazy conditions like we saw across the Midwest on Saturday are aberrations, and owners cannot take these performances as reason to nab or dump a player. Florida Atlantic will not play another game in conditions as sloppy as Saturday's, and the Notre Dame defense will not see footballs dropped at its feet with such frequency again. You have every right to be bummed if the conditions killed your fantasy week (Mark Dell), but there's no reason to expect it to happen again.
U.S. & World
Other Random Musings
It appears that every offensive coordinator now has a version of the "Wildcat" package made popular by the dynamic Darren McFadden. However it seems that these same coordinators have forgotten that McFadden did throw the ball once in a while, and then kept defenses from completely selling out on stopping the likely run.
Sure must be nice to have your fantasy quarterback head to halftime with six touchdowns in his back pocket. It'll be difficult for any fantasy signal caller to match Max Hall's seven touchdown passes against a UCLA defense that failed to show. As one Ask the Insider so astutely pointed out, we better start showing Max some love.
Oklahoma State sophomore back Kendall Hunter is emerging as one of the top keeper prospects at his position.
Two Texas high school stars, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin and Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers, have quickly established themselves as two of the top keeper options in the nation.
The Buffalo Bulls were supposed to be the James Starks Show. Instead quarterback Drew Willy is leading the charge. Willy's three touchdown passes, along with 348 yards, give him 8 scores on the season. However I don't know if I'm happy for Turner Gill following that heart-stopping win, or if I'm bummed for Al Golden following his heartbreaking loss.
I'm interested in seeing what Christian Ponder can do against a real defensive unit next week as the Noles host Wake Forest. So far, the Seminole's sophomore has been impressive.
By the time Mizzou heads to Austin, Texas in mid-October, Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin may be 1 and 1A on many Heisman lists. Each is performing like the top BCS fantasy producer at his position.
Is any back doing it with less fantasy fanfare than Donald Brown? We've been all over him when it's clear that he's going to see snaps befitting a #1 back, and even when Andre Dixon returns, how can you sit Brown?
I was all over Cal and Jahvid Best this week. Clearly I underestimated Ralph Friedgen, and I underestimated the difficulty involved in traveling cross-country to play a BCS school that has kids on scholarship as well. Maryland was the proverbial wounded animal backed into a corner, and drawing upon a pretty fired-up crowd, they manhandled Best and the rest of the Bears. The final score doesn't do justice.
Best will likely end the season as a top producer, but he'll get there in a very inconsistent fashion.
Poor Jake Locker.
Just when we were ready to write Marlon Lucky off, he goes and produces like Marlon Lucky.
It's becoming clear that Rice's James Casey will always produce. Always.
Umm, Mr. Franklin. Mr. Tony Franklin, Auburn offensive coordinator? We're still hoping for a bit more.
That's what we're talking about Mr. Harrell and Crabtree.
Is anyone else looking forward to that Oregon and Boise State tilt?
Waiver Wire Report
True freshmen Robert Griffin, Arkelon Hall, Jacquizz Rodgers, Mark Ingram and even junior Charles Scott have all graduated off the waiver wire list after once again putting up solid numbers. As those five (and a few others) have moved on to find their way on fantasy rosters, we take a look at the next batch of potential waiver wire pickups and watch listers. As a refresher, we are going to limit the list to those showing a high level of availability in U-Sports leagues.
QB Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech (90% availability) -There were a lot of discussions at the CFFinsider compound on how long the Tyrod Taylor redshirt plan would last. The over/under was set at 6 games. The plan was scrapped and by week three Taylor was the starter and seeing all he snaps. Taylor is an athlete that is going to make some noise at some point in his college career. Keep him on your watch list or pick him up if you have a backup spot that needs to be filled.
QB Boo Jackson, Ohio (no data available) (no data available) - We've got to be honest, we don't know a lot about this JUCO transfer for the Bobcats. Boo saw his first start last week against the Chips and threw for three touchdowns. Put him on the watch list.
QB Christian Ponder, Florida State (no data available) - Another nice day for Ponder; let's see what he can do against Wake Forest next week before we bite though.
QB Kevin Riley, Cal (85% availability) - Riley has been solid so far this year. Playing from behind, Riley had a workout last week against Maryland, throwing for over 400 yards. Riley is definitely an option in Pac-10 heavy leagues.
RB RB Matt Asiata, Utah (75% availability) - Asiata is making the most of his limited carries and on the way to becoming the 2008 touchdown vulture of the year. Asiata has five touchdowns on just 40 touches this year.
RB Sam McGuffie, Michigan (88% availability - Some have written off the Michigan offense. While it does look pathetic, freshman Sam McGuffie has not. McGuffie makes his second and last appearance on the waiver wire. Pick him up because he's the only thing the Michigan offense has going.
RB LeGarrette Blount, Oregon (66% availability) - While Blount and Johnson split carries through most of regulation, it was Blount who punched in the Duck's final two touchdowns of the game, the final in double overtime. With Jeremiah Johnson 'potentially' injured last week, Blount's stock is on the rise once again.
RB Brandon Tate, Auburn (69% availability) - With Brad Lester possibly missing extended time with a neck sprain, the running back by committee situation may have just sorted itself out.
RB Brandon Bolden, Ole Miss (no data available) - Bolden was one of six mentioned during our 'Guys to Watch' podcast last Friday. The kid is a load and will be a force this year. Question is, can he separate himself from Cordera Eason?
RB Dajuane Collins, Toledo (58% availability) - I was surprised to see Collins showing so much availability in U-Sports leagues. I'm sure the fact that he plays in a non-BCS conference skews the numbers a tad. Collins will probably be a streaky back, so use him when you have a starting spot to fill.
RB Andr Anderson, Tulane (61% availability) - A preseason sleeper back, Anderson toted the rock 33 times last week against East Carolina. If the workload continues, he'll turn that into fantasy points.
RB Dujuan Harris, Troy (78% availability) - Not a heavy workload for Collins. Only nine carries for 39 yards and a first quarter score in a 65-0 blowout against Alcorn State.
RB Frank Goodin, ULM (67% availability) - Goodin made a quick recovery from a knee scope rushing for 114 yards and a score on 17 carries Friday night. If healthy, Goodin should produce all year.
RB Da'Rel Scott and Davin Meggett, Maryland (58% availability) - Scott has continued to pound the rock for the Terps. He did, however injury his shoulder and is questionable against Eastern Michigan. If he can't go, take a look at Davin Meggett.
WR Jordan Norwood, Penn State (83% availability) - Norwood is starting to emerge from the pack of talented wide receivers at Penn State, and he's becoming Daryll Clark and Pat Devlin's favorite target. Norwood has five touchdowns on the year and at least one in each of the first three games.
WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma (86% availability) - Thanks to some poor tackling by the Huskies and Broyles' speed, this is the Sooner's second (and last) trip on the waiver wire report in as many weeks. Broyles is definitely worthy of a pickup.
WR Brandon Tate and Hakeen Nicks, North Carolina (61% and 22% availability) - If North Carolina keeps playing inspired football like they did Thursday night, these two will continue to be fantasy options for the Tar Heels. Tate has turned into a play maker this year and is showing a high level of ability.
WR Darius Passmore, Marshall (77% availability) - Another nice week for Passmore and another mention on our waiver report. Passmore has over 300 yards receiving and three touchdowns on the year.
WR Daymond Patterson/Johnathan Wilson/Kerry Meier, Kansas (no data availability) - With Dexton Fields out and Dezmond Briscoe drawing double teams, Patterson and Wilson are taking advantage. While Briscoe should still be considered the Jayhawks' top wide receiving threat, Todd Reesing will spread the ball around and Patterson and Wilson will get some looks. Kerry Meier also has value in PPR leagues.
TE Garrett Graham, Wisconsin -(85% availability) - Graham produces with or without Travis Beckum. Both were on the field for a majority of the game against Fresno State Saturday night.
TE Cameron Morrah, Cal (81% availability) - Morrah got back on the scoreboard in week three after posting a donut in week two. Morrah will be a tight end threat all year. But like all tight ends, he'll be inconsitent.
Others to Watch
QB Lyle Moevao, Oregon State
QB Jamie Hampton, Troy
QB Adam DiMichele, Temple
QB Drew Willy, Buffalo
RB Darren Evans, Virginia Tech
RB Robert Hughes, Notre Dame
RB Chris Garrett, Ohio
RB Jay Finley, Baylor
RB DeLeon Eskridge, Minnesota
RB MiQuale Lewis, Ball State
RB Jamar Taylor, South Florida
RB Angus Quigley, Kansas
WR Bruce Francis, Temple
WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame
WR Michael Reed, BYU
WR Naaman Roosevelt, Buffalo
WR Jacoby Ford, Clemson
TE Ed Dickson, Oregon
TE Blake Ayles, USC
