College Surprise Fantasy POW – Week 5

By Phil Steele

My QB’s of the Week
Brett Smith, Wyoming • Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois
• Keith Price, Washington

QB Brett Smith (Wyoming) – How well has Brett Smith done so far in 2013? How about being tied for 2^nd in the nation in pass yards with 1,315! He also has added 299 rush (8.3). Still, many of you haven’t heard of him but if he’s available to pick up, now would be the time. This week the Cowboys get a favorable matchup with Texas St who were victimized for 434 yds in the air a week ago against Texas Tech. With a solid 13-3 ratio and his previously discussed passing yards, Smith should flourish again here.

QB Nathan Scheelhaase (Illinois) – While he had his share of struggles in his last game vs Wash when he threw for just 156 yds, we expect Scheelhaase to more resemble the QB that he was throughout the 1^st two gms when he threw for a comb 728 yds with a 6-1 ratio. Miami (OH) was gashed in the air a few wks back vs Kentucky to the tune of 413 pass yds and while we don’t expect them to allow that much again here, a 300 yd performance out of Scheelhaase could be a safe bet.

QB Keith Price (Washington) – A change in scheme to the hurry-up spread offense has greatly benefited Keith Price thus far in the young season as he has a 7-1 ratio and has exceeded 300+ yds in 2 of his 3 games (would be 3 for 3 had he not been pulled early vs Idaho St). While Arizona’s defense has allowed just 312 ypg thus far this season, further analyzation shows that they have faced the likes of Northern Arizona, UNLV and UTSA, nobody near the caliber of the Huskies. Price should shine here.

My RB’s of the Week
Travis Greene, Bowling Green • Adam Muema, San Diego St • David Fluellen, Toledo

RB Travis Greene (Bowling Green) – Rushing games of 145 and 133 yds so far this season have us liking his opportunity for a repeat performance here against an Akron squad that has been gashed for 465 ypg this year. With an avg of nearly 19 carries a game, Greene could easily have his best outing yet.

RB Adam Muema (San Diego St) – After seeing just 13 carries through the 1^st two games of the season due to injury, Adam Muema finally saw significant action a week ago against Oregon St. While he did have just 71 rush yds vs the Beavers, you have to like the 28 carries he received which has us licking our chops here against a New Mexico St defense that can’t stop a Pee Wee football team right now (606 ypg allowed). Muema will surpass the 100 yard rushing plateau for the first time in 2013 here.

RB David Fluellen (Toledo) – A promising 3 game run for Fluellen has us taking a shot with him here against Ball St as in that span he’s averaged 150 ypg on the ground with 4 total TD’s while also pulling in 10 rec for 100 yds vs Mizzou. 363 yds, 231 yds and 204 yds are what the Cardinals have surrendered the past 3 games on the ground so we once again expect big things here.

My WR’s of the Week
Gabe Marks, Washington St • Jamison Crowder, Duke
• Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri

WR Gabe Marks (Washington St) – It’s hard not to like any WR in a Mike Leach offense but we really like the chances of Gabe Marks here this week after his stellar 11 rec, 146 yard outing vs Idaho just a week ago. While Stanford is known for their def, Marks could get some one on one opportunities here and judging by the amount of passes WSU has been attempting on a weekly basis (49 per game), another big game should be expected.

WR Jamison Crowder (Duke) – One of the main reasons that Duke was able to come back TWICE from large deficits was due to the play of Jamison Crowder who surpassed the 140 yd mark for the 2^nd time this year (281 all-purp yds). A matchup vs Troy this week gives us a warm and fuzzy feeling here for Crowder to once again put up substantial numbers (Troy has allowed 322 pass yards in their 3 contests vs FBS opponents this year).

WR Dorial Green-Beckham (Missouri) – After a pair of subpar games to start the year Green-Backham found himself surpassing the 100 yard mark for the first time this season last week vs Indiana. A 2^nd consecutive solid performance should be expected here against an Arkansas St squad that has been ripped apart by each of their last 3 opponents on the defensive side of the ball, allowing 529 ypg in that span.

My Defense’s of the Week
Colorado St • Illinois • Clemson

Colorado St Defense – After holding mighty Alabama to just 338 yds the Rams take a step down in competition vs a UTEP offense that mustered just 218 total yards a week ago to UTSA in their 32-13 loss. Our ratings have CSU holding the Miners to just 319 yds making them one of our Surprise Fantasy Defenses.

Illinois Defense – After allowing 493 ypg over their first 3 contests of the season, a matchup with the Miami (OH) offense is just what the doctor ordered here as the RedHawks have struggled to say the least with just 448 TOTAL yards through 3 games (149 ypg). With Miami scoring just 21 total points on the season, we have full confidence in the Illini defense here.

Clemson Defense – With Clemson’s opponent Wake Forest averaging just 310 ypg vs their 3 FBS opponents so far this season, the Tigers get the call as our 3^rd and final defense this week. Clemson has held each of their last two opponents to 14 points or less and a 3^rd straight week of that feat could be in the offing.

CollegeFootballGeek.com’s Sneaky Plays – Week 5

By Kevin Mount, CollegeFootballGeek.com

A very interesting Week Four is in the books and it is now time to look ahead to the fifth 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

QB James Franklin, Missouri (vs. Arkansas State):
Franklin is starting to resemble the play making, fantasy viable QB that he was two years ago. He torched a porous Indiana defense for 404 total yards and three total scores last week. His fantasy future looks very bright this week with a weak Arkansas State defense coming to Faurot field. Look for Franklin to tally at least 300 total yards and three total scores this week against the Red Wolves. This Tiger looks to be a terrific option for owners in search of points during a week with many players on bye.

QB Brandon Connette, Duke (vs. Troy):
Connette rolled up 424 total yards and six total scores in a shootout with Pitt last week. This junior has been making plays with both his arm and feet and has been carrying the Duke offense this season. The Duke defense has been awful leaving Connette to post big numbers just to stay in games. Look for Connette to roll up big numbers against a defensively challenged Troy squad. Expect some fireworks in this contest. This Blue Devil could make for a nice starting option in BCS only leagues in Week Five.

QB Tyler Murphy, Florida (vs. Kentucky):
There is some risk here, as Murphy had not seen much game-time action until last week when Jeff Driskel went down with a season ending injury. He filled in admirably with two touchdowns and 84 yards on the ground. He could just be the spark the Gators offense has been looking for this year. The Kentucky defense may be the perfect team for Murphy to start his first game against this week. Don’t expect huge numbers, but 250 total yards and 2 or 3 total scores don’t seem out of the realm of possibility this week.

RUNNING BACKS

RB James Connor, Pitt (vs. Virginia):
It appears that Connor has assumed control of the Pitt backfield with 292 yards rushing and three scores over the past two weeks. The “Terminator” could have a big game this week against a suspect Virginia defense. The Virgina defense could be hard pressed to stop this hard charging freshman. Look for Connor to top the 100-yard mark and add a score or two in this contest. If Connor is still available in your BCS fantasy league…run to pick him up.

RB Jahwan Edwards, Ball State (vs. Toledo):
Edwards returned to the lineup after missing two games and promptly rumbled for 3 scores against Eastern Michigan last week. He could match those numbers this week against a weak Toledo defense that gives up plenty of big plays. Expect a bunch of points in this match up, with Edwards being heavily involved on the ground. Another two or three scores seem like a decent possibility for Edwards on Saturday.

RB Rajion Neal, Tennessee (vs. South Alabama):
Neal seems to fair pretty well when he faces inferior competition this season. That could be the case this week when the South Alabama Jaguars come to Knoxville. Neal could find the end zone on multiple occasions and rack up decent yardage against the Jaguars. This Volunteer could make for an excellent RB option in BCS only leagues in Week Five.

WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS

WR Martavis Bryant, Clemson (vs. Wake Forest):

***UPDATE: Bryant could be punished this week due to a “throat-slashing” gesture he gave after a touchdown in a recent game. Proceed with caution.

This physically gifted Tiger may finally have turned the corner and appears ready to begin living up to his immense potential. He has all the tools and plays in the right system to be a top tier fantasy wide out in most formats. He had what could be his breakout performance with two receiving touchdowns last week versus NC State. Bryant is an excellent red-zone target with his tall frame and could find many jump balls coming his way. Look for this ultra-talented junior to be too much for the Wake forest secondary to handle this week.

WR Malcome Kennedy, Texas A&M (vs. Arkansas):
Kennedy has emerged as the #2 option in the high-powered Texas A&M passing game. He has garnered four scores over the past two games and is likely benefiting from the attention defenses are paying to Mike Evans. This Arkansas defense was torched for over 300 yards passing last week versus Rutgers and could be in line for a long day against the Aggies. Look for Kennedy to get behind the defense for a score or two against the Razorbacks this week.

SNEAKY D’S

Miami vs. South Florida
Tennessee vs. South Alabama
Iowa vs. Minnesota
NC State vs. Central Michigan
UCONN vs. Buffalo
Vanderbilt vs. UAB

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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CollegeFootballGeek.com is your home for 2013 college fantasy football content! Draft kit, injury reports, player news, player projections, player rankings, mock drafts, community forums, and much more!

CollegeFootballGeek.com’s 2013 College Fantasy

Player Rankings – Week 5

Todd DeVries, CollegeFootballGeek.com

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Phil Steele is a college football analyst who has been publishing his annual College Football Preview since 1995. His magazine is regarded as one of the best in the business.
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