Week 7 Notes & Observations

Power 5 Notes

QB Jett Duffey led Texas Tech to a win over TCU, but I don’t expect him to unseat Alan Bowman as the starter. There was obviously a reason why he was the team’s third option this season.
TCU QB Shawn Robinson has thrown at least one interception in five straight games and has thrown two interceptions in three of the last four.
Khalil Tate’s injury may have sealed his fate for many fantasy owners that have held onto him.
Utah RB Zack Moss continued his scoring streak, and has now scored in every game this year. In Friday’s win over Arizona, QB Tyler Huntley had two TD passes, a TD run, and a TD reception.
Oklahoma State WR Tylan Wallace has at least 82 receiving yards in six straight games. In the Cowboys’ 31-12 loss at Kansas State, Oklahoma State RB Justice Hill finished a week with fewer than 12 fantasy points for the first time this year.
Kansas State RB Alex Barnes has rushed for 431 yards and seven touchdowns in the last two weeks.
Iowa QB Nate Stanley has has thrown for 634 yards and ten touchdowns in the past two games. TE Noah Fans has scored in five of six games this year.
Indiana RB Stevie Scott had at least 18 carries in four of the Hoosiers’ first five games, but only has 17 total rushing attempts in the past two games.
Jeremy Larkin’s retirement killed the Northwestern running game, but fantasy owners need to focus on the passing game. QB Clayton Thorson has passed for 828 yards and six touchdowns in the past two games, and his primary target has been Flynn Nagel, who has hauled in 22 passes for 331 yards and 2 TDs in those two games.
Devin Ozigbo has rushed for at least 159 yards and two touchdowns in two of Nebraska’s last three games. WR JD Spielman has at least eight receptions and a TD in three straight games.
Ohio State WR Parris Campbell has caught at least seven passes in four straight games. Against Minnesota, RB JK Dobbins ran for a season-low 35 yards.
In his previous two games combined, against Iowa and Maryland, Minnesota RB Mahomed Ibrahim had 39 carries for 157 yards and no TDs. Against Ohio St, Ibrahim ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.
In the past two games, Florida RB Lamical Perine has 40 rushing attempts for 206 yards and three touchdowns.
If Auburn is going to continue their streak of 1,000-yard rushers, RB JaTarvious Whitlow is going to need one heck of a run over the next five games.
Georgia Tech RB Jerry Howard has scored a rushing touchdown in three straight games.
Even though Duke RB Deon Jackson doesn’t have a 100-yard rushing game this season, he has scored a rushing TD in four straight games and in five of six this year.
Once it was announced that Boston College RB AJ Dillon would not play against Louisville, I’m sure many fantasy owners felt as if Ben Glines would give them a huge game. Glines ran for 107 yards a touchdown, but freshman David Bailey led the Eagles with 28 carries for 112 yards and a TD.
Pitt was giving up over 200 rushing yards per game, which I thought would result in a big game for Notre Dame RB Dexter Williams, who finished with only 31 yards on the ground in that matchup.
Pitt RB Qadree Ollison has now scored in five of the last six games.
Purdue RB DJ Knox has at least 15 rushing attempts and 11-plus fantasy points in three starlight games. He has also scored a TD in four of six games this year.
In the past two games, Michigan State WR Felton Davis has caught 15 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns.
I completely whiffed on my recommendation to bench Penn State RB Miles Sanders, who ran for 162 yards and a TD against the nation’s top rush defense. However, QB Trace McSorley had his worst fantasy week of the 2018 season against the Spartans.
Washington HC Chris Peterson didn’t elaborate on the injuries to RBs Myles Gaskin (shoulder) and Salvon Ahmed (knee) other than saying they are both banged up.
Oregon RB CJ Verdell has rushed for 100-plus yards in three consecutive conference games and WR Dillon Mitchell has topped the 100-yard receiving mark in all three conference games, while QB Justin Herbert has not accounted for more than two touchdowns in any of the Ducks’ three conference games.
Texas A&M TE Jace Sternberger had his first 100-yard receiving game of the season at South Carolina and has scored in five of seven games this year. RB Trayveon Williams has now carried the ball at least 19 times in five of seven games and has scored in three straight. QB Kellen Mond has not accounted for more than two touchdowns in a game since the Aggies started conference play.
South Carolina WR Deebo Samuel has caught a TD pass in three consecutive games.
Georgia WR Riley Ridley has caught a TD pass in four off the last five games, while Mecole Hardman has not scored in three consecutive games after scoring in each of the Bulldogs’ first four games.
LSU RB Nick Brossette has scored at least one rushing touchdown in each of the Tigers’ last four games. RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire has at least 12 fantasy points in three of his last four games.
Seven weeks into the 2018 season and Georgia RB D’Andre Swift’s season high on the ground is 72 yards in the team’s 36-16 loss at LSU.
Baylor WR Jalen Hurd continues to be a fantasy factor rushing and receiving. WR Denzel Mims has at least 80 yards receiving and a touchdown in three consecutive games. RBs JaMycal Hasty and John Lovett have not scored a rushing touchdown since the second game of the season.
RB Keaontay Ingram had Texas’ first 100-yard rushing game of the season in a 23-17 win over Baylor. Ingram is averaging 88 rushing yards over the last three games, but he has not scored since Texas’ home opener against Tulsa on September 8th.
In PPR formats, Virginia Tech WR Damon Hazelton failed to reach double-digit fantasy points for the first time this season in the Hokies’ win at UNC.
I think its possible we see a QB rotation at Miami for the remainder of the season. If N’kosi Perry is the future, he’ll likely be given every opportunity to earn the majority of snaps. WR Lawrence Cager had caught a TD pass in four straight games until Saturday’s loss at Virginia. WR Jeff Thomas has not caught more than one pass in four of the last six games.
Virginia QB Bryce Perkins did not have a TD pass against Miami, which marked the first time in 2018 that Perkins did not throw at least two TD passes in a game.
I’m not sure that I can say anything about the West Virginia receivers when QB Will Grier completed 11-of-15 passes for 100 yards. Grier had passed for at least 300 yards in every game up until the Montaineers’ 30-14 loss at Iowa State.
Iowa State RB David Montgomery topped the 100-yard rushing mark in his third consecutive game and has scored for four consecutive games. WR Hakeem Butler has scored in four of his last five games. QB Brock Purdy has now accounted for eight touchdowns in his two starts for the Cyclones.
UCLA RB Joshua Kelley has rushed for at least 124 yards in each of the last three games has scored four touchdowns in the past two games. TE Caleb Wilson has caught at least five passes for 90 yards in each of the last two games.
Cal RB Patrick Laird has three 90-yard rushing games, but has yet to eclipse the 100-yard mark. After averaging 115 rushing yards in his previous two games, Cal QB Brandon McIlwain only had 12 rushing yards in the Bears’ 37-7 loss to UCLA.
Missouri QB Drew Lock has only accounted for two touchdowns in the past three games. However, a matchup next week against Memphis should get him back on track.
Alabama RB Damien Harris has at least 15 fantasy points in each of the last two games. WR Jerry Jeudy is averaging 27.1 yards per reception and has scored in five of seven games. TE Irv Smith has caught a TD pass in four of six games.
Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor has rushed for 100 yards in all six games this season, but has not scored a touchdown in three of them.
Michigan RB Karan Higdon has rushed for 100 yards in five consecutive games and has scored in five of six games.
Ole Miss RB Scottie Phillips has scored at least oinbe TD in six of seven games this season. WR AJ Brown has only scored one TD in the past five games. WR DeMarkus Lodge has caught 19 passes for 259 yards and 2 TDs in the past two games.
Arkansas RB Rakeem Boyd has rushed for 100 yards in back-to-back games. TE Cheyenne O’Grady has caught a TD pass in the Razorbacks’ last two games.

Group 5 Notes

Appalachian State RB Jalin Moore was lost for the season with a broken ankle. Darrynton Evans had 16 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown against Arkansas State and seems likely to be Moore’s replacement.
Arkansas State QB Justice Hansen has only accounted for seven touchdowns in the past five games.
Georgia Southern QB Shai Werts did not account for a single touchdown in the team’s win at Texas State.
Texas State TE Keenen Brown has now scored in three straight games, as he scored on a 3-yard run against Georgia Southern. Brown had two rushing attempts for 64 yards on Thursday, and now it seems as if his role is expanding.
USF RB Jordan Cronkrite has rushed for at least 129 yards and a TD in four straight games.
Last week, Tulsa RB Shamari Brooks missed a game due to an ankle injury and Corey Taylor had a big game. This week, Corey Taylor didn’t play due to an ankle injury and it was Shamari Brooks with a big game.
Toledo WR Diontae Johnson only has one 100-yard receiving game this season, while RB Shakif Seymour only has one 100-yard rushing game. WR Cody Thomopsn does not have a 100-yard receiving game this season.
Eastern Michigan QB Mike Glass has rushed for at least 100 yards in back-to-back games.
Buffalo RB Jarrett Patterson has rushed for at least 90 yards and a touchdown in three of the last four games. QB Tyree Jackson threw at least three TD passes in each of the team’s first four games, but has only thrown one TD pass in each of the team’s last three games.
If I knew that Rice RB Austin Walter was going to get 22 touches against UAB, I would predicted a nice stat line. Walter only totaled 36 yards of offense with 19 rushing attempts and three receptions.
North Texas RB DeAndre Torrey had his second three-touchdown game of the season in Saturday’s 30-7 win over Southern Miss. QB Mason Fine has not thrown more than two touchdown passes in four of the last five games. I was ready to write off WR Jalen Guyton, and then he catches seven passes for 124 yards and a TD. Rico Bussey had his first sub 10-point fantasy game of the year.
USM WR Quez Watkins has caught a TD pass in every game this season and QB jack Abraham has thrown for 300+ yards in three of five games.
Liberty WR Antonio-Gandy-Goklden did not play against Troy due to an illness (mononucleosis). BJ Farrow has caught a TD pass in four of the last five games. QB Stephen Calvert has thrown at least two TD passes in five of six games and has thrown for at least 300 yards in four of six.
Since returning from injury, Miami (OH) RB Kenny Young has scored four touchdowns in the past two games.
After catching 18 passes for 186 yards in the previous two games, Kent State WR Isaiah McKoy only had four receptions for 31 yards against Miami (OH).
I predicted a big game for Western Michigan RB LeVante Bellamy against Bowling Green. He finished with a team-high 145 rushing yards, but it was teammate Jamari Bogan who stole his thunder by scoring four times. Bogan has now scored eight rushing touchdowns in the past five games.
Central Michigan QB Tommy Lazzaro has rushed for over 100 yards in back-to-back games, but has not thrown more than one TD pass in a game this year.
Army QB Kelvin Hopkins has at least 89 rushing yards in four consecutive games.
UCF WR Gabriel Davis has caught a TD pass in five of six games this season.
Memphis RB Darrell Henderson has totaled over 200 yards of offense in four of seven games this season.
Malcolm Perry started the game for Navy at slotback, while Garret Lewis started at quarterback. Perry did play some quarterback and even had a TD run called back because of penalty. Fantasy owners will likely need to keep Perry out of the lineup until the Navy offense gets back on track.
Marshall RB Tyler King has now rushed for at least 165 yards in consecutive games and WR Tyre Brady has caught a TD pass in four of six games.
Old Dominion WR Jonathan Duhart had 31 yards receiving in ODU’s 42-20 loss against Marshall. It was the first time Duhart had fewer than 80 yards receiving in a game this season. RB Kesean Strong has scored in four consecutive games.
Charlotte RB Benny LeMay had his first 100-yard rushing game since the season opener against Fordham.
Western Kentucky WR Jacquez Sloan has topped the 80-yard receiving mark in the last two games.
UNLV RB Lexington Thomas started the season with three straight 100-yard rushing games, but has not reached that mark in any of UNLV’s last three games.
Utah State RB Darwin Thompson has scored in five of six games, RB Gerold Bright has scored in four of six games, and QB Jordan Love has accounted for ten touchdowns in the past two games.
New Mexico WR Delanie Hart-Johnson has caught a TD pass in. Three consecutive games and in four of the last five.
Colorado State RB Izzy Matthews has carried the ball at least 22 times in the last two games, totaling 217 yards on the ground.
Louisiana RB Trey Ragas has topped the 100-yard rushing mark in four of six games and has scored in five of six games. Teammate Elijah Mitchell has topped the 100-yard rushing mark and scored three rushing touchdowns in each of the past two games.
LA Monroe RB Derrick Gore has scored a rushing TD in three of the last four games. WR Marcus Green has his first 100-yard receiving game of the season and scored for the first time since week 2.
Coastal Carolina RB Marcus Outlow had his second 100-yard rushing game of the season and scored in his fifth consecutive game.
Houston WR Courtney Lark caught TD pass for the first time since Week 1. Marquez Stevenson failed to score a touchdown for the first time this season. QB D’Eriq King accounted for three touchdowns against East Carolina, but failed to account for four touchdowns for the first time this year.
East Carolina WR Trevon Brown had his first 100-yard receiving game of the season, catching 13 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown.
Louisiana Tech RB Jaqwis Dancy returned from injury and carried the ball 21 times at UTSA. It was Kam McKnight that led the Bulldogs in rushing with 42 yards and scored in his second consecutive game.
Middle Tennessee RB Tavares Thomas has scored six touchdowns in the last three games in which he has played. QB Brent Stockstill left in the second quarter with an injury and was replaced by Asher O’Hara. O’Hara was only 9-of-20 passing, but carried the ball 21 times for 85 yards and a touchdown.
FIU WR CJ Worton has now caught a TD pass in four of the last five games.
Hawaii WR John Ursua has caught at least one TD pass in seven of eight games and has caught a TD pass in every game in which QB Cole McDonald has played. WR Cedric Byrd had 80 yards receiving for the first time in four games.
BYU freshman QB Zach Wilson got the start for the Cougars against Hawaii and accounted for four touchdowns in a 49-23 win. BYU had not scored more than 30 points in any other game this season.
Boise State RB Alexander Mattison does not have a 100-yard rushing game since September 8th, when the Broncos beat UConn. WR AJ Richardson has a TD reception in four of the last five games.
Fresno State WR KeeSean Johnson has at least five receptions in every game this season.