QUARTERBACKS
Anthony Russo, Temple
While some AAC teams started their seasons in early September, Temple did not play their first game until October 10, so even if Russo was selected in fantasy drafts, some owners may have dropped him to make way for active players. The Owls have struggled to a 1-2 start, but Russo has totaled at least three touchdowns in each of those three games and has thrown four touchdown passes in each of the last two games.
Aidan O’Connell, Purdue
The talented receiving duo of Rondale Moore and David Bell makes the Purdue starting quarterback a coveted fantasy asset. The problem throughout the spring and summer was trying to predict which of the three, Jack Plummer, Aidan O’Connell, or Austin Burton, would open the season as the starter. On Saturday, we learned that O’Connell was tabbed to lead the offense, and in the Boilermakers’ 24-20 win over Iowa, he completed 31-of-50 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns.
RUNNING BACKS
Aaron McAllister, Charlotte
Two weeks ago, McAllister totaled 214 yards of offense (140 rushing, 74 receiving) and scored two touchdowns in the 49ers’ 49-21 win at North Texas. His performance in that game trigged speculation that the senior back would earn more playing time over teammate Tre Harbison. Well, in Saturday’s 38-28 win over UTEP, McAllister carried the ball eight times for 68 yards and two touchdowns. He may not be getting a ton of touches, but it’s hard to ignore a player that has totaled 282 yards and four touchdowns in his last two games.
Greg Bell, San Diego State
There is no denying that the Aztecs have a ton of depth at running back this season, so it would not have been a surprise to see a running back-by-committee approach in the season opener. However, junior Greg Bell carried the ball a team-high 19 times for 111 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s 34-6 win over UNLV. Kaegun Williams, who had ten carries for 84 yards, and Chance Bell, who carried the ball seven times for 40 yards and two touchdowns, were other significant contributors in the running game, but Bell seems to be the team’s No. 1 option to start the year.
Isaih Pacheco, Rutgers
In Rutgers’ 38-27 win at Michigan State, junior Isaih Pacheco carried the ball 19 times for 61 yards and two touchdowns, while adding five receptions for 37 yards in the passing game. Fantasy owners may have stayed away from Pacheco fearing the worst from the Rutgers offense in 2020, but Saturday’s convincing win may have changed that perception.
Devyn Ford, Penn State
An early injury to Noah Cain opened the door for Devyn Ford to get a heavy workload against Indiana. The sophomore back carried the ball 20 times for 69 yards and a touchdown in the Nittany Lions’ 36-35 OT loss. Ford’s rushing touchdown was gifted by the Indiana defense, so his stat line is a bit misleading, but if Cain’s injury keeps him out for some time, Ford seems to be the next man up.
RECEIVERS
Jayden Reed, Michigan State
Reed sat out last season after transferring from Western Michigan, where he caught 56 passes for 797 yards and eight touchdowns in 2018. In his first game at Michigan State, the redshirt sophomore hauled in eleven passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the Spartans’ disappointing 38-27 home loss to Rutgers. If the first game is a preview of what to expect this year, Reed may see a lot of passes his way in an offense that could be playing from behind often.
John Metchie, Alabama
Teammate Jaylen Waddle was lost for the season after suffering a lower leg injury on the opening kickoff at Tennessee. In Saturday’s 48-17 win in Knoxville, the sophomore receiver led the team in receiving, catching seven passes for 151 yards. Metchie already had a 181-yard game against Texas A&M on October 3, so he may not be available in every league, but if so, he’ll likely be the hottest name on this week’s waiver wire.
Slade Bolden, Alabama
While many fantasy owners are already on John Metchie, very few, if any, have targeted redshirt sophomore Slade Bolden, at least until now. In Saturday’s win over Tennessee, Bolden caught six passes for 94 yards, and now likely steps into the WR3 role because of Waddle’s injury.