★Top Play(s) – QB Jayden Maiava ($8,000)
Maiava has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country through four games, leading the nation with 1,173 passing yards and 12 touchdowns while completing 76% of his passes with just one interception. He’s also averaging an impressive 10.2 yards per attempt and has topped 20 fantasy points in each game this season. High-level stats for the Oregon pass defense look good, but the Ducks are giving up 27.5 FPPG to quarterbacks this season, with QBs averaging almost seven fantasy points above their seasonal average in those respective contests.
↓Fade – RB Waymond Jordan ($5,600)
I imagine RB King Miller ($6,700) quoting the Somali boat hijacker in the movie Captain Phillips, telling Jordan, “I am the captain now.” We’re not exactly sure of the reason, but Jordan is firmly the RB2 for the Trojans, with his yards per carry total dropping with each passing week. Jordan tied a season low with just eight rushing attempts vs. Rutgers last week. Oregon is allowing just 23 FPPG to opposing backfields this season, so there’s only room for one USC running back in this matchup. Early-season results clearly point to Miller > Jordan.
↔Pivot Play – TE Mark Bowman ($4,700)
Bowman currently ranks second on the team in targets (19), receptions (15) and routes run. This is also a favorable matchup against an Oregon defense that is giving up nearly 12 fantasy points a game to opposing tight ends. Boise State’s Matt Wagner had his best outing of the season against the Ducks in the opener. Even Oklahoma State’s tight end caught a touchdown vs. Oregon, and the Cowboys rarely ever use the position in the offensive scheme.
$Bargain Bin – WR Zacharyus Williams ($3,400)
Trent Mosley us unlikely to play again this week barring a major surprise, so expect to see Williams starting in the slot again Saturday. Mostly a non-factor against Rutgers with just a single catch on three targets, Williams only played 44% of the snaps, so there’s probably more reason to fade Williams in this spot.
+Best of the Rest – WR Kayden Dixon Wyatt ($5,700) or WR Tanook Hines ($5,000)
This has to be the week for a Tanook Hines breakout, right? USC down two starting receivers, and Hines doubled his reps against Rutgers, so his playing time is being ramped up since coming back from injury. KDW now leads the Trojans in targets (23), receptions (18) and receiving yards (258) in Trent Mosley’s absence. If playing Maiava, we’ll want to pair him with one USC pass-catcher.
!Injury Notes –
WR Corey Simms (Out), WR Trent Mosley (Doubtful)
