Arkansas vs. Mississippi
- Point-Spread: Miss -6.5
- O/U Total: 63.5
- Implied Score: Miss 35 – Ark 28.5
- Weather: 88 degrees / 0% rain /3 mph winds
Arkansas:
Top Play(s) – QB Taylen Green ($6,900) This was the game folks who invested in Taylen Green in college fantasy circled on the calendar. We knew Green would dominate lesser competition – he did exactly that in 2024 too. Why Green wasn’t rated more highly this offseason was the significant drop-off in SEC play last season where he averaged just 18 FPPG. Does that change in 2025? His consistency has improved so far, completing 70% of his throws so far, and the ankle that hampered him in SEC play last year is no longer an issue, as evidenced by his 151-yard rushing performance last week vs. Arkansas State.
Fade – RB Braylen Russell ($4,400) We’re seeing why RB Mike Washington ($5,900) won the job over Russell in the offseason. The New Mexico transfer is averaging over 10 yards per carry and 6.1 yards after contact, which is dwarfing Russell’s 4.1 YPC average. Barring injury, we’re expecting Green and Washington to dominate much of the carry distribution.
Bargain Bin – WR CJ Brown ($3,600) Arkansas looks to have two solid options in the slot with Brown and Fresno State transfer WR Raylen Sharpe ($4,100). Based on last week, it would appear that Brown is the starter now over Sharpe and has proven capable with seven receptions on nine targets, including two scores in the opening week. It’s narrow, but Brown has run more routes than Sharpe and played about double the number of snaps in Week 2.
Pivot Play – WR Jalen Brown ($3,900) Jalen Brown will be the forgotten man in the starting trio of Arkansas receivers but is tied for the team lead in routes run and touchdowns (2). He’ll see the lowest ownership among the starters.
Best of the Rest – WR O’Mega Blake ($5,900) I didn’t think there would be another Andrew Armstrong-type receiver for the Razorbacks in 2025, but Blake is proving to be such, leading the team with 12 receptions on 15 targets. Not quite the 30% target share that Armstrong had a year ago, but at 24% and double the amount of yards as the next closest Arkansas wideout, Blake is off to a great start.
Injury Notes – n/a
Mississippi:
Top Play(s) – RB Kewan Lacy ($7,600) Lacy took full control of the RB1 job this past week, rushing for 138 yards and a touchdown on 28 attempts. Backup Logan Diggs had just two carries. With a potentially hobbled quarterback on Saturday, expect another full dose of Lacy on the ground.
Fade – WR Cayden Lee ($6,800) or WR De’Zhaun Stribling ($6,200) Strictly GPP plays only, and there’s enough WR options that you can just say no to this situation. WR Trey Wallace ($6,500) has emerged as the team’s WR1 with double the number of targets as Lee and quadruple the amount of yards as Stribling. If you’re looking for a small glimmer of hope, Stribling and Lee both lead the team in routes run this season so they’re still on the field, just not doing a whole lot.
Bargain Bin – TE Dae’Quan Wright ($3,200) No impact against Kentucky in Week 2, after catching four passes for 78 yards and a score in the opener. Wright was still on the field 75.3% of the time against the Wildcats, so he should bounce back in some fashion this week.
Pivot Play – WR Deuce Alexander ($3,200) Alexander is a narrow fourth on the team in routes run and has actually been targeted more than Stribling this season (8). And Alexander actually saw his production increase in the more competitive game against Kentucky, targeted five times while playing over 50% of the snaps.
Best of the Rest – QB Austin Simmons ($7,300) Simmons was one of several Ole Miss players that was listed originally on the injury report this week but taken off on Thursday. Lane Kiffin playing games once again. But that’s actually not the case with Simmons if you’ve been tracking practice reports this week. Both 247 and On3 stated that Simmons has not practiced all week with an ankle injury. He’s expected to play and start, but there’s enough QB options on the slate to sway me away from this risk.
Injury Notes – WR Traylon Ray (out)
Western Michigan vs. Illinois
- Point-Spread: Illini -27
- O/U Total: 50
- Implied Score: Illini 38.5 – WMU 11.5
- Weather: 85 degrees / 8% rain / 6 mph winds
Western Michigan:
Fade – RB Jalen Buckley ($5,000) We’ll roster Buckley when he gets to MACtion. For now, he’s facing a defense in Illinois that is giving up just 2.18 yards per carry on the season. QB Brock Lowry ($4,600) is not worth the risk either even at this cost. If he’s in the winning lineup, its because of his rushing ability, which has flashed in two games, rushing for 103 yards and two scores on 16 attempts. The issue is we already have evidence of how Lowry might perform against a B1G opponent, scoring five fantasy points in the opener vs. Michigan State.
Bargain Bin – Pass-catchers. It looks like we have the starting trio of WMU receivers locked down in Tailique Williams, Aveion Chenault and Baylin Brooks, the latter two of which played over 70% of the snaps against North Texas last week. Production was just minimal, though. Low floor / low ceiling plays, but they’re cheap and usually on the field. TE Blake Bozma was targeted five times in Week 2 with four receptions.
Injury Notes – n/a
Illinois:
Top Play(s) – WR Hank Beatty ($4,900) Looks like the Illini have a confirmed WR1 for 2025, it just doesn’t appear to be the guy everyone thought it would this offseason. Beatty has now hit 100 receiving yards in consecutive games to begin the year with a 100 percent catch rate on 13 targets. Remember how good Isaiah Williams was for the Illini in the slot a few years ago?
Fade – WR Malik Elzy ($5,900) Elzy should not have a higher salary than Hank Beatty, as the junior receiver is fifth among receivers in targets (5) and routes run. Almost every other Illinois receiver is a better value on the slate.
Bargain Bin – RB Ca’Lil Valentine ($3,400) Not sure why the Illinois coaching staff wants to continue feeding Kaden Feagin the ball 15 times a game when averaging just 4.1 YPC. Valentine has been better in relief, averaging 6.1 YPC and could see a bigger role on Saturday if Aidan Laughery does not play.
Pivot Play – QB Luke Altmyer ($7,100) 19 or more fantasy points in the first two games this season, tossing three touchdowns in both weeks. Altmyer has done well in the past against non B1G opponents, scoring 12 total touchdowns in eight games played. High floor play.
Best of the Rest – WR Justin Bowick ($4,600) or WR Collin Dixon ($5,100) It was good to see Collin Dixon get back in the mix after a quiet opener, catching a touchdown on six targets which was second behind Beatty. Bowick, the Ball State transfer, is tied for second in the country with three touchdown receptions, hauling in a score in both matchups.
Injury Notes – RB Aidan Laughery (questionable)
Ohio vs. Ohio State
- Point-Spread: OSU -30.5
- O/U Total: 50.5
- Implied Score: OSU 40.5 – Ohio 10
- Weather: 80 degrees / 2% rain / 5 mph winds
Ohio State:
Top Play(s) – QB Parker Navarro ($4,700) Arguably the biggest decision on the slate? We have a top 10 fantasy QB in Parker Navarro that has already shown he can get it done against power conference opponents, scoring 30+ vs. Rutgers and 19 fantasy points against West Virginia last week. On the road, at night, against Ohio State with the best secondary in the country is a tall task. If you’re giving me 100 lineups, I’d put Navarro in three of them for context of how much of a “top play” he is.
Fade – Realistically…everyone. Lowest implied team total on the slate.
Bargain Bin – WR Max Rodarte ($3,100) Second on the team in routes run, receptions (5), targets (9) and yards (81). Has played over 80% of the team’s offensive snaps this season.
Pivot Play – WR Chase Hendricks ($4,800) Slot receivers have been fantasy gold in this offense the last several years and Hendricks has been no different with nearly 50% of the team’s receiving production already. Hendricks played every single offensive snap last week vs. West Virginia and has posted 100+ receiving yards in both games to start the year.
Best of the Rest – RB Sieh Bangura ($4,800) A healthy Sieh Bangura makes this offense complete, rushing for 152 combined yards against Rutgers and West Virginia. If choosing between the big three for Ohio, Bangura would be third behind Navarro and Hendricks. We’ll be watching Ohio State’s run defense, though, as they’re ranked just 80th in rush D success rate.
Injury Notes – n/a
Ohio State:
Top Play(s) – WR Jeremiah Smith ($9,000) Is any explanation needed here? Our second-highest projected WR in all of college football this week and highest projected WR on the slate, just ahead of Hank Beatty.
Fade – RB CJ Donaldson ($8,400) or RB James Peoples ($7,900) FWIW, we have seen Peoples’ rushing prop increase by over 20 yards over the course of the week, so people seem to be buying into the idea that the run game will be emphasized this week for the Buckeyes. Still, this will continue to be a shared backfield between the two that diminishes their fantasy outlook.
Bargain Bin – RB Bo Jackson ($3,400) Donaldson has been adequate in two games, while Peoples has severely underwhelmed. Neither is losing their respective spot on the depth chart any time soon but expected to see more of the 4-star freshman moving forward, particularly after his 100-yard rushing performance last week against Grambling. Seems like a perfect game setting to get the freshman more work on the field.
Pivot Play – QB Julian Sayin ($8,000) There’s something to be said about high floor options and Sayin fits the bill at this salary. 95% completion rate last week vs. Grambling with four passing touchdowns and 30 fantasy points in the win. Tough to see a scenario where Sayin busts against a MAC defense with a running game that’s been pedestrian thus far.
Best of the Rest – WR Carnell Tate ($7,500) Tate has been a steady counterpart to Jeremiah Smith, catching a touchdown in both games to start the year. Volume is not where it needs to be for this salary with just eight targets in two games. We would need multiple scores, so I’d play one of Tate or Jeremiah Smith, not stack them. WR Mylan Graham ($3,700) could see time if this turns to a blowout, seeing a team-high 34 offensive snaps last week.
Injury Notes – n/a
Florida vs. LSU
- Point-Spread: LSU -7.5
- O/U Total: 48.5
- Implied Score: LSU 28 – UF 20.5
- Weather: 89 degrees / 1% rain / 5 mph winds
Florida:
Top Play(s) – RB Jadan Baugh ($6,100) With all the hype that RB Ja’Kobi Jackson ($4,200) got in the offseason, combined with Sun Belt Billy typically utilizing a committee backfield, we were tentative in thinking that Baugh would be a big-time fantasy contributor. Baugh’s been solid, but the split is what intrigues us most with a 27-13 advantage in rushing attempts over his backfield counterpart. Baugh has to be part of the game plan if Florida is to pull the upset Saturday. The downside to Baugh is that LSU is second in the SEC in yards allowed on the ground, holding opponents to just 1.89 YPC.
Fade – QB DJ Lagway ($6,300) Missing all that time in fall camp and this offseason is clearly hampering Lagway and the Florida passing game. Florida is unable to challenge teams down the field so far, as Lagway is 14th among 16 SEC quarterbacks in yards per attempt (6.7). If Lagway isn’t being utilized on the ground (he hasn’t been), there’s just not much value there.
Bargain Bin – WR Vernell Brown III ($4,100) Florida is not rotating much at the wide receiver position, including the true freshman who caught five passes on six targets vs. South Florida lats week, playing 69% of the snaps. WR J. Michael Sturdivant ($4,200) is also an option, but to a lesser extent, also playing upwards of 70% of the offensive snaps each week. Brown > Sturdivant.
Pivot Play – WR Eugene Wilson ($6,600) Prefer Wilson on DK versus FD with the scoring format. We love the volume Wilson gets weekly, targeted 14 times over two weeks with 12 receptions. The issue is the receptions don’t go anywhere, averaging 4.9 YPC and an aDOT of just 3.8 yards.
Best of the Rest – TE Hayden Hansen ($3,000) Hansen should be around $4k, so this is pretty good value. Hansen leads all Florida pass-catchers in routes run after playing 100% of the team’s snaps last week against USF. Tied for third in targets (8) with six receptions.
Injury Notes – RB Treyaun Webb (out), WR Dallas Wilson (out)
LSU:
Top Play(s) – RB Caden Durham ($6,900) Durham has 30 rushing attempts this season. The next closest running back has just seven carries. Durham makes more sense than every running back priced above him with the exception of Kewan Lacy as he is the true RB1 and not in a committee unlike others. Florida is 27th in yards allowed on the ground but gave up 4.5 yards per carry to USF last week.
Fade – WR Chris Hilton Jr. ($4,300) Too many times over the years I’ve been burned by Hilton, and I’m done. -1 receiving yards in two games played and has been on the field just 35% of the time which ranks fifth among LSU receivers.
Bargain Bin – TE Bauer Sharp ($3,300) Sharp was already involved heavily in the offensive game plan for LSU when Trey’Dez Green was in the lineup, ranked third on the team in targets and receptions. That will only increase with Green not expected to suit up.
Pivot Play – WR Aaron Anderson ($7,100) Anderson was the most consistent LSU pass-catcher a year ago, and that trend is continuing in 2025, leading the team in receiving yards and receptions. The middle of the field should be spaced out a bit more with Green out of the line, leaving more room to work for Anderson who runs 85% of his routes out of the slot.
Best of the Rest – WR Barion Brown ($4,800) Brown has emerged as the WR2 next to Anderson, now leading the team in targets (18) and second in receptions (13). With Brown’s 9.2 yards per reception and aDOT of only 9.3 yards, we’d prefer Brown on DK over FD. WR Nic Anderson ($5,400) saw his playing time increase slightly last week, catching a touchdown vs. Louisiana Tech. We expect Anderson’s usage to increase with each passing week with Chris Hilton seemingly getting phased out of the lineup. A 21.7-point projection for QB Garrett Nussmeier ($7,600) isn’t overly appealing at his salary. Would rather spend up to Julian Sayin or LaNorris Sellers or go with a cheaper option.
Injury Notes – TE Trey’Dez Green (out)
Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame
- Point-Spread: ND -6.5
- O/U Total: 50.5
- Implied Score: ND 28.5 – A&M 22
- Weather: 79 degrees / 17% rain / 6 mph winds
Texas A&M:
Top Play(s) – WR Mario Craver ($5,000) The former Mississippi State transfer has been a revelation for the Aggies who haven’t had this kind of different maker at receiver in years. Craver has 100+ receiving yards in back-to-back games and really should have the higher salary over WR KC Concepcion ($5,700). That duo has accounted for 62% of the team’s receiving production. We already know this secondary isn’t as dominant as it was a year ago, allowing 100+ receiving yards to a true freshman in Week 1.
Fade – RB Amari Daniels ($3,700) Le’Veon Moss looking healthy combined with Rueben Owens II having taken over the RB2 role means Daniels is out of the equation for this week and probably beyond that as well. Just nine carries in two games.
Bargain Bin – WR Ashton Bethel-Roman ($4,000) Terry Bussey had the better performance against Utah State last week, but ABR has consistently been on the field in the first two games as the WR3, including playing 95% of the snaps in Week 1 vs. UTSA in the more competitive matchup.
Pivot Play – RB Le’Veon Moss ($6,200) A&M has been steadily increasing Moss’ reps since fall camp in preparation for this matchup. After barely playing against UTSA, the senior back carried the ball 10 times for 68 yards and a score vs. Utah State last week and has looked fresh in both games. 15+ touches should happen on Saturday and Moss won’t see high ownership. A&M has an experienced offensive line, and Notre Dame allowed 4.7 yards per carry to Miami in the opener.
Best of the Rest – QB Marcel Reed ($6,700) The athleticism was never in question – it was a matter if Reed could improve as a thrower. Early results suggest a resounding yes, completing 66% of his throws with seven touchdowns and zero interceptions. We only have one game of evidence, but Notre Dame was not the dominant secondary it was a year ago vs. Miami, allowing 200+ passing yards and two scores to Carson Beck. Reed is in play with a 23-point projection at his salary, but this is a slate where you spend up or down at QB.
Injury Notes – n/a
Notre Dame:
Top Play(s) – QB CJ Carr ($5,000) The reason we’ve suggested bypassing a Marcel Reed or Garrett Nussmeier in that median salary range is because of CJ Carr and his $5k salary. 20-point projection at this price puts Carr squarely in play, and his rushing volume in Week 1 was promising with 11 attempts. They didn’t go anywhere, with just 16 yards on the ground, but we thought in the preseason that Carr would be a complete non-factor in the run game. 11 attempts is an eye-opener.
Fade – RB Aneyas Williams ($4,500) We have just one game of evidence, but Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price played the entirety of the game vs. Miami in Week 1. Williams had just one snap played, so it appears ND will rely on its veterans in another vital matchup.
Bargain Bin – TE Eli Raridon ($4,000) Michael Mayer, Mitchell Evans…Eli Raridon? The Irish coaching staff has been hyping up the senior tight end most of the offseason and the hype appears to be warranted, as the senior had 97 yards and five receptions on nine targets vs. Miami.
Pivot Play – WR Jordan Faison ($3,300) Faison led all Notre Dame receivers in targets (6) in Week 1 and was on the field for nearly the entirety of the game – 93.3% of the team’s offensive snaps. Rarely are we interested in Notre Dame receivers, but Faison jumps to the top of the list.
Best of the Rest – RB Jeremiyah Love ($8,500) If Notre Dame is projected to score four touchdowns, you can bet that Love will be involved in at least one of them. Running backs are hard to come by on this slate, and are the position to spend up for, so Love is in play. His usage in the passing game is intriguing moving forward, catching four passes on six targets vs. the Hurricanes.
Injury Notes – n/a
Vanderbilt vs. South Carolina
- Point-Spread: SC -5.5
- O/U Total: 48.5
- Implied Score: SC 26 – Vand 21.5
- Weather: 79 degrees / 4% rain / 6 mph winds
Vanderbilt:
Top Play(s) – QB Diego Pavia ($6,500) One of the highest floor quarterbacks in college fantasy football. Pavia has scored 20+ fantasy points in both games to start 2025, just as he did a year ago when Pavia hit that mark in nine of 12 starts.
Fade – n/a. All starters for Vanderbilt are priced to a point they’re all options.
Bargain Bin – WR Tre Richardson ($3,700) Richardson is arguably the fastest player on the Vanderbilt roster and now lead the team in every receiving category. Vandy has also utilized the JUCO transfer’s speed in the run game with three carries in two games.
Pivot Play – RB Sedrick Alexander ($4,700) Last year the run game felt like Diego Pavia and not much else. Not the case so far as the running backs have contributed much more on the ground with the Commodores averaging seven yards per carry as a team. When Alexander hasn’t been fumbling – one in each game so far – he’s been very effective at 7.1 YPC. South Carolina’s run defense is allowing just 88 yards per game on the ground so far, but they’ve played nobody to this point.
Best of the Rest – TE Eli Stowers ($4,300) The star tight end is a perfect 8-for-8 this season, finding the end-zone last week vs. Virginia Tech. Stowers only had 41 receiving yards in last year’s matchup with South Carolina. Two of his 100-yard performances last year also came against non-SEC opponents. WR Junior Sherrill ($3,900) is second on the team in targets and first in routes run.
Injury Notes – n/a
South Carolina:
Top Play(s) – QB LaNorris Sellers ($8,500) We’ve said it repeatedly, but this is a slate to spend up or down on the quarterback / flex spots. Sellers has not performed up to expectation through two games, but looking back to last season, really turned it up after the first two weeks, scoring 23 or more fantasy points in seven of his last nine starts. For a team that hopes to be in playoff contention at the end of the year, a home matchup with Vanderbilt is a must win, so count on your best player.
Fade – RBs. Oscar Adaway ($5,600) This isn’t a situation like last season with South Carolina where it was just Sellers and Rocket Sanders carrying the football. It’s a split backfield with Adaway and RB Rahsul Faison ($6,300) and we see the Utah State transfer eventually pulling ahead of Adaway at some point. Adaway has been inefficient with his carries, averaging just 3.8 yards per attempt.
Bargain Bin – Brady Hunt ($3,000) Hunt was injured in the Week 2 matchup with South Carolina State but is confirmed to be playing on Saturday by HC Shane Beamer. Hunt outplayed fellow tight end Michael Smith against Virginia Tech, catching four passes on five targets, and with a 9.7-point projection at min salary, he’s a low-end option.
Pivot Play – WR Donovan Murph ($3,000) The 6-foot-2 freshman started opposite Nyck Harbor in Week 2, playing 93% of the team’s snaps. Five targets in two games doesn’t warrant much consideration, but he’s on the field a lot which is as much as you can ask from a min priced option.
Best of the Rest – WR Nyck Harbor ($5,500) Harbor has the upside to be a fantasy difference maker, leading the team in targets (9) and a 33.0 yards per catch average. The issue is his 33% catch rate and two drops in two games. Seems yet again that South Carolina doesn’t have a true difference maker at receiver. Sellers is really the only play on the South Carolina side.
Injury Notes – n/a
Duke vs. Tulane
- Point-Spread: Tul -1.5
- O/U Total: 54.5
- Implied Score: Tul 28 – Duke 26.5
- Weather: 85 degrees / 1% rain / 6 mph winds
Duke:
Top Play(s) – QB Darian Mensah ($4,900) To no surprise, Duke is again an Air Raid-style offense in 2025, throwing the ball at a 63% clip in two games which ranks fifth in the nation. That sort of volume, with a 21-point projection at this price means Mensah is a top option on the slate, and probably one of the highest owned players too.
Fade – WR Que’Sean Brown ($6,000) Brown found himself in the doghouse last week against Illinois after a costly fumble – one of several turnovers for the Blue Devils in the loss. Brown is second in targets (11) and third in routes run, so not an outright fade, but he’s more expensive than other Duke receivers who have been more effective on the field.
Bargain Bin – n/a. Only player below $5k on the Duke side that is an option is Mensah.
Pivot Play – WR Cooper Barkate ($5,600) The Harvard transfer has arguably looked the best among the top four receivers for Duke, leading the team in targets (15) and a 22.8 yards per catch average. Productive player at the FCS level with over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. Stacking Barkate and possibly WR Andrel Anthony ($5,400) in the same lineup is not an outlandish strategy given the volume at which Duke is throwing the ball in 2025. Anthony has three touchdowns in two games.
Best of the Rest – RB Jaquez Moore ($5,100) Moore has been effective when on the field, but haven’t seen him get much of a workload. Possibly just circumstance, as Duke blew out Elon in the opener, and then were in a trailing position vs. Illinois last week. Will be curious to see the usage in Week 3, because Tulane hasn’t been great defending the run, allowing 190 yards and two scores last Saturday to South Alabama.
Injury Notes – n/a
Tulane:
Top Play(s) – QB Jake Retzlaff ($6,200) Retzlaff gets top billing because (1) he’s been productive, scoring a combined 51 fantasy points in two weeks, and (2) he’s the one top fantasy option on Tulane that we know is going to play. Retzlaff’s usage on the ground is very appealing, rushing for over 180 yards in two games. Duke is allowing 24 FPPG to quarterbacks through two weeks.
Fade – WR Shazz Preston ($5,300) High on physical talent, low on productivity. Just 18 yards on four targets in two games. Hayes (if he plays) or Bohanon are the top WR options here.
Bargain Bin – WR Omari Hayes ($3,200) Hayes is the best option on the Tulane side IF he plays. Will we find that out is anyone’s guess. Hayes left the game early against South Alabama with an injury after being targeted just twice in the first half. If Hayes does not go, then WR Bryce Bohanon ($4,400) jumps up the priority list after catching five passes on six targets vs. South Alabama. Bohanon plays in the slot where Illinois’ Hank Beatty cooked this Duke secondary last week with 128 receiving yards.
Pivot Play – RB Zuberi Mobley ($4,100) or RB Javin Gordon ($3,000) Maurice Turner is the RB1 when healthy, but will he play on Saturday? Tulane showed it has capable depth if not, as the duo of Mobley and Gordon rushed for 162 combined yards and two scores vs. South Alabama. The Blue Devils are 32nd in rush D success rate, but 87th in the country in yards allowed per game on the ground. Tulane should be able to run the ball with some success, regardless of who is carrying the rock.
Best of the Rest – n/a. The options are Retzlaff, Hayes, Bohanon and the running backs. The key here is to find out on Saturday night if Tulane’s key offensive playmakers are available or not.
Injury Notes – RB Maurice Turner (questionable), WR Omari Hayes (questionable)
Mike’s DK Core Four:
- RB Kewan Lacy, Mississippi
- WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
- RB Caden Durham, LSU
- QB Darian Mensah, Duke
Mike’s FD Core Four:
- RB Kewan Lacy, Mississippi
- WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
- RB Caden Durham, LSU
- WR O’Mega Blake, Arkansas
