Oklahoma vs. Temple
- Point-Spread: OU -24.5
- O/U Total: 50.5
- Implied Score: OU 37.5 – Tem 13
- Weather: 73 degrees / 0% rain / 5 mph winds
Oklahoma:
Top Play(s) – QB John Mateer ($9,400) There’s some playable options down the board at QB, but this feels like a slate to spend up at the position if you’re able. Far from the Michigan defenses as recent as a few years ago, but Mateer proved he’s plenty capable at the P4 level against high-end competition, scoring 33 fantasy points in the win over the Wolverines. Temple’s offense showing to be somewhat capable could result in more scoring for the OU offense this week too.
Fade – RB Jaydn Ott ($7,100) Maybe I’ve used this line before but still applies – the next time that Ben Arbuckle has a relevant fantasy running back will be the first. Ott at this pricing makes zero sense when he’s splitting reps three-ways in the backfield and still getting his legs under him coming back from injury. Once the price tag drops, and Ott starts to see more involvement in the offense, yea we’ll consider him. Not here. Had just four carries against Michigan on 29% of the offensive snaps played.
Bargain Bin – RB Jovantae Barnes ($3,800) or RB Tory Blaylock ($3,100) This is the price range that Jaydn Ott should be in. We’re expecting OU to work in the run game a bit more this week as it’s been largely non-existent outside of Mateer.
Pivot Play – TE Jaren Kanak ($4,400) Tight end involvement in Ben Arbuckle’s scheme isn’t always a thing, but it is in 2025 it appears with Kanak who has caught five passes on six targets in each of the first two games.
Best of the Rest – WRs. Typically, in the Air Raid, we’re used to seeing heavy rotation at the wide receiver position. Not the case through two weeks as Deion Burks, Keontez Lewis and Isaiah Sategna aren’t leaving the field. All three played over 88% of the team’s snaps in Week 2 vs. Michigan. We’re ok mixing and matching with all three options in GPP.
Injury Notes – n/a
Temple:
Top Play(s) – WR Colin Chase ($3,500) Want to take a guess who is the 13th ranked scoring offense in the country through two weeks? KC Keeler can coach some ball, taking over the Owls program after resurrecting Sam Houston the past several years. The Owls are averaging 48 PPG in its first two games but must be noted that Temple has faced Massachusetts and Howard in those respective matchups. Chase is the most intriguing of the Temple pass-catchers, playing over 97% of the team’s offensive snaps over the first two weeks, and caught a touchdown last Saturday.
Fade – RB Jay Ducker ($5,300) Similar to Bermudez above, the Week 1 stat-line for Ducker is more reflective of the workload to expect in competitive matchups versus the one we saw against Howard. The Sooners are stout up front, allowing just 3.35 yards per carry so far this season, and that’d look a lot better if they hadn’t allowed the Justice Haynes 75-yard TD run last week. I would avoid this backfield this week.
Bargain Bin – WR JoJo Bermudez ($3,600) Bermudez wasn’t much a factor against Howard, because he didn’t need to be, although the Delaware transfer did find the end-zone. Against UMass in Week 1 in a slightly, and emphasize slightly, more competitive matchup, Bermudez was targeted eight times for 87 yards.
Pivot Play – TEs. Heavy tight end usage for the Owls through two weeks with Peter Clarke and Ryder Kusch combining for 10 receptions and four of the team’s 10 receiving touchdowns.
Best of the Rest – QB Evan Simon ($4,700) Now guess who is tied for second nationally in passing touchdowns. That’s right, the guy who was in a quarterback battle coming into the year with an Oregon State transfer that lost his job a year ago. Simon has been lights out through two games, and we’re definitely intrigued for his long-term outlook. Starting him on the Main Slate against Oklahoma, though, even at this price, is a little too optimistic.
Injury Notes – n/a
Wisconsin vs. Alabama
- Point-Spread: Bama -20.5
- O/U Total: 46.5
- Implied Score: Bama 33.5 – Wisc 13
- Weather: 84 degrees / 0% rain / 4 mph winds
Wisconsin:
Top Play(s) – TE Lance Mason ($3,500) The Missouri State transfer bounced back after a quiet Week 1 to lead the Badgers with 7-102-1 on eight targets in the win over Middle Tennessee. We anticipate Wisconsin having to throw more than usual as a three-touchdown dog and Mason is option A or B in the passing game.
Fade – QB Danny O’Neil ($4,900) If you’re going this cheap at quarterback, you might as well play the guy who is tied for second in the country in passing touchdowns in Temple’s Evan Simon, not a backup QB at Wisconsin on the road.
Bargain Bin – WR Vinny Anthony ($3,700) Anthony should not have a lower salary then fellow starting receiver WR Trech Kekahuna ($4,400), as he leads the team in targets (12), receptions (10) and yards (107). Wisconsin is more likely to score over the top of the Bama defense, rather than dink and dunk their way downfield, favoring Anthony and his 13.8 aDOT.
Pivot Play – RB Dilin Jones ($5,200) Florida State gashed Bama for 252 yards on the ground in the opener. While Wisconsin has frustratingly rotated backs through the early going, Jones has easily been the most effective of the group with 109 yards and a touchdown on 24 attempts. The biggest surprise is Jones being a small factor in the passing game with four catches on five targets. Meanwhile, the third-down back, Darrion Dupree, has not caught a pass. Wisconsin has not been overly impressive running the football so far against lowly opponents, so we’d stay away here, but Jones is the top RB option for the Badgers.
Best of the Rest – WR Jayden Ballard ($3,900) Ballard should also not be priced ahead of Vinny Anthony, as he’s split time with Chris Brooks Jr. at the second boundary receiver spot. The Ohio State transfer has been the more effective of the two players, including 73 yards last week vs. MTSU.
Injury Notes – n/a
Alabama:
Top Play(s) – RB Kevin Riley ($3,000) See below. The veterans are out, and the youth movement is happening in the Alabama backfield until Jam Miller returns. In addition to his rushing, Riley was also a factor last weekend in the passing game, converting on all six of his targets.
Fade – Richard Young ($4,000) Young took a back seat against Louisiana-Monroe, ceding the starting job to redshirt freshman Kevin Riley who looked explosive with 69 yards on 11 rushing attempts. Young, meanwhile, did find the end-zone but struggled to find much traction with just 19 yards on six attempts. Riley will likely start again on Saturday, and it sounds like Young may have been demoted even further down the depth chart, giving way to another freshman in AK Dear.
Bargain Bin –WR Lotzeir Brooks ($3,000) is another freshman heavy consideration here if Ryan Williams misses another week with the concussion he suffered against Florida State. The 5-star caught four passes on five targets – second behind only Riley – against ULM.
Pivot Play – WR Rico Scott ($3,300) Brooks did start in the slot vs. ULM, but Scott still played 53% of the offensive snaps, which was among the top three with Germie Bernard and Isaiah Horton. If Ryan Williams plays, Scott is out of the equation, but should the sophomore miss another week, Scott can be a cheap option.
Best of the Rest – QB Ty Simpson ($7,700) Wisconsin has played two abysmal offenses thus far, but the Badgers do rank fourth in the country in rush yards allowed on the ground. The Tide rank 111th through the early going in rush success rate. With or without Ryan Williams, the strength of this Bama offense is in the passing game with Simpson and his stud wideouts WR Germie Bernard ($7,000) and WR Isaiah Horton ($5,600). Would pair Simpson with one Bama wideout if starting him.
Injury Notes – RB Jam Miller (Questionable), WR Ryan Williams (Probable)
Clemson vs. Georgia Tech
- Point-Spread: Clem -4
- O/U Total: 52
- Implied Score: Clem 28 – GT 24
- Weather: 80 degrees / 0% rain / 6 mph winds
Clemson:
Top Play(s) – WR Bryant Wesco ($5,600) Wesco was the best offensive player on the field last week for Clemson, hauling in all seven of his targets with two touchdowns. We have an injured Antonio Williams, and rumors of TJ Moore being less than 100 percent healthy, so in that scenario, Wesco is easily the most valuable Clemson player to own Saturday.
Fade – TE Olsen Patt-Henry ($4,600) Not having reliable targets over the middle of the field is one reason as to why the passing game isn’t clicking yet. OPH has been targeted just three times in two games and is clearly not the level of player that Jake Briningstool was the last several years.
Bargain Bin – WR Tyler Brown ($3,800) Might be the most highly-owned sub-$4k option IF Antonio Williams is out again this week. Brown was targeted just four times but played 88% of the offensive snaps for the Tigers against Troy.
Pivot Play – RB Adam Randall ($6,200) We see who Clemson relied upon in crunch time in the narrow win over Troy last week as Randall carried the ball 21 times for 100+ yards and a score, while also contributing four receptions in the passing game. Meanwhile, prized freshman Gideon Davidson continues to be a non-factor. With one loss already, Clemson can ill-afford to lose another game, especially in ACC play, so expect heavy volume for Randall again.
Best of the Rest – QB Cade Klubnik ($8,700) Something about the top ranked quarterbacks in college fantasy football coming out of the gates slowly. So much so that people are considering dropping him in their fantasy leagues already. Or maybe it’s singling out the importance of Antonio Williams who did not play against Troy. The options in the $7k range have similar projections to Klubnik this week so we’d only play him in a game stack for GPPs.
Injury Notes – WR Antonio Williams (questionable)
Georgia Tech:
Top Play(s) – QB Haynes King ($7,800) What is it with Georgia schools just being completely unpredictable when it comes to college fantasy? We have the cluster F that is the Georgia Bulldogs and that guessing game. Then we have mysterious absences like Haynes King last week, surprisingly sitting out the game vs. Gardner Webb. When healthy, though, we know what King is capable of. In his last 10 starts, King has scored 20 or more fantasy points in all but one game.
Fade – WR Dean Patterson ($3,300) The FIU transfer did see three targets vs. Gardner-Webb but is the fourth or fifth option at receiver coming off the bench.
Bargain Bin – RB Malachi Hosley ($3,100) Might there be a chance that G-Tech gets the Penn transfer more involved? The former 1,200 yard rusher looked excellent in two games, averaging over nine yards a carry with two scores. WR Bailey Stockton ($3,900) is WR3 behind Rutherford and WR Eric Rivers ($5,100) but is tied for first on the team in both catches and routes run.
Pivot Play – WR Malik Rutherford ($5,200) Would be curious to know what Rutherford’s numbers would look like had he not been knocked out of the Week 1 matchup against Colorado in the first quarter. Rutherford bounced back last week, albeit with Aaron Philo throwing him the ball, finishing with five receptions on six targets to lead the team. Better on DK in a full-point PPR setting.
Best of the Rest – RB Jamal Haynes ($6,700) We know in big spots that the rushing share is mostly going to be dominated by King and Haynes, much like we did against Colorado. It’s a matter of who gets the rushing TDs in the offense. Would not have both players in a lineup together. Fair salary for an RB in a run-based offense, his production is just so unpredictable.
Injury Notes – n/a
Central Michigan vs. Michigan
- Point-Spread: UM -27.5
- O/U Total: 42.5
- Implied Score: UM 35 – CMU 7.5
- Weather: 74 degrees / 14% rain / 7 mph winds
Central Michigan:
This is a far cry from the Michigan defenses of old under Jim Harbaugh but remains a stingy unit against the lesser opponents they’ll face on the schedule. We don’t have a Central Michigan player projected to score more than eight fantasy points. TE DeCorian Temple ($3,100) is probably the one punt option, as Michigan has given up 15 combined receptions to tight end in two games.
Michigan:
Top Play(s) – RB Justice Haynes ($7,400) Just about the only positive right now on the Michigan offense, rushing for 284 yards and four touchdowns through two games. I’d have concerns if this were a better opponent, as the Michigan ground game struggled against Oklahoma outside of Haynes’ 75-yard TD run. But he should find lanes against a MAC defense.
Fade – RB Jordan Marshall ($6,100) This is simply not a 1A / 1B situation that some thought would happen coming into the year. Haynes has a lot more juice than Marshall, and that’s evident watching the two run
. Michigan’s offensive line is not the strength it used to be, and Marshall doesn’t have the ability without better blocking in front of him.
Bargain Bin – WR Donaven McCulley ($4,400) The Indiana transfer led Michigan with eight targets against Oklahoma, going for 91 yards and playing 100% of the team’s offensive snaps. He’s the best pass-catching option in the offense with Marlin Klein on the shelf.
Pivot Play – QB Bryce Underwood ($5,700) Michigan knows what it has in Haynes at this point. What we haven’t seen is Michigan open up the offense for its $12 million dollar quarterback. And you have famous Michigan alum calling for exactly that on Twitter (X) after last week’s embarrassing loss to the Sooners. Not opposed to playing Underwood at this cost, though the projection isn’t strong so that is a gamble. CMU has allowed 300+ passing yards in each of the first two games.
Best of the Rest – WR Channing Goodwin ($5,100) Goodwin being priced over Donaven McCulley makes no sense. That said, he could be the secondary option in the passing game if Semaj Morgan does not play on Saturday. He was limited to just a handful of snaps against Oklahoma after suffering what looked like a concussion.
Injury Notes – TE Marlin Klein ($3,700) Klein was seen in a heavily-taped boot during the Oklahoma matchup after rolling his ankle in practice last week. It would seem appropriate to rest a starter in a matchup where you’re favored by four touchdowns.
Oregon vs. Northwestern
- Point-Spread: Oreg -27
- O/U Total: 51
- Implied Score: Oreg 39 – NW 12
- Weather: 74 degrees / 25% rain / 8 mph winds
Oregon:
Top Play(s) – QB Dante Moore ($8,000) Moore has been every bit the 5-star that he was touted as coming out of high school with the Ducks, completing 77% of his passes with six touchdowns and zero interceptions, scoring 22 or more fantasy points in both starts. That is the definition of efficiency. Moore may not have the upside of some of the other QBs on the slate, but 20 fantasy points seems like a virtual lock each week the way this offense is clicking. That’s reasonable for this cost, and don’t have to pair him with any Oregon pass-catcher.
Fade – RB Makhi Hughes ($5,700) We saw a bit more involvement from Hughes against Oklahoma State, carrying the rock 10 times for 30 yards, but the Tulane transfer was still the fifth running back to see a carry on the day. I suppose that’s better than RB6? Still unplayable at this price tag.
Bargain Bin – RB Jayden Limar ($3,000) Limar was the second running back to get a carry vs. Oklahoma State and played the most of any RB in the Oregon rotation in Week 2. The on-field production speaks for itself, averaging nearly 12 yards per carry with a TD in both games played. Limar will be one of, if not the most popular punt play on the slate.
Pivot Play – WR Dakorien Moore ($5,900) No player has seen more than 16% of the team target share, but the star freshman has been among the first two receivers on the field for the Ducks in each of the first two games. Sooner or later, we will see a slightly more competitive game for Oregon, and Moore will see increased usage.
Best of the Rest – RB Noah Whittington ($5,600) The trusty veteran doesn’t seem to be giving up the RB1 mantle anytime soon, averaging 11 yards per carry and touchdowns in both games. TE Kenyon Sadiq ($5,500) has not been the college fantasy TE1 like most projected, but Oregon is spreading the ball around too much for that to happen. The cheaper options at receiver just make a bit more sense in starting slot-man WR Gary Bryant Jr. ($4,300), WR Malik Benson ($3,800) or first man off the bench WR Jeremiah McClellan ($3,600).
Injury Notes – n/a
Northwestern:
Just a couple points to note on the Northwestern side. Cam Porter being out for the year means RB Joseph Himon ($3,900) will likely get the start but expect to see a timeshare with RB Caleb Komolafe ($3,000). The latter did rush for 63 yards on 11 attempts vs. Western Illinois last week. Oregon allowed 144 yards on the ground against Oklahoma State, but much of that came in garbage time with the Ducks up a million touchdowns. WR Griffin Wilde ($4,500) is the one commodity in the Northwestern passing game worth noting with 28% of the target share and nearly 40% of the team’s receiving yards so far.
Georgia vs. Tennessee
- Point-Spread: UGA -4.5
- O/U Total: 50.5
- Implied Score: UGA 27.5 – Tenn 23
- Weather: 83 degrees / 0% rain / 4 mph winds
Georgia:
Top Play(s) – RB Nate Frazier ($6,300) This feels like a Nate Frazier game for Georgia as they open up SEC play against one of the best defenses in the country. We’re starting to uncover some of the madness that is Georgia football pertaining to college fantasy over the years. If you look back at the last two years in the conference opener, Kirby Smart tends to lean into is RB1 a bit more. 2023 – Dajuan Edwards with 20 carries for 118 yards. Last year – Trevor Etienne only had 79 yards but carried the ball 19 times. There’s risk with any UGA player but starting to see a trend with RB1 usage. Tennessee has been mediocre defending the run through two games, ranking 95th in success rate.
Fade – WR Dillon Bell ($4,400) Good general practice is to never roster Georgia receivers, but that holds true particularly in the case of Bell. Tied for fourth in targets (5) and third in routes run but has done absolutely nothing with that playing time. -2 yards on the season. His starting spot should be in jeopardy, if it isn’t already.
Bargain Bin – WR London Humphreys ($3,600) The Vanderbilt transfer from a few years ago seems to be finding his footing after a flop debut season with the Bulldogs. Six receptions on six targets for the year so far and has played the second most offense snaps among receivers behind Colbie Young.
Pivot Play – WR Zachariah Branch ($5,200) or WR Colbie Young ($4,500) Cannot stress this point enough – no more than one Georgia pass-catcher in a lineup. Branch and Young are tied for the team lead in targets (9), with Young having a 100% conversion rate.
Best of the Rest – QB Gunner Stockton ($6,000) Cheap enough that you have to consider a running threat at QB like Stockton, but if you subscribe to the notion that we alluded to above with Georgia leaning into the run game in SEC play, you might want to go with a higher upside selection at QB. The good news is that Stockton can be part of that running game, and a 21-point projection is playable.
Injury Notes – n/a
Tennessee:
Top Play(s) – RB DeSean Bishop ($5,500) Star Thomas was the preferred choice last week against E. Tennessee, but Bishop was limited to just three carries in the blowout win. And he did a lot with those carries, rushing for 68 yards. Even back against Syracuse in Week 1, Bishop and Thomas did have similar stat-lines rushing for about 80 yards each. Bishop, though, averaged 6.91 yards after contact compared to just 3.83 for Thomas. The depth chart is still Bishop RB1 and Thomas RB2.
Fade – QB Joey Aguilar ($5,300) Joey Aguilar and his family won the trade with UCLA for Nico Iamaleava. That is true. But he will not be winning you any cash if you place him in lineups. Good production through two games, throwing five touchdowns to zero interceptions, and can run if called upon. This is a major step up in competition from East Tennessee State or Syracuse. Georgia is allowing just seven fantasy points per game to quarterbacks through two weeks.
Bargain Bin – TE Miles Kitselman ($3,900) The preseason expectation was that we’d see more tight end involvement with the green wide receiver room. That’s come to fruition in a sense, with Kitselman targeted six times in two games with a touchdown.
Pivot Play – RB Star Thomas ($4,700) Bishop will undoubtedly have the highest ownership of the three possible Tennessee backs. Rostering Thomas is of the thinking that his three-touchdown performance last week garners him more playing time. Thomas does have 14 red-zone carries, compared to just four for Bishop.
Best of the Rest – WRs. Everyone on the roster played in the Week 2 blowout, but against Syracuse, the snaps were condensed solely to the starting trio of Mike Matthews, Chris Brazzell II and Braylon Staley. Because we’re not overly confident in the Tennessee passing game, we’re not stacking our lineups with more than one Vols wideout. But all three are cheap enough that rostering one of Brazzell, Staley or Matthews makes some sense. 57% of the targets have gone to that trio.
Injury Notes – n/a
Oregon State vs. Texas Tech
- Point-Spread: TT -24
- O/U Total: 61
- Implied Score: TT 42.5 – OSU 18.5
- Weather: 84 degrees / 16% rain / 13 mph winds
Oregon State:
Top Play(s) – WR Trent Walker ($5,200) Tough to judge the Texas Tech defense through two games as they’ve played nobody to this point. But as a three-touchdown dog, we assume Oregon State will be a in passing game script. And Walker leads the team in targets (19), yards (274) and receptions. This is a very reasonable price for a centralized target share for Oregon State, particularly with Walker on DK in a full-point PPR format.
Fade – RB Salahadin Allah ($4,400) The Oregon State run game has been quite pedestrian so far, but the distribution splits are why we’re out on Allah. We thought this might look like last year with RB Anthony Hankerson ($7,200) and Jam Griffin getting the majority of the workload, but 39 of the 58 rushing attempts this season have gone to Hankerson. If choosing anyone from the OSU backfield, it needs to be Hankerson.
Bargain Bin – Taz Reddicks ($3,700) Reddicks has been equally as good as Trent Walker and emerged as the clear WR2 with Darrius Clemons out of the lineup. Reddicks will arguably be the top sub-$4k player on the slate as he’s tied with Walker for the team lead in targets (19), coming off a monster performance against Fresno State with 11-158-0 on 15 targets.
Pivot Play – WR David Wells Jr. ($3,400) Walker and Reddicks are getting the spotlight, and deservedly so, but Wells is on the field more than Reddicks, playing around 70% of the offensive snaps with almost no rotation at the receiver spot. Wells has 11 targets in two games.
Best of the Rest – QB Maalik Murphy ($5,000) Murphy is the cheapest I’d go at quarterback on the slate with a decent 17.5-point projection. If anything, Murphy could get there on volume alone as the Beavers are 10th nationally in pass play rate, averaging 41.5 attempts per game. That figures to stay the case Saturday being such a heavy underdog.
Injury Notes – WR Darrius Clemons (Out)
Texas Tech:
Top Play(s) – QB Behren Morton ($7,300) It’s difficult to gauge the true rotations for Texas Tech at RB and WR when they’ve won their first two games by a combined 118 points. So until that becomes more concrete, we’re siding with the player we know will have the football in his hands in Morton. The senior has been very efficient in two games, throwing a combined seven touchdowns and a 74% completion rate. It’s just two games, but Oregon State is 104th currently in pass play success rate defensively and has faced a freshman QB and a non-throwing offense in Fresno State.
Fade – RB Cameron Dickey ($6,600) Dickey rumbled his way into two touchdowns last week vs. Kent State, but averaging 1.4 yards per carry on eight attempts is not what you should be doing against the worst team in college football. It would not surprise us to see Dickey become strictly the goal-line / red zone option for the Red Raiders and you’re not spending $6.6k for that.
Bargain Bin – TE Terrance Carter Jr. ($4,800) Good players break through the glass ceiling that might limit them when it comes to coaching systems. And Carter seems to be doing that with 92 receiving yards and two scores through two weeks. Volume won’t be high as the system does tend to favor the WRs, but Carter is on the field plenty (75%) and will get red zone looks.
Pivot Play – RB Adam Hill ($3,400) Why not give Adam Hill more carries after his 127-yard performance last week against Kent State. If we’re placing odds on the Tech backfield, sure, Hill is probably still RB3. But there’s a non-zero chance we see Hill get more run moving forward with the ineffectiveness of the other backs.
Best of the Rest – WRs. Tech has a solid trio of wideouts in Coy Eakin, Reggie Virgil and Caleb Douglas. The issue is that no player stands out above the rest in terms of talent or production, with the leading target-getter for the Red Raiders having just five catches on the year so far. We’ll see a more condensed rotation this week but can’t suggest one Tec receiver over the other. Playing Morton naked without any Texas Tech pass-catcher is an option.
Injury Notes – n/a
Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia
- Point-Spread: Pitt -7.5
- O/U Total: 57.5
- Implied Score: Pitt 32.5 – WV 25
- Weather: 79 degrees / 1% rain / 4 mph winds
Pittsburgh:
Top Play(s) – QB Eli Holstein ($7,400) We’ve seen the 2024 first half version of Eli Holstein through two games, throwing four touchdowns in each of the first two weeks and averaging 260 yards per game in the air. Holstein also provides a rushing element that we saw last year, now with 40+ rushing yards against both Duquesne and Central Michigan. He’s the best QB option in the $7k range and one of the better plays on the slate with a 25-point projection.
Fade – n/a. All Pitt options are playable at cost.
Bargain Bin – WR Cataurus Hicks ($3,500) Pitt has primarily played three starting receivers with only a fourth wideout in Deuce Spann rotating in the game intermittently. Hicks is the cheapest of the bunch after accumulating just one catch for minimal yards against Central Michigan. Lest we forget he caught two touchdowns in the season opener and was arguably the most praised Pitt receiver in fall camp.
Pivot Play – RB Desmond Reid ($8,500) Reid’s usage through two games suggest he’s not playable at $8.5k. The senior back accounted for double-digit rushing attempts in every single game last season and has already failed to hit 10 or more carries in both of the two games to begin the year. Health and preservation being the main reasons. Reid’s usage in the passing game is what keeps him in the mix for Saturday, converting on all five of his targets vs. Central Michigan last week. He’s preferred on DK over FD for that reason with the PPR scoring settings.
Best of the Rest – WR Kenny Johnson ($5,200) or WR Raphael Williams Jr. ($5,000) Pitt didn’t have a receiver over 20% target share last year and it’s looking to be the same case in 2025. Williams leads the team thus far with six receptions on 11 targets (16%) with Johnson not far after that. Because it’s so dispersed, we’d lean towards just one Pitt receiver per lineup, with all three being options at their reasonable salaries.
Injury Notes – n/a
West Virginia:
Top Play(s) – WR Cam Vaughn ($4,600) Vaughn’s talent and strong knowledge of the playbook coming over from Jacksonville State have vaulted him into the clear WR1 role, leading the team in every receiving category. He’s the only trustworthy offensive option on the entire team.
Fade – QBs. As suspected, Rich Rod was non-committal to a quarterback this week, and we’re likely to see both Nico Marchiol and Jaylen Henderson on Saturday. Not a shocking development at all – he did this at Jacksonville State with Logan Smothers and Zion Webb.
Bargain Bin – WR Rodney Gallagher III ($4,600) WVU has had a condensed rotation at wide receiver to begin the year with Vaughn, Gallagher and Jaden Bray all getting 60% or more of the offensive snaps played. Well, one of that trio (Bray) is now out for the season with an injury. Gallagher is the surest starter at receiver outside of Vaughn, even if his production has been minimal.
Pivot Play – Not Playing Clay Ash ($3,400) With White lost for the season due to injury, Ash is the likely starter on Saturday. As a result, because of his pricing, he’ll see higher ownership than he probably should. Just two yards on four carries vs. a MAC school in relief of White last week. The offensive line has been atrocious. And there’s a strong likelihood that Ash doesn’t see Jahiem White-like volume and that we’ll get a glimpse of Cyncir Bowers and Diore Hubbard also getting carries. This is a trap play.
Best of the Rest – WR Oran Singleton ($3,000) or WR Preston Fox ($3,000) You’re not inserting either player into your lineups on a main slate, but these are the two that will see increased playing time with Jaden Bray out.
Injury Notes – RB Jahiem White (out), WR Jaden Bray (out)
USC vs. Purdue
- Point-Spread: USC -21.5
- O/U Total: 58.5
- Implied Score: USC 40 – Pur 18.5
- Weather: 84 degrees / 9% rain / 6 mph winds
USC:
Top Play(s) – WR Makai Lemon ($6,700) It’s been an All-American-type start for Lemon with 11 receptions for 248 yards and two scores to start the season, with double the number of yards as the next closest USC wideout. We’ll just monitor slightly Lemon’s status for Saturday as he did hurt his ankle in the win over Georgia Southern. According to the Tuesday practice report, Lemon was fully dressed so we’re not overly concerned.
Fade – USC WR3. We’ve spoken repeatedly this offseason how Lincoln Riley offenses have spread the ball around to 4-5 different receivers over the years. No wideout having more than 18% target share in the last three seasons. That’s probably going to change with no established third option right now behind Lemon or WR Ja’Kobi Lane ($6,300). Prince Strachan is expected back in the lineup this week, so we could see all of him, Tanook Hines, Jay Fair and Zacharyus Williams rotating in and out.
Bargain Bin – TE Lake McRee ($3,900) Third on the team in targets (6), receptions (4) and routes run. There’s an argument to be made that McRee is the third option in the passing game ahead of the receivers listed above.
Pivot Play – RB Waymond Jordan ($7,600) Jordan has looked every bit the No. 1 rated JUCO transfer coming out this offseason, averaging 10 yards per carry and a touchdown in both games played. I think what we’ll see with the USC backfield will happen in a couple different situations on this slate – the true starters begin to separate from the packs in more competitive matchups like this. Purdue allowed 116 yards on the ground to Ball State last week.
Best of the Rest – QB Jayden Maiava ($8,900) Strong start for Maiava, throwing six touchdowns and zero picks in two games to begin the year. It should also be recognized that USC has faced the 134th and 135th ranked scoring defenses in the country so far. We want USC exposure this week but would not stack the Trojan backfield. It’ll either be Maiava or Jordan in a lineup, not both.
Injury Notes – n/a
Purdue:
Top Play(s) – WR Michael Jackson III ($3,900) Revenge game narrative as Jackson gets to face his former team on Saturday. That’s not the only reason why MJ gets top billing here, he’s also been productive, leading the team in receptions (7), targets (9) and has found the end-zone once. Also remember that Purdue’s OC Josh Henson is also facing his former boss, as he was the coordinator the past three seasons under Lincoln Riley. You don’t think there will be a little extra motivation for both Jackson and Henson this week?
Fade – RB Malachi Thomas ($3,300) All of the carries will and should be going to RB Devin Mockobee ($5,400) or Ryan Browne on Saturday. And they have been for the most part, with 61 of the 86 total carries going to the starting duo. In relief, the Virginia Tech transfer has managed just 2.0 yards per attempt.
Bargain Bin – TE George Burhenn ($3,700) Purdue’s TE1 made his return from injury last Saturday, catching all three of his targets for 48 yards. Although this is a new coaching staff, we’ve read about the coaches’ praise for Burhenn who has the potential to become a Payne Durham / Max Klare type that Purdue has had in the past.
Pivot Play – QB Ryan Browne ($5,100) Impressive start to the season for Browne, throwing for 481 yards and four touchdowns on a 65% completion rate. We also saw Browne utilize his legs a bit more against Southern Illinois last week with 50 yards on nine attempts. This is a player that had double-digit rushing attempts last year in starts vs. Illinois and Oregon.
Best of the Rest – Secondary WR options. Purdue will rotate four receivers throughout the game and they’re all cheap. Nitro Tuggle has just three receptions but leads the team in routes run so far. The freshman Arhmad Branch has caught a touchdown in both games so far, averaging over 26 yards per receptions.
Injury Notes – n/a
Iowa State vs. Arkansas State
- Point-Spread: ISU -20.5
- O/U Total: 55.5
- Implied Score: ISU 38 – Ark St 17.5
- Weather: 95 degrees / 1% rain / 5 mph winds
Iowa State:
Top Play(s) – QB Rocco Becht ($7,500) Iowa State might be the least appealing college fantasy team among P4 schools. Running backs are mediocre at best. Nothing to speak of at receiver. And the two tight ends are suppressing each other’s fantasy value. Becht has a great matchup against a team in Arkansas State that is allowing 50 fantasy points per game to opposing QBs through two weeks.
Fade – WR Chase Sowell ($5,100) Funny to see that DK is still lining Sowell at $5.1k as if he’s Iowa State’s top receiving option. That dream is dead, with just two catches in three games.
Bargain Bin – WR Brett Eskildsen ($3,700) Against the Hawkeyes last week, Iowa State primarily played 12 personnel with two receivers and two tight ends on the field at all times. The second receiver spot essentially was a rotation between three different options, while Eskildsen was on the field almost 70% of the time. His starting spot is the safest of the Iowa State wideouts.
Pivot Play – RB Carson Hansen ($6,800) or RB Abu Sama ($4,900) As expected, we’re seeing the 55-45 split between Hansen and Sama, with neither player impressing much in their opportunities. Get-right opportunity against an overmatched Arkansas State front that is giving up around 32 fantasy points combined to opposing backfields through two games and rank 131st in rush D success rate. Don’t stack the backfield, though. Just one.
Best of the Rest – TE Benjamin Brahmer ($3,800) or TE Gabe Burkle ($4,500) The Cyclones are morphing into their in-state rivals this year with the tight ends dominating in the receiving game, combining for nearly 50% of the team’s receiving production and four of the six touchdowns. Both are options to supplement your lineups.
Injury Notes – n/a
Arkansas State:
Top Play(s) – WR Corey Rucker ($5,100) We’re likely fading the entire offense, but Rucker is the team’s best playmaker, now leading the Red Wolves with 13 targets on the year. For whatever reason, Rucker remains an inefficient receiver with just a 38% catch rate through two games (no drops).
Fade – RB Kenyon Clay ($6,000) Arkansas State RBs aren’t valuable in college fantasy, and particularly in this situation where we have a backup facing a P4 team like Iowa State. The Cyclones have allowed just 9.3 fantasy points per game combined to opposing running backs so far.
Bargain Bin – WR Chauncy Cobb ($4,100) The 5-foot-6 slot receiver leads the team in receptions (9) and a close second in targets (12) behind Rucker and saw a massive jump in playing time from Week 1 to 2, almost doubling his snaps played. Can’t imagine that decreases heading into this matchup after recording 50 receiving yards vs. Arkansas.
Pivot Play – WR Hunter Summers ($4,200) Summers was an opening day starter, but his Week 2 was cut short due to injury. He’s probable heading into Saturday and was impactful in his limited time with 54 receiving yards in the opener against SE Missouri State.
Best of the Rest – QB Jaylen Raynor ($5,500) The most realistic bargain bin QB option is Byrum Brown at $6.4k. Anything below that is a reach, including here with Raynor who is projected at just 14 fantasy points. That number is lower than some of the options that are sub-$5k as well.
Injury Notes – RB Ja’Quez Cross (out), WR Hunter Summers (probable)
UTEP vs. Texas
- Point-Spread: Tex -41.5
- O/U Total: 51.5
- Implied Score: Tex 46.5 – UTEP 5
- Weather: 93 degrees / 8% rain / 6 mph winds
UTEP:
Just one player of interest on the UTEP side in WR Kenny Odom ($4,500) with the lowest implied team total (5) on the slate. Odom has been one of the best receivers in college fantasy football to being the year, targeted 22 times in two games, including 15 times in the opener vs. Utah State. Strength of schedule obviously ramps up drastically this week, though. WR Toric Goins Jr. ($3,000) filled in for the injured Kam Thomas last week against UT-Martin and topped the century mark in receiving yards on five targets. If Kam Thomas is out again, maybe Goins is worth at look at min pricing.
Texas:
Top Play(s) – QB Arch Manning ($9,500) There’s several strong punt plays on the slate, and the mid to low-tier QBs aren’t overly appealing. Another showcase performance from Arch is likely to happen, particularly now that those are questioning if Manning is healthy or not. Do NOT do that, or Sark is going to watch you take a piss apparently if you do. This slate makes sense to spend up at QB.
Fade – WR Ryan Wingo ($7,200) Eight targets in each of the first two games for Wingo, but it’s not been pretty as the sophomore has been criticized for poor route running, and also had a drop against San Jose State. Manning’s deep ball accuracy also hasn’t been spot-on, and Wingo’s aDOT so far this season is 17.8 yards. It just makes sense to go with the cheaper options.
Bargain Bin – WR Parker Livingstone ($3,500) Would imagine that Emmett Mosley does not play again on Saturday or just limited snaps if he does against an overmatched opponent. That means more of Livingstone who looks like Texas’ best receiver at the moment, finishing last week with 128 yards and two scores against San Jose State. Livingstone and Arch Manning are also roommates, we found out this week, and the connection has translated to the football field. WR Kaliq Lockett ($3,000) will be another popular bargain option potentially starting in the slot if DeAndre Moore Jr. does not play after being injured vs. SJSU. Moore’s yards per route run through two games is just 0.8. At the same position, Lockett’s yards per route run is 7.33. Who’s to say the 5-star freshman may not be an upgrade?
Pivot Play – TE Jack Endries ($6,000) Endries has been a seamless transition in place of Gunnar Helm, catching two touchdown passes last week against San Jose State. Assuming this plays out similarly, though, against UTEP, Endries was only on the field for 39% of the offensive snaps. He needs to get the 100-yard bonus or two TDs again to hit value. Probably not worth the cost.
Best of the Rest – RBs. Tre Wisner is doubtful for Saturday, so expect to see a heavy dosage of CJ Baxter, Jerrick Gibson and Christian Clark once again. UTEP has not played a difficult schedule through the first two weeks, but credit where credit is due – the Miners do lead Conference USA in fewest yards allowed per game on the ground.
Injury Notes – WR Tre Wisner (Doubtful), WR Emmett Mosley (Questionable), WR DeAndre Moore Jr. (Questionable)
South Florida vs. Miami
- Point-Spread: Mia -16.5
- O/U Total: 55.5
- Implied Score: Mia 36 – USF 19.5
- Weather: 84 degrees / 66% rain / 7 mph winds
South Florida:
Top Play(s) – QB Bryum Brown ($6,400) There’s a lot to like here with Brown. (1) Cheap for his production, already scoring 21+ fantasy points in both games this season, including on the road at Florida. (2) He’s healthy, getting double-digit rushing attempts in both weeks. (3) USF is ranked and getting College Football Playoff buzz as the G5 representative. That means every game matters for the Bulls and expect full usage of Brown.
Fade – RB Cartevious Norton ($4,800) Bryum Brown is the USF rushing offense. Norton also gave way to fellow RB Alvon Isaac ($3,700) who has looked a lot better in both games so far this season. Easy fade.
Bargain Bin – WR Chas Nimrod ($3,800) The production wasn’t there against Florida, with just 24 yards on five targets, but the former Tennessee transfer never left the field. Nimrod led the team in routes run, playing 88.4% of the offensive snaps.
Pivot Play – WR Keshaun Singleton ($4,900) Singleton hasn’t seen a high volume of targets with just eight through the early going. But he’s made the most of his opportunities, with 75+ yards in the first two games with a pair of scores. Like Nimrod, Singleton is also rarely leaving the field.
Best of the Rest – WR Christian Neptune ($3,000) After barely playing against Boise State, Neptune started in the slot and rewarded the coaches for that decision with 5-39-0 on eight targets. Still likely the third option in the passing game, but we know the slot receiver has typically been the WR1 in this offense in the past.
Injury Notes – n/a
Miami:
Top Play(s) – WR Malachi Toney ($7,700) Toney followed up his Week 1 breakout with a near identical performance in Week 2 with 80 yards on seven targets. With both Trader and CJ Daniels expected to play, but coming off injury, Toney remains the surest bet in the Miami WR room.
Fade – WR JoJo Trader ($4,400) General rule is not slotting in a player returning from injury, which Trader should be back against USF. We’ve seen other receivers step up for Miami already, and unsure if Trader will see a full allotment of snaps for a starter or not. TE Elija Lofton ($4,700) is also a fade as he’s not made the impact most expected coming into the year. Lofton played just 43% of snaps last week without recording a single target. Just two targets in the opening week win over Notre Dame.
Bargain Bin – RB Jordan Lyle ($3,600) Lyle was trending towards RB1 status in fall camp, but a first half injury against Notre Dame led to Mark Fletcher’s emergence the last 1.5 games. Big risk to roster Lyle as he could get the least number of carries among Fletcher and CharMar Brown as well.
Pivot Play – RB Mark Fletcher ($6,400) We’re curious to see how the Miami backfield looks with Jordan Lyle expected back this week. Do we see a three-way split with Fletcher, Lyle and CharMar Brown? Fletcher has looked the best of the three through the early going, rushing for 86 yards and two scores this past week vs. Bethune Cookman. USF hasn’t been gashed on the ground, but both Boise State and Florida found some success, as the Bulls are 99th in rush D success rate.
Best of the Rest – QB Carson Beck ($7,000) Appears to be a seamless fit for Beck in the Shannon Dawson offense, completing over 70% of his passes with four touchdowns and zero interceptions. High floor / low upside play as Beck is a non-runner and USF has shown defensively they’re far from a pushover, holding Florida to just 16 points last week. Beck won’t sink your lineup but won’t win you a tourney.
Injury Notes – n/a
Mike’s DK Core Four:
- RB Justice Haynes, Michigan
- WR Trent Walker, Oregon State
- WR Makai Lemon, USC
- QB John Mateer, Oklahoma
Mike’s FD Core Four:
- QB Julian Sayin, Ohio State
- RB Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh
- WR Trent Walker, Oregon State
- RB J’Koby Williams, Texas Tech
