Joe’s Notes & Observations (Week 2)

I cannot admit to watching every game, but I try to watch as many as I can, while reading into the numbers of every boxscore. These are my weekly notes and observations:

Power 5

We’ve seen SMU play three games, and RB Brashard Smith might be the only Mustangs player worth rostering. TE RJ Maryland might be the exception, but he has only caught one pass in each of the last two games.
BYU RB LJ Martin left Friday’s game against SMU with an ankle injury. Monitor his status this week with the cougars set to play at Wyoming.
After just 2 receptions in the Hoosiers’ season opener, WR Elijah Sarratt caught 6 passes for 137 yards and a TD in Friday’s 77-3 rout of Western Illinois.
Duke WR Jordan Moore has been targeted 27 times in the Blue Devils’ first two games, totaling 18-233-1.
Pitt WR Konata Mumpfield has caught 3 TD passes in the Panthers’ first two games, while RB Desmond Reid has posted back-to-back 140-yard rushing games to start the year. Reid totaled 254 scrimmage yards in the 28-27 win over Cincinnati.
Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby has accounted for 7 TDs (5 pass, 2 rush) in the Bearcats’ first two games.
Rutgers RB Kyle Monangai has totaled 373 rushing yards in the first two games (Howard & Akron), but the schedule toughens up a bit starting next week when the Knights travel to Virginia Tech.
Syracuse QB Kyle McCord is off to a blazing start, passing for at least 350 yards and 4 TDs in each of the Orange’s first two games. TE Oronde Gadsden (3) and WR Trevor Pena (4) have caught 7 of McCord’s 8 TD passes.
Georgia Tech RB Jamal Haynes is the first player this season to score at least 1 TD in each of his first three games this season.
Kansas State RB DJ Giddens is still seeing his first rushing TD this season, but he has totaled at least 130 scrimmage yards in each of the Wildcats’ first two games.
Tremendous start to the season for Arkansas RB Ja’Quinden Jackson, who has totaled 291 scrimmage yards and 5 TDs in the Razorbacks’ first two games.
Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II scored more fantasy points in overtime than he did in regulation. A 12-yard TD run and a 2-pt reception in double overtime salvaged something for his fantasy owners. WR Brennan Presley has caught at least 7 passes and a TD in each of the Cowboys’ first two games.
Arkansas WR Andrew Armstrong made his return from injury and caught 10 passes for 164 yards against Oklahoma State.
After catching 5 passes for 117 yards and a TD in Week 1, Penn State WR Harrison Wallace III did not have a catch against Bowling Green and was only targeted two times.
Texas RB Jaydon Blue got dinged up early against Michigan, but I thought he looked good when he returned, and I think he will be a very good fantasy asset moving forward now they are past Michigan and on to UTSA, LA Monroe, and Mississippi State. QB Quinn Ewers has thrown 3 TD passes in each of the Longhorns’ first two games.
For as much as I like Michigan TE Colston Loveland as a fantasy asset, I cannot say the same about RB Donovan Edwards. QB Davis Warren showed some life at the end of the game, but the Wolverines are going to need to lean on that running game, and I cannot see Edwards getting enough touches to make him a consistent fantasy option. I could be proven wrong, but I fear that we had Edwards ranked too high, and I’m not certain Kalel Mullings will be any better fantasy option. Next week’s matchup against Arkansas State might at least offer some hope.
Cal RB Jaydn Ott only had 10 of the team’s 34 rush attempts in the Bears’ 21-14 win at Auburn, a sign that he might still be bothered by an ankle injury he suffered last week against UC Davis.
I just do not believe that Payton Thorne is going to finish the year as Auburn’s starting quarterback. His numbers against Cal were poor (14/27 165yds, TD, 4INT).
Washington RB Jonah Coleman has posted back-to-back 100 yards rushing games with a matchup next week against Washington State. WR Denzel Boston has caught 3 TD passes in two games, while WR Jeremiah Hunter jumped back on the radar with 5 receptions for 72 yards and a TD against Eastern Michigan.
Wisconsin RB Chez Mellusi took advantage of having the backfield without the presence of Tawee Walker and ran for 60 yards and 2 TDs against South Dakota.
Any concerns about Boston College QB Thomas Castellanos playing in a new system under head coach Bill O’Brien have been put to bed after two games. Castellanos has accounted for 7 TDs (6 passing) in two games.
Disappointment for those of you that started North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton. Hampton was projected as the top running back in Week 2, but he exited the game with an injury in the 2nd quarter after rushing for 77 yards on 11 carries. It was later reported that Hampton could have returned, but did not re-enter the game. Put QB Conner Harrell on your watchlist. Against Charlotte, Harrell threw 2 TD passes and ran for 39 yards and a TD, and the Tar Heels get NC Central next week.
Maryland WR Tai Felton’s first two games of 2024: 7-178-2; 11-152-1.
Michigan State QB Aidan Chiles made ups for his poor performance in Week 1 by leading the Spartans to a 27-24 road win at Maryland. His three INTs were overshadowed by game-tying and game-winning drives.
Iowa wasted an impressive performance by RB Kaleb Johnson, who ran for 187 yards and 2 TDs against Iowa State.
Utah just held serve in the second half against Baylor with QB Cam Rising exiting the game after a hand injury. X-rays came back negative, so hopefully he will be ready for next week’s matchup at Utah State.
To mention that Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard is off to a poor start, statistically, is an understatement. Can OC Mike Denbrock turn up the offense next week at Purdue?
Ole Miss scores 52 points and QB Jaxson Dart only accounts for 2 TDs. How about the day had by RB Henry ParrishJr., 165 rushing yards and 4 TDs on 14 attempts. WR Tre Harris has totaled 17 receptions for 309 yards and 2 TDs in the Rebels’ first two games.
Miami WR Xavier Restrepo has gone over the 100-yard mark and caught a TD pass in each of the Hurricanes’ first two games.
UCF QB KJ Jefferson came up zeroes in the TD category against Sam Houston State, but I would advise his owners to sit tight with a Week 3 matchup against TCU.
Virginia WR Malachi Fields has yet to catch a TD pass this year, but he has caught 16 of his 19 targets after two games.
Solid start to the season by three Wake Forest players: RB Demond Claiborne – 221 rushing yards and 3 TDs; WR Taylor Morin – at least 91 receiving yards in each of the first two games; WR Donavon Greene – 238 yards and a TD in each game.
Missouri WR Luther Burden left Saturday’s game against Buffalo with an illness and did not return.
Alabama freshman WR Ryan Williams leads the team in receiving with 207 yards, and no other player on the roster has more than 77 yards (Kobe Prentice 77, Germie Bernard 70).
Ohio State freshman WR Jeremiah Smith leads the Buckeyes in receiving with 11 receptions for 211 yards and 3 TDs, which might be more impressive than Ryan Williams considering the Buckeyes have Emeka Egbuka.
Colorado WR Travis Hunter caught 10 passes for 110 yards against Nebraska, and to the point I made on the Week 1 show, they are going to feed Hunter in the passing game.
Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson’s numbers after two games: 32-156-5 rushing; 6-66-0 receiving.
7-TD performance from Clemson QB Cade Klubnik against Appalachian State after a season-opening clunker against Georgia in Week 1. Hopefully, we get something in the middle on a weekly basis moving forwards.
The shootout we wanted from Texas Tech and Washington State never did materialize. Washington State QB John Mateer only completed 9-of-19 passes, but ran the ball 21 times for 197 yards and a TD. Mateer’s running ability is a threat to the Cougars being a high-volume passing team in 2024. For those ready to move on from WR Josh Meredith, he led the team with 54 receiving yards in Week 2.
Texas Tech WR Josh Kelly has caught at least 9 passes in each of the Red Raiders’ first two games.
Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan followed up his 10-304-4 season opener with 2 receptions for 11 yards against Northern Arizona.
Another stud receiver Week 2 bust, Tez Johnson, had 3 receptions for -1 yards against Boise State. Last week, Johnson had 12 catches for 81 yards and 2 TDs.
Another even split in the Oregon State backfield between Jam Griffin and Anthony Hankerson in Week 2. Given Oregon’s struggles early on this year, I wonder if this duo can power the Beavers to an upset home win over the Ducks this week.
Mississippi State WR Kevin Coleman has totaled 191 receiving yards in two games and has caught a TD pass in each of the Bulldogs’ first two games.
USC RB Woody Marks has scored 3 rushing TDs in the Trojans’ first two games of 2024.

Group 5

We learned that Memphis RB Sutton Smith is out for the season, which should result in Mario Anderson getting a ton of touches this year. In Saturday’s win over Troy, Anderson carried the ball 17 times for 125 yards and 2 TDs, and he added 4 receptions for 23 yards. There is a chance Anderson loses some goal line carries to Brandon Thomas, who had two rushing TDs on two rushing attempts against Troy. QB Set Henigan’s fantasy owners have to feel disappointed that he has only thrown 3 TD passes in the first two games.
Tulane RB Makhi Hughes’ fantasy owners should be feeling good after his 21-128-1 day against Kansas State, and he also caught 5 passes for 37 yards.
Great start for a player that I own in 100% of my leagues, Ball State RB Braedon Sloan (21-103-1; 6-46-1). I am trying not to get too giddy about this one because the Cardinals played Missouri State.
Kent State WRs Chrishon McCray and Luke Floriea have caught TD passes in each of the Flashes’ first two games, and they have a matchup against Tennessee next week, so expect each of them to get a lot of targets with the offense likely playing from behind.
Two things we learned from UNLV’s 72-14 win over Utah Tech: 1. Ricky White reminded us he’s a top fantasy receiver (5-111-3). 2. QB Matthew Sluka seems like a great fit for the offense (8/17 161 yds, 3 TD; 9-70-1 rushing).
Toledo QB Tucker Gleason has thrown 3 TD passes in each of the Rockets’ first two games. All 6 TD passes have gone to WR Jerjuan Newton (2), WR Junior Vandeross III (2), and TE Anthony Torres (2).
Northern Illinois RB Antario Brown was impressive against Notre Dame, totaling 225 scrimmage yards and scoring the Huskies’ lone TD. He did not finish the game, so we just have to check for an update this week.
Texas State QB Jordan McCloud passed for 309 yards and accounted for 4 TDs (2pass/2run) in the Bobcats’ 49-10 win against UTSA. Fantasy owners of RB Ismail Mahdi and WR Joey Hobert were not as fortunate.
Marshall WR Christian Fitzpatrick has caught a TD pass in each of the Thundering Herd’s first two games.
Ohio RB Anthony Tyus backed up his Week 1 performance at Syracuse with a 17-74-1 outing against South Alabama.
Georgia State RB Freddie Brock carried the ball 14 times for 73 yards and a TD in the Panthers’ 24-21 win against Chattanooga. For those of you needing to free up a roster spot, keep in mind that GSU is off in Week 4 and Week 6, so they only play twice in the next four weeks, and next week’s matchup is against an improved Vanderbilt squad.
Coastal Carolina RB Braydon Bennett has scored three rushing TD in the Chanticleers’ first town games.
Western Kentucky WR Dalvin Smith is a hold after catching a TD pass against Eastern Kentucky.
There were some surprising results on Saturday, and ULM holding UAB without a TD was up there for me.
Thankfully, Colorado State WR Tory Horton had a PR TD against Northern Colorado because he only caught 2 of 5 targets in the Rams’ 38-17 win. Expect plenty of targets this week when CSU hosts Colorado.
San Jose State WR Nick Nash has totaled 17 receptions for 260 yards and 3 TDs in the Spartans’ first two games.
Arkansas State WR Corey Rucker has caught a TD pass in each of the Red Wolves first two games and has totaled 13 receptions for 239 yards.
Tulsa WR Kamdyn Benjamin has also caught a TD pass in the first two games of the year and has totaled 11 receptions for 196 yards.
I expect USF QB Byrum Brown to start turning it on in the coming weeks, but I have to admit that the schedule looks a little challenging until the Bulls get to Week 7. The next 4 weeks: at USM, Miami, at Tulane, OFF. The final seven games on the schedule look golden.
It’s not like Liberty QB Kaidon Salter is doing anything, either. Salter’s 2 TD passes in the season opener are the only two TDs he has accounted for in two games. RB Quinton Cooley has rushed for at least 110 yards and a TD in each of the Flames’ first two games.
One week after catching 12 passes on 15 targets, North Texas WR Damon Ward only caught one pass on four targets against SF Austin. Teammate DT Sheffield has been targeted at least 10 times in each of the Mean Green’s first two games.
I did not think we would be cutting bait with Houston RB Parker Jenkins after two weeks, but we are there.
Kam Thomas is UTEP leading receiver with 12 receptions for 170 yards and a TD, and he has been targeted a team-high 17 times.
Fresno State WRs Mac Dalena and Jalen Moss have both caught at least 6 passes in each of the Bulldogs’ first two games.
Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty will probably be the perma-1 ranked player every week moving forward. Through two games, his rushing numbers read 45-459-9.

Let’s hope Week 3 is just as exciting as Week 2. Good luck this week!

Joe