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
- Arizona State RB Cameron Skattebo has totaled 63 touches in the last two games (57 rush attempts, 6 receptions). QB Sam Leavitt has rushed for at least 40 yards in each of the Sun Devils’ first three games and he has three rushing TDs.
- Kansas RB Devin Neal has rushed for at least 100 yards in each of the Jayhawks’ first three games.
- Kansas State QB Avery Johnson has thrown 2 TD passes in each of the Wildcats’ first three games, but ha yet to find the end zone on the ground, which is good fantasy owners of DJ Giddens and Dylan Edwards.
- After being held to 2 receptions against Northern Arizona, Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan posted his second double-digit catch game of the season against Kansas State (11-138-0).
- After catching at least 9 passes in each of the Red Raiders’ first two games, WR Josh Kelly only caught two passes in Saturday’s 66-21 win over North Texas. QB Behren Morton has thrown at least 4 TD passes in two of the first three games of 2024.
- Cincinnati RB Corey Kiner has rushed for at least 126 yards in consecutive games against FBS opponents, while WR Xzavier Henderson has two 100-yard receiving games this year and has at lest 80 yards in all three games.
- Illinois RB Kaden Feagin has scored a rushing TD in each of the Illini’s first three games, but there are concerns about the running game after totaling only 216 rushing yards against two FBS opponents (Kansas and Central Michigan).
- Something notable to keep tabs on…NC State QB Grayson McCall left Saturday’s game against Louisiana Tech with an injury and true freshman CJ Bailey led them to a come-from-behind win. I would caution about getting too excited about the freshman, because Louisiana Tech isn’t an ACC caliber opponent.
- Crazy how fast things have changed at Florida State, where there doesn’t seem to be any fantasy appeal moving forward.
- I had Michigan as one of the better fantasy defenses of Week 3 and giving up two TDs in the last 6 minutes of the game really dented their fantasy output. Its was nice to see RBs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards have solid outings, but there isn’t any Arkansas State-type opponents remaining on the schedule.
- Arkansas RB Raheim Sanders has scored a rushing TD in all three games this season.
- LSU WR Kyren Lacy has caught at least 5 passes and a TD in each of the Tigers’ first three games.
- Could Ollie Gordon II’s struggles be attributed to the offensive line? In OSU’s first three games they have averaged 3.3 ypc vs. South Dakota State, 2.3 ypc vs. Arkansas, and 3.7 ypc vs. Tulsa. WR Brennan Presley has caught a TD pass in all three games this year.
- Alabama QB Jalen Milroe has accounted for 14 TDs this season and has rushed for 2 TDs in all three games. RB Jam Miller has scored a rushing TD in all three game this season.
- Boston College QB Thomas Castellanos has accounted for at least 3 TDs in all three games this season.
- Missouri QB Brady Cook has more rushing TDs (4) than passing TDs (2) through three games.
- Washington State WR Josh Meredith has led the Cougars in receiving in each of the last two games, but will fantasy consistency be an issue moving forward? If there were any concerns about QB John Mateer losing the starting job, his 3-0 record would suggest he has solidified his position atop the depth chart.
- Washington WR Giles Jackson has caught at least 6 passes in each of the huskies’ first three games.
- Fantasy owners have to be pleased with the way Minnesota RB Darius Taylor is being used in the passing game, as he has caught 9 passes in the two games in which he has played.
- Pitt QB Eli Holstein has thrown for 300 yards and 3 TD passes in all three games this season and is averaging 35 pass attempts per game. RB Desmond Reid has scored at least one TD in all three games this season, but he was dinged up late in the game against West Virginia and was not on the field for the game-winning drive. With a matchup against 1-2 Youngstown State next week, it might be wise to monitor Reid’s status throughout the week.
- West Virginia RB CJ Donaldson has scored a rushing TD in all three games this season. QB Garrett Greene had 13 rushing TDs in 2023, but he has only one rushing TD through three games this year.
- Georgia Tech QB Haynes King has accounted for 3 TDs in each of the Yellow Jackets’ last three games.
- If you listed to the Week 2 Fantasy show, Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard’s utilization in the running game against Purdue was not surprising. RB Jeremiyah Love has scored a rushing TD in all three games this season.
- Oklahoma RB Taylor Tatum has 3 TDs this season, while Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk have yet to reach the end zone.
- Oregon State RB Anthony Hankerson has scored at least one rushing TD in three straight games and has scored 2 rushing TDs in tow of three games this year.
- Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson has scored two rushing TDs in all three games this season, has carried the ball at least 25 times in the last two games, and is averaging 159.7 rushing yards per game.
- Arkansas RB Ja’Quinden Jackson has scored at least one touchdown and topped the 100-yard mark in all three games this season. He has totaled 6 TDs and is averaging 132.3 rushing yards per game. In two games, WR Andrew Armstrong has caught 18 passes for 201 yards.
- Utah RB Micah Bernard doing lead-back things, posting back-to-back 100-yard rushing games.
- Miami QB Cam Ward has accounted for 12 TDs (1 rush) in three games and has accounted for at least 4 TDs in each of the last two games, while WR Xavier Restrepo has caught at least one TD pass in each of the Hurricanes’ first three games.
- Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten has scored at least one TD in all three games this year and has posted back-to-back 20-carry, 100-yard games.
- Anyone that jumped on Henry Parrish last week may have gotten themselves a fantasy stud. We knew that Ole miss offense would be explosive, but we also knew there were plenty of bodies in that RB room, but if Parrish is THE GUY, he has a ton of fantasy appeal. WR Tre Harris has caught at least 8 passes in all three games this season and is averaging 145.3 receiving yards per game.
- Vanderbilt RB Sedrick Alexander has scored a rushing TD in all three of the Commodores’ games this season.
- In two games against FBS competition this year, TCU WR Jack Bech has totaled 15 receptions for 339 yards and 2 TDs.
- UCF WR Kobe Hudson is one of 17 receivers in the country averaging more than 100 receiving yards per game, but he is one of three receivers that are doing it averaging less than 5 receptions per game (Hudson 4.3, T. Sibley 4.7, Skyler Bell 4.7). Through three games, RB RJ Harvey is averaging 149.3 rushing yards per game and has scored 9 TDs, which ties him with Ashton Jeanty and Dylan Sampson for most in the FBS.
- Mississippi State WR Kevin ColemanJr., caught a TD pass in each of the Bulldogs’ first three games, while Kelly Akharaiyi has only caught 5 passes for 50 yards in two games.
- Auburn freshman QB Hank Brown threw 4 TD passes in the Tigers’ 45-19 win against New Mexico, but I am not expecting those type of numbers moving forward with the schedule stiffening up in the coming weeks (Week 6 at Georgia, Week 7 Bye, Week 8 at Missouri, Week 9 at Kentucky).
- I do not think that I would be holding any UCLA players at this point. They might be the worst team in the Big Ten.
- With games against Washington, Maryland, and Indiana upcoming, Northwestern RB Cam Porter might generate some interest on the waiver wire after carrying the ball 31 times for 171 yards and 3 TDs over the last two weeks. WR AJ Henning has caught at least 7 passes over the last two games.
- Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson has more TDs (9) than QB Nico Iamaleava (8).
- Maryland WR Tai Felton is third the nation in receiving, averaging 149.0 yards per game, and he has been targeted 15 times in each of the Terrapins’ last two games.
- Cal WR Nyziah Hunter has caught a TD pass in all three games this year and has 4 TD receptions on only 14 targets.
Group 5
- South Alabama WR Jamaal Pritchett wasn’t needed Thursday night against Northwestern State, but he found the end zone twice despite only catching two passes. Freshman RB Fluff Bothwell has scored a rushing TD in three straight games.
- Texas State QB Jordan McCloud has accounted for 11 TDs in three games (2 rushing). RB Ismail Mahdi scored 12 TDs last year and only has 1 TD through three games of 2024. WRs Joey Hobert, Jaden Williams, and Chris DawnJr., have at least 2 TD receptions this year, while Kole Wilson, who leads the team in targets, doesn’t have a TD.
- UNLV QB Matthew Sluka is providing the fantasy production on par with his preseason ranking. He has 6 TD passes in three games and is averaging 84.3 rushing yards per game. WR Ricky White, who had 82 receptions for 1,386 yards last year, only has 5 receptions for 15 yards against the Rebels’ two FBS opponents, Houston and Kansas.
- North Texas QB Chandler Morris has thrown 6 TD passes and 6 INTs in the last two games. WR DT Sheffield was leading the team in targets and receptions after two games, but he did not have a target in Saturday’s loss at Texas Tech.
- Miami (OH) WR Cade McDonald has caught at lest 8 passes for 100 yards in each of the RedHawks’ first two games.
- No concern here by a lack of production from Memphis RB Mario Anderson against a solid Florida State defense. I am more disappointed that QB Seth Henigan has only accounted for 5 TDs in three games and WR Roc Taylor hasn’t been much of a fantasy factor this year, as TE Anthony Landphere has provided more value.
- Temple WR Dante Wright has caught at least 9 passes in the Owls’ last two games.
- Ohio RB Anthony Tyrus III has scored a rushing TD in all three games this season and has scored at least 2 TDs in two of three games.
- Promising weeks ahead for Tulane RB Makhi Hughes, who has scored a TD in all three games, two of which were against Kansas State and Oklahoma.
- Outside of the Week 2 matchup at Clemson, Appalachian State WR Kaedin Robinson has caught at least 7 passes and topped 100 yards in the Mountaineers’ other two games.
- East Carolina RB Rahjai Harris has rushed for 218 yards the past two weeks and has logged 44 rushing attempts.
- Troy WR Devonte Ross has posted two 100-yard receiving games this season and has caught a TD pass in each of those 100-yard games.
- Utah State WR Jalen Royals averaged 85.3 receiving yards per game last year, but through three games this season, he is averaging 56.0 yards per game.
- FIU QB Keyone Jenkins has accounted for 3 TDs in each of the Panthers’ last two games.
- Liberty RB Quinton Cooley left Saturday’s game against UTEP with an injury, allowing Billy Lucas the opportunity to rush for 104 yards and 3 TDs. QB Kaidon Salter finished the 2023 season with 1,064 rushing yards and 12 rushing TDs. Through three games this year, he has totaled 95 rushing yards and has yet to score on the ground. What makes matters worse for his fantasy owners is that he only has 3 passing TDs in three games (31 passing TDs in 2023).
- In the past two games, Georgia State WR Ted Hurst has totaled 13 receptions for 211 yards and 3 TDs.
- The system just isn’t working at Hawaii. Two total offensive TDs against two FBS opponents, and QB Brayden Schager’s 53.4 completion percentage is bad considering he has attempted 118 passes. WR Pofele Ashlock, who leads the team in receiving with 22 catches for 272 yards and 2 TDs, has been targeted 39 times.
- Western Kentucky QB TJ Finley left Saturday’s game against MTSU with an injury and Caden Veltkamp sparked a 49-21 win on the road by completing 27-of-30 passes for 398 yards and 5 TDs, while adding a rush TD. Not sure about Finley’s status, but Veltkamp’s Week 3 performance combined with last season’s 5-TD outing in the bowl game, could ignite talks of a change. WR Kisean Johnson leads the team in receiving and has been targeting 17 times in the last two games.
- Was USF QB Byrum Brown’s Week 3 performance against USM a get right game for his fantasy owners? Maybe so, but next week’s matchup against Miami doesn’t feel good.
- Eastern Michigan WR Oran Singleton has been targeted 10 times in two of three games this year, the one exception being the Eagles’ Week 2 road trip to Washington.
- San Jose State WR Nick Nash is the nation’s top receiver with 34 receptions for 485 yards and 6 TDs, averaging 161.7 yards per game.
- Toledo QB Tucker Gleason has thrown 3 TD passes in all three games this season, and WRs Jerjuan Newton and Junior Vandeross have caught a TD pass in each of the Rockets’ first three games.
If you stream DST, here are some Week 4 options to consider:
- LSU v UCLA
- Indiana v Charlotte
- Kenrtucky v Ohio
- Iowa St. v Arkansas St.
- NIU v Buffalo
- Pitt v Youngstown St.
- Sam Houston St. v New Mexico St.
- Texas A&M v Bowling Green
- South Carolina v Akron
