Joe’s Week 3 Notes & Observations

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NC State RB Hollywood Smothers is averaging 21.0 rush attempts per game and TE Justin Joly has caught at least four passes in each of the Wolfpack’s first three games.

We knew this would be the case in the preseason. Wake Forest head coach Jake Dickert does not have the quarterback he needs to run the offense, and that will limit RB Demond Claiborne’s fantasy ceiling. Claiborne only had 12 rush attempts in Thursday’s home matchup against NC State. He did have eight receptions, so his value feels better in 1.0-PPR formats.

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza has thrown nine TD passes in the last two games, but the Hoosiers are done feasting on non-conference opponents. Their next four weeks are Illinois, at Iowa, BYE, at Oregon.

After three games, Darrell Gill Jr. leads Syracuse in receiving with 12 receptions for 269 yards and two TDs. Consistency across the offense will be an issue moving forward.

The entire Colorado offense is a hard pass.

After getting 22 rush attempts in Friday’s win over Colorado, it seems like Houston RB Dean Connors will be a source of consistent touches moving forward in the Cougars’ offense.

After another early exit, I would be surprised if Kansas State RB Dylan Edwards doesn’t get shut down until after the Wildcats’ Week 8 bye. If that happens, should we worry about Edwards getting shut down for the year?

Maryland WR Shaleak Knotts has caught a TD pass in each of the Terrapins’ first three games.

Alabama QB Ty Simpson looked sharp Saturday against Wisconsin, completing 24-of-29 passes for 382 yards and four TDs. WR Germie Bernard feels every bit as good of a fantasy option as teammate Ryan Williams right now.

So much for the Wisconsin offense returning to its roots. The ground game is non-existent and Dilin Jones is expendable if you need the roster spot.

After the win over Clemson, the Georgia Tech schedule looks good. No Miami or Florida State, and they don’t play Georgia until Week 14. The Yellow Jackets may have the inside track to the ACC Championship Game and a realistic chance at the CFP.

If you have QB Cade Klubnik, you have to at least give him next week’s matchup against Syracuse.

After seeing what has happened with RB Makhi Hughes at Oregon, you may be rethinking the G5-to-P4 transfer strategy. That should always be case-by-case. Imagine how pleased you are if you drafted Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy, who ran for 250 yards and three TDs against Louisiana. Missouri WR Kevin Coleman has caught at least six passes in all three games and has totaled 18 receptions in the last two.

SMU QB Kevin Jennings had an underwhelming performance in the Mustangs’ 28-10 win at Missouri State. RB TJ Harden solidified his hold on the RB1 job with 96 yards and two TDs.

Put West Virginia RB Tye Edwards at the top of your waiver priority list after his 15-141-3 performance in the Mountaineers’ 31-24 OT win against Pitt.

Two games into the season and fantasy owners of Pitt RB Desmond Reid are not getting their ROI on a first-round selection. Reid left Saturday’s game against West Virginia with an undisclosed injury.

Rutgers RB Antwan Raymond has yet to register a 100-yard rushing game, but he has scored at least one TD in each of the Scarlet Knights’ first three games and has scored two TDs in back-to-back weeks.

Freshman North Carolina RB Demon June had 14-148-1 in the Tar Heels’ 41-6 win against Richmond. He’s not a waiver target right now given UNC’s upcoming schedule.

I still feel at a crossroads with Texas Tech WR Caleb Douglas, who had one catch in Saturday’s 45-14 win over Oregon State—a 61-yard touchdown.

I couldn’t disagree with anyone targeting Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell on the waiver wire. He has 15 receptions for 302 yards and five TDs in the last two weeks. QB Joey Aguilar owners should feel good about his fantasy potential moving forward. Non-fantasy take: Tough loss for Vols fans with the missed FG at the end of regulation.

Iowa State RB Carson Hansen finished Saturday’s win at Arkansas State with 18 rush attempts for 116 yards, but failed to score again. If he’s not the goal-line option, it’s time to move on.

Two points on the Texas Longhorns: CJ Baxter’s hamstring injury could open the door for Tre Wisner. And I think Texas could be in trouble once SEC play begins with Arch Manning at quarterback, which does not bode well for WR Ryan Wingo.

Miami RB Mark Fletcher has scored two TDs in back-to-back games and feels like the RB1 in the Hurricanes’ offense. Only time will tell if that holds with matchups against Florida State and Florida coming up.

Even though I do not think he is a waiver priority, Mississippi State RB Fluff Bothwell seemingly has more fantasy appeal than teammate Davon Booth. Bothwell has more rushing yards and touchdowns through three games.

After an 0-3 start, optimism has faded at Virginia Tech. Given the Hokies’ schedule, I would not want to roster QB Kyron Drones past Week 9. Personally, I would try to move off him after the next three weeks.

Arkansas WR O’Mega Blake has caught a TD pass in each of the Razorbacks’ first three games. QB Taylen Green and RB Mike Washington are off to solid starts, but Arkansas faces one of the toughest remaining schedules in the nation.

Ole Miss WR Harrison Wallace has posted at least 92 receiving yards in each of the Rebels’ first three games.

Illinois RB Aidan Laughery missed Saturday’s game against Western Michigan, but is expected back next week.

The Ohio State backfield of CJ Donaldson and James Peoples hasn’t impressed. True freshman Bo Jackson may see more action after rushing for 217 yards on 18 attempts in the last two games.

Kentucky RB Seth McGowan has at least 15 rush attempts in all three games, totaling 50 carries for 272 yards and six TDs. He has outperformed Nebraska transfer Dante Dowdell.

It’s wild to see Iowa score 47 points without a standout backfield performance.

Three games in, Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss is now an option after a 20-81-3 outing in the win at Notre Dame. WR Mario Craver looks legit with 20 receptions for 442 yards and four TDs in three games.

I feel both Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are weekly options for Notre Dame. If they survive the Week 8 matchup against USC, the CFP is realistic, especially if Miami and Texas A&M remain Top 15.

I was critical of Nico Iamaleava last year and of Arch Manning this year. Now we need to start talking about DJ Lagway too. These three were highly rated recruits, but maybe evaluations were off.

The LSU offense isn’t clicking. Start Nussmeier, Durham, and Anderson next week against FCS competition because the Tigers need momentum before Week 5 at Ole Miss.

Clemson QB Cade Klubnik and South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers are major disappointments through three weeks. The Missouri matchup feels like the game for Sellers to finally break through.

TCU WR Eric McAlister is a hold until we see his targets next week against SMU.

Stanford has one of the worst power-conference offenses but beat Boston College 30-20. The only upside for RB Turbo Richard is his receiving work. BC WR Lewis Bond has caught at least seven passes in each game.

Minnesota RB A.J. Turner started at Cal but was injured after four carries. Fame Ijeboi and Cam Davis carried the load.

Cal is 3-0, but WR Jacob DeJesus is the only fantasy-relevant option with 24 targets.

Arizona State TE Chamon Metayer was finally involved (6-60-1). RB Raleek Brown is a legitimate starter in the absence of Kyson Brown.  After two 100-yard performances, Raleek Brown may hold onto that RB1 role.

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