One of the most useful bits of information I’ll offer this week is that CBS Sports is now including ‘targets’ in their box score data. Target data is extremely useful to us early in the season, particularly for those teams who do not have an established and proven two-deep going into 2020.
G5 Notes
- UAB: It was noted that RB Spencer Brown trimmed down for the 2020 season and looked good against Central Arkansas, carrying the ball 24 times for 127 yards and a TD. The Blazers tight ends, Hayden Pittman and Gerrit Prince, combined for seven receptions, 68 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Pittman averaged 12.3 yards on three receptions, but it was Prince who caught both TD passes.
- Southern Miss: The Golden eagles were very unimpressive in their opener against South Alabama. Receivers Tim Jones (139 yds) and Jason Brownlee (54 yds) combined to catch eleven of QB Jack Abraham’s 22 pass completions. Three different RBs carried the ball seven times or more, but it was true freshman Frank Gore, Jr. who led the team with twelve rushing attempts.
- South Alabama: As expected, Carlos Davis led the Jaguars in rushing against USM, carrying the ball 15 times for 85 yards. Three receivers combined for 352 of the team’s 363 receiving yards, led by Jalen Tolbert, who caught six passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Jalen Wayne caught six passes for 101 yards and Kawaan Baker caught four passes for 82 yards and a touchdown.
- Marshall: The Thundering Herd did not have to rely on RB Brenden Knox (18-85-1) in the opener against Eastern Kentucky and redshirt freshman QB Grant Wells looked comfortable in his first start, completing 16-of-23 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns. Four different players caught a TD pass and Broc Thompson led the team with five receptions.
- Army: FB Sandon McCoy scored three TDs in the team’s 42-0 win over Middle Tennessee, and given the Black Knights’ revised schedule, he should frequent the end zone often in 2020.
- Middle Tennessee: The biggest takeaway from the Blue Raiders’ loss at Army was that WRs Jarrin Pierce (4 rec.) and CJ Windham (5 rec.) seem to be the top targets in the passing game.
- UTEP: Deion Hankins carried the ball 17 times for 113 yards and 2 TDs in the Miners’ 24-14 win over SF Austin. Hankins seems to be the best fantasy option on the roster, but he should not be considered more that a spot-starter this year. Following a game against Texas next week, the Miners play Abilene Christian and UL-Monroe. Jacob Cowing was targeted eleven times by quarterback Gavin Hardison and caught seven passe