Power 5
- Tavion Thomas led the Utes in rushing against Weber State, carrying the ball 12 times for 107 yards and 2 TDs. He and Micah Bernard appear to be the two main backs to start the year. Bernard finished with 35 rushing yards and caught 3 passes for 41 yards.
- Miyan Williams impressed against Minnesota, rushing for 125 yards and a TD in the Buckeyes’ 45-31 win over the Gophers. However, the Tre Henderson hype train picked up steam after his 70-yard TD reception. Master Teague only had six carries and may look less and less a fantasy option as the weeks move on.
- Fortunately, Tennessee did not have to throw much to beat Bowling Green because QB Joe Milton was a very unimpressive 11-of-23 passing against one of the worst teams in the FBS. After one game, it feels like the Vols offense will not be a source of consistent fantasy production this year because of QB play.
- I love Jayden Daniels’ potential as an NFL QB, but I do not see him being a major fantasy factor this year, as the Sun Devils are going to lean heavily on RBs Rachaad White and Chip Trayanum this year.
- Our preseason projections on UNC WR Josh Downs look promising, but the Tar Heels did not look anything like the offense we have seen over the past two seasons. There is definitely some concern here.
- The thought of Duke RB Mataeo Durant getting 200+ carries this year looks pretty good after his 29-255-3 performance in the season opener against Charlotte.
- Jason Bean got the start at quarterback for the Jayhawks against South Dakota. Velton Gadner received most of carries, but he only rushed for 21 yards on 19 carries. It’s going to be another long season for the Jayhawks.
- Michigan State had one of the worst running games in the country last year, but that doesn’t seem to be the case after Week 1, with RB Kenneth Walker exploding for 264 yards on the ground in the Spartans’ 38-21 win at Northwestern.
- Markese Stepp seems to have solidified the top spot on the Nebraska RB depth chart.
- A very poor outing for Austin Jones (9 carries for 25 yards) and the Stanford running game in the season opener against Kansas State.
- It’s difficult to criticize a quarterback that completed 30-of-39 passes for 300 yards, but Spencer Rattler doesn’t look like an improved quarterback. He threw 2 INTs and could have easily thrown two more. I feel it’s too early to make a call on RB Eric Gray, and Jadon Haselwood could be a nice addition since Theo Wease is expected to miss a few weeks of action.
- The Penn State offense might have struggled at times against Wisconsin, but I see some big fantasy games in the future for WR Jahan Dotson and RB Noah Cain.
- Wisconsin RB Chez Mellusi with 31 carries for 121 yards and a TD against Penn State. Jalen Berger did not play and he could end up being our biggest whiff of the preseason.
- Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson did a lot of damage with his legs, but didn’t look great throwing the ball. The Hogs’ top receiver Treylon Burks led the team with five receptions, but only totaled 42 yards.
- There was a lot of chatter about the young receivers at Alabama, and they are talented, but it certainly seems to be John Metchie and Jameson Williams as WR1 & WR2.
- Miami’s struggles against Alabama were predictable, so I wouldn’t put too much stock into the opener. D’Eriq King looked healthy and confident in his return from an ACL injury.
- In a not-so-good return from injury, Indiana’s Michel Penix threw 3 INTs in the Hoosiers’ 34-6 loss at Iowa.
- It seems Missouri will ride Tyler Badie as their workhorse back. He carried the ball 25 times for 203 yards against Central Michigan, and added 3 receptions for 40 yards and a TD in the passing game.
- If the first game of the year is a sign of things to come, Jo’quavious Marks is the clear RB1 at Mississippi State (12-71-2 rushing; 10-57-1 receiving).
- Jordan Whittington WR1 at Texas.
- Outside receivers have always been better value than inside receivers at Oklahoma State. If that trend continues this year, Tay Martin will be a better fantasy asset than Brennan Presley, but it might be close.
- South Carolina transfer Deshaun Fenwick only had one rushing attempt against Purdue. It seems BJ Baylor and Trey Lowe are sitting RB1 & RB2 at Oregon State right now.
- Well, Elijah Canion did get on the field against Akron, so it seems he is buried on the depth chart. Shedrick Jackson should get some fantasy attention now.
- Georgia was afraid to throw the ball against Clemson, which is why a lot of their passes were designed for QB JT Daniels to get rid of the ball quickly. Clemson wasn’t afraid to throw the ball, but couldn’t, as QB DJ Uiagaleei was sacked 7 times and threw an interception, which resulted in a game-changing pick-six. Along with WR Justyn Ross, WR Joseph Ngata looks to be a legitimate fantasy option this year, although we were doubting his fantasy output because he was missing time in camp. Nothing settled in the Clemson backfield.
- Georgia Tech QB Jeff Sims left the game against NIU with a left arm injury.
- There was a lot of hype about Virginia TE Jelani Woods in the preseason, but he only caught one pass for five yards against William & Mary.
- Illinois WR Isaiah Williams has caught at least six passes in each of the Illini’s first two games.
- It was known that Anthony Richardson would likely get a lot of playing time, but his numbers against FAU suggest he could get more. However, he only completed 3-of-8 passes, so I am not concerned about him taking over the starting job right now.
- Richard Newton seems to be Washington’s RB1 after carrying the ball 17 times for 62 yards against Montana, but tough times could be ahead after a 13-7 loss. The offense needs a schematic makeover.
- It didn’t help Isaiah Spiller owners that Devon Achane ran for 124 yards and 2 TDs on 24 carries, but Spiller only had one Q4 rushing attempt.
- I did not think we would see a split backfield at UCLA, but after two games, it looks that way with Zach Charbonnet and Brittain Brown.
- BYU WR Gunner Romney left Saturday’s game against Arizona with a left leg injury. I am not sure why K Jake Oldroyd did not play against Arizona.
- WR Stanley Berryhill caught 12 passes for 102 yards and was targeted 13 times against BYU.
- If you were looking at the Cal box score and searching for Christopher Brown Jr, he’s now Christopher Brooks, and he only had 3 carries for 25 yards.
Group 5
- It was a rough start for UAB RB DeWayne McBride with a couple of first-half fumbles against Jacksonville State. Teammate Jermaine Brown led the team with 14 carries for 78 yards and a TD, so I can imagine McBride’s owners are a bit concerned about Brown getting more utilization moving forward.
- At least three Coastal Carolina RBs had at least 5 carries against Citadel (S. Jones 9-100-2; R. White 7-62-2; B. Bennett 5-49-1). While it seems White and Jones are the Chanticleers’ top two backs, keep an eye on freshman Braydon Bennett, who at 6-2 and 190 pounds, averaged 9.8 yards per carry and caught 3 passes for 33 yards.
- Boise State RB George Holani burned many fantasy owners with his pre-game scratch at Central Florida, a game that experienced a two-hour weather delay.
- We went into the season talking about UCF’s depth a running back, but after an injury and transfer at the position, it seems like Isaiah Bowser’s position to lose, especially after his 32-170-1 performance against Boise State.
- Will Jones led Ball State in rushing against W. Illinois, carrying the ball 18 times for 93 yards and a TD. It was announced before kickoff that Tye Evans was not available. We’re expecting Jones and Evans to split carries this year, but an injury could change things.
- FIU RB D’Vonte Price was given the rest of the game off after rushing for 165 yards on five carries halfway through the second quarter in the Panthers’ win over CW Post.
- Tulsa RBs Deneric Prince (151) and Shamari Brooks (80) combined for 231 rushing yards, but a loss to UC Davis doesn’t look good.
- Bailey Zappe through 7 TD passes in is Western Kentucky debut, but beware the schedule over the next month. The Hilltoppers play at Army, have a bye, and then play Indiana and Michigan State over the next four weeks. Receivers Daewood Davis, Jarreth Sterns, Mitchell Tinsley, and Malachi Corley currently seem to be the team’s top wideouts.
- It could be another long year for UNLV, but RB Charles Williams should have his moments. In Thursday’s 35-33 loss to Eastern Washington, Williams ran for 172 yards and 2 TDs. Doug Brumfield relieved starter Justin Rogers and almost led the Rebels to a comeback win.
- After a monster 2020 fantasy season, Eastern Michigan QB Preston Hutchinson may be getting pushed out of his starting spot by Cincinnati transfer Ben Bryant. This is a situation that must be monitored, as Hutchinson was one of our Top 20 preseason fantasy quarterbacks. Hutchinson did exit the game after taking a hard hit, but I am not sure if that led to Bryant receiving extensive playing time.
- Charlotte used a RBBC approach in the backfield against Duke, as Shadrick Byrd had 10 carries, while Calvin Camp and Chavon McEachern finished with nine carries each.
- The Temple offense did not look good in the opener against Rutgers and QB D’Wan Mathis finished the game on the sideline with a boot on his foot.
- If UConn RB Kevin Mensah couldn’t do anything against Holy Cross (21 carries for 66 yards), I don’t see how he’s worth a roster spot.
- Georgia State WR Sam Pinckney missed Saturday’s game against Army due to Covid protocol.
- Keyon Mozee led Miami (OH) rushers with 15 carries for 80 yards against Cincinnati. No signs of Jaylon Bester and Tyre Shelton.
- Marshall only finished with 101 rushing yards in a 49-7 win at Navy, but the Thundering Herd punched in six scores on the ground (Rasheen Ali-4, Sheldon Evans-2).
- Strong start to the season for RB Lew Nichols, who ran for 135 yards and a TD in Central Michigan’s 32-24 loss at Missouri.
- When Keyon Henry-Brooks transferred to Louisiana Tech, I thought he would earn the starting RB role, but Marcus Williams held him off and led the team with 13 rushing attempts against Mississippi State.
- Add Louisiana true freshman RB Montrell Johnson to your watchlist because he may just end up as the Ragin Cajuns’ RB2 behind Chris Smith.
- I assume JD King isn’t ready to go after tearing his ACL last year, as Logan Wright took on a heavy workload in the opener against Gardner-Webb, carrying the ball 26 times for 178 yards and a TD. Former Tulane RB Amare Joined started at quarterback with Justin Tomlin suspended.
- Liberty receiver Demario Douglas had 7 receptions for 84 yards and a TD in the opener against Campbell. Could we have a clear WR1 this year? If so, Douglas is a must-add.
- Arkansas State needs to forget James Blackman. Layne Hatcher 12-of-12 for 150 yards and 4 TDs, three to WR Cory Rucker. Te’Vailance Hunt and Jeff Foreman will be fantasy options this year, as well. JUCO transfer Alan Lamar led the team in rushing with 18 carries for 67 yards and a TD.
- SMU QB Tanner Mordecai threw 7 TD passes against Abilene Christian, so Reggie Roberson’s fantasy owners were a bit unlucky he was not on the receiving end of at least one of them.
- I believe Brandon Thomas’ 16-147-1 performance against Nichols was better than any single-game performance by a Memphis RB in 2020. Whether freshman Seth Henigan sticks as the Tigers’ starting quarterback remains to be seen.
- Northern Illinois RB Harrison Waylee may have been passed on in some Full FBS leagues, but 27-144-1 at Georgia Tech is a promising start before the Huskies get into conference play.
- I am expecting North Texas to ride RB Deandre Torrey as much as they can, and after one game, Roderic Burns could be the best receiver asset this year (5-104-1; 8 targets). I would still hold Jyaire Shorter, though. Jace Ruder only completing 10-of-21 passes isn’t a good sign for the offense.
- Only one target for Kent State WR Ja’Shaun Poke against Texas A&M was baffling.
- New Mexico State WR Dominic Gicinto caught 7 passes for 64 yards and a TD in the first half at San Diego State, but left the game with an arm injury that could force him to miss significant time.