Week 10 Notes & Observations

    G5 Notes

• Nevada:  WR Elijah Cooks could miss the season with a shoulder injury, but his absence has led to the emergence of Romeo Doubs, who has caught 25 passes for 465 yards and 5 TDs in Nevada’s first three games.

• Utah State: The Aggies’ offense doesn’t look as if it will offer much fantasy potential this year, at least that is how I see it after three games.

• Wyoming:  RB Xazavian Valladay has carried the ball at least 22 times in each of the Cowboys’ first three games and has topped the 140-yard mark in each of the last two games.

• Colorado State:  The Rams have not been able to do much on the ground so far, but the passing game looked sharp Thursday night.  WR Dante Wright made his season debut and caught 10 passes for 146 yards, while TE Trey McBride impressed once again.  The junior tight end has caught 13 passes for 220 yards and 3 TDs in the first two games.

• Eastern Michigan:  Hassan Beydoun, the 5-foot-8 slot receiver, caught 9 passes for 112 yards in the Eagles’ 27-23 loss at Kent State.

• Western Michigan:  RB La’Darius Jefferson had his waiver for immediate eligibility approved by the NCAA, so I expect to see him and Sean Tyler share backfield duties for the Broncos.  Long term, I think Jefferson will end of being the RB1. 

• Akron:  I would not suggest moving on any Akron players until we have seen them play a couple of games. 

• Buffalo:  Nothing close to a 50/50 split in the Bulls’ backfield to start 2020, as Jaret Patterson had 20 carries in the opener, while Kevin Marks only had six rush attempts.

• Northern Illinois:  WRs Tyrice Richie and Cole Tucker were each targeted nine times in the Huskies’ 49-30 loss to Buffalo.  Richie caught 9 passes for 106 yards, while Tucker only caught 3 passes for 29 yards.

• Ohio:  UNLV grad transfer QB Armani Rogers played in the Bobcats’ 30-27 loss at Central Michigan, but starter Kurtis Rourke looked considerably better, as he completed 12-of-19 passes for 231 yards and 2 TDs.  As long as Rourke is the quarterback, there will be value in receivers Shane Hooks and Isiah Cox.  Both caught a TD pass Wednesday night.  Senior De’Montre Tuggle carried the ball 16 times for 79 yards and a TD, and also scored on a 93-yard kickoff return.

• Central Michigan:  RB Kobe Lewis with a strong start to the season (28-112-2 rushing; 5-34 receiving).

• Miami (OH): Playing without their top two running backs, the RedHawks went with a RBBC against Ball State.  Davion Johnson led the team in rushing with 58 yards on 11 carries, but senior Zach Kahn scored both of the team’s two rushing touchdowns.  AJ Mayer took over at quarterback for injured starter Brett Gabbert and completed 16-of-24 passes for 212 yards and 3 TDs in the 38-31 comeback win. 

• Ball State: In the Cardinals’ 38-31 loss at Miami, RB Caleb Huntley carried the ball 21 times for 130 yards and 2 TDs, while WR Justin Hall led the team with 124 receiving yards and scored two touchdowns (1 rush, 1 rec.).

• Toledo: QB Eli Peters completed 20-of-32 passes for 214 yards and 4 TDs in the Rockets 38-3 win over Bowling Green.  Four different players caught a TD pass.   

• San Jose State:  Sophomore Nick Nash took over for injured starter Nick Starkel and led the Spartans to a 28-17 win at San Diego State.  Nash completed 16-of-25 passes for 169 yards and 2 TDs, while adding 53 yards and a score on the ground.  Hopefully, we get an update on Starkel’s injury, because if he is out for any amount of time, Nash is worth a waiver claim. 

• San Diego State:  Running back Greg Bell has rushed for at least 100 yards and a TD in each of the Aztecs’ first three games. 

• BYU:  In Friday’s win at Boise State, RB Tyler Allgeier posted his third 100-yard rushing game of the year and scored a TD in his sixth consecutive game.  TE Isaac Rex has caught a TD pass in three straight games. 

• Boise State:  Even with the Broncos down to their third-string quarterback, WR Khalil Shakir still caught 10 passes for 139 yards and 2 TDs in Friday night’s 51-17 loss.  In three games, Shakir has caught 23 passes for 352 yards and 4 TDs.  RB George Holani’s availability for Thursday’s game against Colorado State remains unknown. 

• SMU:  WR Danny Gray played against Temple, but he’s obviously not even close to 100%.  I do not recommend starting him until he shows that he’s close to full speed, which will be a tough pill to swallow with the fantasy season coming down the stretch.  RB Ulysses Bentley scored 7 TDs in the first two games of the year, but has only scored 3 TDs in the last five games.

• Temple:  Starting either Jadan Blue or Branden Mack is risky without Anthony Russo at quarterback. 

• Liberty:  QB Malik Willis has accounted for 11 TDs in his last two games (9 pass, 2 rush).

• Memphis:  After rushing for at least 100 yards in three of the first four games, RB Rodrigues Clark has totaled 55 rushing yards the last two weeks and has not scored since the season opener.  WR Calvin Austin posted his fourth consecutive 100-yard receiving game in Saturday’s win over South Florida. 

• Tulane:  WR Duece Watts has caught a TD pass in three consecutive games and QB Michael Pratt has totaled 3 TDs in three consecutive games.

• UL Monroe:  RB Josh Johnson suffered a hamstring injury in Saturday’s game against Appalachian State.  Johnson was replaced by sophomore Isaiah Phillips, who ran for 41 yards on 11 carries.

• Boise State:  Jack Sears started at quarterback for the Broncos against Air Force and he completed 17-of-20 passes for 280 yards and 3 TDs in Saturday’s 49-30 win.  I haven’t seen any official announcement on the status of Hank Bachmeier, but we have to assume Sears is likely to get the start against BYU.  RB George Holani’s availability for next week’s game against BYU is also in question after he suffered a leg injury Saturday night.  Andrew Van Buren would take over as the starter if Holani is unable to play.  Against Air Force, Van Buren carried the ball 12 times for 70 yards and 2 TDs.

• UL Monroe:  QB Jeremy Hunt completed 26-of-39 passes for 339 yards and 3 TDs in Saturday’s 52-34 loss at Georgia State.  Given how poorly the Panthers’ defense has been this season, I am not going to suggest adding Hunt this week. 

• Georgia State:  RB Destin Coates has carried the ball at least 20 times for 100 yards in four of five games the year.  QB Cornelious Brown has totaled 3 or more TDs in four of the last five games. 

• Arkansas State:  It was reported just prior to kickoff of Saturday’s game against Louisiana that WR Dahu Green would miss the remainder of the season with an injury.  Brandon Bowling seems to be the next-best fantasy option behind Jonathan Adams. 

• Georgia Southern:  RBs Wesley Kennedy (mouth/jaw) and JD King (knee) left Saturday’s game against Troy with injuries.  Freshman Gerald Green (10-109-1) and junior Logan Wright (13-78) led the Eagles in rushing on Saturday. 

• Texas State:  WR Marcel Barbee caught a TD pass in Saturday’s loss to Appalachian State.  The junior receiver has now caught a TD pass in three straight games and has scored in five of eight games this season.

• Houston:  RB Kyle Porter has scored a rushing TD in four of five games this season.

• Cincinnati:  QB Desmond Ridder has accounted for at least 4 TDs in each of the last three games (13 total TDs; 5 passing, 8 rushing).

• Marshall:  Earlier this season, I predicted that RB Brenden Know would rush for 100 yards and score a TD in every game this season.  So far, he’s hit those numbers in six straight games with matchups against Middle Tennessee, Charlotte, Rice, and FIU remaining. 

• Fresno State:  RB Ronnie Rivers racked up 232 yards from scrimmage and scored 4 TDs in the Bulldogs’ 40-27 win at UNLV on Saturday.  He has now scored in each of Fresno State’s first three games.

• UNLV:  RB Charles Williams scored his first TD of the season in Saturday’s loss to Fresno State.  The senior back is averaging 22.0 rush attempts per game and has rushed for at least 80 yards in each of the Rebels’ first three games.

• Florida Atlantic:  If you picked up FAU’s defense after listening to last week’s podcast, well played.  FAU 10-6 over WKU.

• Hawaii:  QAB Chevan Cordeiro’s fantasy owners were probably relieved with his bounce-back performance against New Mexico.  The sophomore quarterback totaled 5 TDs (4 pass, 1 rush) and passed for 410 yards.

 

 

P5 Notes

• Miami:  WR Mike Harley has caught a TD pass in each of the Hurricanes’ last three games.  He has 18 catches for 323 yards and 3 TDs in the last two games.  RB Cam’Ron Harris led the team in rushing with 62 yards on 15 carries, but has not scored in four straight games.  QB D’Erik King has thrown at least 4 TD passes in two of the last three games.

• NC State: TE Cary Angeline caught a TD pass in Friday night’s loss to Miami and has now scored in five of seven games this year.

• Michigan:  The Wolverines only had 13 rushing yards in their 38-21 loss.  If you’re playing in a Full-FBS league, I don’t see any fantasy value in Michigan players because consistency is going to be an issue.

• Indiana:  RB Stevie Scott came within 3 yards of his first 100-yard rushing game of the year.  He has carried the ball at least 20 times in each of the Hoosiers’ first three games and has scored at least 2 TDs in two of three games.

• Arizona State: The Sun Devils seem to have a solid 1-2 punchy at running back with junior Rachaad White and freshman Deamonte Trayanum.  Against USC, White had 12 carries for 76 yards and 3 catches for 70 yards and a TD, while Trayanum carried the ball 12 times for 84 yards and 2 TDs.  WR Frank Darby left the game with an injury. 

• USC:  If Carr, Stepp, and Malepeai all remain healthy, I think we are going to see RBBC this year. 

• West Virginia:  RB Leddie Brown extended his scoring streak to five games, but rushed for a season low 47 yards in Saturday’s 17-13 loss at Texas.

• Texas:  QB Sam Ehlinger failed to total at least 3 TDs in a game for the first time this year in Saturday’s win over West Virginia.  RB Keaontay Ingram missed the game with an injury and freshman Bijan Robinson led the team in rushing with 113 yards on 12 carries.

• Virginia Tech:  RB Khalil Herbert left Saturday’s game against Liberty with a hamstring injury.  QB Hendon Hooker has totaled at least 3 TDs in three of the last four games.

• North Carolina:  QB Sam Howell has thrown 3 or more TD passes in three of the last four games.  RB Javonte Williams has scored 2 or more TDs in six of seven games and leads the FBS with 17 total TDs.  WR Dazz Newsom caught his second TD of the season in Saturday’s win over Duke, but he only had 57 receiving yards, and has only topped the 60-yard mark one time in seven games.

• Nebraska:  I thought we would be seeing more of WR Wan’Dale Robinson this year, but that isn’t happening.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see Luke McCaffrey starting next week against Penn State.

• Northwestern:  Reportedly, RB Isaiah Bowser did not play against Nebraska because he was banged up.  Drake Anderson led the team in rushing on Saturday with 89 yards and a TD.  Now, Bowser becomes a risky option next week when the Wildcats travel to Purdue.

• Boston College:  We finally got to see the David Bailey many fantasy owners were hoping for in 2020.  In Saturday’s 16-13 win at Syracuse, Bailey carried the ball 25 times for 125 yards.  However, I would not expect too much next week when the Eagles host Notre Dame.

• Florida:  Having thrown at least 4 TD passes in all five games this season, Kyle Trask’s numbers remind me a bit of Joe Burrow’s last year.  TE Kyle Pitts did leave the game with an injury, and having caught 8 TD passes already this season, his loss would be a big blow to the Florida offense.  Hopefully, we get an update on his availability for next weeks’ game against Arkansas. 

• Georgia:  Seriously, with all of that talent, how does Georgia not have a quarterback?  Stetson Bennett looks like a soccer player running around in a football uniform and D’Wan Mathis looks like a deer in headlights.  JT Daniels was supposedly cleared in Week 2, right?  Something isn’t right here. 

• Oklahoma:  RB Rhamondre Stevenson has totaled at least 100 yards of offense and scored at least 2 TDs in each of the Sooners’ last two games.  WR Jadon Haselwood made his return against Kansas and caught one pass for 33 yards.

• Penn State:  The Nittany Lions are off to an 0-3 start, and if that running game has any life in it, they’ll need to prove it next week at Nebraska before I recommend starting one of their running backs. 

• Maryland:  An incredible turnaround after getting demolished 43-3 in the opener at Northwestern.  QB Taulia Tagovailoa has thrown 3 TD passes in back-to-back games, RB Jake Funk has totaled 327 yards of offense and scored 3 TDs in the last two games, and WR Dontay Demus has caught a TD pass in consecutive games.  Freshman WR Rakim Jarrett caught 5 passes for 144 yards and 2 TDs in the Terrapins’ 35-19 win at Penn State.

• Minnesota:  Anyone hoping that Tanner Morgan’s numbers would look like they did in 2019 can forget it.  Not happening.  However, RB Mo Ibrahim is a monster!  He has carried the ball at least 26 times in each of the Gophers’ first three games and has totaled 571 rushing yards (190.3 ypg) and 10 TDs. 

• Vanderbilt:  RB Keyon Henry-Brooks has totaled over 150 yards of offense and rushed for a TD in each of the Commodores’ last two games.  However, I would not expect much from the sophomore back in next week’s game at Kentucky.

• Mississippi State:  Looking at the Bulldogs’ schedule, they have Auburn and Georgia up next followed by Ole Miss and Missouri.  It is difficult for me to believe that many fantasy owners still have State players on their roster, but if there is a game where you might want to target one of their player’s in the waiver pool, it would be for that November 28 matchup against Ole Miss. 

• Texas Tech:  After catching at least 6 passes and a TD in each of the Red Raiders’ first three games of 2020, WR KeSean Carter has only caught one pass in each of the last two games. 

• TCU:  QB Max Duggan attempted 23 passes against Texas Tech and only completed 11 for 73 yards.  However, Duggan rolled up 154 yards and 3 TDs on the ground in Saturday’s 34-18 win.  Eight different players caught a pass and WR Taye Barber was the team’s leading receiver with 27 yards.

• Oklahoma State:  It was announced prior to kickoff that WR Tylan Wallace suffered an injury during the week and would not play against Kansas State.  RB Chuba Hubbard suffered a leg injury in the game and only carried the ball 6 times for 31 yards.  LD Brown, who was questionable going into the game, was pressed into action and led the team in rushing with 110 yards on 15 carries.

• Texas A&M:  QB Kellen Mond has thrown at least 3 TD passes in four of his last five games.

• South Carolina:  In Saturday’s 48-3 home loss to Texas A&M, RB Kevin Harris only totaled 39 yards from scrimmage.  It was the first time since the season opener that he did not total at least 100 yards of offense. 

• Iowa State:  RB Breece Hall has rushed for 100 yards and scored a TD in all seven games this season.  He has topped the 130-yard mark in each of the last six games and has five multiple-TD games. 

• Colorado:  RB Jarek Broussard showed why he was listed at the top of the Buffaloes depth chart.  In Saturday’s 48-42 win over UCLA, the sophomore back carried the ball 31 times for 187 yards and 3 TDs. 

• Notre Dame:  I was not expecting the Irish to score 47 points against Clemson, but the BC game should have tipped me off.  They went into the game without 3 defensive starters and lost 3 more during the game.  Well played if you started Kyren Williams.  QB Ian Book only has two 300-yard passing games this season, and one of those are against Clemson.  Book has rushed for at least 40 yards in each of the last five games.

• Ohio State:  QB Justin Fields has accounted for at least 4 TDs in each of the last two games.

• Stanford:  A solid start to the 2020 season for sophomore RB Austin Jones, who carried the ball 20 times for 100 yards and 2 TDs in Saturday’s 35-14 loss at Oregon.

• Oregon:  Sophomore Tyler Shough looked solid in the season opener against Stanford, completing 17-of-26 passes for 227 yards and a TD, while adding 85 yards and a score on the ground. 

• Arkansas:  WR Treylon Burks has at least 95 receiving yards and a TD in four of five games this season.  QB Feleipe Franks has thrown at least 3 TD passes in three of his last four games.

• Washington State:  RB Max Borghi did not play in Saturday’s game at Oregon State, but Deon McIntosh got the start and carried the ball 18 times for 147 yards and a TD.  Freshman Jayden de Laura got the start at quarterback and totaled 3 TDs (2 pass, 1 rush).  de Laura has a lot of promise in the Cougars’ run-and-shoot offense, but he is young, so I do expect some inconsistency from time-to-time.  And don’t forget, head coach Nick Rolovich has a history of giving his quarterbacks a quick hook.\

• Oregon State:  Nice start for RB Jermar Jefferson (21-120-3) and WR Trevon Bradford (7-78-1), who I like as the Beavers’ top two fantasy assets this year.