WEEK 2 NOTES & OBSERVATIONS

 

G5 Notes

  • UAB:  Spencer Brown impressed again, running for 74 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries at Miami Thursday night.  The senior back will be a solid fantasy option in conference play.  WR Myron Mitchell was targeted ten times and hauled in eight passes for 117 yards.
  • Georgia Southern:  The Eagles survived a missed 2-pt conversion in the final seconds and held on for a 27-26 win over Campbell.  Not sure I can be too critical given the team was without 33 players, one of which was RB Wesley Kennedy III.  Shai Werts (14-155-1) and JD King (18-74-1) carried the offense on the ground. 
  • UTSA:  No surprise that sophomore RB Sincere McCormick was given a heavy workload (29-197-1) against Texas State.  Frank Harris started at quarterback and accounted for 4 TDs (1 pass, 3 rush).  He passed for 197 yards and added another 51 on the ground.
  • Texas State:  Tyler Vitt started at quarterback for the Bobcats and passed for 346 yards and 4 TDs.  RB Brock Sturges has scored in each of the team’s first two games.  Against UTSA, he ran for 69 yards and a TD and turned a short pass out of the backfield into a 66-yard TD.  WR Marcell Barbee (6-2, 192) was targeted six times and caught 4 passes for 75 yards and 2 TDs.
  • Army:  After two games, QB Christian Anderson has scored 3 rushing TDs and FB Sandon McCoy has scored 4 rushing TDs.  
  • LA-Monroe:  I mentioned on the Week 2 pod that the Army game was not a great matchup for RB Josh Johnson (12-38), but he should have more success
  • Charlotte:  If you listened to the Week 2 podcast and heard my take about depth chart reveals, it was no surprise to see Tre Harbison lead the team in rushing against Appalachian State, even though Aaron McAllister was listed as the starter.  I would expect much better performances from QB Chris Reynolds, who only totaled 174 yards of offense against the Mountaineers.  
  • Appalachian State:  The Mountaineers consistently used a three-man rotation in the backfield (Williams 14-117-1, Peoples 13-102-1, Harrington 15-60-2).  Williams did come up gimpy during a run late in the game and it appeared to be his hamstring. No word on whether it was cramps or a muscle pull, but something to monitor. 
  • Louisiana:  The Ragin Cajuns only had 272 yards of offense in their 31-14 win at Iowa State, but had three scoring plays of 78 yards of more (78-yd pass, 95-yd KR, 83-yd PR).
  • Arkansas State:  Even though Logan Bonner completed 17-of-28 passes for 204 yards and 2 TDs, it was Layne Hatcher (6/8, 61 yds, 2TD) who threw the game winning TD pass to Jonathan Adams with 0:38 to play.  As long as both quarterbacks continue to play, I don’t think fantasy owners can start either of them.  Jonathan Adams looked every bit the receiver we thought he would be this year, catching 8 passes for 98 yards and 3 TDs.
  • South Florida:  Jordan McCloud started at quarterback for the Bulls, but Noah Johnson and Katravis Marsh got snaps as well. Kelley Joiner (8-87) and Johnny Ford (9-71) received most of the carries in the backfield.  
  • Coastal Carolina:  The Chanticleers have found a quarterback, redshirt freshman Grayson McCall, who accounted for 5 TDs in the team’s win at Kansas.  He completed 11-of-18 passes for 133 yards and 3 TDs, while adding 73 yards and 2 TDs on the ground.  Should McCall prove consistent, WR Jaivon Heiligh, and TE Isaiah Likely could be better fantasy assets than initially thought.  
  • Tulane: Everything at Tulane revolves around the running game.  Tyjae Spears was clearly the No.1 option, and other fantasy options to consider are QB Keon Howard, RB Amare Jones, and RB Cameron Carroll.
  • South Alabama:  Whatever momentum QB Desmond Trotter had created after Week 1 was lost in Saturday’s game against Tulane, when he was replaced by Chance Lovertich.  The fantasy value remains in RB Carlos Davis (16-82-1) and WRs Kawaan Baker (7-129-1) and Jalen Tolbert (6-114), who were both targeted 11 times against Tulane.   
  • Western Kentucky:  Louisville’s defense stuffed RB Gaej Waker (9-19-1), while QB Tyrrell Pigrome gained 68 yards on 17 rushing attempts.  As expected, WR Jahcour Pearson was targeted a team-high nine times.  

 

P5 Notes

  • Miami: In the Hurricanes 31-14 win over UAB on Thursday night, we got a glimpse of what to expect from QB D’Eriq King this year, as the graduate transfer threw for 141 yards and a TD, while adding 83 yards and a score on the ground.  Expect better numbers in the coming weeks as he gets comfortable in Rhett Lashlee’s offense.  RB Cameron Harris was the player of the game, running for 134 yards and two TDs.  He did leave the game late in the 4th quarter with a leg injury, but it doesn’t seem serious.  The Hurricanes don’t have to worry about depth issues at running back this year, as both true freshmen, Jaylan Knighton and Don Cheney Jr., impressed.  Mike Harley led all receivers with six targets and Harris was targeted fives times out of the backfield.  
  • Pitt:  As expected, Pitt had an easy time with Austin Peay in their 55-0 win.  Three different running backs had a rushing TD, but it was Vincent Davis who posted the best numbers, finishing with eleven carries for 43 yards and 2 TDs.  Freshman WR Jordan Addison was the most targeted receiver (8 times), but his seven receptions only resulted in 35 yards.  WR Taysir Mack was one of several players who did not play in the game.
  • Florida State:  Not a good showing from the Florida State’s offense in Mike Norvell’s first game as head coach.  La’Damian Webb was used most often in the running game, but only produced 39 yards on 13 carries.  RB Jashaun Corbin was targeted nine times and caught a team-high eight passes for 55 yards.  WR Tamorrion Terry was targeted 13 times, but only caught six of those passes for 52 yards.  QB Justin Blackman only completed 23-of-43 pass attempts and totaled 198 yards in the air with a TD and INT.
  • Georgia Tech:  Freshman QB Jeff Sims flashed his dual-threat ability in the Yellow Jackets’ Week 2 win over Florida State.  Sims threw for 277 yards and a TD, while leading the team with 64 yards on the ground.  WR Malachi Carter was targeted a team-high eight times and caught six passes for 66 yards and a TD.
  • West Virginia:  The Mountaineers had little trouble with Eastern Kentucky, as QB Jarret Doege threw for 228 yards and 3 TDs.  RBs Leddie Brown and Alec Sinkfield both ran for 123 yards and 2 TDs.  WRs Sam James and Bryce Ford-Wheaton caught TD passes and WR TJ Simmons missed the game due to disciplinary reasons.  
  • Syracuse:  It’s going to be a long year for the Orange offense if Tommy DeVito doesn’t improve as a passer.  He went 13-for-31 against UNC and finished with 112 yards passing.  Receiver Taj Harris was targeted 15 times, but only caught 5 passes for 64 yards.  In my opinion, Harris looked better and more dangerous when he lined up in the slot.  The running game was non-existent.  
  • North Carolina:  The Tar Heels’ offense came alive in the second half, as QB Sam Howell overcame two interceptions and finished 25-for-34 for 295 yards and a TD.  Michael Carter led the team in rushing with 78 yards, but it was Javonte Williams who looked the better fantasy asset, carrying the ball a team-high 14 times and scoring 3 TDs.  Dyami Brown led the team with 94 receiving yards and was targeted nine times.  Dazz Newsome was only targeted three times.
  • Iowa State:  Breece Hall carried the ball 20 times for 103 yards and a TD in the Cyclones’ 31-14 loss to Louisiana.  However, Brock Purdy had a surprisingly bad start to the year, completing only 16-of-35 passes and totaling 180 yards of offense.  WR Xavier Hutchinson caught 4 passes for 43 yards, but was targeted eleven times.  His final numbers aren’t going to draw any attention, but if he is going to be targeted that frequently, he could be a nice addition in deeper leagues.  However, keep in mind that the Cyclones were without their top receiving threat, TE Charlie Kolar.
  • Kansas State:  The Wildcats rotated Deuce Vaughn (12-47) and Harry Trotter (16-43) in the backfield.  Both scored a rushing touchdown, but neither was able to reach the 50-yard mark.
  • Kansas:  It seems as if Miles Kendrick separated himself from Thomas MacVittie in the Jayhawks’ QB competition, even though MacVittie was given the start.  Kansas looked so bad on offense that I have concerns for Pooka Williams’ fantasy owners.  He finished with 12 rushing attempts and wasn’t even targeted one time out of the backfield.  
  • Duke:  I think QB Chase Brice will find his way into some starting lineups this year, particularly in 2-QB leagues.  Against Notre Dame, he threw for 259 yards and scored a rushing touchdown.  TE Noah Gray and WR Jalon Calhoun were Brice’s top two targets.
  • Notre Dame:  Ian Book completed 19-of-31 passes for 263 yards and a TD in a 27-13 win over Duke.  The receiving group took another hit after Ben Skowronek left the game with a hamstring injury.  Braden Lenzy did not play and Kevin Austin will miss a few weeks with a foot injury.  RB Kyren Williams looked the real deal, carrying the ball 19 times for 112 yards and 2 TD, and added another 93 yards receiving. 
  • Clemson:  WR Amari Rodgers and TE Braden Galloway were the most targeted players in Saturday’s game at Wake Forest, and Rodgers’ numbers would have looked a lot better had he not dropped a 30-yd TD pass.  Supposedly, RB Lyn-J Dixon (knee) was cleared to play, but was held out for precautionary reasons.  
  • Wake Forest:  Christian Beal-Smith received more carries than Kenneth Walker III Saturday night.  Four receivers were targeted at least six times, Taylor Morin (10), Jaquarii Roberson (7), Donavon Greene (7), and AT Perry (6).  Morin led the group with 9 receptions for 93 yards and a TD.  
  • Oklahoma:  Tough to get a real feel for Oklahoma after a matchup against far inferior competition, but Rattler looked as advertised.  Seth McGowan and Marcus Major shared backfield duties, while TJ Pledger did not play.  McGowan may end up being top choice even after Pledger returns, and don’t forget that Rhmondre Stevenson will be back at some point.  As it stands now, I don’t think we’ll see a true workhorse back at OU with so many options available.  WR Charleston Rambo with a good start to the year, catching 4 passes for 80 yards and 2 TDs.
  • Texas Tech:  Four receivers were targeted at least seven times by QB Alan Bowman in the Red Raiders’ game against Houston Baptist (Carter-7, Vasher-10, Ezukanma-8, Rigdon-7), and it was Carter who had the most productive fantasy line (6-86-1).
  • Texas:  QB Sam Ehlinger did not have to do much with his legs, as he tossed 5 TD passes to five different receivers.  Joshua Moore (6-127-1) and Tarik Black (5-80-1) led all receivers with at least six targets each.  WR Jake Smith did not play due to a hamstring issue, but should be back for the next game in two weeks.  
  • Louisville:  It was nice to see QB Micale Cunningham get off to a fast start by throwing for 343 yards and accounting for 4 TDs (3pass, 1 run).  RB Javian Hawkins (19-71-1), WR Tutu Atwell (7-78), and WR Dez Fitzpatrick (4-110-1) looked as they did at the end of the 2019 season.