Week 3 Notes & Observations

 

Power 5

  • Pitt WR Jordan Addison caught 6 passes for 124 yards and 3 TDs in the Panthers’ 44-41 loss to Western Michigan.  He has caught 5 TD passes this year and has already surpassed his 2020 total of 4.
  • BC QB Dennis Grosel only completed 5-of-13 pass attempts against UMass and it seems TE Trae Barry and WR Zay Flowers might be more negatively impacted by Jurkovec’s absence than I anticipated.  
  • Oklahoma RB Kennedy Brooks has scored in three straight games and I maintain that he seems to be the better fantasy back than teammate Eric Gray.
  • Indiana TE Peyton Hendershot’s owners were getting concerned about his lack of targets over the Hoosiers’ first two games, but he caught 6 passes for 60 yards and a TD in Saturday’s loss to Cincinnati.
  • Michigan RBs Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins have both scored a TD in each of the Wolverines’ first three games.  Corum has scored 3 TDs in back-to-back games.
  • Kentucky giving up 23 points to Chattanooga was one of the surprises of the weekend, but RB Chris Rodriguez only producing 46 rushing yards was more of a shocker.  WR Wan’Dale Robinson has gone over 100 yards receiving in each of the Wildcats’ first three games.  
  • Texas A&M WR Ainias Smith left Saturday’s game in the first half with an injury, but HC Jimbo Fisher said he should be fine and was held out the second half for precautionary reasons.
  • Minnesota RB Trey Potts in his two starts since Mohamed Ibrahim’s injury: 60 carries for 299 yards and 5 TDs.
  • Kansas state RB Deuce Vaughn has rushed for at least 120 yards in each of the Wildcats’ first three games this year.  
  • Purdue WR David Bell left Saturday’s game against Notre Dame after taking a hard hit.  Hopefully, he will be cleared for next week’s game against Illinois.  Aidan O’Connell relieved starting QB Jack Plummer, but threw 2 INTs.  
  • I know fantasy owners are incredibly disappointed in QB DJ Uiagalelei, but I’m not sure you can jump ship right now, even though he has only accounted for 3 TDs in three games.  I thought this would be the week RB Kobe Pace would have a big game, but it was freshman Will Shipley, who may have just cemented himself atop the depth chart after rushing for 89 yards and 2 TDs against Georgia Tech.
  • Georgia Tech RB Jahmyr Gibbs is still without a TD this year, and the Yellow Jackets played Northern Illinois and Kennesaw State before Saturday’s matchup against Clemson.  Optimism fading fast.
  • Last year, Wake Forest WR Jaquarii Roberson averaged 6.8 catches and 99.4 yards per game last year.  Through three games this year, Roberson is averaging 4 catches and 51.3 yards per game.  RB Christian Beal-Smith has scored a TD in all three games this year.  
  • Baylor RB Abram Smith has rushed for at least 100 yards and a TD in each of the Bears’ first three games this year.
  • Is it safe to say the TreVeyon Henderson era has begun at Ohio State?  The way this year has started, nothing can be taken for granted, but it seems so.  How did Chris Olave finish the game without a catch?
  • Jaxson Dart replaced injured starter Kedon Slovis and went 30-of-46 for 391 yards and 4 TDs in USC’s 45-14 win at Washington State.  Slovis suffered a head/neck injury, but we do not yet know the severity.  I do not wish injury on anyone, but I’m not a big fan of Slovis after last year and wonder if we might be witnessing the start of Dart taking over at quarterback.
  • Florida TEs Keon Zipperer and Kemore Gamble did not have a catch in the Gators’ first two games, but the duo combined for 9 catches against Alabama.  Anthony Richardson did not take a snap, but I still think he’ll be the starter by the time Florida plays Georgia on Oct 30th.  
  • Duke RB Mataeo Durant had 22 carries for 102 yards and a TD, while adding 4 catches for 41 yards and a receiving TD, and is well on his way to a 200-plus carry season.
  • Cal RB Damien Moore has scored a rushing TD in three straight games.
  • Arkansas WR Treylon Burks finally came through for his fantasy owners (3-127-1), but it is concerning that he only caught 3 passes, one of which went for a 91-yard TD.
  • Mississippi State WR Jaden Walley has caught a TD pass in each of the Bulldogs’ first three games, while Makai Polk has caught at least 10 passes in two of three games.
  • Don’t be fooled by Washington’s win over Arkansas State.
  • Kevin Harris received most of the carries in the South Carolina backfield this week, but he could only total 31 yards on 16 carries.
  • In Utah’s 33-31 loss at San Diego State, starting QB Charlie Brewer was yanked for Cameron Rising. 
  • UNC RB Ty Chandler’s owners have to be relieved after his big game against Virginia.  This was a case where having patience with a player pays off.  You have to be careful not to jump ship too soon.
  • If you play in a keeper/dynasty league, go get Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter if he is still available.
  • I think LSU has finally found their RB in Corey Kiner.  
  • While Stanford RB Austin Jones (7-80) outrushed teammate Nathaniel Peat (5-51), it was Peat who once again found the end zone in the Cardinal’s win at Vanderbilt.  After scoring 9 TDs in 6 games last year, Jones has yet to score this season.
  • Ole Miss WR Dontario Drummond has caught a TD in all three of the Rebels’ games and teammates Jonathan Mingo and Braylon Sanders have scored in two of three games.
  • Texas freshman WR Xavier Worthy caught 7 passes for 88 yards and a TD against Rice.  I know it’s only Rice, but he is the best receiver on the roster and his role should only expand moving forward.
  • Playing without receivers Tay Martin and Jaden Bray, Oklahoma State rode RB Jaylen Warren (32-218-2) to a road win at Boise State.  He should be on everyone’s waiver radar.
  • Arizona WR Stanley Berryhill III caught 11 passes for 94 yards Saturday night, the second time this season he has hauled in double-digit receptions.  The Wildcats lost 21-19 to Northern Arizona and the offense cannot settle on a quarterback.  With the schedule that lies ahead, I think this would be a good time to sell high on Berryhill if you can make a roster adjustment through trading him.
  • After combining for 397 rushing yards and 6 TDs in UCLA’s first two games, RBs Zach Charbonnet and Britain Brown combined for 42 rushing yards against Fresno State Saturday night.

 

Group 5

  • In Thursday night’s game against Ohio, freshman RB Montrell Johnson was the main back around the goal line, scoring 4 TDs against the Bobcats, three of which were one-yard plunges.  
  • Ohio RB O’Shaan Allison definitely looks better than teammate De’Montre Tuggle, and I would not be surprised to see Allison continue to receive more touches than Tuggle.  WR Tyler Walton has caught at least 5 passes and a TD in back-to-back games.
  • UCF RB Isaiah Bowser seemed to have suffered a leg injury during Friday’s game at Louisville.  He left the game and later returned, so I feel optimistic about him returning for the Oct 2 game against Navy, following a bye week.  The outlook for UCF QB Dillon Gabriel isn’t as promising after he suffered a broken clavicle on the Knights’ final offensive snap of the game.  
  • On last week’s podcast I mentioned my concern about WMU QB Kaleb Eleby, but then he throws 3 TD passes in a 44-41 upset win at Pitt.  WR Skyy Moore returned and caught 11 passes for 124 yards and a TD. 
  • Just when we thought Reese White was cemented in that RB1 role for Coastal Carolina, Shermari Jones carried the ball 16 times for 149 yards and a TD against Buffalo, and given their depth at the position, it seems the offense may just roll with the hot hand every week.  
  • Kevin Marks’ fantasy owners can’t feel comfortable about Dylan McDuffie getting 15 carries for 92 yards and a TD against Coastal Carolina.  McDuffie has just as many TDs as Marks this year (3).
  • SMU WR Reggie Roberson’s final numbers against Louisiana Tech look good on paper (6-71-1), but catching the Hail Mary pass at the end of the game was a bit lucky, and I’m not convinced he’ll be the threat he once was, at least not this year at SMU.  
  • Louisiana Tech WR Tre Harris has caught a TD pass in back-to-back games.  
  • It feels like it’s time to move on from Eastern Michigan QB Preston Hutchinson, who was outplayed by Ben Bryant.  
  • Colorado State TE Trey McBride has topped the 100-yard mark in all three gams this year.
  • The core of Ball State’s MAC Championship team returned this year, but they do not look the same and QB Drew Plitt was yanked in the Cardinals’ 45-12 home loss to Wyoming.  WR Yo’Heinz Tyler caught 7 TDs in 7 games last year, and through 3 games this year, he has 7 catches for 55 yards and no TDs.
  • I cannot see a game on Memphis’ schedule where they’ll have a problem scoring, which is good news for owners of QB Seth Henigan, RB Brandon Thomas, and WR Calvin Austin.
  • Marshall RB Rasheen Ali with at least 3 rushing TDs in two of the last three games.  WR Corey Gammage has caught at least 7 passes in all three games this year.  QB Grant Wells has thrown for at least 330 yards in all three games this year.
  • FAU WR LaJohntay Wester has caught at least 7 passes for 100 yards and a TD in each of the Owls’ last two games.  
  • Houston QB Clayton Tune was injured in the Cougars’ game against Grambling and Ike Ogbogu came in and threw for 196 yards and 2 TDs, both to Nathaiel Dell.  RB Alton McCaskill has scored 5 TDs in the last two games.
  • Georgia State RB Destin Coates was benched after an early fumble and watched the last three quarters from the sidelines.  Tucker Gregg actually got the start at running back for the Panthers and he finished with 76 yards on 22 carries in the 20-9 win over Charlotte.
  • Utah State RB Calvin Tyler Jr. has scored a rushing TD in all three of the Aggies’ games this season.  Brandon Bowling has been the team’s second-best receiver over the past two games, catching 15 passes for 254 yards and 3 TDs.
  • Air Force RB Brad Roberts has totaled 20-plus rushing attempts in all three games this season.
  • It’s been a slow start for Rich Rodriguez’s offense at UL-Monroe.  Zero TDs and 4 FGs in a 12-7 win over Jackson State.
  • It was a disappointing week if you have South Alabama WR Jalen Tolbert.  Four turnovers nearly cost the Jaguars, who rode RB Kareem Walker (23-150-3) to a 28-21 win against Alcorn State.
  • Boise State RB George Holani did get utilized more against Oklahoma State, but he struggled, totaling only 28 yards on 12 carries.  I would assume many fantasy owners are ready to move on from Holani.
  • Fresno State receiver Jalen Cropper has become the first player in the country this year to score a TD in four consecutive games.  It’s time to take the Bulldogs serious after shutting down UCLA’s run game Saturday night.  The Bulldogs gave Oregon all they could handle two weeks ago.
  • There was no warning that San Jose State RB Tyler Nevens would not play against Hawaii.  The broadcast team didn’t even seem to know as they mentioned coaches were probably wanting to get Kairee Robinson going after a slow start this year. LOL.