Power 5
- Virginia WRs Malachi Fields and Malik Washington are averaging over 9 targets per game, and don’t expect things to change much with the Cavaliers likely playing from behind often.
- Florida State WR Keon Coleman did not have a catch against Boston College and was only targeted three times.
- Boston College QB Thomas Castellanos has rushed for at least 67 yards in each of the Eagles’ first three games.
- Missouri WR Luther Burden has caught at least 7 passes in each of the Tigers’ first three games and is averaging 109.0 receiving yards per game.
- After three games, it is difficult to make a case to start either of the Kansas State RBs, DJ Giddens and Treshaun Ward.
- It seems as if Reggie Love III has separated himself from Josh McCray in the Illinois backfield.
- Louisville WR Jamari Thrash has scored in all three games this year and is averaging 23.5 yards per catch. RB Jawhar Jordan has scored in all three games and is averaging 114.7 yards per game on the ground.
- If you were fortunate enough to get a 12-82-2 performance out of Baylor RB Richard Reese in Dominic Richardson’s absence, then your patience was rewarded, but I believe he is an easy sell now, especially after freshman RB Dawson Pendergrass’ 21-111-1 stat line on Saturday.
- Utah QB Nate Johnson had 16 rush attempts against Weber State, and he has a rushing TD in all three games this year.
- As long as Notre Dame RB Audric Estime avoids any fumbling issues, he’s on his way to a big year.
- Duke RB Jordan Waters has scored 2 TDs in back-to-back games and has scored in all three games this year.
- Minnesota RB Darius Taylor seems cemented as the Gophers’ RB1 after another heavy workload, as he carried the ball 22 times for 138 yards and a TD in Saturday’s 31-13 loss at North Carolina.
- After convincing wins over South Carolina and Minnesota, I think it is time to take North Carolina serious as an ACC contender. I am up in the air on whether or not WR Nate McCollum’s 15-catch performance was a one-week thing or a sign of what’s to come.
- After back-to-back impressive outings (28-165-1 and 16-143-3), Kyle Monangai seems cemented as Rutgers’ RB1.
- In his first game action this year, Dijon Edwards carried the ball 20 times for 118 yards and a TD against South Carolina. I am not expecting that workload to be consistent throughout the year.
- I am expecting South Carolina WR Antwane Wells to miss a significant amount of time, which makes Xavier Legette an attractive fantasy option in the coming weeks.
- I am not sure what to make of the Oklahoma running back rotation after Tawee Walker did not get a rushing attempt in Saturday’s 66-17 win over Tulsa. Jovantae Barnes’ numbers were impressive, but I cannot say the same about Gavin Sawchuk.
- I know that Ty Buchner and Ty Simpson got their shots at leading the Alabama offense in not-so-favorable conditions, but Buchner looked terrible, and I think we see Jalen Milroe again next week.
- With Chip Trayanum in the Ohio State RB rotation, I don’t think Miyan Williams is a fantasy option right now.
- With two good running backs, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Florida ride the hot hand on a week-to-week basis.
- After three weeks, Tennessee does not have a 100-yard receiving game from one of their receivers.
- After three games, the Blake Corum-Donovan Edwards situation is a replay of the 2022 season.
- Kentucky RB Ray Davis has two multiple-TD games this year and has scored in each of the Wildcats’ first three games.
- LJ Martin seems to have solidified his spot atop the BYU RB depth chart after his 23-770-2 performance at Arkansas.
- Georgia Tech WR Eric Singleton Jr. has caught a TD pass in each of the Yellow Jackets’ first three games.
- Clemson RB Will Shipley had 15 rushing TDs last year, and through three games of the 2023 season, he does not have a rushing TD. Teammate Phil Mafah has three rushing TDs.
- After being targeted 18 times in the first two games of the year, Stanford tight end Benjamin Yurosek was only targeted twice in Saturday’s loss against Sacramento State.
- After Saturday’s loss to TCU, Houston head coach Dana Holgorsen suggested he will consider changes on offense after an ‘embarrassing’ showing. QB Donovan Smith owners, you have been warned. Smith was 17-of-35 for 225 yards and 2 INTs, and he was sacked six times.
For additional insight, check out the Week 3 Podcast
Group 5
- Memphis RB Blake Watson has caught at least 4 passes in each of the Tigers’ first three games.
- True freshman QB McCae Hillstead came on in Utah State’s 39-21 loss at Air Force and completed 18-of-27 yards for 202 yards and 3 TDs.
- Air Force RB Owen Burk has carried the ball at least 15 times in the last two games and scored a TD in 2 of 3 games this year. FB Emmanuel Michel had 28 rush attempts for 106 yards and 3 TDs against Utah State, and that kind of workload is certainly noteworthy.
- Kent State RB Gavin Garcia should have some value in MAC play (21-125-2 vs. Central Connecticut State).
- It is a little worrisome that Ohio RB Sieh Bangura has received fewer carries (31) over the last two weeks than teammate O’Shaan Allison (35).
- Still no definitive word on Boise State RB George Holani’s injury, so I would advise not starting him until he actually plays.
- Old Dominion WR Javon Harvey had 3 catches for 166 yards and a TD against Wake Forest, but I would be hesitant to start him until he gives us consistent production, which creates a dilemma for fantasy owners next week with the Monarchs hosting Texas A&M-Commerce. I would feel more comfortable starting QB Grant Wilson next week.
- After starting the 2023 season with road games at Kentucky and Georgia, Ball State RB Marquez Cooper looks ready for MAC play after his 12-177-1 game against Indiana State.
- After receiving 224 rush attempts last year, fantasy owners of Eastern Michigan RB Samson Evans have to feel disappointed that he had fewer rushing attempts than teammate Jaylon Jackson on Saturday against UMass.
- An impressive start for Appalachian State RB Nate Noel, who has carried the ball at least 24 times in every game, and has gone over 100 yards and scored a TD in all three games this year.
- FIU WR Kris Mitchell has caught a TD pass in three straight games going into Saturday’s matchup against Liberty.
- Tulane WR Jha’Quan Jackson has caught a TD pass in each of the Green Wave’s first three games.
- Georgia State RB Marcus Carroll has carried the ball at least 20 times in each of the Panthers’ first three games. Robert Lewis is making up for the loss of Jamari Thrash as the team’s WR1. He is averaging 115.7 receiving yards per game and has caught a TD pass in all three games.
- North Texas WR Ja’Mori Maclin has caught a TD pass in each of the Mean Green’s first three games.
- SMU RBs Jaylan Knighton and Velton Gardner were suspended for the Prairie View A&M game for failing to go to class during the week.
- Miami (OH) WR Gage Larvadain continues to impress with 2 TD receptions in the Redhawks’ 31-24 win at Cincinnati.
- Middle Tennessee WR DJ England-Chisolm might be one week away from his fantasy owners jumping ship. The Blue Raiders have had tough games against Alabama and Missouri, but he’s only averaging 4 targets per game.
- Supposedly, FAU RB Larry McCammon was dressed for Saturday’s game at Clemson, but did not play.
- If Wyoming RB Harrison Waylee is available, go scoop him up. Waylee made his return on Saturday and finished 18-110-1 on the road at Texas.
- New Mexico RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt has scored a rushing TD in each of the Lobos’ first three games.
- I am having second thoughts about Texas State WR Ashtyn Hawkins’ fantasy value this year. The Bobcats spread it around and there does not seem to be a clear-cut WR1 in that offense right now.
- Lost in all of the Colorado hype was the performance of freshman quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, who completed 34-of-47 passes for 367 yards and 3 TDs in the Rams’ 43-35 2OT loss.
- Fresno State WR Erik Brooks has caught at least 8 passes in each of the Bulldogs’ first three games. He’s averaging 13 targets per game.
