Below is our game-by-game previews on which players should be considered on your roster as well as which players you may want to stay away from.
south Carolina At Georgia
Kickoff: 6:00 PM EST
Spread: Georgia -16.5
O/U: 52.5
South Carolina
Team Expected Points- 18.75
South Carolina suffered a devastating injury to Connor Mitch who separated his shoulder last week and is out for the season. Perry Orth takes over for Mitch. While Orth was decent in replacement of Mitch, he was facing Kentucky. This week’s matchup is much more difficult, and in this 13 game slate there are better options than taking someone from South Carolina.
Georgia
Team Expected Points- 35.25
RB- Nick Chubb- $10,000
Analysis: Yes he is expensive, but this is a South Carolina football team that allowed 5.4 yards per carry to Kentucky and 6.3 yards per carry to North Carolina. Statistically this season they have one of the worst run defenses in the country averaging 207.5 rushing yards allowed per game. Nick Chubb is one of the best running backs in the nation, and should be in consideration every week.
Recommendation: Chubb is a player who you can safely use in both cash games and GPP’s.
Texas Tech at Arkansas
Kickoff: 7:00 PM EST
Spread: Arkansas -11.5
O/U: 70.5
Texas Tech
Team Expected Points- 29.25
WR: Devin Lauderdale- $5,800
Analysis:
Lauderdale had a very disappointing game in week two as he only caught two passes for 45 yards and a touchdown. The good news was that Texas Tech won the game 69-20 and the game was really never in question. Lauderdale showed that he should be considered as the number two wide receiver based on his work in week one when he had a monster game of 8 catches for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns. Arkansas’ defense is one of the better one’s in the country, but Texas Tech is largely matchup proof and should be able to get Lauderdale the ball.
Recommendation:
Lauderdale should be considered for both cash games and GPP’s as with the amount of volume that Texas Tech throws the ball, he provides some nice salary relief.
Arkansas
Team Expected Points- 40.75
RB- Alex Collins- $8,600
Analysis:
Texas Tech has allowed 227 yards rushing to UTEP and 317 yards rushing to Sam Houston State. We have Collins projected for 150 yards and 1.8 touchdowns, and he should be one of the safest plays of the day as Texas Tech has shown an inability to stop teams from running all over them. Bret Bielema has been criticized immensely for not running the ball as much as expected in a loss to Toledo to week, so we fully expect that he will use Collins early and often in this run heavy offense.
Recommendation:
Collins is right up there with Chubb as one of the top plays of the slate at running back. There is a little bit of concern with his offensive line, but he still is in an offense that is built around the run and facing a team that can’t stop it.
QB- Brandon Allen- $8,700
Analysis:
Brandon Allen through the ball 53 times last game which we are not sure we have ever seen a quarterback in a Bret Bielema offense throw the ball this much. He is likely going to be forced to continue to throw as the Razorbacks are facing a solid offense in the Texas Tech Red Raiders. With the over under set at 70.5 Vegas assumes that this is going to be a shootout. There is some concern as Bret Bielema was under some heavy scrutiny for not running the ball more last week, so we wouldn’t be surprised if Allen’s passing totals came down significantly especially if Arkansas is able to establish the run early. He will see a downgrade due to Keon Hatcher his #1 receiver being out for this game.
Recommendation:
Allen is a little bit too expensive to be safely used, but he is a gpp play due to his ability for this game to get into a shootout.
TE- Hunter Henry- $3,200
Analysis:
With Keon Hatcher being out for this game, Hunter Henry the tight end likely becomes the main target for Brandon Allen. Henry had 8 catches for 117 yards last game, and if this game is like the last one, he will see a heavy volume of receptions this week.
Recommendation:
Hunter Henry is the top tight end on this slate, use him in all of your cash games and GPP’s.
Colorado at colorado state
Kickoff: 7:00 PM EST
Spread: Colorado -3
O/U: 57
Colorado
Team Expected Points- 30.5
WR- Nelson Spruce - $8,500
Analysis:
Last year there may not have been a better wide receiver than Nelson Spruce, so far this year he has not lived up to expectations largely due to Sefo Liufau having an underwhelming start to the year.
Recommendation:
Spruce is too expensive to be used in anything except a GPP as he is just not performing at the level that we saw last season. He still has the upside that could allow him to go off in this game, but it is just hard to trust after the inconsistency at auarterback this season.
Colorado State-
Team Expected Points- 26.5
Due to the pricing of Colorado State players, there is no one that can be safely used this week.
Cal at texas
Kickoff: 7:30 PM EST
Spread: Cal -7
O/U: 58
Cal
Team Expected Points- 32.25
RB- Vic Enwere- $4,500
Analysis:
While Cal is the favorite in this game, they are overpriced considering they are typically scoring 40+ points per game and are priced that way. One situation to watch is Daniel Lasco’s injury situation, if he is unable to go Enwere becomes a very solid option. Last week Enwere had 5 carries for 33 yards and a touchdown, he is a big bruising back weighing in at 230 pounds and should see a heavy workload if Lasco is out.
Recommendation:
He is a solid punt play if Lasco is out for both GPP’s and cash games.
Texas
Team Expected Points 25.25
QB- Jerrod Heard- $7,000
Analysis:
In case you missed it last week, there is a new quarterback for the Longhorns. His name is Jerrod Heard and he is electric when he runs with the football. Last week he had 10 carries for 96 yards, and is not afraid to tuck it and run it which is great for fantasy. His passing ability is still a work in progress, as he only threw the ball 7 times last week although the game was against Rice in which Texas most likely knew they were able to run the ball and win the game.
Recommendation:
Heard is the top punt option on the slate, as he has the ability to change the game with his feet. He is a great option if you’re looking to have two top running backs in this slate.
RB- Johnathan Gray- $5,900
Analysis:
Johnathan Gray is an enigma that is difficult to figure out. He is a player who had a great game against Notre Dame, but only had 8 carries averaging 5 yards per carry. He has a ton of talent, and is in one of the best matchups of the year as the Cal defense was the worst defense in the country last year, but the challenge is will he receive enough carries to make value.
Recommendation:
Johnathan is a GPP play this week, as he can easily be a value play if he gets 15 carries against an awful Cal defense. His price is great as a RB2, but be careful to not use him everywhere due to sometimes his carries get limited.
Florida at kentucky
Kickoff: 7:30 PM EST
Spread: Florida -3
O/U: 52
Florida
Team Expected Points- 27.5
Florida moves the ball around too much for our liking as they’re still trying to identify their offense under new coach Jim McElwain, on a 14 game slate there are better options.
Kentucky
Team Expected Points- 24.5
Kentucky has built their team off their run game, which unfortunately for them is one of the biggest strengths for the Florida team as they have only allowed a total of 51 yards over their first two games.
Pitt at Iowa
Kickoff: 8:00 PM EST
Spread: Iowa -5.5
O/U: 47
Pitt
Team Expected Points- 20.75
Iowa is one of the slowest paced offenses as well as one of the best defenses in the country. There are better options than Pitt this week
Iowa
Team Expected Points- 26.25
RB- Jordan Canzeri- $6,500
Analysis:
The Iowa running back situation cleared up a little bit as Leshun Daniels went down with injury. Canzeri had a great game last week when he had 124 yards rushing, and has had over 100 yards rushing+receiving in each of his two games thus far this season. Pitt defense is largely untested but did allow 37 points to Youngstown State including a running back who had over 100 yards rushing.
Recommendation:
Canzeri makes for a great play this week, as he is going to be the bell-cow running back who should see a significant number of carries. He can be used in both cash and GPP, although makes for a better cash game play due to being in a volume based running game.
Rutgers at Penn State
Kickoff: 8:00 PM EST
Spread: Penn State -9
O/U: 46
Rutgers-
Team Expected Points- 18
With Rutgers being a complete train-wreck at the current moment with the loss of Leonte Carroo this is a situation that is best avoided.
Penn State
Team Expected Points- 27
Penn State players are overpriced in this matchup, and we are not recommending any players in this game.
SMU At TCU
Kickoff: 8:00 PM EST
Spread: TCU -38
O/U: 66.5
SMU-
Team Expected Points- 14.25
Any team who is expected to score only 14 points should be avoided in both cash and GPP games. This game could get ugly quick.
TCU-
Team expected points- 52.25
WR- Kolby Listenbee-$5,900
Analysis:
It is always difficult to recommend a player in a game that is going to be a blowout, but in a 70-7 win last week, Listenbee had 6 catches for 142 yards and a touchdown. He is one of the fastest players in college football and should be able to catch a long pass or two in order to pay off the value.
Recommendation:
Since this game is a potential blowout, Listenbee should only be considered in a GPP format, as it is always difficult to pick who is going to perform well in these blowout games.
Stanford At USC
Kickoff: 8:00 PM EST
Spread: USC -9.5
O/U: 50.5
Stanford
Team Expected Points-20.75
QB- Kevin Hogan- $7,200
Analysis:
Kevin Hogan is one of the more frustrating quarterbacks in college football mostly due to inconsistency. In week one he had an awful game against Northwestern and rebounded with an absolutely terrific game in week two against UCF. USC is a very difficult matchup, but it is one that if Stanford stands any chance at winning this game Hogan will have to be the key to their success.
Recommendation:
Hogan is a great option as a GPP play if you’re looking to punt at the quarter back position.
USC:
Team Expected Points- 30.25
WR: Juju Smith-Schuster- $8,100
Analysis:
If you haven’t seen Juju play, he is the next Robert Woods, Marqise Lee, Nelson Agholor. It seems that USC just finds another guy who is one of the best wide receivers in college football. Smith-Schuster is no different. He is a guy who has electrifying speed. He had 10 catches 192 yards and 2 touchdowns last week. While he is facing a much more difficult defense that will look to take him out of this game, he is one of the top wide receiving options on this slate because of his pure talent.
Recommendation:
Use Juju in GPP’s as he is someone that has that boom/bust type capability. Stanford has a traditionally strong defense, so it is anything but a guarantee that Juju will repeat last week’s performance.
Wyoming at Washington State
Kickoff: 8:30 PM EST
Spread: Washington State -24.5
O/U: 66
Wyoming
Team Expected Points-18.25
TE- Jacob Hollister- $2,000
Analysis
Jacob Hollister is not a great player, but he is a pure punt play as he is likely to have a 2-3 catches for 20 yards in this game.
Recommendation:
If you’re looking to punt at the tight end position, he is a minimum priced tight end who should see a few catches which is all you can expect from someone at this price. He is not recommended unless you’re stuck on just trying to save salary
Washington State
Team Expected Points- 42.75
QB- Luke Falk- $9,800
Analysis:
It felt good to see the Washington State offense get back on track last week after a horrible week one in what was poor weather. Luke Falk put up the stats that you typically expect from a Washington State quarterback as he had 478 yards passing and 4 touchdowns last week against Rutgers. Wyoming gave up 48 points last week against Eastern Michigan allowing 330 yards passing to a quarterback making his first career start. This sets up very well for Falk to have another monster game.
Recommendation:
He isn’t cheap, but if you’re looking to pay up for consistency he is a great one to pay for. He is the safest player on the field and should very easily put up 400+ yards with several touchdowns. His upside is not great due to the potential for a blowout as well as a lack of running ability, but he makes for a great cash game play.
WR- Gabe Marks- $7,000
Analysis:
Gabe Marks is one of the most consistent wide receivers in college football. He is the definition of a volume receiver, which is great for fantasy purposes. Last week he had 14 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown. We have already talked about the great matchup that Washington State has, and Marks is a guy who will receive the most targets on this team.
Recommendation:
Marks is our favorite wide receiver on this team in this game, as he is the most consistent, he may not have as much upside as River Cracraft or Dom Williams, but if you can take a guaranteed 15-20 points you take it and move on. He makes for a great cash game play.
WR- River Cracraft- $6,500
Analysis:
Cracraft is a great receiving option in this slate, as while he is not as safe as Marks, he does have the same amount of upside due to his ability to get into the end zone.
Recommendation: If you are looking to differentiate yourself go with Cracraft, as he had some monster games last year, and has an opportunity to have a large role in this offense this week. Marks is still the preferred play, but Cracraft is a great GPP play.
Mississippi At Alabama
Kickoff: 9:15 PM EST
Spread: Alabama -7
O/U: 53
Mississippi-
Team Expected Points- 23
QB- Chad Kelly- $7,800
Analysis:
This is going to sound crazy that we are even talking about recommending a quarterback against Alabama. It most likely is crazy but Ole Miss refuses to run the ball, and won’t even try this week as Alabama may have one of the best front 7’s in the country. Chad Kelly has shown that he is a stud of a quarterback, and has the receivers that can hurt Alabama. Remember Bo Wallace’s big game last year? We aren’t calling it, but Kelly has an opportunity to have a big game against Alabama.
Recommendation:
Kelly is a deep GPP play only
Alabama:
Team Expected Points- 30
RB- Derrick Henry- $8,300
Analysis:
Derrick Henry has been extremely impressive so far this year. He has 6 touchdowns so far in just two games, and while he is facing one of the best defenses in the nation in Mississippi, Henry has the ability to be matchup proof due to his size/speed combination that is so rare in college football.
Recommendation:
Henry is a GPP play only. If we are going to recommend spending on a running back, it would be Chubb, Collins or Booker.
BYU at UCLA
Kickoff: 10:30 PM EST
Spread: UCLA -16.5
O/U: 60
BYU-
Team Expected Points: 21.75
UCLA has one of the best defenses in the country lead by Myles Jack who will be a first round draft pick next year at linebacker. BYU lost their quarterback Taysom Hill and has had quite a bit of luck including two Hail Mary’s to stay undefeated. Their luck runs out this week as they face a team that is just too talented for BYU.
UCLA-
Team Expected Points: 38.25
RB- Paul Perkins- $8,400
Analysis:
Paul Perkins finished with 1,575 yards in what was largely unnoticed due to Bret Hundley being the star of the team last year. This year, this team is going to need Perkins to step up in big games as they have a true freshman quarterback in Josh Rosen. Traditionally BYU has had a good run defense, and so far this season they’re off to a great start, but Perkins is also effective in the passing game as he has 7 catches so far this season.
Recommendation:
Perkins is expensive, so he is not the best option for cash games due to facing a tough defense, but he is a great GPP play as he’ll be under-owned but has the upside to go off at any moment.
WR- Jordan Payton- $6,800
Recommendation:
Payton is a guy who had almost 1,000 yards last year, and while he is off to a relatively slow start, much of that has not been his fault. He was taken out of the game by a great Virginia defense, and the UNLV game was never really close. BYU should be able to keep the game close for a while, which should help Payton see some additional targets.
Analysis:
Payton is a GPP play as he is someone who has a boom/bust skill set. Josh Rosen has been great so far this year, but that also means he is distributing the ball around to different wide receivers, which means that Payton will be inconsistent for the time being.
Utah at Fresno State
Kickoff: 10:30 PM EST
Spread: Utah -14
O/U: 53
Utah-
Team Expected Points- 33.5
RB- Devontae Booker- $9,800
Analysis-
Chubb, Collins, Booker make for a great slate, but choosing the running back is going to be difficult. Booker is in a great spot, as Fresno State allowed 73 points last week against Ole Miss. If you’re into Narratives, Booker has a great one, as he was originally committed to Fresno State out of high school, but due to academic issues he was unable to enroll at Fresno State. He is going to be looking for revenge, and is one of the best backs in the country so should be able to do whatever he wants against the Fresno State team.
Recommendation:
If we had to rank them, we would rank them Chubb, Booker, Collins as there is some risk in Collins based on the number of times that they threw the ball last week. You really can’t go wrong with any of these players, and Booker makes for a great GPP play as he’ll likely be one of the lower owned guys due to him being on the west coast compared to two SEC running backs.
Fresno State
Team Expected Points- 19.5
TE- Chad Olsen- $2,200
Analysis-
Chad Olsen is a guy who is consistent but also has the ability to get into the end zone which is a great ability for a cheap tight end. He already has two touchdowns in this young season, and the Sophmore is showing great strides compared to last season where he only had 15 catches. He is going to be a great tight end and has the size to be a great red zone threat.
Recommendation:
He’s still young, which can lead to inconsistency, but he is our favorite punt play if you elect to not go with Hunter Henry.