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Air Force AT MICHIGAN STATE
Game Recap: With Air Force crowding the line and daring the Spartans to beat them through the air, Connor Cook and Aaron Burbridge did just that. The Spartans led 28-7 at half and cruised to a 35-21 victory.
Key Players: Connor Cook threw for 247 yards and 4 touchdowns on 15-of-23 passing. Over half of the receptions were pulled in by star wideout Aaron Burbridge who had a huge day (8-156-3). TE Josiah Price had only one catch, but it was for 5 yards and a touchdown. The Spartans potent ground game was surprisingly held in check with Madre London (17 carries for 40 yards) and LJ Scott (11 carries for 23 yards) unable to get anything at all going.
Injuries: None
Players to Watch: Burbridge has put up 100+ yards and at least one touchdown in all 3 games this season. He is emerging as the top fantasy WR on the team (and in the B1G conference). The lack of production on the ground in Week 3 was somewhat concerning, but shouldn't be much of an issue going forward. The bigger concern is the continued ~50/50 split between Madre London and LJ Scott. If the split usage continues, it's hard to trust either as anything more than a risky GPP play.
Northern Illinois AT OHIO STATE
Game Recap: The Buckeyes rode a dominant defense (and defensive touchdown) to an ugly 20-13 win over NIU. It was one of the worst offensive performances of Urban Meyer's four seasons in Columbus.
Key Players: After receiving a vote of confidence despite a rough outing against Hawaii in Week 2, Cardale Jones was abysmal with 2 interceptions and a fumbled exchange with Ezekiel Elliott led Meyer to bench Jones in the 2nd quarter. He was 4-for-9 for 36 yards on the day. J.T. Barett came in and arguably played even worse. He was indecisive and regularly missed wide-open receivers on what should have been easy throws. He ended the day with 11-for-19 passing for 1 touchdown and one interception. It is unclear who will get the nod in Week 4, but even if a starter is named, Meyer has shown he is more than willing to make a change mid-game. Ezekiel Elliott found little room to operate and rushed for only 108 yards on 13 carries. #1 WR Michael Thomas had 3 catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. Braxton Miller was held without a catch and rushed for only 7 yards on 4 carries.
Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: Ezekiel Elliott has yet to explode for a game but has hit 100 yards rushing in all 3 games and has 5 touchdowns on the season. He has yet to really break out though and is probably due for a 200+ yard rushing game sometime soon. Maybe in Week 4 as the Buckeyes are again favored by more than 4 touchdowns. The Buckeyes QB situation is a mess right now and is risky as anything other than a GPP contrarian play. Michael Thomas is the top WR, but hasn't been targeted enough to trust as a fantasy option.
UNLV AT MICHIGAN
Game Recap: The Wolverines entered as 5 touchdown favorites and sleepwalked their way to a 28-7 victory.
Key Players: After a monster performance against Oregon State in Week 2, De'Veon Smith looked like he had locked up the role of workhorse RB in the Michigan offense. He caught a 5-yard touchdown early, but was otherwise sluggish and gained only 39 yards on 13 carries despite the incredibly favorable matchup on paper. Meanwhile, backup Ty Isaac shined with 8 carries for 114 yards, including a 76-yard touchdown. QB Jake Rudock was awful and threw his 6th interception of the season and only had 123 yards passing. Amara Darboh (4-34-0) and Jake Butt (2-14-0) suffered from Rudock's poor play and the fact that Michigan jumped out to a 21-0 first half lead.
Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: Butt will be a decent option at tight end and should be more involved in a toss-up game against BYU. The backfield situation looked clear after Week 2, but is once again muddy. Smith is still probably the lead back, but Ty Isaac and Drake Johnson (recently returned from a torn ACL) could end up forcing a RBBC. The RB position should be avoided for now.
Nebraska at Miami
Game Recap: Miami was cruising midway through the 4th quarter with a 33-10 lead before Nebraska mounted a crazy comeback. Tommie Armstrong threw 3 touchdown passes in the final 8 minutes (and converted a pair of 2-point attempts) to tie the game at 33 and force overtime. Unfortunately, he threw is 3rd interception of the game on the first play of overtime and Miami kicked a field goal for the win.
Key Players: Tommy Armstrong threw for 309 yards and 4 touchdowns to go along with 3 interceptions. He also added 49 yards on the ground on 11 carries. It was an uneven performance but he is becoming a very dangerous passer. Terrell Newby was held to 82 yards rushing on 14 carries and added 4 receptions for 16 yards. Top WR Jordan Westerkamp had another good game with 5 catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Reilly (4-83-1) and Stanley Morgan Jr. (4-78-1) also had solid outings.
Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: Armstrong is averaging 300 yards and 3 touchdowns per game passing. It was encouraging to finally see him take off with the ball a few times in Week 3. He will be a strong play against Southern Miss. next week. Newby is the clear #1 runner and is also a strong fantasy option going forward. Westerkamp is a safe week-to-week option as the top target and Brandon Reilly is also worth watching due to his near-minimum pricing in recent weeks.
WESTERN KENTUCKY AT INDIANA
Game Recap: Indiana rode a balanced offensive attack to a 38-35 win in yet another shootout victory. Indiana trailed 28-17 at half but then outscored WKU 21-0 in the 3rd quarter and held on to win.
Key Players: Transfer Jordan Howard is blossoming into a star. He rushed for 155 of his 203 yards in the 2nd half. Howard also caught 3 passes for another 38 yards. He was held without a touchdown though as backup runner Devine Redding (23-79-1) gets many of the red zone opportunities. Nate Sudfeld was an efficient 20-for-27 passing for 355 yards and 3 touchdowns. His top receiver for the third straight week was Ricky Jones (5-126-1) who is emerging as one of the bigger playmakers in the Big Ten conference. Simmie Cobbs (3-50-1) and Mitchell Paige (2-41-1) are the other two main options for Sudfeld.
Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: Howard will be one of the top options most weeks. After a 3 touchdown performance Week 1, he has been held out of the end zone despite putting up over 400 yards of offense the past two weeks. Ricky Jones is one of the top receiving options in the Big 10 and is a good bet to average 100 yards and almost a touchdown per game this season.
NORTHWESTERN AT DUKE
Game Recap: The Wildcats pulled off the 19-10 road upset despite a rough outing from freshman QB Clayton Thorson (making his first road start). The formula for Northwestern is simple; play great defense and run the ball. The Wildcats rushed 54 times for 201 yards and returned a kickoff for a touchdown while limiting the Duke offense to only 150 yards passing on 39 attempts.
Key Players: Justin Jackson had a whopping 35 carries for 120 yards and added a couple receptions for 18 yards as well. Backup Warren Long only carried twice, but busted off a 55-yard touchdown on one of the two carries. Thorson was awful with 70 yards and 2 interceptions on 9-for-23 passing.
Injuries: None
Players to Watch: Justin Jackson is the textbook definition of a workhorse back and is a safe bet for 25+ carries every week. He is averaging less than 4 yards per carry and has only scored once though. He has one cupcake matchup next week before facing some of the B1G's top defenses to start October.
PITTSBURGH AT IOWA
Game Recap: Kicker Marshall Koehn nailed a 57-yard game-winning field goal as time expired to lead Iowa to a 27-24 win over Pittsburgh. Iowa stifled Pitt's powerful rush offense and C.J. Beathard did just enough on offense to squeak out the close win.
Key Players: C.J. Beathard rushed for 39 yards and a score and threw for 258 yards and an interception. LeShun Daniels Jr. was less than 100% and had only 17 yards on 9 carries. Backup Jordan Canzeri received a heavier workload than normal and capitalized with 49 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns along with 7 catches for 30 yards. Top wideouts Tevaun Smith (3-73-0) and Matt VandeBerg (7-45-0) had relatively quiet days.
Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: The Hawkeyes will be huge home favorites against North Texas next week and Canzeri could be a solid play. The Hawkeyes may want to rest Daniels with his lingering injury and a huge matchup with Wisconsin looming, so Canzeri should see a heavy workload.
Troy AT WISCONSIN
Game Recap: Wisconsin was sluggish but never really challenged by their Sun Belt foe in cruising to a 28-3 win.
Key Players: Joel Stave threw for 202 yards and a touchdown on only 17 attempts and also added a rare rushing touchdown. Top receiver Alex Erickson caught 3 passes for 87 yards. Taiwan Deal (16-84-0) and Dare Ogunbowale (14-75-1) were both solid. But this is the type of opponent Wisconsin usually racks up 350+ rushing yards against and they only managed 199 as a team. The Badgers running game remains a major work in progress.
Injuries: Corey Clement remains out with a groin injury and is expected to return in time for a key division game 10/3 against Iowa. He is questionable for next week and even if he returns probably wouldn't see a heavy workload.
Players to Watch: It's hard to trust either Deal or Ogunbowale next week with the pair splitting carries and the Wisconsin rushing offense performing below expectations. Corey Clement will be an option every week once he returns in earnest on 10/3, but he probably won't meet the lofty expectations he had entering the season behind this mediocre offensive line.
ILLINOIS AT NORTH CAROLINA
Game Recap: After blowing out a pair of subpar opponents, the Illini received a wakeup call at the hands of the Tar Heels. UNC dominated the entire way and routed Illinois 48-14.
Key Players: Wes Lunt threw for only 140 yards and no touchdowns but much of the lack of passing succss can be put at the feet of the receivers who dropped at least 6 catchable throws (including a pair of potential touchdowns). Josh Ferguson ran hard and put up 133 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Freshman backup Ke'Shawn Vaughn had 13 carries for 51 yards. Top WR Geronimo Allison was quiet with 4 catches for 53 yards. Marchie Murdock has emerged as the 2nd option in the passing game and added 7 catches for 49 yards.
Injuries: None. WR Justin Hardee will see his first action of the season soon and should instantly be one of the top WRs.
Players to Watch: Ferguson will remain a solid weekly option against all but the best B1G defenses. Wes Lunt and Geronimo Allison have one more favorable matchup (Middle Tennessee State) before Big Ten play begins, but will be tough to trust after that.
Kent State at Minnesota
Game Recap: The Gophers squeaked by Kent State 10-7. This is the same Kent State team that Illinois hammered 52-3 a couple weeks ago. Major red flags going forward for this Minnesota offense that put together one of its worst performances in recent memory.
Key Players: Rodney Smith rushed 30 times but was only able to manage 73 yards. He did add 24 yards on 4 receptions. Mitch Leidner was brutal, throwing a pair of interceptions and managing only 184 yards. The only touchdown of the day was made by top WR KJ Maye (2-24-1).
Injuries:
Players to Watch: The struggles on offense are real, but Rodney Smith's 34 touches in the latest game make him an intriguing option next week against Ohio and going forward. The Gophers pass game can safely be ignored. The Gophers will try to ride Smith and one of the league's best defenses to victories.
South Florida AT MARYLAND
Game Recap: Maryland overcame a raft of turnovers to comfortably top USF 35-17.
Key Players: Caleb Rowe made his first start of the season and threw for 297 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also threw 3 interceptions and fumbled 3 times (though Maryland recovered all 3). Brandon Ross ran 18 times for only 68 yards in what should have been a favorable matchup. Top WR Levern Jacobs racked up 107 yards on 8 catches.
Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: The Terrapins face a long string of tough defenses over the next month and are likely to struggle. Levern Jacobs is the only player even worth considering (and only if the price is very attractive).
Rutgers at Penn State
Game Recap: The Nittany Lions rode a dominant defense and strong rushing attack to an easy 28-3 win over Rutgers in the Big Ten Conference opener. PSU struggled again passing but it didn't matter as their top 2 backs combined for over 300 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns. Rutgers was unable to run the ball with any success and QB Chris Laviano was constantly harassed and unable to get anything going. With head coach Kyle Flood and star WR Leonte Carroo both suspended, Rutgers is in disarray.
Key Players: True freshman PSU runner Saquon Barkley emerged with a huge 4th quarter in Week 2 and picked up right where he left off with 21 carries for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns. Akeel Lynch is now the backup for PSU, but he chipped in 120 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Christian Hackenberg was again terrible throwing for just 149 yards and an interception. Daesean Hamilton (5-86) and Chris Godwin (4-49) were his top targets. For Rutgers, QB Chris Laviano threw 42 times for 251 yards and 2 interceptions. 6'6 WR Carlton Agudosi was his top target with 6 catches for 80 yards.
Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: RB Saquon Barkley is the only solid option going forward for Penn State and the freshman should continue to post good numbers. Rutgers offense is a mess, but should have a one week window to put up big numbers with Kansas coming to town. Laviano, RB Josh Hicks, and WRs Janarion Grant and Carlton Agudosi may be worth a look in GPPs against the terrible Jayhawks defense if the price is right.
Virginia Tech AT PURDUE
Game Recap: Purdue played an incredibly sloppy game and was blown out at home by the Hokies 51-24. It was 24-17 at halftime before Virginia Tech broke the game wide open in the 3rd quarter.
Key Players: Austin Appleby was terrible. He threw 2 interceptions and was only 9-for-28 passing. He added 11 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Starting running back D.J. Knox managed only 16 yards on 8 carries. Backup Markell Jones broke off one long run and had 90 yards and a touchdown on 6 carries. Top receivers DeAngelo Yancey (2-24-0) and Danny Anthrop (3-43-0) were non-factors.
Injuries: None
Players to Watch: After a dreadful performance like this, it's tempting to say nobody. But Bowling Green comes to town and every Bowling Green game ends up in a shootout so there's a one week exception and the key cogs of the offense all become intriguing as Purdue's team total will be just shy of 40 points. Appleby's running ability will make him an interesting option at what should be a low price and D.J. Knox should get over half the carries and be involved in the passing game as well. Anthrop and Yancey are possible low cost options at WR against the porous BGSU secondary.
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