WESTERN MICHIGAN AT OHIO STATE
Game Recap: The Buckeyes put together a solid effort against a game Western Michigan team and came out on top 38-12 despite giving up 169 rushing yards to the Broncos.
Key Players: Cardale Jones played basically the whole way and put up 288 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air and 32 rushing yards as well. He narrowly missed some long completions to open receivers. with uncharacteristic underthrows. Ezekiel Elliott ran 16 times for 124 yards and a touchdown and had 3 receptions for 29 yards. He also narrowly missed breaking a couple big plays. #1 WR Michael Thomas had 6 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. Braxton Miller had a quiet day with 38 total yards. H-back Curtis Samuel had a combined 104 yards rushing/receiving and a touchdown.
Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: Cardale Jones and Ezekiel Elliott are top options next week at Indiana. Picking one of the receiving options is risky, but Michael Thomas, Braxton Miller, Curtis Samuel and Jalin Marshall are all capable of big games.
Central Michigan AT MICHIGAN STATE
Game Recap: The Spartans had an uneven day offensively but a big defensive effort from Shilique Calhoun helped them pull away late for a 30-10 victory. It was 17-10 heading into the 4th quarter.
Key Players: Connor Cook had a rough day with only 143 yards and 1 touchdown on 11-for-19 passing. Starting RB Madre London carried 15 times for 73 yards and a touchdown. Backup LJ Scott had 8 carries for 54 yards. Third stringer Gerald Holmes had only 4 carries for 22 yards, but scored twice. TE Josiah Price caught the only TD of the game before going down with an injury. Star WR Aaron Burbridge had his first poor outing with only 4 catches for 31 yards.
Injuries: The Spartans star left tackle Jack Conklin went down with a knee injury. The starting RT is already out. TE Josiah Price injured his ankle and watched the second half holding crutches. It is unclear how serious both injuries are at this time.
Players to Watch: The Spartans are big home favorites against Purdue, but still lack quality options. The running backs are splitting touches three ways and Connor Cook has been inconsistent. WR Aaron Burbridge has hit 100 yards receiving in 3 of 4 weeks though and is probably the best play at this time.
BYU AT MICHIGAN
Game Recap: Michigan dominated the first half 31-0 and played a conservative 2nd half that led to a 31-0 final. The defense was dominant, holding BYU to just 105 yards of offense.
Key Players: De'Veon Smith ran for 125 yards on 16 carries and had an impressive 60-yard touchdown run. Jake Rudock had a solid day with 194 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 33 yards and a pair of scores. Amara Darboh led all receivers with 4 catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. Jake Butt had just one catch, but it went for 41 yards.
Injuries: De'Veon Smith injured his ankle late in the 3rd quarter and didn't return. But X-rays were negative and he expects to play next week.
Players to Watch: With a visit to struggling Maryland up next, De'Veon Smith looks like he should remain a top play. Rudock, Darboh and Butt are all lower end options but on the radar due to the matchup.
Southern Miss at NEBRASKA
Game Recap: The Cornhuskers cruised to a 22-0 halftime lead and led comfortably heading into the 4th quarter before USM made a furious comeback. The Golden Eagles came from 22 down late and had a chance to score at the end to tie, but Nebraska was able to hold on for a 36-28 victory. The teams combined for almost 1,100 yards of offense.
Key Players: Tommy Armstrong Jr. threw for 365 yards and 2 touchdowns and added 63 yards and a touchdown on the ground as well. Top running back Terrell Newby was held to 76 yards on 18 carries. Star wideout Jordan Westerkamp had 11 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. #2 WR Brandon Reilly had 3 catches for 112 yards and also picked up 12 yards rushing on 2 carries.
Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: Nebraska has a nice matchup with Illinois this week. Armstrong is a good bet for 300+ yards and has been used more as a runner in recent weeks as well. Westerkamp is the top receiver and is averaging 100 yards per game in the three games that weren't blowouts. Newby is getting nearly all the carries at RB, but had only had one great performance this season
INDIANA at Wake Forest
Game Recap: The Hoosiers stayed undefeated with a 31-24 road win in sloppy conditions. Indiana had a 31-10 lead midway through the 4th quarter but allowed Wake Forest to get back into the game and almost come back to tie after a successful onside kick with just over two minutes left.
Key Players: Jordan Howard rushed 33 times for 168 yards and a touchdown. Nate Sudfeld passes for 205 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Top WR Ricky Jones had only 2 catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. Simmie Cobbs Jr. had 7 catches for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Injuries: Top WR Ricky Jones injured his ankle and didn't return but should be back this week. TE Danny Friend hurt his knee and will be out for a few weeks.
Players to Watch: The Hoosiers have a tough matchup looming with Ohio State coming to town, but have actually fared pretty well against the Buckeyes offensively in recent years. Howard is always a strong option, though he will face his stiffest test to date. Simmie Cobbs and Ricky Jones should have decent games considering the Hoosiers will likely be playing from behind all day.
Ball State at NORTHWESTERN
Game Recap: The Wildcats trailed at halftime but rallied in the 3rd quarter to pull ahead and then were able to hold on for a 24-19 victory.
Key Players: Justin Jackson rushed for a career-high 184 yards on 33 carries. Freshman QB Clayton Thorson had a strong second half and passed for 256 yards and 3 touchdowns while also rushing 9 times for 45 yards. TE Dan Vitale had a big game with 5 catches for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Injuries: None
Players to Watch: The Wildcats home date against Minnesota next week will have one of the lowest totals of the week. But Jackson is sure to get his 25+ carries and Vitale is an okay option for an inexpensive TE.
North Texas AT IOWA
Game Recap: The Hawkeyes were firing on all cylinders offensively and steamrolled UNT 62-16.
Key Players: C.J. Beathard completed his first 15 passes and was 18-for-21 on the day for 278 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jordan Canzeri has regained the starting job from LeShun Daniels and played great. He rushed for 115 yards and 4 touchdowns on 22 carries. Top wideout Tevaun Smith had 4 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. Matt VandeBerg had a quiet day with 3 catches for 24 yards.
Injuries: LeShun Daniels, Jr. is still nursing a sore ankle and had only 5 carries. His usage should gradually ramp back up, but Canzeri looks to have taken the starting job.
Players to Watch: Iowa faces a stingy Wisconsin defense on the road next week, but Canzeri is still a solid option. He will get plenty of carries and should be involved in the passing game as well.
Hawaii AT WISCONSIN
Game Recap: The Badgers' struggling running game showed signs of life as they were able to rack up 326 rushing yards in a 28-0 route of Hawaii.
Key Players: Taiwan Deal had a breakout game with 26 carries for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns. Dare Ogunbowale ran 15 times for 85 yards and a score. Joel Stave had a quiet day passing with 164 yards and a touchdown but top wideout Alex Erickson was still able to come up with 9 receptions for 87 yards. TE Austin Traylor had 2 catches for 21 yards and a touchdown.
Injuries: Corey Clement had surgery for a sports hernia and will miss 4-6 weeks.
Players to Watch: Wisconsin opens Big Ten play at home against Iowa and the young offensive line will see if it can open holes against better competition. Deal looks like he will probably get the majority of the carries but Ogunbowale will also be involved, which limits Deal's upside. Erickson is a safe bet for a good number of catches but isn't much of a big play threat.
Middle Tennessee AT Illinois
Game Recap: Illinois hit a 51-yard field goal with two minutes left to take a 27-25 lead and held on for the win when MTSU's kicker missed a 43-yard attempt on the final drive of the game.
Key Players: Starting RB Josh Ferguson rushed 20 times for 83 yards and backup Ke'Shawn Vaughn rushed 13 times for 80 yards and a touchdown. Wes Lunt completed 29-of-49 passes for 238 yards and one touchdown. Top wideout Geronimo Allison had 10 catches for 128 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: The Illini face Nebraska at home and could find themselves playing from behind. Allison is the clear top option in the passing game with the other receivers really struggling. Ferguson should have a decent game, but Vaughn's continued emergence limits his upside somewhat.
Ohio AT MINNESOTA
Game Recap: QB Mitch Leidner had his best game of the season and led a late touchdown drive as Minnesota came from behind to beat the Bobcats 27-24.
Key Players: Leidner completed 22-of-32 passes for 264 yards and rushed 8 times for 22 yards and a touchdown. Top rusher Rodney Smith had 16 carries for 94 yards. But the story of the game was true freshman RB Shannon Brooks who rushed for 82 yards and 2 touchdowns on 10 carries in his first collegiate action.
Injuries:
Players to Watch: While the emergence of Brooks is a positive for the Gophers, he likely limits the usefulness of Rodney Smith for fantasy purposes. With a RBBC possibly developing, the Gophers have no players of real interest with a tough matchup against Northwestern looming.
MARYLAND at West Virginia
Game Recap: West Virginia jumped out to a 38-0 halftime lead and absolutely dominated the Terrapins.
Key Players: QB Caleb Rowe was miserable with 4 interceptions on 10-for-27 passing with only 67 yards. He was benched for Daxx Garman who threw for 86 yards a touchdown and an interception. Randy Edsall said he'll probably stick with Rowe as the starter next week despite the debacle against WVU. Brandon Ross had 15 carries for 130 yards but also a costly fumble near the goal line.
Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: Maryland is likely to have another rough day offensively with the Michigan defense coming to town.
San Diego State AT PENN STATE
Game Recap: Penn State's top two RBs went down with injuries and SDSU stacked the line defensively daring the Nittany Lions to beat them through the air. Christian Hackenberg did just that with his best game of the season and led PSU to a 37-21 victory.
Key Players: Hackenberg threw for 296 yards and 3 touchdowns. Top WR Chris Godwin had 5 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Saeed Blacknall had 4 catches for 101 yards and DaeSean Hamilton had 5 for 40 yards. Saquon Barkley caught a 22-yard touchdown pass and rushed for 62 yards on 8 carries before going down with injury.
Injuries: Penn State's top two backs, Saquon Barkley (ankle) and Akeel Lynch (knee) both suffered injuries and did not return. At this time, it appears that Lynch's injury is more serious and that Barkley should return soon but information is limited at this time.
Players to Watch: Penn State will be big favorites against Army and with the running backs banged up, might again lean heavily on Hackenberg and the pass game. If Barkley and Lynch are unable to play, 3rd string RB Mark Allen could be a sneaky bargain play. He rushed for only 5 yards on 5 attempts in the second half but had 2 catches for 29 yards and a touchdown.
Bowling Green AT PURDUE
Game Recap: Bowling Green rushed for the game-winning touchdown with 9 seconds left for the 35-28 road win. A pair of short FG misses by Purdue were especially costly in the game.
Key Players: QB David Blough played extremely well in his first start with 340 yards passing and 2 passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. Top wideout DeAngelo Yancey had a solid day with 4 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. Starting RB D.J. Knox had only 42 rushing yards on 19 carries but added 54 yards on 6 receptions.
Injuries: None
Players to Watch: Purdue has three straight brutal matchups looming (Michigan State, Minnesota and Wisconsin) and isn't likely to find much offensive success in any of these upcoming games.
Kansas at Rutgers
Game Recap: Despite all the negative happenings for Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights were still able to deal Kansas their 34rd straight road loss by a score of 27-14.
Key Players: Josh Hicks ran 21 times for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns. Chris Laviano threw for 201 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Injuries: None. Top wideout Leonte Carroo is suspended indefinitely.
Players to Watch: Rutgers has a bye before hosting Michigan State. Hicks is the only player worth considering, but only in the most favorable of matchups.
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