QUARTERBACK (Every Week: Bryant Moniz, HAW; Case Keenum, HOU; Chandler Harnish, NIU; Kellen Moore, BOI)
ALL IN
Ryan Aplin, Arkansas State – For a QB with just eight TDs in his last six games, how in the world is Aplin averaging 28.7 Fantasy points per game (FPPG)? It’s because of his legs. Aplin has 406 yards and six touchdowns rushing in the last six games for the Red Wolves. Aplin’s lowest total yardage was last week when he totaled 293 against Florida Atlantic, but oh yeah, he also rushed for four TDs. Louisiana Lafayette is giving up 382.7 yards and 28.3 points per game. Aplin is a top option at QB in all leagues, non-BCS or not.
GOOD BET
Dominique Davis, East Carolina – As long as we’re talking lesser competition for Double-D, he’s a terrific play at QB. Outside of games versus Virginia Tech (one of the nation’s best defenses) and a road game against Houston, Davis is averaging 28 FPPG. Davis also has at least two or more all-purpose TDs in each of those games, which compares him favorably to this week’s All In QB pick, Ryan Aplin. One last bit of good news for Davis is that UTEP ranks 79th in points allowed and just gave up 41 to Rice.
RUNNING BACK (Every Week: Bernard Pierce, TEM; Bobby Rainey, WKY; Ronnie Hillman, SDSU)
ALL IN
Adonis Thomas, Toledo – If you watched any of the Charlie Sheen breakdown, you might remember hearing that name, Adonis. Ah… that’s why it sounds familiar. Sheen said he had Adonis DNA, which would technically be DNA from the Greek god of beauty and desire. While this Adonis is no relation, his play on the field is a thing of beauty and desirable for Fantasy teams. Thomas has a rushing TD in every game he’s been healthy (broke his forearm against Syracuse). In addition, he is averaging a nice 6.5 yards per carry and faces a Western Michigan team allowing 216.2 rushing yards per game! He is a must-start across the board and needs to be tested for tiger blood.
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| Robbie Rouse is taking the competition head on. Photo Credit Huskers Illustrated |
Robbie Rouse, Fresno State – New Mexico State is even worse than Western Michigan, albeit not by much, against the run. The Aggies allow 219.2 rushing yards per game, but are also 110th in points allowed at 35.9 per. Rouse has six games with 110 or more rushing yards and only two games where he didn’t top 100 all-purpose yards. Rouse is a guarantee to top 100 yards on the ground and a great bet to find the end zone at least once.
GOOD BET
Kenny Turner, New Mexico State – What do you know? The main RB on the opposite side of Rouse is also a strong play this week. Fresno State is marginally better against the run (191 rushing YPG) and actually worse in points allowed (36.2 PPG). I mentioned a few weeks back that Turner moved from WR to take over once the Aggies lost their starting RB. Turner is a good play at RB, but even better if he is still eligible at WR in your league. In fact, Turner is the eight highest scoring WR in PPG, and that’s with his not moving to RB until the fourth game. Enjoy the output either way.
Robert Turbin, Utah State – How is this for consistency? Turbin’s lowest score on the season is 18 and he’s reached the end zone at least once in every game. Turbin is averaging 24.2 FPPG, which is good for seventh overall. Only one other RB ahead of him can boast having 18 points as his lowest total, and that’s Wisconsin’s Monte Ball… but his season is other-wordly. San Jose State is yet another school that’s weak against the run and who allows over 30 PPG (31.3). It’s a good week to have a non-BCS running back in your lineup.
WIDE RECEIVER (Every Week: Jordan White, WMU; Patrick Edwards, HOU)
ALL IN
LaVon Brazill, Ohio – Since Week 2, Brazill has at least 12 or more Fantasy points and has failed to score just once: eight TDs in seven games (seven receiving and one rushing). If you haven’t noticed yet, these regional Michigan schools (Central, Eastern, Western) are all weak to terrible on defense. Central Michigan tops the three in worst overall defense with 410.7 yards allowed and 31.3 points per game. With three straight games of more than 102 yards receiving, Brazill should be in all non-BCS lineups and considered a WR2 in all others.
Eric Page, Toledo – I will promise you this: Page will not repeat last week’s performance. Page caught nine balls, doable, 150 yards, doable, five TDs, ain’t happening my friend! In case you’re wondering, Page only had four total TD catches previous to the game versus Northern Illinois. Here’s the good news: Western Michigan is worse than Northern Illinois is against the pass. So, while you cannot expect a week like that again, or ever, Page is still a top play in all non-BCS leagues.
GOOD BET
Devon Wylie, Fresno State – Wylie posted just his second career 100-yard game two weeks ago. His first was as a junior in 2009 – Wylie red-shirted last season after missing all but one game to injury. Wylie went and recorded his third 100-yard game as he repeated his solid performance in back-to-back games. He also set a career-high in receptions with 13. So what makes Wylie a nice deep-league or non-BCS WR2 option? It’s his recent emergence in the passing game added to his already great special teams returning ability. With New Mexico State also giving up 463.1 YPG, Wylie is a risk worth taking.
Cody Hoffman, BYU – If you’ve been following me all season, you know I love playing the matchups, and if you are new, this week’s piece has made that obvious. Idaho is one of the most favorable matchups for receivers as they allow the sixth most yards per game for non-BCS schools. What helps Hoffman more in this game is his size. Hoffman stands at 6’ 4”, 205lbs, while the tallest cornerback for Idaho tops out at 5’ 11”. Hoffman is only an option in non-BCS leagues, but given the matchup, he has more upside than most.
DEFENSE
LSU, BYU – The LSU Tigers are the obvious selection. Did you watch the snore fest “game of the century” last week? If LSU can hold Trent Richardson and Alabama to six points, imagine what they’ll do to Western Kentucky! The sneaky play, and option for those in a wider range of leagues, is BYU. They host Idaho, a team averaging just 21.2 PPG, which ranks them 103rd in the nation. The Cougars love to force turnovers too with at least two forced in every game but two (against Utah State and TCU). Plug them in as a sleeper defense.
KICKER
Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State – This is really simple. Sharp is only 0.2 PPG behind Oklahoma’s kicker, Michael Hunnicutt. Oklahoma is off this week, and the Cowboys are at Texas Tech who gives up 34.2 PPG (104th in the nation). Sharp has notched at least seven points every week and 25 in the past two games. There is no better choice at kicker.
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