This week in college football is Big 12 country.
The early slate, which will be our focus today, features 8 of the 10 teams in the Big 12 (yes, there are only 10 teams in the Big 12).
There’s a huge matchup between West Virginia, who travels to Lubbock for an early date with newly ranked Texas Tech, who is coming off a huge, emotional road win in Stillwater against Oklahoma State.
Oklahoma looks to rebound from the struggle bus last week against Army with a home date versus Baylor.
Oklahoma State gets to rebound against Kansas, and Texas travels for what will be a tough road test at Kansas State.
Pricing is going to be interesting this week as many of the top QBs look like fantastic plays, running backs look like a disaster and you will want to play like 15 different receivers in your lineups, and I like a lot of receivers this week, many of whom won’t be on this list due to time constraints.
Value will be difficult to come by, and some plays I may not find until roster construction Friday night/Saturday morning. But on the surface, here’s the guys that make the cut this week in the Power 5 (well, there’s a 7 and a 6). Good luck!
QUARTERBACKS
Will Grier – West Virginia – $10,900
Analysis: Heisman candidate in a game with a 77 total, a spread of less than a touchdown against a Texas Tech team that’s allowed 284 yards passing per game (which will be way higher by seasons end). Lock it in.
Kyler Murray – Texas A&M – $10,700
Analysis: Somehow in 15 minutes of offensive time, Kyler Murray put up 30 fantasy points. Baylor’s defensive numbers are skewed due to the fact they haven’t played anyone. Murray is a dual-threat QB that makes this offense hum. Baylor is in trouble.
McKenzie Milton – UCF – $10,500
Analysis: We have another dual-threat option that has huge upside against Pittsburgh, which has allowed nearly 200 yards rushing and 28 points per game.
Alan Bowman – Texas Tech – $10,000
Analysis: My Red Raiders have found their quarterback for the next few years. Bowman is a promising freshman who looks the part of an elite college quarterback who can make smart throws and utilize the weapons all around him. Tech has a ton of weapons this week against West Virginia, but will be without top wideout T.J. Vasher. I think he goes underowned among the top QBs due to lack of rushing. He does have to throw 4 to 5 TDs and get 300 yards to make value.
Trevor Lawrence – Clemson – $8,500
Analysis: Named the starting QB this week for a home date with Syracuse. The Orange are allowing 255 yards per game through the air and they haven’t played a capable offense yet. Clemson should be able to put up a ton of points.
Adrian Martinez – Nebraska – $7,300
Analysis: Martinez is one of a couple cheaper QBs to choose from this week. He’s flashed dual-threat upside and is being encouraged to use his legs more. Nebraska draws Purdue which has been blasted through the air to the tune of 275 yards passing per game. I like this game to shootout at low ownership value.
Charlie Brewer – Baylor – $5,900
Analysis: Last week I said that Brewer and McClendon would be splitting reps, but it was Brewer who got the start and the majority of the play at QB. Next up is Oklahoma where the Bears will have to throw, throw, throw to keep up.
RUNNING BACKS
Trayveon Williams – Texas A&M – $8,100
Analysis: I hate running backs on this slate. I am likely going to pay up at wideout more often than not. But one guy I do like is Williams, whose box score looks rough due to his last effort against ‘Bama. This week he and the Aggies get Arkansas, who has shown to be a complete disaster in all phases of the game.
Trey Sermon – Oklahoma – $7,200
Analysis: We’ve tried this Sermon before, but my prayers went unanswered. Maybe today is the day the Oklahoma running back sees more touches and finds the end zone against the Bears, who again have a horrible defense despite the numbers.
Qadree Ollison – Pittsburgh – $6,600
Analysis: Third straight week Mr. Ollison gets on the board. To find some steady safety, we are having to dig deep. There are plenty of GPP darts at RB, but Ollison will give you a workload you can stomach despite taking on UCF. The one thing favorite Ollison is UCF’s inability to stop the run, giving up 239 yards on the ground per game this season.
Adrian Killians, Jr. – UCF – $6,100
Analysis: On the other side of the ball we have Adrian Killians, who is splitting some time in the backfield, but is seeing most of the work. Against the run, Pitt has allowed 191 yards per game and is giving up 28 points per game as well.
Rakeem Boyd – Arkansas – $3,400
Analysis: Arkansas is likely without their starting running back, leaving Rakeem Boyd to shoulder the load. Yes, they are facing A&M and likely get blown out, But we need some value and Boyd won’t have to do much to get us there.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Marquise Brown – Oklahoma – $7,700
Analysis: He’s the squeaky wheel – no catches, no yards, no touchdowns against Army a week ago. Brown is the No. 1 wideout and offensive weapon outside of Kyler Murray. He’s going to get his this week against Baylor.
Ja’Deion High – Texas Tech – $6,700
Analysis: Antoine Wesley erupted for one game and now his price is almost unplayable. So who’s next on the depth chart that should help fill the void of T.J. Vasher? Mr. High will be able to do that with Bowman at QB now. He has 15 catches for nearly 300 yards in his last two games.
David Sills V – West Virginia – $8,800
Analysis: Sills is the touchdown machine for West Virginia. He’s also the most expensive wide receiver on the slate. If he doesn’t make it this week, there’s always the next guy to roster…
Gary Jennings, Jr. – West Virginia – $8,000
Analysis: Jennings gets the targets, catches and yards, and is very much a capable receiver. He’s also playing Texas Tech, deploy with confidence.
Stanley Morgan, Jr. – Nebraska – $5,900
Analysis: I told you we will need some value and Morgan, the Cornhuskers talented No. 1 receiver, is a solid option to help us tonight. Purdue has allowed 275 yards passing per game. Morgan has 13 catches for 200 yards and a score this season.
Isaac Zico – Purdue – $4,300
Analysis: KeSean Carter is a Tech guy at this price point that could be a great pivot, but Zico is in a game with a projected total of 55 against Nebraska, and it could shoot out. Zico has 10 catches for 284 yards and no scores this week, but could finally get into the end zone against Nebraska and its defense that has surrendered 37 points per game.
