Daily Fantasy College Football: News and Notes Week 1

Player News

Quarterbacks

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Player: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
News: The big news out of Texas is that Manziel will be suspended for the first half of the Aggies opener against Rice.
Impact: With this news there is no way you can count on Manziel in week one. Yes he may come on in the second half for some drives and possibly the entire last 30 minutes. And yes, he may account for 3 or 4 scores. But there is always the “what if”. What if they bench him for longer or take him out to avoid injury. Save your Manziel plays for weeks to follow.

Player: Michael Brewer, QB, Texas Tech
News: The news is bleak for Brewer who has suffered a stress fracture of a vertebrae in his back and is expected to miss a few weeks,
Impact: Texas Tech said they will not name a starting Quarterback for their opener until close to game-time. The two options are Davis Webb and Baker Mayfield, however given their lack of experience and lack of clarity in who is starting, no Texas Tech QB should be played.

Updated: Player: Baker Mayfield, QB, Texas Tech
News: Leading up to the Red Raiders opener against SMU, Mayfield has been getting the first team reps in the absence of Michael Brewer.
Impact:: Because we do not know whether he will play the whole game,let alone succeed, makes this a tricky spot to play a TT starting QB. Avoid for week one and see how things shake out.

Player: Clint Trickett and Paul Millard, QB, West Virginia
News: In order to find the best replacement for former QB Geno Smith, WVU will play both QB’s in their opener against William and Mary.
Impact: And thus neither should be played in any format until a clear winner is determined. This is a situation to avoid completely in week one.

Player: Jake Waters, QB, Kansas State
News: Waters has been named the starter for the Wildcats in their opener against North Dakota State.
Impact: Daniel Sams was also in the mix to start and should see some action against NDSU. While Waters is not a solid value this week, keep an eye on whether he can succeed in this offense for future weeks.

Player: Sean Mannion, QB, Oregon State
News: Mannion was named the starter for the Beavers in their season opener against Eastern Washington.
Impact: While this is news that Mannion beat out Cody Vaz, there is some trepidation in selecting him for your team this week. One aspect is that Vaz will surely get some snaps, while the Beavers should dominate EWU and who knows how long the first team offense will actually be on the field.

Player: Brandon Mitchell/Pete Thomas, QB, NC State
News: As game day approaches, the NC State coaching staff has yet to name a starter or game plan for their quarterback position.
Impact: It is expected that Mitchell will be named the starter. But with Thomas looming, there is nothing to say that if Mitchell struggles even slightly, that he would be replaced by Thomas.

Player: Jared Goff, QB, California
News: Goff, a true freshman, has been named the starting quarterback
Impact: Despite the major upside playing in Sonny Dykes’ offense, Goff should be left undrafted and should prove himself before being snagged off the waiver wire. The Golden Bears open with a tough game against Northwestern, so keep him in mind, just do not draft him.

Player: Terrel Hunt and Drew Allen, QB’s, Syracuse
News: Hunt starred in a mid-week scrimmage during the second week of August throwing two touchdowns passes while showing his mobility.
Impact: While it is not known whether Hunt or Oklahoma transfer Allen will start for Cuse, neither should be drafted in any format. Despite being a high NFL Draft pick, Ryan Nassib was not necessarily fantasy worthy. Pass on these Orange men.

Player: James Franklin, QB, Missouri
News: Franklin was named the starting QB for the Tigers
Impact: Despite a down year in 2012, Franklin regained the job this summer. While he is a dual threat option and had a monster 2011 season, because of the tough conference he plays in, at best he is a week-to-week starter who you can pluck off your waiver wire after certain tough games. For now, Franklin is a matchup play at best.

Running Backs

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Player: Senorise Perry, Louisville
News: Perry, who was battling a knee injury, has been named the starter for the Cardinals for the teams opener against Ohio.
Impact: This is a plum matchup for the Cardinals and Perry, who should find the end zone at least once against their MAC opponent. His return from injury hurts the fantasy outlook of transfer and former Auburn back, Michael Dyer.

Player: Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas
News: Williams has been named the starter for the Hogs in their opener.
Impact: The matchup is right against Louisiana-Lafayette, but considering we do not know how Williams will split carries with the talented Alex Collins, it is best to take a wait and see approach here.

Player: Jeremy Langford, RB, Michigan State
News: Langford has been named the starting running back for the Spartans in their home opener against Western Michigan.
Impact: Because of the run first nature of the Spartans attack, Langford is a solid value play in all formats. He should succeed against a weak rush defense and find the end zone for Sparty. He may not be roster worthy once Big Ten play begins, but ride him for one week.

Player: Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU
News: Despite being reinstated to the team following an off-season arrest, the LSU coaching staff remains quiet as to whether Hill will start, let alone play in their season opener.
Impact: Regardless if news comes out that he will start, Hill is not worth a fantasy play this week given his lack of game action preparation plus the presence of a successful backup in Alfred Blue.

Player: Romar Morris, RB, UNC
News: Morris was named the starter for the Tar Heels for their season opener against South Carolina.
Impact: Not only does this come as a surprise since many expected AJ Blue to gain the start, given the fact the Heels play a tough South Carolina defense in the opener makes me want to avoid this situation and see how it plays out before playing one of these backs.

Player: Silas Redd, RB, USC
News: Redd did not travel with the Trojans to Hawaii for the teams opener and will not see game action as he continues to rehab a knee injury.
Impact: Tre Madden and Justin Davis are listed as the co-starters for the opener mid-week against Hawaii, but neither should be counted on for your fantasy squad until one establishes themselves as the lead back while Redd remains out.

Player: Ka’Deem Carey, RB, Arizona
News: The Arizona coaching staff has not ruled out benching Carey for part of the teams opener against Norhtern Arizona as punishment for his offseason issues.
Impact: This is not the new Carey owners want to hear, but given the lack of detail here, it may be best to air on the side of caution and find another option. With so many top backs facing cupcakes in week one, there are plenty of other options to choose from.

Update: Player: Andrew Buie/Charles Sims, RB, West Virginia
News: News broke that Buie will redshirt this season for West Virginia.
Impact:: This actually is huge news for Charles Sims. Buie was the leading rusher for the Mountaineers last year and now Sims will have the ability to have full control of the carries and receptions from the running back spot. With the quarterback position a quandary, they will rely on Sims, making him a solid play.

Wide Receivers

Player: Brandon Carter, WR, TCU
News: The talented Horned Frogs receiver underwent hand surgery during the last few weeks but is expected to be play against LSU in the opener.
Impact: Carter is the best receiver TCU has with Josh Boyce now in the NFL. He makes big plays all over the field. While he is a name to stash in your mind, he is one to avoid playing against LSU in week one.

Player: Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina
News: Because of a hamstring injury, it is unclear if Elllington will be available for the Gamecocks opener against Clemson.
Impact: Ellington is the best returning receiver for the Gamecocks after the departure of Ace Sanders to the pros. However, he was not on our fantasy radar because of the lack of success the South Carolina passing game had in 2012, thus making this news more impactful to the team then potential fantasy owners.

Tight Ends

Updated: Player: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
News: Jenkins, arguably the best tight end in fantasy football, has been suspended for the Huskies opener against Boise State.
Impact:: This is a big blow to Washington and fantasy owners. With Jace Amaro also suspended for the first half of the Texas Tech game, Colt Lyerla of Oregon is out best option at the position for the first weekend of the season.

Updated: Player: Jace Amaro, Tight End, Texas Tech
News: Amaro has been suspended for the first half of the Red Raiders opener against SMU.
Impact:: As mentioned with Jenkins, your best option at the position may be Colt Lyerla of Oregon.

About the Author

AM87
Adam Mankuta (AM87)

AM87 is a proud member of the RotoGrinders College Hoops and College Football writing team since 2012! Adam graduated Syracuse in 2003, is a NY native, and is hoping that 10 years after cutting down the nets in New Orleans on his 22nd bday the Cuse make another run in 2013. His writing experience includes winning the 2007 FSWA College Football Writer of the Year award, and he was also a contributing writer for College Fantasy Football Insider. AM87 contributes to CBB Daily Plays on RotoGrinders, and is passionate about helping you improve you improve in Daily Fantasy Football & Basketball.