CFB Grind Down Week 6: Early Slate - Page 4

by Andy Smith (a25smith) Last Updated 2015-10-10 09:42:55

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – O/U 65

Middle Tennessee State

This is a DK-only game, so be sure not to overlook it as it has some solid fantasy potential. I’m most interested in MTSU’s passing game as their running game has been very volatile. Brent Stockstill has attempted at least 42 passes in three of his last four games, and with MTSU trying to keep up with the loaded WKU offense, I’m expecting another pass heavy day from Stockstill. He’s an ok GPP option, but I’ll likely get my exposure to the MTSU passing game through their WRs, Ed’Marques Batties and Richie James, with Batties being my preference. Batties won’t come cheap but he has eight receiving TDs on the season and has 23 receptions in his last two games. James has also been productive with two double-digit reception games this season, but at $6,500 I’d rather pay the extra $300 for Batties.

Elite Options – Ed’Marques Batties

Secondary Options – Brent Stockstill, Richie James

Western Kentucky

Western Kentucky struggled against Vanderbilt to start the season but haven’t struggled since then. Brandon Doughty has thrown for 400+ passing yards in each of his last four games and will be in the mix to lead the nation in passing yards this season. I like some options in the $8,000 price range, so I don’t know that it’s necessary to pay up at QB, but he certainly offers a ton of safety as this looks like another 400-yard passing game for Doughty.

I’m targeting his top two WR options in Jared Dangerfield and Taywan Taylor as their price is a little light given the volume they receive. Dangerfield is a guy who led WKU in receiving last year but was injured to start the year. He’s starting to really round into form as he has 19 receptions for 243 yards and two TDs over his last two games. I think he’s a great play in all formats and think his price only goes up from here. Taylor really stepped up in Dangerfield’s absence and has continued to be productive. I’ll give the edge to Dangerfield, but both make solid options. Unfortunately, this game isn’t available on FD so Tyler Higbee isn’t an option at TE. He’s scored in three straight games, and he’s an ok option at $4,800 on DK, but I’ll likely look elsewhere.

Anthony Wales is an interest punt option on DK this week. He’s just $3,400 and he’s apparently nearing full health. He was eased back into the lineup with only three carries last weekend as it was his first game back and WKU blew out Rice. It sounds like he’s set to receive a bigger load this week, and in my opinion he’s going to eventually overtake D’Andre Ferby in the WKU backfield. He averaged over 6 YPC in each of his first two seasons and is a home run hitter. There’s still some risk here until we see him get double digit touches, but at $3,400 there is upside to be had if that happens this weekend.

Elite Options – Brandon Doughty, Jared Dangerfield, Taywan Taylor

Secondary Options – Anthony Wales, Tyler Higbee

Virginia Cavaliers at Pittsburgh Panthers – O/U 46

Virginia

This is another DK-only game, but unlike the WKU game, this is one that I don’t want a lot of exposure too. It has a total of only 46 points and Virginia has a team total of around 17 points. The Virginia offense has continued to be unexciting and they were destroyed by Boise State in their last game. Their best playmaker is Taquan Mizzell who is similar to a guy like Reggie Bush in that he’s a RB who does most of his damage in the passing game. The problem is that he’s all the way up to $6,000 on DK and there are other RBs I’d much rather have at that price point.

Elite Options – None

Secondary Options – None

Pittsburgh

Pitt has struggled to gain traction offensively due to the loss of their All-American RB, James Conner. They were thought to be a RBBC last week, but Qadree Ollison got the majority of the work and had solid production as he ran for 122 yard and a TD. As a result, he’s listed alone at the top of the Pitt depth chart so he should be in line for 20+ carries this weekend against a Virginia defense that is allowing 5.0 YPC. He lacks some upside due to his struggling offense but he’s a solid option that should run for 100 yards and a TD here.

Pitt does have a game breaker at WR in Tyler Boyd – the only question is whether they have a QB who can get him the ball. So far the answer to that question has been no. When Pitt does pass they do look to force feed him the ball as has double-digit receptions in two of his three games, but he’s only reached the end zone once. There are a lot of guys in this $6,000 price range at WR so given his QB issues, he’s a GPP only play for me. However, he’s going to bust out for a big game sometime soon so I do like his upside for a tournament.

Elite Options – None

Secondary Options – Qadree Ollison, Tyler Boyd