College Football Grind Down: Week 2 - Page Two

by Andy Smith (a25smith) Last Updated 2015-09-10 19:32:58

Tulane Green Wave at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – O/U 54

Breakdown

Tulane has a team total of 12 so they’re a team to completely avoid, whereas Georgia Tech is expected to top 40 points so they make for an interesting target. The problem is that it can be hit or miss targeting a triple option team as you’re at the mercy of what the defense tries to take away. Based on that I typically don’t target them in cash games, but I do like to get a piece of them for GPPs.

Tulane

Elite Options

NONE

Secondary Options

NONE

Georgia Tech

Elite Options

NONE

Secondary Options

Justin Thomas (FD: $7,700, DK: $8,500) – One interesting thing to note is that the Georgia Tech backup QB is out so Thomas could have a longer leash in this one. Looking at Thomas’ game log from last year, you’ll see why option QBs are GPP only. Three are 30 and 40 point fantasy performances as well as single-digit fantasy performances. They’re not going to see much volume in the passing game so if the defense decides that they’re going to make the A and B backs beat them, then you’re in some big trouble. Conversely, they also will have games where they put up three rushing Tds and hit a long bomb for a TD en route to a monster day. I’ll grab some exposure to Thomas in a GPP or two but won’t touch him for cash games. These two teams did meet last year and there were no standouts from Georgia Tech, but Thomas did struggle as put up only 5.6 DK points.

Patrick Skov (FD: $5,900, DK: $4,400) – Skov is the starting B-back for the Georgia Tech rushing attack. As mentioned I typically don’t target triple option attacks in cash games, but Skov’s tag is very appealing, especially on DK where the pricing is tight. As the starting B-back, his floor is a little higher as he will get frequent use around the end zone, and he hammered in three rushing scores last week, and I like his odds of adding to his total this weekend. Based on his cheap price point and tougher cap, I do think he is cash game playable this week.

The other potential options here are Broderick Snoddy and Marcus Marshall. Snoddy is one of the starting A backs and is only available on DK. He won’t see the volume as the B-backs so he’s dependent on long runs and is a GPP only play. Marshall is Skov’s backup at B-back and had two TDs and 184 rushing yards on only eight carries in the opener. Georgia Tech fans are really excited about the freshman, but it’s tough to roster him given that he’s still currently the backup to Skov.

Georgia Bulldogs at Vanderbilt Commodores – O/U 50

Breakdown

I got cute in Week One and decided to roster Vanderbilt RB Ralph Webb as he was facing a very bad defense in Western Kentucky. I was rewarded with seven whole points as Vanderbilt was able to muster up a resounding 12 points. They played a great game defensively but offensively they were a complete mess and are a team I’ll be staying far away from, especially as they enter SEC play.

On the other hand this looks like a great spot for the Georgia running game. Vanderbilt’s futility on offense should lead to lots of three and outs, and will allow Georgia to pound away with their potent run game and wear the Commodores defense down. Georgia ran for 263 yards in this matchup last season and Todd Gurley had 25 rush attempts for 163 yards and two TDs. This one really just boils down to Nick Chubb for me, and outside of Chubb, I’ll be fading this one. The only other options I gave a look to where Malcolm Mitchell and Jeb Blazevich. Both are very good players, but ultimately, there are other options I prefer at their positions due to the lack of volume in the Georgia passing game.

Georgia

Elite Options

Nick Chubb (FD: $10,800, DK: $9,800) – FD pricing is fairly soft this week so Chubb is pretty easy to fit, whereas he’s tougher to fit on DK as their pricing seemed to tighten up this week. Chubb had a nice game in Week One on only 16 carries and I’d peg him 20 to 25 carries in this one. He’s one of the best RBs in the entire nation and is a guy who can do a ton of damage on 20 carries. While the Vanderbilt defense may hold up early, Georgia will wear them down in the 2nd half and I see Chubb topping 150 yards here.

Secondary Options

NONE

Vanderbilt

Elite Options

NONE

Secondary Options

NONE

Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Virginia Cavaliers – O/U 47

Breakdown

The early slate doesn’t feature a ton of high scoring games, but this is predicted to be one of the lower scoring games on the day. However, there are a few interesting options in this one as the Notre Dame offense looked great in the opener, and Virginia’s Taquan Mizzell also looked solid in the opener.

Notre Dame

Elite Options

Malik Zaire (FD: $8,300, DK: $7,300) – On most slates I’d have him as a secondary option, but the early slate today is really lacking in high-end quarterbacks, and Zaire was very impressive in the opener. Zaire has two starts under his belt, the bowl game against LSU, and last week against Texas, and both have been impressive. He’s led his team to wins in each and more importantly to us, he’s been productive from a fantasy standpoint with at least 23 FD points in each game. He’s a dual threat option that should approach double-digit carries, and he has a stud receiver in William Fuller. Virginia is solid defensively, but they were taken apart by Josh Rosen last week, and Notre Dame has a team total of 30 points, and Zaire is certainly capable of accounting for three of those TDs.

Secondary Options

William Fuller (FD: $7,900, DK: $7,600) – He was one of the better wide receiver options in CFB last season as he produced 15 TDs and over 1,000 receiving yards. He picked up right where he left off as he torched what was thought to be a solid Texas secondary with seven receptions for 142 yards and two TDs. He’s caught a TD pass from Zaire in each of Zaire’s two starts and they look to have a solid rapport so I’m expecting another big season from the future NFL draft pick.

C. J. Prosise (FD: $7,800, DK: $5,200) – Prosise turned some heads in camp and was already set to be a factor in the Notre Dame backfield. Unfortunately, he’s now sitting alone at the top of the depth chart as Taurean Folston was lost for the season early against Texas. Prosise stepped in and produced a workman like 98 rushing yards on 20 carries. He’s expected to receive between 16 and 20 carries going forward, and I particularly like his price point on DK. There’s also some narrative street here as he’s a Virginia native and will be returning to his home state to make his first start at RB.

Virginia

Elite Options

NONE

Secondary Options

Taquan Mizzell (FD: $6,400, DK: $5,800) – The former five-star recruit finally started to show some flashes as to why he was so highly regarded coming out of highschool. He’s more Reggie Bush or C. J. Spiller than he is a complete running back, as he’s been more effective as a receiver than a between the tackles runner. That proved to be the case against UCLA as he had 16 carries for only 45 yards, but he salvaged his day with eight receptions for 100 yards and a TD. On a full PPR site like DK, those receptions are very valuable from your running back. This profiles as a game where Virginia will be trailing and be forced to the air so I could see him racking up some check downs, and Virginia lacks playmakers so expect for them to continue to involve him in the passing attack. He’s not one of my top RB options but he’s in play as a FLEX on DK in GPPs.

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Colorado State Rams – O/U 54

Breakdown

Minnesota was very impressive defensively against one of the top offenses in the nation as held TCU in check. With Rashard Higgins banged up and that tough Minnesota defense, I’ll largely be staying away from the Rams on Saturday. Minnesota has some questions of its own offensively.

Minnesota

Elite Options

NONE

Secondary Options

Rodney Smith (FD: $6,600, DK: $4,700) – Roderick Williams began the year as the starter, but Rodney Smith took over after a Williams’ fumble and really impressed. I haven’t seen any depth chart changes of yet, but the Minnesota coach talked openly about getting Smith more involved. Smith had 16 carries for 88 yard and a TD in the opener, and if his role is set to expand he could hopefully see around 20 touches. Minnesota is going to pound away at CSU with the run game and try to wear them down, and I think they have some success here. As long as the coaches stick to their plan of getting him more involved, he should be in line for a solid game here.

Mitch Leidner (FD: $6,900, DK: $5,700) – I don’t think he’s a very good all around QB, but the QB options on the early slate leave a lot to be desired. I wouldn’t roster him on a single QB site like FD, but don’t hate him as a pivot off of Lamar Jackson on DK, as I think Jackson could be highly owned. Jackson is certainly no sure thing, and Leidner brings some dual threat ability to the table as he’ll continue to see 10+ carries a game.

Colorado State

Elite Options

NONE

Secondary Options

Rashard Higgins (FD: $8,600, DK: $8,600) – I won’t own any of him in cash games, but it’s always tough to completely write off one of the best wide receivers in the game. He routinely produced double-digit receptions and upwards of 200 yard receiving games last year, and is a true game breaker. However, we don’t know the severity of his ankle and this Minnesota secondary looked salty last week. I don’t mind grabbing some exposure to him in GPPs, but I’d keep it limited as there will be better spots to deploy him.

I was going to include a brief blurb on Kivon Cartwright, CSU’s TE, but he’s not available on FD, and I wouldn’t play him on DK where is a TE isn’t necessary.

Hawaii Warriors at Ohio State Buckeyes – O/U 62

Breakdown

Ohio State has by far the highest team total on this slate as they’re expected to top 50 points. The issue is that this one is expected to get out of control early and Ohio State is so loaded that they don’t have to rely on any one player. They’re also getting a few players back this week so the workload could be divided even more. Based on the enormous line, I’m really only looking to the Buckeyes as GPP options, As far as Hawaii goes, just ignore them.

Hawaii

Elite Options

NONE

Secondary Options

Ohio State

Elite Options

NONE

Secondary Options

Braxton Miller (FD: $7,300, DK: $6,300) – He’s the guy I’m most likely to use from Ohio State as his price tag is still reasonable and he looked terrific in the opener. They looked to get him the ball in a variety of ways and he showed nice hands and was his typical dynamic self in open space. My only concern is that he’s coming off of shoulder injury, and I’m curious to see whether we see OSU scale down his touches in blowout situations like this. I also do think he’ll be fairly popular as he showed out in a nationally televised game, is a name brand and Ohio State has a big number here – just something to keep in mind for tournaments.

Outside of Miller there’s not a whole lot I’m liking. The Buckeyes are also getting back Jalin Marshall, Dontre Wilson and Corey Smith from suspension on offense so there’s even more distribution possible. Cardale Jones(FD: $9,200, DK: $9,200) price is on the rise, and although he looked great in the opener, I really worry about playing time here. The Buckeyes are going to look to keep J. T. Barrett engaged and they got him in the game as soon as the lead ballooned to 18 points against Virginia Tech. I wouldn’t be surprised if they looked to get Barrett in a little earlier this week and get him some solid playing time.

Ezekiel Elliot is in the same boat as some of the top end RB that faced FCS teams last week. I’m not projecting for a ton of carries due to the blowout so he’s risky given his price tag. However, he’s a who can turn 10 -12 carries into 150 yards and multiple TDs. Given the matchups, I project the volume for Alex Collins and Nick Chubb to be much safer and they are my preferred plays if I’m spending up at RB. Michael Thomas should be in for a big year, but I don’t like playing wide receivers in extreme blowouts unless a team really looks to force feed them the ball. That isn’t the case with Thomas so I’ll stay away this weekend.

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