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College Fantasy Football: Five underperforming RBs

Kennedy Brooks
Kennedy Brooks (AP Images)

There are a lot of big names in fantasy football that were expected to put up huge numbers and that are owned in a high percentage of leagues but have not performed up to this point in the season. Here is a look at five running backs who are not delivering big returns yet.

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There is so much to like about Oklahoma’s offense, including that the Sooners average 55.5 points per game, but Brooks has seen limited opportunities and has just OK statistics. Owned in 70 percent of leagues, Brooks is fourth on the team in carries with 25 and he has only one touchdown. The Oklahoma running back is averaging 8.2 yards per carry, but others have been chosen to get the ball more.

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Jefferson has dealt with injuries plus the Oregon State offense is splitting carries and throwing the ball much more this season. Last year, Jefferson was a surprise breakout in fantasy leagues, posting huge numbers at running back but not in the three games he’s played this season. Jefferson is second on the team with 287 yards and a touchdown although he edges out Artavis Pierce in carries, 51 to 43. With such a potent passing attack, Jefferson, who’s owned in 96 percent of leagues, might not get the ball enough to put up huge numbers again.

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There is absolutely nothing to be disappointed about when it comes to Oklahoma’s offense, but for fantasy purposes Sermon has not been good, either, in the Sooners’ backfield. Here’s the thing: Quarterback Jalen Hurts leads the team in carries (47), rushing yards by far (443) and with five touchdowns. Then there is Brooks getting carries and Rhamondre Stevenson also has four TDs. In this case, Oklahoma has just too many weapons in the running game, so focusing on one player makes it tough. Owned in 88 percent of leagues, Sermon has 274 rushing yards and three TDs.

Taylor was another under-the-radar Pac-12 fantasy goldmine last season but he missed the UCLA game because of injury and is now third on the team in rushing yards. On 35 carries, Taylor has only 208 yards and two touchdowns. A few things are playing a factor here as Arizona is running quarterback Khalil Tate a little more often and Gary Brightwell is getting touches as well. With so many moving pieces in the running game, Taylor, who’s owned in 82 percent of leagues, probably won’t match his numbers from a year ago.

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Owned in 86 percent of leagues, Verdell finds himself in a similar situation as some other running backs on this list: He’s splitting carries with another talented running back and Oregon’s passing attack is so potent, it’s taking away some touchdowns away from Verdell. In four games this season, Verdell has carried the ball 54 times for 231 yards and two touchdowns. The Ducks’ quarterback, Justin Herbert, has 14 TD passes.

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