COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF: Who's making the case for a top-four ranking?
Another weekend of college football is in the books. Here is a look back at Week 9 with some thoughts from a fantasy football perspective.
LAWRENCE IS AMAZING
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 prospect in the 2018 class, continues to put up amazing numbers not only on his team but conference-wide and on the national level as well. The freshman has been so good for the Tigers that he not only could lead them to the College Football Playoff - along with an outstanding running game and a lockdown defense - but Lawrence could start entering the Heisman Trophy discussion late in the season.
Lawrence now has more touchdown passes (16) and fewer interceptions (2) than any other quarterback in the ACC after throwing for 314 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in Clemson’s rout of Florida State this weekend. Louisville is coming up next so Lawrence’s stats should only be padded more.
Only owned in 35 percent of fantasy leagues, Lawrence could be an incredible steal late in the season.
DON'T OVERLOOK JOHNSON
All the hype in the Big Ten this season when it comes to receivers has centered on Purdue freshman Rondale Moore and rightfully so since he’s been a breakout star for the Boilermakers. But Minnesota’s Tyler Johnson is not getting his due.
Johnson now leads the Big Ten in receiving yards with 807 and in receiving touchdowns with eight - five more yards and a touchdown more than Moore so far. In Minnesota’s win over Indiana this past weekend, Johnson finished with five catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
Minnesota visits woeful Illinois next weekend so Johnson should be able to pile on even more big numbers and it’s a surprise that he’s owned in only 41 percent of fantasy leagues.
BARNES HAVING SOLID SEASON
Kansas State running back Alex Barnes got bottled up in the Wildcats’ blowout loss to Oklahoma on Saturday where he rushed 13 times for 28 yards. But Barnes still leads the Big 12 in rushing yards (816) and rushing touchdowns (9) for an offense in Manhattan that’s not exactly clicking on all cylinders.
The good news for fantasy owners of Barnes is that the schedule lightens up as well so the Kansas State running back could have breakout performances coming up. TCU, Kansas and Texas Tech are the Wildcats’ next three opponents.
FITZGERALD IS AN ENIGMA
Strictly as a passing quarterback, Mississippi State’s Nick Fitzgerald is one of the worst in the SEC with only 1,009 passing yards so far this season. He’s thrown for six touchdowns and seven interceptions - and that’s after throwing for 241 yards and two scores in the Bulldogs’ upset win over Texas A&M on Saturday night.
As a runner, Fitzgerald has been amazing. He’s fourth in the SEC with 732 rushing yards, not among quarterbacks, among all players, trailing only Kentucky’s Benny Snell Jr., Texas A&M’s Trayveon Williams and Ole Miss’ Scottie Phillips, all running backs. He’s tied for second in the league with nine rushing TDs, adding two fourth-quarterback scores to ice the game against the Aggies.
Watching Mississippi State throw the ball can be torture. But Fitzgerald - whether with his arm or his feet - is putting up nice stats and is worth a look in fantasy leagues especially this weekend against Louisiana Tech.
BIG-NAME BUSTS IN THE PAC-12
Anywhere you look in the Pac-12 and big-name preseason players are not producing in fantasy leagues.
Let’s start at quarterback: Washington’s Jake Browning has 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions and was pulled as the Huskies couldn’t do anything on offense in a loss to Cal this weekend. Five-star freshman phenom JT Daniels at USC has eight touchdowns and seven picks and missed this past loss with a concussion. Arizona’s Khalil Tate hardly runs anymore and even still has thrown for 14 touchdowns but is ninth in the conference in passing yards.
Running back is especially noteworthy. Stanford’s Bryce Love is No. 12 in the conference in rushing yards with only 419 and he has three rushing scores as he’s dealt with injuries. Washington’s Myles Gaskin has only five rushing scores all season.
The top two running backs in the conference, and the only two with 1,000-yard seasons already, are Oregon State’s Jermar Jefferson (1,034 yards and 12 touchdowns) and Arizona’s J.J. Taylor (1,029 yards and six scores). Try to predict that before the season.
