
A very interesting Week six is in the books and it is now time to look to the seventh week of college fantasy football and the “sneaky” plays it has in store for fantasy owners. Here is a look at some players who might fill in nicely for owners in need of a potential diamond in the rough.
QUARTERBACKS
Zac Dysert QB Miami Ohio vs. Kent State:
Dysert exploded last week accounting for 381 total yards and five touchdowns against Army. He has a great receiving option in Nick Harwell and is asked to throw often as Miami Ohio struggles to run the ball effectively. This week he faces a Kent State defense that is not too shabby by the numbers, but they have not faced many passing teams and no wide outs the caliber of Harwell. Dysert could post nice fantasy numbers in Week seven against Kent State.
Matt Barkley QB USC vs. Cal:
Barkley is averaging almost 320 yards per game through the air and just dropped 468 yards and five total scores on Arizona in Week five. The Trojans have become a pass first team and Barkley is locked on to Robert Woods like glue. He should find more success this week against a susceptible Cal pass defense that will likely have no answer for the USC passing attack. Fantasy owners can probably expect another 300 plus yard effort from Barkley this Thursday night.
Matt Christian New Mexico State vs. Idaho:
Christian has been very productive filling in for the injured Andrew Manley. He showed off his dual threat skills two weeks ago against New Mexico when threw for 296 yards and four scores and ran for 101 yards and a touchdown. With Idaho on the docket this week, Christian could be in store for a huge stat line. Don’t be afraid to roll the dice on Christian this week as the reward could be big.
Riley Nelson QB BYU vs. Oregon State:
Nelson replaced the ineffective Jake Heaps two weeks ago against Utah State and appears to have seized control of the starting job with his inspired play. He brings the added dimension of a rushing threat and has accumulated 127 yards on the ground in the past game and a half. He could have a pretty productive day this week against an Oregon State secondary that ranks 94
th in the nation. Nelson and the BYU offense could post some big numbers in Week seven.
RUNNING BACKS
Orleans Darkwa RB Tulane vs. UTEP:
Darkwa was highly ranked by most fantasy experts coming into the season, but has not lived up to expectations until the past two games. He has 211 yards and three scores in that time period and looks to be back on the track to fantasy starter territory. Darkwa could run wild this week against a porous UTEP rush defense that yields just over 200 yards per game. Fantasy owners who held onto Darkwa could be very happy after this week.
Paris Cotton RB Central Michigan vs. Eastern Michigan:
Cotton has been white hot recently, compiling 285 total yards and four scores over his last two contests. He could continue his hot streak this week when he faces Eastern Michigan in a fantasy friendly MAC game. Cotton is a decent bet to top the 100-yard mark for the third straight game and help fantasy owners who may be looking for a hidden gem this weekend.
Brynn Harvey RB UCF vs. SMU:
Harvey looks to be fully recovered from a knee injury that knocked him out for the entire 2010 season. He rumbled for 180 yards on an impressive 30 carries last week versus Marshall and looks to have reclaimed his starting spot in the backfield. He may not have such a high yardage total against SMU, but he should still post solid numbers and possibly find the end zone also.
Kenjon Barner RB Oregon vs. Arizona State:
Barner makes the list this week simply because he could be in line for a bunch of carries if LaMichael James is unable to play. James a horrific looking shoulder injury last week against Cal and there is a good chance he could miss this weeks game against Arizona State. Fantasy owners all know how well that Oregon runs the football and Barner should fill in nicely and put up starter type numbers in Week seven.
WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS
Darius Reynolds WR Iowa State vs. Missouri:
Reynolds has scored two touchdowns in three of the first five games this season for Iowa State. He is clearly the favorite target when the Cyclones take to the air and is having a career season. Reynolds could have another fine outing against a suspect Missouri pass defense. Another 100-yard day with a score and seven or eight receptions are well within reach for Reynolds on Saturday.
Brent Leonard WR Louisiana Monroe vs. Troy:
Leonard has put together three solid games in a row with 311 yards and three scores during that time period. He holds huge value in PPR leagues and he hauled in 31 receptions over the past three games. Leonard could have a field day against a woeful Troy pass defense that allows almost 300 yards passing per game. Another double digit reception day could be in the cards for Leonard in Week seven.
Rashad Greene WR Florida State vs. Duke:
Greene has scored in every game this season and has developed into the top option in the Florida State passing game. He has 20 receptions for 261 yards and two scores over the past two games. He is a good bet to post big numbers this week versus a putrid Duke pass defense which ranks 106
th in the nation. Look for Greene to go over the century mark again and likely find pay dirt at least once this weekend.
Jaxon Shipley WR Texas vs. Oklahoma State:
It has not taken long for this freshman to separate himself and become the #1 wide out for the Longhorns. He has been the best offensive player on the field for Texas and figures to see plenty of action this week against Oklahoma State. Shipley will have to be a major factor for Texas to have any hope of hanging with the potent Cowboys offense.
Tim Biere TE Kansas vs. Oklahoma:
Biere has quietly been pretty consistent at the very inconsistent tight end position. He is averaging about four receptions per game and is tied for the team lead in that category. It is fairly likely that Kansas will be down big early and will be throwing the ball all day long against Oklahoma. The beauty about fantasy football is that it doesn’t matter if the stats come in garbage time or in a competitive game, they all count the same.
Sneaky D’s:
Wisconsin vs. Indiana
Cincinnati vs. Louisville
Temple vs. Buffalo
Florida State vs. Duke
Oklahoma vs. Kansas
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