Quarterback Rankings
Deserves a Second Look
Trevor Vittatoe, UTEP (@ La.-Laf)
One quick look at the split stats is all owners should need here. In the first three games of the season, Vittatoe threw for only 499 yards and two touchdowns - with three interceptions. In the five games since, he is averaging 279 yards per game and has 17 touchdown passes (only two picks). In fact, he has alternated every week, over the span, between three and four touchdowns. If the trend continues, Vittatoe will throw four touchdowns this weekend.

Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M (Oklahoma)
Stop the presses! The Aggies have won two in a row. Johnson has been brillant in those two victories: 595 yards, 7 TD, 0 INT. He also added a score on the ground. While a win is out of the question this week, good numbers are not. Oklahoma's defense is missing its best player and best pass rusher. The Sooners should have no trouble scoring themselves, so look for Johnson and the Aggies to throw the ball for the entire second half.

Rusty Smith, Florida Atlantic (North Texas)
Ole Trusty Rusty makes a rare appearnce in the positive section of this article. Smith is averaging nearly 250 ypg in his last three and has scored six total touchdowns over that span.  North Texas is right in the mix for worst FBS defense in the nation. They rank 118th in total and scoring defense allowing an alarming 489 ypg - nearly 300 of that through the air - and 48 ppg.

Other guys to look at:
Tom Brandstater, Fresno St (Nevada)
Big time shootout in Fresno is big time possibility.

Rudy Carpenter, Arizona St (@ Washington)
The poor Huskies rank 116th or worse in almost all defensive categories.

Mike Teel, Rutgers (Syracuse)
Do we get first six weeks Mike Teel or Pitt Mike Teel?

Russell Wilson, N.C. State (@ Duke)
Very efficient play from the young dual-threat thus far (10 TD, 1 INT).

Better Think Twice
Josh Freeman, Kansas St (@ Missouri)
Timing is everything. The week that the head coach "resigns," the Wildcats have to face maybe the most effective and diverse offense in the nation. And did I mention that Freeman has yet to throw a touchdown in three road conference games thus far? Fumbling on the goal line doesn't help matters either. Let's just say its been a rough week for Wildcat fans.

Chase Holbrook, New Mexico St (Hawaii)
O-line ineptitude comes to mind when dealing with the Aggies of New Mexico State. Holbrook has a chance because Hawaii can be thrown on, but not if he is laying on the ground all game. They rank 115th at protecting the quarterback allowing 3.25 sacks per game. Until the line play gets better, expectations for Holbrook should be mediocre at best.

Daryll Clark, Penn St (@ Iowa)
In what should be a defensive struggle, the upside for Clark is non-existent. The run game will be little help at loosing up the secondary so Clark will have small windows to throw into. This Iowa defense ranks right behind PSU and Ohio State for best defenses in the Big Ten. Anything more than 200-2 is unlikely.

Play 'Em but lower expectations:
Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
Cowboys defense is much better than people think.

Max Hall, BYU
They may not need him to throw - at all.

Zac Robinson, Oklahoma
Radiers defense is much better than people think.

Chase Clement, Rice
Army could control the clock in this one.

Running Back Rankings

Deserves a Second Look
Nicolas Grigsby, Arizona (@ Washington St)
This week's edition of 'Pick On Wassu' features the Wildcats of Arizona. A glance at the box score and owners probably think that Grigs is a must start each with 10 touchdowns on the season. However, fumble problems have allowed Keola Antolin to crack the line-up. Gigsby has only averaged 49 yards rushing per game over the last three but against WSU, both players should score big. Especially with Antolin's health a question mark.

Anthony Harding, Fresno St (Nevada)
The shootout in Fresno continues. With Ryan Mathews and Lonyae Miller doubtful for Friday's contest, Harding could reap the benefit of extended playing time. Both teams should score bunches of points and someone will be there to collect the fantasy points. Even as the third stringer, Harding has averaged nearly 60 ypg this season.

Curtis Steele, Memphis (@ SMU)
Steele is coming off his best fantasy output of the season against Southern Miss: 178 yards, 2 TD. He also has a 200-yard game this season, so the potential is certainly there. Especially when facing the 119th ranked defense in the nation. Yup, SMU is allowing a nation worst 490 ypg. Of that, 235 of it is rushing. That ranks 116th nationally.

Others to watch:
Kordell Young, Rutgers (Syracuse)

Darrell Scott, Colorado (Iowa St)

a John Clay, Wisconsin (@ Indiana)

Better Think Twice
Charles Scott and Co., LSU (Alabama)
The formula for success for Bama is to run the football and limit the turnovers. This means plenty of Glen Coffee and Mark Ingram and fewer snaps for the LSU offense. Bama also gets the monstrosity Terrence Cody back at nose tackle. If Jarrett Lee cannot stretch the defense, there will be eight and nine in the box nearly the entire game. That does not bode well for the Tiger offense.

Jahvid Best, Cal (@ USC)
The Trojans rank number one nationally in scoring, passing, total and pass efficiency defense. And the clearly slacking fifth ranked rush defense is looking to make a statement this week. Best has been great all season but will be running into a brick wall in Los Angeles this weekend.

Evan Royster v. Shonn Greene (PSU @ Iowa)
The Big Ten's best two run defense square off in Kinnick Stadium this Saturday. PSU should have minimal success on offense and what little it gets will be because they will spread the Hawkeyes out. These two defenses allow nearly 100 yards less rushing per game than San Diego State...combined! (292 to 199)

A few others to be wary of:
Michael Smith, Arkansas (@ South Carolina)
At least the Ole Ball Coach loves the defense still.

Noel Devine, West Virginia (Cincy)
One of Big East best run defenses. Plus, its White's show from here on out.

Brandon West, Western Michigan (Illinois - in Detroit)
WMU should not be able to push around Illini front seven.

Wide Receiver Rankings

Deserves a Second Look
Tommy Saunders, Missouri (Kansas St)
Play every Missouri option known to man this weekend. Kansas State's defense has been pathetic and their quarterback is mistake prone and terrible on the road. Oh, did I mention that the Wildcat head coach "stepped down" this week?

Kenny Britt, Rutgers (Syracuse)
Stat line the last two games: 14 receptions, 250 yards, 3 touchdowns. Britt is in the top-10 nationally in receptions per game (7.3) and averages over 100 ypg. Let's just hope that the right Rutgers shows up for this game because Syracuse is having trouble stopping anyone at the moment. They are last in the Big East in every major defensive category.

James Rodgers, Oregon St (@ UCLA)
The elder of the Rodgers brothers has put up 155 receiving yards, 96 rushing yards and three total touchdowns in his last two games. The Beavers have made an effort recently to get him the ball more from the backfield and motion end around type plays. UCLA has had trouble stopping the run lately and will likely give up a big play or two this weekend as well. This goes for Sammie Stroughter as well.

Jeffery Fuller and Co., Texas A&M (Oklahoma)
The 92nd ranked high school prospect from last season's AC100 is beginning to compete with the top-20 guys (Julio Jones, A.J. Green etc). Fuller actually has better numbers than Jones at this point. This Saturday, the Aggies should be able to throw the ball against a banged up Sooner defense. Plus, they should be behind most of the game, so Jerrod Johnson could be throwing a lot.

Better Think Twice
Jamarko Simmons, Western Michigan (Illinois - in Detroit)
The large - 6'4" 230-pound - Bronco receiver has been money all season long. However, this Saturday he should be matched up against future NFL star Vontae Davis. The Illini corner has proven to be a shut down corner. With the emergence of other receivers for this offense, Simmons may be more of a decoy this weekend. He should still catch at least seven passes, but the upside is limited.

A.J. Green, Georgia (@ Kentucky)
Wildcat corner - much like Davis - Trevard Lindley will likely be matched up against Green all game. He is arguable the SEC's best cover corner (ahem, D.J. Moore) and should limit Green's upside. The Bulldogs will most certainly get Knowshon Moreno and the ground game going early. Expect that to be the focus of the offense this weekend, not the passing attack.

Michael Floyd / Golden Tate, Notre Dame (@ Boston College)
The Notre Dame offense has been playing well lately and normally benching Mike Floyd would be a huge mistake. This week, the upside is limited, however. Quarterback Jimmy Clausen has thrown at least two interceptions in four games this season. Against a defense that is great at creating turnovers, that does not bode well for all Irish options.

Phillip Payne / Ryan Wolfe, UNLV (New Mexico)
No Omar Clayton. No value. Enough said?

Tight End Rankings

Defensive Rankings

Top waiver wire spot starts:

1. Arizona (@ Washington St)
2. Tennessee (Wyoming)
3. Arizona St (@ Washington)
4. Virginia (@ Wake Forest)
5. Georgia (@ Kentucky)