Quarterback Rankings
Deserves a Second Look
Gregory Alexander III, Hawaii (Idaho)
The latest Warrior to earn the starting job has scored at least two touchdowns in each of his last three starts — including a rushing touchdown in each of his last two games. Idaho, on the other hand, has lost eight of its last nine games and is 117th in total defense (482 ypg) and scoring defense (42 ppg). Last year against Idaho in the Kibbie Dome, Hawaii dropped a 48 spot on the Vandals. Expect the same this year.
Mike Teel, Rutgers (Army)
Mike Teel had a combined three touchdown passes over the first seven games of the season. Over the last three, he has thrown 12 scores, vaulting himself back to fantasy respectability. Against Army, it should continue. This weekend's jousting match between Black and Scarlet Knights features too large of a talent disparity. In this case, it will not be 'just a flesh wound.' Rutgers should roll.
Levi Brown, Troy (La-Laf.)
Since taking over the starting job five weeks ago, Brown has thrown no less that two touchdowns in any game. He also has not thrown for less than 221 yards and reached the 290 mark in three of his last four. Last week in Baton Rouge against an SEC opponent, Brown threw for 316 yards and a pair of touchdowns. ULL ranks 105th in total defense (428 ypg) and 104th in scoring defense (33 ppg).
Austen Arnaud, Iowa St (@ Kansas St)
The Wildcats have the worst defense in the Big 12. They are allowing 222 yards per game on the ground, 465 yards of total offense and 36 point per game. Arnaud should be able to get it done on the ground as well. He has rushed for 348 yards and five scores this season. He is also coming off his second highest passing total (326) of the season. In fact, the 12th best quarterback in the Big 12 has gone for over 300 in two of his last four games.
Better Think Twice
Matt Grothe, USF (UConn)
The junior quarterback is on this list because of uncertainly. If he is healthy and plays the whole game, he is still a decent fantasy option. However, he has missed a lot of practice time this week and does not appear to be 100 percent. Keep and eye on the game notes this weekend prior to Saturday's kickoff. There are safer options out there.
Joseph Webb, UAB (ECU)
ECU held Southern Miss' Austin Davis to six yards rushing last week (32 yards below his average). Last year, the Blazers mustered only six points in a 35-point blowout. The Pirates rank in C-USA's top-3 in nearly every major defense category and against a young quarterback, they should perform well. Although Webb continues to get it done on the ground (86 ypg), the talented signal-caller has an atrocious 3:9 touchdown in to interception ratio over his last four games — including two in which he failed to throw a touchdown.
Adam Weber, Minnesota (Iowa)
The Gopher quarterback has not had as good of a fantasy season as expected. The sophomore has only three games in which he threw more than one touchdowns. To his credit, he has been injured and had a solid game last week against the Badgers. This week against the Hawkeyes, it will be a different story — especially if star wideout Eric Decker isn't 100 percent. Iowa ranks 10th in the nation in pass efficiency defense and will likely stop the run as well. It could be a long day as the two teams battle for a big gold pig.
Brian Johnson, Utah (BYU)
Yes, BJ is coming off his best game as a Ute, maybe ever. He threw five touchdowns last week. The odds of that happening again are slim and none. He has not thrown more than two touchdowns in a game since 2005 — prior to any number of injuries. Take away last week's game against the pathetic Aztec defense and his TD to INT ratio is 15:9. Nothing to write home about. Expect this rivalry game to very close. Conspiracy theories abound, however, as the MWC would miss out on a $9.7 million check if BYU wins.
Tim Tebow, Florida (Citadel)
What? Don't play Tim Tebow against a 4-7 FCS team? Really? Well, I will never tell you to bench Tebow. However, this week is interesting and the same goes for Percy Harvin. What is the real upside? If either does not score a couple of times in the first 20-30 minutes, then they won't at all. Urban Meyer has to save his best two players for Florida State and Alabama. Look for the back-ups to be in VERY early in this one.
Running Back Rankings
Deserves a Second Look
Frank Summers, UNLV (@ San Diego St)
The Aztecs continue to lead the nation in rush defense inefficiency. They are allowing a nation-worst 267 yards per game on the ground (which is actually way down from 292 they were allowing two weeks ago). They held the Utes last week to a paltry 198 yards on the ground. Look for the big, bruising Summers to take advantage. With a quarterback entering only his third collegiate start ever, the run game should be a major part of the Rebel attack.
Darren Evans, Virginia Tech (Duke)
After starting the season with six straight games with a touchdown, Evans cooled during the middle of the season. However, he is back with authority for the final third of the year. He put a 253-yard rushing effort up on Maryland two weeks ago and against Duke, could be in for a big day. The Blue Devil's are 10th or 11th in the ACC in nearly every major defensive statistic.
Michael Smith v. Anthony Dixon (Arkansas @ Misissippi State)
Arkansas and Mississippi State are the 12th and 11th ranked rush defenses in the SEC. Each allows 150 yards per game on the ground. Smith is second in the SEC in rushing (112 ypg) and Dixon is fifth (67 ypg). With the quarterback play as terrible as it is for these two teams, look for the ground games to featured prominently.
Darius Marshall, Marshall (@ Rice)
In what has turned into a very quarterback friendly fantasy conference, Marshall is one of the top runners from C-USA. He is third in the conference in rushing (89 ypg) and has gone over 100 yards in three straight games. Rice's run defense ranks 103rd nationally, allowing nearly 200 yards per game (199 ypg). But be careful of Herd back-up Chubb Small; he has carried the ball more than 12 times in three of his last four games.
C.J. Spiller, Clemson (@ Virginia)
The Clemson backfield is making a strong push to bolster its draft stock come April. A very strong finish for Spiller would put him on NFL first day radars. Spiller is averaging 153 yards from scrimmage in his last three games and the ACC's second worst rush defense should not be able to stop him. He also has scored at least twice in each of his last two games.
Better Think Twice
Javon Ringer, Michigan State (@ Penn State)
How do you bench a guy who is the top fantasy runner and has scored twice in each of the last three games. Well, you probably don't. However, PSU is easily the top defense in the Big Ten and is ranked 4th nationally in total defense (258 ypg) and 5th nationally in scoring defense (11 ppg). In three career games versus the Lions, Ringers has rushed for 52 yards on 19 carries and no touchdowns. MSU has not won in Happy Valley since 1965.
Vai Taua, Nevada (Boise St)
The Broncos claim the nation's second best scoring defense as they allow just over 10 points per game this season. They also claim the nation's 12th ranked rush defense (103 ypg). Look for Chris Peterson to slam the box with defenders in an effort to force Colin Kaepernick to throw the football. Taua should reach the end zone at least once but his yards per carry should be down this week.
Harvey Unga, BYU (@ Utah)
The Utes are easily the second best defense in the Mountain West and play very well at home. They are the nation's 7th best rush defense, allowing only 94 ypg on the ground. It certainly does not help that Unga has been battling injuries all season and this week is no exception. The big Cougar back has only two 100-yard games all season and hasn't caught a touchdown since week four. Also, Utah held Quiz Rodgers to his third worst performance as a starter (101 yards) this season.
Nic Grigsby / Keola Antolin, Arizona (Oregon St)
If Grigsby could hang onto the football, this cloudy situation might be a bit clearer. It is almost a crap shoot at his point. Last week Antolin scored four times and Grigsby did nothing. Two weeks ago, Grigsby rushed fro 189 yards and Antolin got eight carries. Four weeks ago, Antolin scored three times and Grigsby carried once.
Antone Smith, Florida St (@ Maryland)
Aside from being a little nicked up, Smith should have a tough go of it against a surging Terps squad that plays much better at home than on the road. Testudo and Co. held North Carolina to 75 yards rushing last week and three times have allowed 15 points or less at home this season. Smith has not reached 60 yards rushing since his 89-yard effort five weeks ago against N.C. State.
Vai Taua, Nevada (Boise State)
Wide Receiver Rankings
Deserves a Second Look
Damaris Johnson, Tulsa (Tulane)
How angry will Tulsa be after 70-30 beat down last week?
Golden Tate and Duval Kumara, Notre Dame (Syracuse)
No Mike Floyd offers opportunities to other Irish receivers.
Greg Orton and Desmond Tardy, Purdue (Indiana)
Curtis Painter looked as good as he has in years last week.
D'Andre Goodwin, Washington (@ Washington State)
WSU might be worst BCS defense...ever.
David Gilreath, Wisconsin (Cal Poly)
Could have a huge first half versus FCS opponent.
Better Think Twice
Eron Riley, Duke (@ Virginia Tech)
Will be matched up against stud corner Macho Harris all game.
Mike Thomas, Arizona (Oregon State)
Veteran, smart secondary does not allow big plays and under-achieving.
Eric Decker, Minnesota (@ Iowa)
Injury concern and really tough match-up.
Ryan Wolfe, UNLV (@ San Diego State)
Could be running the ball all game long and back-up quarterback.
Percy Harvin, Florida (Citadel)
See Tim Tebow above. If he does not score in the first 15, he wont at all.
Top waiver wire defense spot starts:
1. Wisconsin (Cal Poly)
2. Rutgers (Army)
3. Vanderbilt (Tennessee)
4. Tennessee (@ Vanderbilt)
5. Notre Dame (Syracuse)

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