Fantasy points based upon a standard scoring system - passing touchdowns = 4 points, rushing touchdowns = 6 points, 25 passing yards = 1 point, 10 rushing/receiving yards = 1 point

1. Tony Pike, Cincinnati (SR) — Bye Weeks — 6, 12 — No. 25 overall QB
A rash of injuries elevated Pike from fifth stringer to starter and from there, one of the top passers in the Big East. Although an arm injury forced Pike to miss two games and wear a cast while on the field, he finished with seven games of at least 230 passing yards and posted six games of at least two touchdown tosses. The senior should have no trouble topping last year’s numbers, especially if he manages to avoid the injury bug.  The Bearcats lose dependable Dominick Goodman at receiver, but return Mardy Gilyard, D.J. Woods and promising junior college transfer Jamar Howard. Adding to Pike’s fantasy value is the Bearcat defense returning only one starter. Until the defense gells, the Bearcats will depend heavily on the offense to make a run at back-to-back Big East crowns. Pike has plenty of upside this year and should be a strong QB3 in 120 leagues.

2008 stats: 155.90 fantasy points
Passing: 2,407 yds., 19 TDs, 11 INTs
Rushing: 47 yds., 1 TD

2. Matt Grothe, South Florida (SR) — Bye Weeks — 6, 10 — No. 31 overall QB
Grothe has been one of the biggest teases among fantasy quarterbacks the last couple of years. Although he flashed potential – two 300-yard performances in the first month last year – there will also be a few duds. In a late season four-game stretch, Grothe threw only one touchdown pass, but rebounded to throw three in the bowl victory over Memphis. The senior has to find more consistency, which includes cutting down on his interceptions. New coordinator Mike Canales wants to be aggressive, but fantasy owners should consider Grothe a solid QB3 – for now.

2008 stats: 200.54 fantasy points
Passing: 2,911 yds., 18 TDs, 14 INTs
Rushing: 591 yds., 4 TDs

3. Jarrett Brown, West Virginia (SR) — Bye Weeks — 4, 12 — No. 45 overall QB
With Pat White out of eligibility, Brown has some pretty big shoes to fill. The senior is 2-0 as the starter, including a 14 of 20 for 52 yards and one touchdown performance in a 17-6 victory over Syracuse last year. Although Brown has been effective in a limited role, will he be able to carry that over a full season? Considering Brown has the physical tools to succeed and plenty of talented weapons at receiver, he could be one of this year’s top surprises at quarterback. However, the Mountaineers are breaking in four new starters up front and it may take Brown some time to get into his comfort zone as the starter. Fantasy owners should consider the senior a QB3 with a lot of upside.

2008 stats: 23.88 fantasy points
Passing: 114 yds., 1 TD
Rushing: 169 yds., 1 TD

4. Zach Frazer, Connecticut (JR) — Bye Weeks — 5, 11
The Huskies were one of the worst passing teams in college football last season and coach Randy Edsall knew he needed a change in philosophy. Edsall hired Joe Moorhead from Akron to implement a no-huddle offense and the Huskies believe this should provide a significant boost for a stale passing game. Although the Huskies will continue to win with their defense and running attack, the quarterbacks figure to benefit most from this change. Frazer hasn’t lived up to the potential he displayed coming out of high school, but this scheme could be the perfect fit. With a new offensive scheme, expect a few rough patches. However, Frazer has some potential and owners should keep a close watch on him for a potential waiver wire pickup for select matchups.

2008 stats: 23.54 fantasy points
Passing: 536 yds., 2 TDs, 6 INTs
Rushing: -2 yds., 0 TD

5. Bill Stull, Pittsburgh (SR) — Bye Weeks — 9, 12
With no LeSean McCoy to lean on this year, the Panthers have to get more out of their passing game. Stull played relatively well early last year, throwing for at least 220 yards in five out of the first seven games. However, after suffering a concussion against Rutgers, he tossed four touchdowns to five interceptions and only went over 220 passing yards twice in the final four games of the year. The Panthers have solid talent at receiver, led by sophomore Jonathan Baldwin and Oderick Turner. However, Stull should only be a QB4 in BCS-only leagues or as a waiver wire pickup for a select matchup in 120 leagues.

2008 stats: 107.42 fantasy points
Passing: 2,356 yds., 9 TDs, 10 INTs
Rushing: -136 yds., 1 TD

6. Domenic Natale, Rutgers (SR) — Bye Weeks — 6, 10
Just like Jarrett Brown, Natale has some big shoes to fill this season. Gone is Mike Teel, the school’s career leader in touchdown passes and passing yardage. Natale has just eight career passing attempts to his credit and with the loss of Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood, the Scarlet Knights are thin and inexperienced at receiver. Natale may be more of a game manager this year, especially with a solid offensive line and stable of running backs. Although Natale enters fall practice as the starter, expect him to get a strong challenge from freshman Tom Savage. 

2008 stats: 3.6 fantasy points
Passing: 36 yds., 0 TD, 0 INT
Rushing: -7 yds., 0 TD

7. Ryan Nassib, Syracuse (FR) — Bye Week — 7
New coach Doug Marrone has brought a lot of promise to Syracuse, but the Orange still have a ways to go on the field and in the fantasy world. The offense limped to a finish of 108th in the nation in scoring offense and managed only 270 yards per game. Marrone is known as an offensive guru, so there should be some improvement this year. Nassib looked promising on the scout team last year, but has yet to take a snap on the college level. Helping his cause this year is the return of receiver Mike Williams from an academic suspension. Owners in keeper leagues should monitor Nassib’s progress early in the year, but he’s only QB5 or QB6 in 120 leagues.

2008 stats: none

8. Justin Burke, Louisville (JR) — Bye Week — 2
How the mighty have fallen. Chris Redman, Dave Ragone, Stefan LeFors, Brian Brohm and Hunter Cantwell have all taken snaps for the Cardinals over the last 13 seasons, but it’s a huge question mark entering 2009. Justin Burke, Adam Froman and Zach Stoudt are competing for the job and none have thrown a pass in a Louisville uniform. Considering the run of Louisville quarterbacks, it’s a little surprising to see how thin and suspect this position is heading into 2009. Burke has a slight edge entering fall practice, but it’s wide-open and don’t be surprised if this job changes hands a couple of times this year.

2008 stats: none

9. Chazz Anderson, Cincinnati (SO)
10. Jabu Lovelace, Rutgers (SR)
11. Tom Savage, Rutgers (FR)
12. Coley White, West Virginia (FR)
13. Eugene Smith, West Virginia (FR)
14. Adam Froman, Louisville (JR)
15. Pat Bostick, Pittsburgh (JR)
16. Cam Dantley, Syracuse (SR)
17. Tino Sunseri, Pittsburgh (FR)
18. Zach Collaros, Cincinnati (SO)
19. Cody Endres, Connecticut (SO)
20. D.C. Jefferson, Rutgers (FR)
21. Zach Stoudt, Louisville (FR)
22. B.J. Daniels, South Florida (FR)
23. Greg Paulus, Syracuse (SR)

2009 draft kit

Top 200
Quarterback rankings
Running back rankings
Wide receiver rankings
Tight end rankings
Kicker rankings
Team defense rankings
2009 Very early mock draft

Quarterback Profiles

ACC
Big Ten

Follow us at Twitter: AthlonFantasy

Check out u-sports.athlonsports.com for more information on college fantasy leagues for the 2009 season.

Del.icio.us | Digg it | Athlon Sports RSS Feeds