John Laub presents the Scholar’s Surreptitious Starters, a look at the top college fantasy football sleepers for Week 10 of the NCAA Football season.
College Fantasy Football Sleepers: Quarterback
Brady White, Memphis vs. SMU: O/U 72 & Memphis -5.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 48%
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #112 (270.9 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 27 ppg.
On many of my CFF teams this week, I desperately needed to pick up a quarterback: On one team, I actually needed two signal-callers. I grabbed Brady White off the waiver wire on four clubs and inserted him into my lineups.
How big is the SMU-Memphis game? The one-loss Tigers host the undefeated Mustangs, and ABC chose the contest as its primetime game on Saturday night. At press time, it is the highest over-under of the weekend, and both teams employ offenses ranked among the top 25 in the nation, combining for an average of over 80 points per game. I cannot wait to see the biggest game of the year in the AAC.
White has eclipsed over 22 fantasy points in four consecutive games with a high of 37 against Tulane two weeks ago. For the season, the Memphis field general has completed 69% of his passes for over 2,100 yards and 20 touchdowns against only four interceptions.
I will purchase a top-shelf IPA, cook nachos with black beans and guacamole, turn on the game and enjoy every second of this high-scoring contest. Join me in total bliss Saturday night as Brady tosses three touchdowns and passes for nearly 300 yards.
Steven Montez, Colorado vs. UCLA: O/U 64.5 & UCLA -6.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 32%
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #127 (306.8 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 34.3 ppg.
There are not many more frustrating CFF signal callers than Steven Montez. His career arch emulates a roller coaster. At times, he looks like an All-American while others he appears no better than a walk on in his first start on campus.
Against USC last week, Montez produced 38.7 fantasy points with 324 passing yards, 45 rushing yards and four total touchdowns. Regrettably, the senior barely accumulated over seven fantasy points combined in the previous two games. In the past two campaigns, Montez started each game against the Bruins and has been very prosperous. In 2017, Montez posted 26.9 fantasy points and last year, he scored 35.9 points.
There is always a low floor and high ceiling when starting Montez in CFF lineups. The matchup is so enticing that I am willing to roll the dice that the All-American version of Montez shows up against UCLA. Likely playing from behind on the road in the fourth quarter, the game script indicates another big afternoon for the Buffaloes’ signal caller with over 250 yards passing and three touchdowns.
Additional QB Sleepers:
- Jake Luton, Oregon State at Arizona: O/U 71.5 & Arizona -6.0
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 15%
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #128 (310.4 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 35 ppg. - Garrett Shrader, Mississippi State at Arkansas: O/U 52.5 & Auburn -19.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 12%
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #71 (227 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 32.9 ppg.
Twitterverse on Fire!
Who Ya Got? Identify the most enticing under-the-radar QB to place into starting lineups in Week 10.
- Brady White, Memphis vs. SMU: 15%
- Garrett Shrader, Mississippi St. at Arkansas: 30%
- Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati at East Carolina: 19%
- Jake Luton, Oregon State at Arizona: 36%
John’s Vote: Brady White
“Garrett Shrader for me: I have picked him up in two leagues to get me thru this bye-week hell. Tasty matchup versus the Razorbacks this week…His rushing can really put him over the top.” @JustinNottingh6
“I rolled with the young man from Mississippi State as well.” @aceholesrule
“Jake Luton, always first in my heart.” @markrlindquist
“Schrader…Hogs will key on Hill leaving lots of running lanes for Schrader.” @Andy22Moore
College Fantasy Football Sleepers: Running Back
Joshua Mack, Liberty at UMass: O/U 70 & Liberty -23.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 12%
Opponent Defense vs. Run: #130 (274 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 50.6 ppg.
Over the past few years, I have won many college fantasy football contests picking up players who go up against the UConn and UMass defenses. There is no reason to stop picking on the Minutemen’s horrific defense now.
As Justin Heisley, my CFF: On Campus partner, likes to state, UMass is “dead last” against the run in college football. Last week, I suggested acquiring RB Kevin Mensah against the Minutemen, and he did not disappoint. The Huskies’ ball carrier scored five times and rushed for 164 yards, scoring 46.4 fantasy points.
Joshua Mack is the next in line to bludgeon the poor front seven at UMass. In the last three games, the Flames have turned the keys of the running game over to Mack, and he has embraced the opportunity. Mack has earned 38 carries and rambled for 267 yards while scoring four touchdowns.
In high school, the junior wanted to play for Liberty but did not get an invite. He spent two years at Maine, paced the FCS in rushing yards per game (113.5) and reaped first-team All-American honors before transferring. Unfortunately, he did not earn a scholarship and spent a year on the scout team, working to gain the confidence of the coaching staff.
After eight games, Mack leads the Flames in rushing yards (496), average yards per carry (6.5) and touchdowns (5). He is available in nearly 90% of leagues and is in a stupendous position to record his third 100-yard performance in four weeks. Mack should be owned on nearly 40% of teams before kickoff on Saturday.
Tavien Feaster, South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt: O/U 51 & South Carolina -15.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 18%
Opponent Defense vs. Run: #108 (202 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 33.6 ppg.
In high school, Tavien Feaster was a consensus top-60 player in the nation and first-team All-American. He enrolled at Clemson and gained 1,330 yards and scored 16 times in three seasons on campus. Nevertheless, he remained behind Travis Etienne on the depth chart, and on August 3, he transferred to South Carolina as a graduate student.
In the first seven games of the crusade, Feaster shared the backfield duties with starter Rico Dowdle, who suffered a sprained right knee against Florida two weeks ago. The former Clemson Tiger stepped into the spotlight and shined on the main stage the past two games. Against the Gators, he rushed for 175 yards and a touchdown, and last week, he rambled for 80 yards and another touchdown.
Vanderbilt has been one of the most disappointing teams of the year in college football and has not slowed opponents on the ground, surrendering over 200 yards per game. With Dowdle ruled out for the contest against the Commodores, Feaster will be featured in the game plan once again. The newest Gamecock will exceed the 100-yard barrier for the third time this season and score again.
Additional RB Sleepers:
- Marcus McElroy, Colorado State vs. UNLV: O/U 65.5 & Colorado State -8.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 16%
Opponent Defense vs. Run: #115 (208.5 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 34.1 ppg. - Gerold Bright, Utah State vs. BYU: O/U 50.5 & -Utah State -3.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 41%
Opponent Defense vs. Run: #121 (217 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 29.7
Twitterverse on Fire!
Who Ya Got? Identify the overlooked running back to place into starting lineups in Week 10.
- Cade Carney, Wake Forest vs. NC State: 4%
- Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M vs. UTSA: 43%
- Zach Charbonnet, Michigan at Maryland: 34%
- J.J. Taylor, Arizona vs. Oregon State: 20%
John’s Vote: J.J. Taylor
“Literally, my entire starting team except one running back is on a bye. Kickers and defense included.” @TommygarrettPFN
“I like JJ. Taylor who is getting 20 touches per game the last three and plays a weak Oregon State Defense. Nice pick up for the week.” @aceholesrule
“I think Michigan has found their identity and Maryland is terrible. I’d go with Charbonnet.” @val_gunn
“Isaiah Spiller has been in my starting lineup for about six weeks now.” @Stoops1990
“Spiller, against UTSA, he could put up a monster stat line this week.” @JustinNottingh6
College Fantasy Football Sleepers: Running Back: Wide Receiver
Dazz Newsome, North Carolina vs. Virginia: O/U 47 & North Carolina -2.0
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 37%
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #10 (169.1 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 20.8 ppg.
It is counter-intuitive to identify Dazz Newsome as a sleeper candidate this weekend against the Cavaliers. The matchup analysis did not pinpoint the North Carolina playmaker as a starter. Nonetheless, I do use my intuition as an analyst at times to select a player for the list. Hence, my adoration for Newsome to be placed into lineups this week.
QB Sam Howell has exceeded the expectations of most CFF diehards, guiding the Tar Heels to a 4-4 record. When a quarterback throws 22 touchdowns in eight games, receivers are obviously going to benefit. Earlier in the season, I touted Dyami Brown as a pickup; yet, Newsome has ascended to the alpha dog position in the aerial assault in Chapel Hill.
For the season, the former defensive back ranks thirty-ninth among CFF wideouts with 42 catches for 629 yards and five touchdowns. He leads North Carolina in targets (59), catches, yards, receiving touchdowns and red-zone targets (8). Amazing transition from the defensive side of the football. “He has become a better route runner. He still needs to improve in some technique and things, but he is fearless, whether it’s with his blocking or running across the middle,” receivers coach Lonnie Galloway said on dailypress.com by Norm Wood.
How well as Newsome played in the month of October? He is the nineteenth most industrious receiver ahead of CFF luminaries Marquez Stevenson, Isaiah Hodgins, Tyler Johnson, Tylan Wallace, etc. Howell, Newsome and the Tar Heels will be in a dogfight with the Cavaliers this Saturday. Despite the questionable matchup, I anticipate a big outing for the North Carolina playmaker.
Tre Nixon, Central Florida vs. Houston: O/U 71.5 & UCF -22
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 15%
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #123 (287.2 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 31.1 ppg.
Unlike my previous selection at receiver, all of the key statistics identify Tre Nixon as a sleeper this week against the Cougars. It is a delicious matchup for the Knights’ passing game on Saturday.
In the last four games, Houston has been torched by Mason Fine (North Texas), Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati), Zack Zergiotis (UConn) and Shane Buechele (SMU). The Cougars last four opponents have combined for 1,089 passing yards and eight touchdowns. UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel should easily be able to find holes in the Houston’ secondary.
At 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, Nixon is second on the team in every receiving category: targets (48), catches (30), yards (505), red-zone targets (5) and touchdowns (5). In five of the last six games, the redshirt junior has produced over 15 fantasy points and scored four times.
Houston must deploy resources to slow down WR Gabriel Davis, leaving Nixon in favorable matchups. If you need assistance at wideout, the Knights’ wideout can provide much-needed assistance in CFF lineups.
Additional WR Sleepers:
- Kendall Hinton, Wake Forest vs. North Carolina State: O/U 60.5 & Wake Forest -7.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 7%
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #80 (235 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 22.7 ppg. - Darnell Mooney, Tulane vs. Tulsa: O/U 61 & Tulane -10.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 19%
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #42 (204.3 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 32.4 ppg.
Twitterverse on Fire!
Who Ya Got? Identify the sleeper wide receiver to place into starting lineups in Week 10.
- Dazz Newsome, North Carolina vs. Virginia: 22%
- Victor Tucker, Charlotte vs. Middle Tennessee: 22%
- Darnell Mooney, Tulane vs. Tulsa: 22%
- Tre Nixon, Central Florida vs. Houston: 35%
John’s Vote: Darnell Mooney
“Tucker is intriguing, but had to vote Nixon. Most talented player in the group, and the Houston defense is a nice matchup.” @CFBWinningEdge
“I agree with @CFBWinningEdge, Nixon…big play ability…” @JustinNottingh6
Also, be sure to check out Justin Heisey, The Gridiron Scholar John Laub, and InThisLeague’s Scott Bogman’s podcast CFF: On Campus for weekly College Fantasy Football news and analysis on Apple Podcasts or Spreaker.
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