It’s Championship Week in College Fantasy Football, and I could not be more excited for a relaxing long weekend while eating delicious Turkey and watching college football rivalry games for nearly two days straight. In eight CFF leagues, I made the Championship in three and hope to bring home at least two titles. Hope all the readers also have the opportunity to win a ring this weekend.
Be smart: Do not bench your stars at this time in the campaign. Nonetheless, you might need an emergency starter because of injuries or some other unforeseen challenge. Joe Goodwin, Volume Pigs, and I have some players who will be able to provide assistance in lineups. Good luck my fellow CFF diehards!
Week 13 College Fantasy Football Sleepers
Quarterbacks
Bryson Barnes, Utah vs, Colorado (Laub)
FPPG: 15.2
O/U 52.5, Utah -21.5
Fantrax Rostership: 2%
Opponent Passing Defense: 296.5 YPG. & 28 P-TDs
PFF Grade: 73.0
At 7-4, Utah has not been able to replicate the past two crusades in which the Utes won the PAC-12 Championship. Unfortunately, the quarterback position has been in flux without Cam Rising calling signals, and the Utes have started both Nate Johnson and Bryson Barnes, who finally took over the duties six games ago.
Over the past three weeks, Barnes ranks among the Top 20 CFF quarterbacks, averaging 30.6 FPPG in six-point passing TD formats. The junior has logged 36.1, 26.6, and 29.2 fantasy points, tossing eight aerial strikes and adding 129 rushing yards.
Against Arizona on Saturday, the 6’1” and 209-pounder recorded a career-high 320 passing yards on 31-of-53 passing with two touchdowns. He also scampered for a team-best 59 rushing yards. Utah welcomes Colorado to town on Saturday, and Barnes will enjoy plenty of success versus the Buffaloes.
Notebook: “(Barnes) is a tough guy. He’s a really tough guy. Those two scrambles where he lowered the shoulder and just went, that’s who he is…In that situation, the game was on the line. Every scramble and run is not created equal,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said of his quarterback earlier in the season (cbssports.com).
Seth Henigan, Memphis vs. Temple (Goodwin)
FPPG: 23.6
O/U 65.5, Memphis -12.0
Fantrax Rostership: 51%
Opponent Passing Defense: 242.4 YPG. & 23 P-TDs
PFF Grade: 82.2
In the last five games, Seth Henigan has been on a tear. He has 11 touchdown passes during that stretch, averaging almost 314 passing yards. This week, Henigan faces another weak pass defense. Temple is currently ranked 118th against quarterbacks, a mismatch that Henigan should exploit. The Owls allow almost 35 points per game, while Memphis has averaged nearly 40 points a game. The Tigers’ signal caller will post big numbers in Memphis’ last regular season game as they gear up for a bowl game.
Henigan ➡️ Blankumsee#ALLIN | #GoTigersGo
📺 | https://t.co/rFnNcaZqsm pic.twitter.com/zt9eUVFeBD
— Memphis Football (@MemphisFB) November 18, 2023
CFF Twitterverse on Fire!
Who is your waiver wire difference-maker at quarterback in CFF leagues (drafted in less than 30%) this year?
- Jordan McCloud, James Madison: 17%
- Byrum Brown, South Florida: 27%
- Haynes King, Georgia Tech: 32%
- Chandler Rogers, North Texas: 24%
“For me, it was Chandler Rogers. He saved so many weeks.” @cusumano_sal
“Kaidon Salter, Liberty.” @williebz
Running Backs
Jacory Merritt, New Mexico vs. Utah State (Goodwin)
FPPG: 19.2
O/U 61.5, New Mexico +8.5
Fantrax Rostership: 59%
Opponent Rushing Defense: 186.5 YPG. & 24 R-TDs
PFF Grade: 89.6
In 2023, Jacory Merritt has 16 rushing touchdowns while gaining 952 yards. Although not often used in the passing game, when Merritt has been targeted, he has seven grabs for 72 yards and a touchdown. This week, New Mexico faces off against Utah State, which allows 33.2 points per game while giving up 186 rushing yards.
Merritt is hoping for a game similar to last week’s explosion against Fresno State: 21 rushes for 204 yards and two touchdowns. In the previous five games, Merritt has found the end zone often, notching seven touchdowns during that stretch. With the 124th-ranked defense of Utah State. The Lobos’ runner should have a big game to close out the regular season for Memphis.
Notebook: “I think it’s my hustle, me running angry, me knowing the defense. It’s just the small things, doing the little things right, you know, gaining my coaches’ trust and just being different,” Croskey-Merritt stated in September (krqe.com).
Tyrone Tracy, Jr., Purdue vs. Indiana (Laub)
FPPG: 14.6
O/U 49.5, Purdue -2.5
Fantrax Rostership: 14%
Opponent Rushing Defense: 152.8 YPG. & 17 R-TDs
PFF Grade: 84.6
The Boilermakers have only won three games this season. Nevertheless, Tyrone Tracy has risen above an offense that ranks among the middle of the pack, averaging 373.3 yards and 22.9 points per game. In five games, Tracy has produced over 20 fantasy points, and in the past two, has scored 30.4 and 37.5. He has scored three times and totaled 372 yards from scrimmage in the two outings. The matchup against Indiana is enticing from a fantasy perspective, and Tracy is a nice emergency starter.
Notebook: “A lot of people don’t understand that I’ve been playing running back ever since I was in little league. If you watch my high school tape, it was running back stuff with very minimal receiver. (RB coach) Lamar Conard coming here (Purdue) was a blessing. I needed somebody who actually knew me, because I’m new at the position. That creates a different type of bond when I’m back there at running back,” Tracy said in early October (thegazzette.com).
Justin Marshall, Colorado State at Hawaii (Volume Pigs)
FPPG: 16.0
O/U 45.5, Colorado State -6.0
Fantrax Rostership: 8%
Opponent Rushing Defense: 176.2 YPG. & 25 R-TDs
PFF Grade: n/a
Two games ago, Justin Marshall got his first start versus San Diego, and he did not disappoint. The true freshman scored 17.9 fantasy points, rushing 18 times for 119 yards and a score. This week, he followed up his stellar debut with another solid performance, rushing 19 times for 98 yards, and also caught two of his four targets for 23 yards. I love his matchup against the Rainbows.
Editor’s note: Marshall qualifies at RB and WR on Fantrax.
Jahiem White, West Virginia at Baylor (Laub)
FPPG: 10.0
O/U 56.5, West Virginia -8.5
Fantrax Rostership: 4%
Opponent Rushing Defense: 179.0 YPG. & 25 R-TDs
PFF Grade: 91.8
Notebook: “Monday afternoon, freshman running back Jahiem White earned the Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Week…White rushed for a career-high 204 yards and a touchdown and hauled in a 75-yard touchdown pass in the Mountaineers 42-21 thumping of the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday.“ (si.com)
Anthony Watkins, Tulsa at East Carolina (Volume Pigs)
FPPG: 10.3
O/U 44.5, Tulsa +3.0
Fantrax Rostership: 4%
Opponent Rushing Defense: 119.8 YPG & 12 R-TDs
PFF Grade: 79.1
Anthony Watkins now has 17 or more touches in three straight games, and it appears he’s become the primary bellcow in this offense. He’s scored 20.6, 10.5, and 17.6 fantasy points in his last three outings. Tulsa plays East Carolina this week, who Fantrax tells me is pretty good against opposing RBs. If you can find a runner with the volume as Watkins on the waiver wire this late in the season, it’s worth a shot if you’re in need.
CFF Twitterverse on Fire!
If you had a Doak Walker Award vote, who is at the top of your ballot?
- Tahj Brooks, TCU: 10%
- Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State: 61%
- Omarion Hampton, North Carolina: 13%
- Cody Schrader, Missouri: 16%
“Ollie G for me! Very tightly grouped bunch, but Gordon carried the load the best.” @aceholesrule
“Tahj Brooks started out the year with just over 100 yards in his first two games. Since then, he has rattled off eight of the last nine games over 100 in each and scored eight touchdowns. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention 855 yards after contact and 70-plus broken tackles. Once Tyler Shough went down, it was all about the Brooks Train!” @TheCFBNation
“Ollie Gordon: He started slow, but has just been amazing down the stretch.” @JustinNottingh6
“There is only one answer and that is OGI” @VolumePigs
“There’s plenty of players I could attribute to my CFF success this year, but if I have a college fantasy league where I’m in the championship or had a shot at it, they all have one thing in common: Cody Schrader…Thank you to this beast of a human being!” @CFF_Jared
“I know he did nothing the first few games, but you can’t take away what Ollie Gordon has done down the stretch.” @cusumano_sal
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 19, 2023
Wide Receivers
Kamdyn Benjamin, Tulsa at East Carolina (Volume Pigs)
FPPG: 11.8
O/U 44.5, Tulsa +3.0
Fantrax Rostership: 1%
Opponent Passing Defense: 212.1 YPG. & 17 P-TDs
PFF Grade: 76.6
Kamdyn Benjamin has absolutely erupted in his last two games, scoring 35.7 and 24.1 fantasy points. Keep in mind that the Tulsa head coach served as Ohio State’s Offensive Coordinator for several years when they fed their top playmakers like Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. Could he have found his guy here? Tough to say, but they play a Navy team that might stack the box this week, so Benjamin is a player I want.
Noah Smith, Sam Houston vs. Middle Tennessee (Goodwin)
FPPG: 19.5
O/U 48.5, Sam Houston +3.5
Fantrax Rostership: 40%
Opponent Passing Defense: 254.1 YPG. & 19 P-TDs
PFF Grade: 75.3
If you have read our previous articles (which I’m confident you have), you know we preach looking for players that get targets. Sam Houston State has targeted Smith 53 times in the past five games. That is the type of volume that leads to colossal fantasy games. During this five-game stretch, he has grabbed 39 passes for 466 yards and three touchdowns. Smith has had a solid junior season, as he has caught 77 passes for 775 yards and six touchdowns while notching 177 fantasy points.
Against Middle Tennessee, the Bearkats will face the 98th-ranked defense against wide receivers. If there were a criticism about Smith, it would have been the overall ineffectiveness of the Sam Houston State offense that suppresses the playmakers’ fantasy output. The Bearkats only average 19.7 points per game. However, this game promises more up-tempo than many other Sam Houston games, and Smith will be the key for the offense.
DeMeer Blankumsee, Memphis at Temple (Laub)
FPPG: 14.9
O/U 65.5, Memphis -12.0
Fantrax Rostership: 6%
Opponent Passing Defense: 242.4 YPG. & 23 P-TDs
PFF Grade: 67.9
Anyone who follows me on X or reads my college fantasy football columns knows my passion for the American Athletic Conference (AAC) over the past 10 years. So many explosive offenses and great players in college fantasy football. During the decade, Memphis has been one of the top teams in the Conference, and once again, the Tigers’ aerial assault has provided fireworks for CFF diehards.
DeMeer Blankumsee has risen to new heights over the past month. The former Toledo playmaker has become a reliable target hog (35) for QB Seth Hennigan. He has corralled 23 passes for 420 yards and three scores, averaging 18.2 ypc. He is the No. 22 most productive pass catcher during his breakout. The matchup versus Temple provides another opportunity for Blankumsee to shine this season.
Notebook: “(DeMeer) has got the right mindset and approach. I’m gonna challenge him more and more. He’s shown a lot of great things that are gonna allow him to be a productive player for us (this season),” coach Ryan Silverfield stated during spring practices (commercialappeal.com).
CFF Twitterverse on Fire!
If you had a Biletnikoff Award vote, who is at the top of your ballot?
- Troy Franklin, Oregon: 3%
- Malik Nabers, LSU: 19%
- Malik Washington, Virginia: 61%
- Marvin Harrison, Jr., Ohio State: 17%
“Marvin Harrison, Jr. for me. Sometimes stats are not the measure of the man. Harrison’s QB play was dismal at times, and he consistently showed his greatness.” @aceholesrule
“When, not if, Malik Nabers breaks the LSU receiving record then you can send it to his home address. Nabers has been a major catalyst in the production of Daniels and has cooked damn near every DB put in front of him. We witnessed the growth of Nabers this season pushing Marvin Harrison, Jr. as the top WR this season!” @TheCFBNation
“Malik Nabers who has the stats to back it up. Harrison may be the better pro, but that is not what this award is about….” @JustinNottingh6
“Marvin Harrison is clearly the best wide receiver and is backing it up enough. He has the worst QB among Malik Nabers, Troy Franklin, and Rome Odunze. Malik Washington has been good, but it is a tough sell with the lack of Virginia’s success.” @ShanePHallman
CFF All-Americans: Week 12
- QB Jayden Daniels, LSU: 62.1 points
- QB Frank Harris, UTSA: 57.6
- RB Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State: 41.0
- RB Jahiem White, WVU: 40.9
- WR Kevin Concepcion, NCST: 34.4
- WR Malik Nabers, LSU: 34.0
- WR Brennan Presley, Oklahoma State: 33.7
- TE Jared Wiley, TCU: 36.8
- Flex Garrett Greene, WVU: 43.8
CFF Player of the Week: Jayden Daniels
Frank Harris in the end zone on senior night!#AmericanFB x @UTSAFTBL pic.twitter.com/GZTbQ5mIgM
— The American (@American_Conf) November 18, 2023