College Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 8 2017

By John Laub
John Laub

  

   

    
      College Fantasy Football


             The Scholar’s Surreptitious Starters

                          Week 8

 

   

Quarterbacks

 

Drew Lock, Missouri vs. Idaho: O/U 63

Ownership Percentage: 56%

The junior signal caller dominates inferior opponents. During the last two years, he eclipsed 400 yards passing against Missouri State (512), Eastern Michigan (450) and Delaware State (402) and combined for 17 touchdowns in the matchups. Over the last two weeks on the road versus Georgia and Kentucky, Lock has 608 yards passing and seven aerial strikes. The Tigers are 14-point home favorites against Idaho, and Lock surely completes another four touchdowns.

 

 

Nathan Rourke, Ohio vs. Kent State: O/U 45.5

Ownership Percentage: 49%

The dual-threat competitor ranks among the top college alternative-reality field generals over the last three weeks, scoring 39, 32 and 40 points. Rourke has rambled for over 100 yards rushing in each game and reached the end zone eight times. He also has 446 yards passing and three aerial strikes. The Bobcats are huge favorites at home, and Rourke scores early, and often, to secure an easy victory.

 

Malik Rosier, Miami vs. Syracuse: O/U 59

Ownership Percentage: 23%

Last Friday, Syracuse upset Clemson, the defending National Champions, at home. As a 16-point underdog, the Orange strolls into a Hurricane on Saturday at Miami. Malik Rosier posted his worst fantasy outing of the season against Georgia Tech last weekend with 21 points. Over the first four games, Rosier recorded 27, 34, 31 and 27 fantasy points. He tops 30 points versus the over-confident Syracuse defense. 

 

Running Backs

 

L.J. Scott, Michigan State vs. Indiana: O/U 46

Ownership Percentage: 35%

Finally, coach Mark Dantonio fed his stud ball carrier: Scott garnered 25 carries against Minnesota and rushed for career-best 194 yards and two touchdowns. The junior runner missed the Michigan game two weeks ago and returned to lead the Spartans to victory last week. The Hoosiers yield over 170 rushing yards per game, ranking 11th in the Big Ten. Michigan State is ranked eighteenth in the nation and 7-point favorites at home on Saturday. Coach Dantonio wants to run the football to capture another Conference Title, and Scott should earn at least 20 carries against a poor Indiana run defense.

Editors note: On Wednesday, Scott arrested seventh time for driving without a valid liscense...Game status unknown.

 

Kelton Moore, Nevada vs. Air Force: O/U 67.5

Ownership Percentage: 4%

Seeking a deep sleeper who can eclipse 20 fantasy points? Check out Nevada’s 5-foot-10, 220-pound sophomore. In back-to-back games, Moore has scored 24 and 35 fantasy points with 245 yards rushing, seven receptions for 121 yards and two total touchdowns. Air Force ranks #126 versus the run, allowing 255 yards per game and 17 TDs. Moore can still be gobbled up off the waiver wire and inserted into lineups this week.

 

 

Jordan Ellis, Virginia vs. Boston College: O/U 46

Ownership Percentage: 23%

In four straight games, the coaching staff furnished Ellis with over 20 carries, and the junior responded with more than 90 yards rushing in each, including a season-high 136 last week against North Carolina. The Eagles employ one of the poorest run defenses in the nation, ranking 124th and allowing 242.4 yards per game. Ellis effortlessly posts back-to-back 100-yard outings and reaches the end zone for the seventh time this season.  

 

Wide Receivers

 

Tyler Johnson, Minnesota vs. Illinois: O/U 45.5

Ownership Percentage: 24%

Coach P.J. Fleck guided Western Michigan onto the national stage behind an exciting aerial assault. Fleck inserted sophomore quarterback Demry Croft into the game last week, and he heavily targeted Tyler Johnson, who scored three times on eight catches. At 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, Croft is a dual-threat quarterback with a live arm and is scheduled to make his first start against Illinois on Saturday. Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 190 pound sophomore, will likely be targeted often by Croft once again. 

 

Keenen Johnson, Tulsa at UConn: O/U 75.5

Ownership Percentage: 13%

All season, I have identified sleepers against the UConn secondary and been highly successful. No reason to stop now. Las Vegas expects a high-scoring affair and the Golden Hurricane are projected to score 41 points. Averaging 20.1 YPC in the last two games, Johnson has logged 11 receptions for 222 yards and a touchdown. Tulsa will run the football successfully against the Huskies; however, there will be opportunities over the top of the secondary for Johnson, who is a wise investment this weekend.

 

Emanuel Hall, Missouri vs. Idaho: O/U 63

Ownership Percentage: 4%

There is no doubt that the Missouri offense overwhelms lower-level competition and the passing game will soar once again versus Idaho. While the pass defensive statistics look good for the Vandals, the numbers have been accumulated against FCS, non-Power 5 and Sun Belt Conference opponents. The Tigers are big and fast at the skill positions, and at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Hall presents a major challenge for the secondary. In the last two games, the junior has snatched eight passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 33.7 YPC. Still available on 96% of waiver wires, it is time to move the needle upwards on Hall’s ownership levels in college fantasy football.

 

Defensive Rankings to Exploit  

  Total Defense   Passing Defense     Rushing Defense  
  Team PTS/G Team P-YDS/G P-TDs Team R-YDS/G R-TDs
1 East Carolina 50 UConn 392.5 20 Tulsa 319 24
2 Kansas 44.8 East Carolina 326.1 20 UCLA 313 16
3 Oregon St. 43.7 Nevada 326.1 20 San Jose State 278.3 26
4 Missouri 42.2 Hawaii 294.7 19 East Carolina 273.9 24
5 San Jose St. 41.4 Colorado St. 292 13 Air Force 255.3 17
6 UCLA 40.5 NC State 287 10 Bowling Green 246.6 19
7 UConn 40.3 Oregon St. 278.1 21 UNLV 244.5 15
8 Tulsa 40.1 Charlotte 272 11 Tennessee 242.8 12
9 Baylor 40 California 271.1 9 Vanderbilt 242.6 19
10 Costal Carolina 39.8 Bowling Green 269 13 Boston College 242.4 20

 

Highest Over/Under Totals  

  Visitor Home O/U Total Favorite
1 Tulsa  UConn 75 TLSA -5.5
2 West Virginia Baylor 68 WVU -9.5
3 Air Force Nevada 67.5 AF -7
4 Iowa State Texas Tech 67.5 TTU -7
5 Oregon UCLA 67 UCLA -6.5
6 SMU Cincinnati 65.5 SMU -7.5