College Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 9 2017

By John Laub
John Laub

  

   

    
      College Fantasy Football


             The Scholar’s Surreptitious Starters

                          Week 9

 

   

 

Quarterbacks

 
Ben Hicks, SMU vs. Tulsa: O/U 76.5

Ownership Percentage: 23%

The American Athletic Conference has provided some of the friendliest fantasy matchups all season, and now is not the time to stop seeking roster upgrades outside of the Power Five conferences. The Mustangs welcome the Golden Hurricane and are big favorites at home. Hicks averages 309 passing yards and 2.5 touchdowns in games versus FBS opponents this season. The Tulsa pass defense ranks #123 and has allowed 13 aerial strikes. The SMU signal caller assuredly hurls three touchdowns on Saturday.

 

Mason Fine, North Texas vs. Old Dominion: O/U 61

Ownership Percentage: 18%

While leading the Mean Green offense to 60 points scored over the past two weeks, Mason Fine stands among the top 15 college fantasy quarterbacks, accumulating 637 passing yards and five touchdowns. For the season, Fine has recorded 18 total touchdowns and over 2,000 yards in the air. The sophomore continues his fantasy-worthy performances against the Monarchs this weekend.

 

 

Bryant Shirreffs, UConn vs. Missouri: O/U 78.5

Ownership Percentage: 8%

New offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee implemented an up-tempo offense, and the Huskies are scoring over 27 points and passing for over 300 yards per game. In three home games against FBS opponents, Shirreffs has thrown for 1,088 yards and five touchdowns this season. As a 13-point underdog at home, the game script foreshadows a ton of fourth quarter passing for Shirreffs versus a defense, which surrenders 39.1 points per game.

 

Running Backs

 

Travis Homer, Miami vs. North Carolina: O/U 54

Ownership Percentage: 39%

Since Mark Walton suffered a season-ending injury, Travis Homer has proven to be a worthy successor. In back-to-back games, the sophomore has earned 20 carries and rambled for 265 yards and two touchdowns. He has also been an asset in the passing game with six catches for 45 yards and a score. North Carolina ranks among the worst run defenses in the nation, and coach Mark Richt will exploit the Tar Heels’ weakness with Homer.

 

 

Karan Higdon, Michigan vs. Rutgers: O/U 43.5

Ownership Percentage: 9%

The Wolverines have a nearly non-existent passing game: Michigan averages less than 200 passing yards per game and rank #103 in the country. Coach Jim Harbaugh has not been able to find a bell cow ball carrier since he took over in 2015. In each of the last five games, Karan Higdon has garnered double-digit carries and rushed for 405 yards and five touchdowns. It is not a great matchup for the Michigan ground game, but the junior runner should receive the majority of touches against the Scarlet Knights. 

 

Dalyn Dawkins & Izzy Matthews, Colorado State vs. Air Force: O/U 69.5

Ownership Percentage: 19% & 7%

A dreaded two-headed committee for the Rams might scare off some college fantasy diehards. Nonetheless, both runners manufacture solid numbers. Over the last three games, the backfield duties have been split evenly: Dawkins has 50 attempts for 383 yards and a touchdowns while Matthews has logged 51 carries for 237 yards and three touchdowns. The Air Force run defense does not provide much of an obstacle (241.3 ypg. and 19 touchdowns allowed), and Dawkins and Matthews undoubtedly combine for 200 rushing yards and two touchdowns. 

 

Another running backs to ponder:

Ty’Son Williams, South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt: O/U 44.5

Ownership Percentage: 2%

Caleb Huntley, Ball State vs. Toledo: O/U 56.5

Ownership Percentage: 1%

 

Wide Receivers

 

Olamide Zaccheaus, Virginia at Pittsburgh: O/U 50

Ownership Percentage: 48%

Coming off his poorest game of the season, college football managers may be reluctant to place the Cavaliers’ playmaker into lineups. Zaccheaus qualifies at running back and receiver and lines up all over the formation for Virginia. He has 647 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns this season. The Panthers surrender 29.6 points and 434 yards per game, which Zaccheaus should be able to take advantage of this Saturday.

 

 

 

Dylan Cantrell, Texas Tech at Oklahoma: O/U 73.5

Ownership Percentage: 47%

Anytime Las Vegas identifies a game with an expected 73 points scored, rosters of both clubs must be examined in detail. As 20-point underdogs on the road, the Red Raiders should be playing from behind the entire second half, and QB Nic Shimonek might throw 60 passes against the Sooners. Dylan Cantrell is second on the team in all the receiving categories and will likely be peppered with at least 12 targets. He is still available in many leagues and well worth starting.

 

KeeSean Johnson, Fresno State vs. UNLV: O/U 57.5

Ownership Percentage: 16%

A boom-or-bust fantasy performer this season, KeeSean Johnson has reached the century mark three times in receiving yards and totaled under 54 in the other four contests. The Rebels employ the 12th worst defense in the nation, and Johnson will find holes in the secondary to exploit. In the first half, the game plan likely includes deep throws to open a lead, and in the second half, run the rawhide to kill the clock. Johnson posts his fourth 100-yard game of the campaign

 

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 45.9 UConn 373.4 20 UCLA 303.4 18
2 Kansas 44.6 East Carolina 325.3 22 Tulsa 287.8 25
3 Oregon St. 43.7 Nevada 290.5 20 San Jose St. 278.3 26
4 San Jose St. 41.4 Colorado St. 272 14 Ole Miss. 260.6 18
5 Georgia Southern 41.3 Pittsburgh 270.4 16 Bowling Green 258 21
6 Louisiana 40.7 Bowling Green 265.3 16 East Carolina 252.4 24
7 Baylor 39.7 Charlotte 260.8 12 UNLV 247.4 20
8 Coastal Carolina 39.4 Tulsa 258.5 13 Tennessee 247 16
9 Missouri 39.1 California 258 11 Vanderbilt 242.6 19
10 North Texas 37.9 Hawaii 247.7 19 Louisiana 242 25

 

Highest Over/Under Totals 

  Visitor Home O/U Total Favorite
1 Missouri  UConn 78.5 MIZ -12
2 Tulsa SMU 76.5 SMU -9
3 Oklahoma St. West Virginia 73.5 OKST -7.5
4 Texas Tech Oklahoma 73.5 OKLA -20
5 Arkansas St. New Mexico St. 70 ARST -4
6 Air Force Colorado St. 69.5 CSU -11
7 Florida Atlantic Western Kentucky 68 FAU -7