Complete Player Rankings & Projections l More Sit & Starts
Sometimes life is unpredictable. Sometimes life throws you a curveball. But sometimes in life a wise receiving guru comes along that provides you with starting options to win your league. Now if only I could have owned some of the players I actually told you to start last week, daddy could buy a new pair of shoes.
Coming off another week of predicting solid production and only one player blowing my predictions away (although I said B.J. Cunningham would play on Sundays), we are back to continue the hot streak. Before we look forward to Week Six, here is a recap of Week Five.
Last Week's Starts:
Eric Ward, Texas Tech vs. Kansas-4 catches, 71 yards, 2 TD. Grade A
Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee vs. Buffalo-7 catches, 180 yards, 2 TD. Grade A
Kevin Dorsey, Maryland vs. Towson-4 catches, 44 yards, TD. Grade A-
All Miami (FL) WR’s vs. Bethune Cookman-8 catches, 149 yards, 2 TD. Grade B+
Justin Johnson, Houston vs. UTEP-7 catches, 69 yards. Grade B-
Royce Pollard, Hawaii vs. Louisiana Tech-10 catches, 216 yards, 3 TD. Grade A
Grade:
Last Week's Sits:
Darius Reynolds, Iowa State vs. Texas-6 catches, 70 yards. Grade B+
La'Rod King, Kentucky vs. LSU-2 catches, 31 yards. Grade A
B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State vs. Ohio State-9 catches, 154 yards, TD. Grade F
Mike Scott, Idaho vs. Virginia-5 catches, 74 yards. Grade B+
Ty Kirk, New Mexico vs. New Mexico State-11 catches, 90 yards. Grade D
Overall Grade: B+
Now onto this week
Start Em!
BCS-Only
Tavon Austin, West Virginia vs. UCONN
Yes Austin has scored just one time in 2011, however he still has 35 receptions and coming off an afternoon in which the Huskies gave up five passing touchdowns, expect the Mountaineers to have a field day through the air. Austin will find the end zone for the 2nd time this week.
Josh Cooper, Oklahoma State vs. Kansas
While Justin Blackmon is the obvious choice for your Cowboys receiver to play, Cooper is the sleeper. He does have 25 catches for over 270 yards this season and has a juicy matchup against the Jayhawks this week. Just ask the Texas Tech receivers how much open room there was to make plays this past week.
Jeremy Ebert, Northwestern vs. Michigan
With Dan Persa back under center, Ebert continued to build on his recent success and is now up to five touchdowns on the season. He does only have 13 catches on the year, but now is his time to shine. Expect the game against the Wolverines to be a shootout, with Ebert figuring in it with a big time role.
Keenan Allen, California vs. Oregon
Some may say bench Allen against a solid Oregon defense, but considering the game may be out of hand early and the Bears will need to play catch up, expect Allen to get plenty of chances to continue his early-season success. He has 30 receptions for close to 500 yards and three scores already and should provide some solid value next week.
All-120
Dwayne Frampton, Arkansas State vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Frampton is turning it on and continues to be solid for Ryan Aplin. Coming off a nine-catch game, he now has 34 catches and 459 yards on the year. Look for Frampton to have another monster game against Monroe, and watch for him to find the end zone and build on his two scores to date.
LaVon Brazill, Ohio vs. Buffalo
Coming off a week in which Tennessee moved the ball at will through the air, it is Ohio’s turn to do the same. Brazill has been quarterback Tyler Tettleton’s main target, scoring again this week. With five scores on the year, we are looking for Brazill to find paydirt again.
Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech vs. Idaho
Just a few weeks ago we said bench Patton, and he has dominated since then. Patton went over 100 yards, scored and caught seven balls again last week, and this week he takes on a terrible Idaho team. Patton is becoming close to a must-start.
Sit Em!
BCS Only
Jaxon Shipley, Texas vs. Oklahoma
Shipley has come on as of late for the Longhorns, but he certainly does not have the talent to outsmart the Sooners, so we expect him to struggle to post solid numbers next week. Find safer options.
Chris Givens, Wake Forest vs. Florida State
Givens has been a solid player for the Demon Deacons in 2011 with four touchdowns, however coming off back to back losses, the FSU defense is going to be amped up to show they are not pushovers. Givens should be benched this week.
Andre Debose, Florida vs. LSU
Yes Debose made a big play against Alabama for a touchdown, but to trust him this week against LSU would be foolish. He may be a long term keeper option, but with John Brantley likely sidelined for awhile, keep him inactive on your team.
Markus Wheaton, Oregon State vs. Arizona
Wheaton has been the best receiving option for the Beavers but has yet to find the end zone in 2011. And with the quarterback play as bad as it is for the Beavers now, he should be sat in all formats.
Paul Richardson, Colorado vs. Stanford
Richardson has been boom or bust in 2011, as he has had plenty of solid games which have helped him pad his stats with five scores, but games where he is non- existent. Against Stanford, Richardson is a poor bet to have value. Bench him.