Looking Ahead, BCS Leagues

Kevin Albanese
Writer
October 13, 2008
With weekly waiver wire becoming thinner and thinner as the season progresses, we take a bit of a detour this week and look at who can help you down the stretch and come playoff time. Kevin Albanese kicks things off with a look from a BCS perspective. As the season passes its halfway point, now is the time to employ some strategy in your free agent pick-ups and stay ahead of the curve. There are plenty of upside players that could make a significant difference down the stretch. I especially like some of these guys to take down Alex’s squad if he’s lucky enough to make the playoffs. But, I digress. Quarterbacks Jimmy Clausen, ND He closes with Boston College (week 11), Navy (week 12), and Syracuse (week 13). He is especially valuable if you have a QB who byes late in the season. He’s thrown for over 900 yards and 8 touchdowns the last 3 weeks, and is a FA in most leagues. Jeremiah Masoli, Oregon Roper’s MCL injury may have cost him his job. Masoli is producing, and if he keeps this job could put up great late season numbers against Stanford (week 11) and Arizona (week 12), either with his legs or his arm. Either way, he can score fantasy points. Monitor the situation with Roper, but it’s not looking good for him. Russell Wilson, NC State Who? Well, check what Wilson did against some pretty decent defenses, and notice he has Duke on tap in week 11. Not a huge fantasy guy, but a nice spot start who should net you solid points. Austen Arnaud, Iowa State The fact he plays Missouri in week 12 and then follows it up with Kansas State in week 13 is all you really need to know. This guy has produced in an unlikely fashion, and is a threat every week to run and throw. Add to that, he is a FA in most leagues right now. Go ahead, team him up with Sumrall, you can do a lot worse at this point in the season. Running Backs Running backs are probably a bit thin in your league. Now is the time to shore up what you have, and you can do this simply by making sure you draft the number 1 backup to your star in case of injury. If your RB situation is horrid like mine, then take a look at your waiver wire for these guys. Kordell Young, Rutgers Young was thought to be out for the year just 10 days ago. While he may be a risky pick with that knee, risks are what ultimately win you championships. If someone let go of Young with the news that hit last week, go get him. Judging from his 22 carries Saturday, his knee looks good. He has Syracuse (week 11) and Army (week 13) late in the season. Cedric Peerman, VA Peerman, despite losing a lot of offensive lineman this past season, is back putting up numbers. He may have been let go after his first few unproductive weeks, so take a look and see if he is there. He has been terrific. Sam McGuffie, Michigan McGuffie is no star by any means. But he is getting the rock at Michigan, and he does face Minnesota (week 11) and Northwestern (week 12) late in the season. 20 carries, 100 yards and a score is nothing to sneeze at. Boston College RB Keep an eye at who gets the carries for BC in the next game or two. Whether it’s Haden, Smith, or Harris, Notre Dame’s defense awaits in week 11, which is either your final regular season game or your first playoff game. Wide Receivers Ronald Johnson, USC USC has a nice tasty finish to the season. With Stanford (week 12) and Notre Dame (week 14) on the late season schedule, Johnson is more than a flier. While not worthy in a PPR league, Johnson does have 3 scores in 4 games. I like Johnson to continue to put up numbers worthy of a #3 WR on your squad the rest of the way. Kenny McKinley, South Carolina Did your fellow owners give up on McKinley during his injury time? He’s back, and if he’s available, go get him. He may be the only playmaker on the SC squad, and he is a good one. While his schedule of remaining games may not be appealing, Spurrier is still going to throw the ball, and a healthy McKinley will continue to catch it. R.J. Sumrall, Iowa St He had a blip against Baylor, but Sumrall faces a weak Missouri secondary in week 12, which could be just what the doctor ordered to get you over the hump in a playoff game. If you have room, draft and stash. Scott Long, Louisville Long finally has made his return, and his involvement in the Louisville offense should grow as each game passes. He has plenty of nice matchups from here on out, so keep an eye on him. Eventually, Long should be a factor before it’s all over.

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