ACC
Notes: Maryland running back Da'Rel Scott will miss at least five weeks after breaking his wrist in
Week 5 against Clemson. He will be replaced by Davin Meggett and Morgan Green ... Duke running back Re'quan Boyette (leg) is probable for Week 6 against N.C. State despite
seeing limited reps in Week 5 against Virginia Tech ... Virginia Tech
quarterback Tyrod Taylor had the first
300-yard passing game of his career against Duke on Saturday. Wide
receiver Jarrett Boykin was the biggest
benefactor with his first 100-yard receiving game ... Virginia running
back Mikell Simpson had the second
100-yard rushing game of his career against North Carolina in Week 5 ...
Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner
has passed for 300 yards in consecutive games for the first time in his
career after racking up a career-high 361 yards against N.C. State ...
Georgia Tech wide receiver Demaryius Thomas
has 24 catches for 536 yards and three touchdowns in five games. He has
three 100-yard contests in 2009. Not bad for a run-heavy offense ...
Hurricanes running back Javarris James
destroyed the nation's top ranked run defense in Week 5, as he rushed
for 150 yards on 15 carries against Oklahoma.
Byes: Clemson
Teams
playing FCS schools: North Carolina (vs. Georgia Southern); Miami,
Fla. (vs. Florida A&M)
Favorable matchup: Wake Forest vs.
Maryland. The Demon Deacons haven't forgotten about last year's 26-0
blunder to the Terps. They have revenge on the mind and it helps their
cause that the Terps are allowing 34.8 points per game (110th). Also,
Wake Forest has been moving the ball the last two weeks. They have
racked up 887 yards while splitting games between Boston College and
N.C. State.
Unfavorable matchup: Boston College at Virginia
Tech. Expect this game to be a heavyweight defensive showdown. Both
teams are holding the opposition to less than 20 points per game and
neither team managed more than 300 yards in last year's matchup. It
might be wise, however, to start the Boston College and Virginia Tech
DSTs.
Big East
Notes: Connecticut is expected to start Cody Endres at quarterback in Week 6 against Pittsburgh since Zach Frazer is still battling a knee injury ... Rutgers still isn't
sure of the status of freshman quarterback Tom Savage, who suffered a minor concussion two weeks ago. Savage
used the bye in Week 5 to rest, but he is still not fully recovered and Domenic Natale might have to start Saturday against Texas Southern ...
Cincinnati wide receiver D.J. Woods was
a late scratch for Week 5 against Miami (Ohio) because of an illness ...
After his two-touchdown performance in Week 5 against Louisville,
Pittsburgh's Dorin Dickerson leads the
nation's tight ends with six scores ... Jonathan Baldwin seems to finally be emerging as Pittsburgh's
go-to-receiver. He has 98 or more yards in three straight games and has
a score in two straight weeks ... Syracuse wide receiver Mike Williams is seventh in the nation, averaging 8.2 catches per
contest ... South Florida wide receiver Carlton Mitchell had a career game in Week 5 against Syracuse. He
hauled in six receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns.
Byes: Cincinnati,
South Florida
Teams playing FCS schools: Rutgers (vs. Texas
Southern)
Favorable matchup: West Virginia at Syracuse. The
Orange has not figured out how to stop the opposition under first-year
coach Doug Marrone. They have allowed 20 or more points to each opponent
in 2009 and rank 89th in scoring defense (28.6 ppg).
Unfavorable
matchup: Connecticut at Pittsburgh. Outside of a fourth-quarter
collapse against N.C. State in Week 4, the Panthers have been very good
on defense in 2009. They are allowing just 18.4 points per game (33rd)
and 110.2 yards per game on the ground (33rd). Connecticut likes to run
the ball, so they might have to take to the air to beat Pitt. UConn
managed just 10 points in an embarrassing home loss to Pitt last season.
Big 12
Notes: Texas Tech quarterback and must-start Fantasy
option Taylor Potts is questionable for
Week 6 against Kansas State after suffering a concussion last week
against New Mexico. If Potts is unavailable, Steven Sheffield will start in his place. Sheffield totaled 234 yards
and three touchdowns in Potts' place last week ... Baylor running back Jay Finley has missed the last two games with an ankle injury and
remains questionable for Saturday against Oklahoma. If he can't go,
Baylor will turn to Terrance Ganaway
and Jarred Salubi ... Baylor
quarterback Nick Florence received his
first career start in Week 5 against Kent State for the injured Robert Griffin, who is out for the year with a torn ACL. Florence
totaled 276 yards (216 passing) and two touchdowns in a 31-15 win ...
Iowa State running back Alexander Robinson
was limited in Week 5 against Kansas State because of a groin injury. He
has been bothered by the injury the last two weeks, but is expected to
play Saturday against Kansas ... The Jayhawks believe running back Jake Sharp, who was out in Week 4 against Southern Miss with a calf
injury, will return Saturday against Iowa State. However, freshman Toben Opurum is still in the mix for carries ... The Sooners are
still waiting to clear quarterback Sam Bradford
(shoulder) for Week 6 against Baylor. His status will be determined
later in the week. Wide receiver Ryan Broyles,
unfortunately, won't be in the lineup for the next 2-4 weeks after
suffering his own shoulder injury Saturday against Miami. Cameron Kenney will take his spot in the starting lineup ... Oklahoma
State wide receiver Dez Bryant
(hamstring) is ready to play Saturday against Texas A&M after using the
bye week to rest. Sadly, running back Kendall Hunter (leg) is listed as doubtful. Keith Toston and Beau Johnson are
once again expected to pace the running attack ... Texas wide receiver Brandon Collins will not play this season as he deals with academic
issues ... Colorado running back Rodney Stewart
has rushed for 100 yards in two straight games and has emerged as the
Buffs' top back ... Texas Tech running back Harrison Jeffers totaled 119 yards (29 rushing) and four touchdowns
(three rushing) in Week 5 vs. New Mexico.
Byes: None
Teams
playing FCS schools: None
Favorable matchup: Oklahoma
State at Texas A&M. The Cowboys are well rested coming off a bye and
ready to attack an Aggies team that was torched for 47 points and 434
yards in a Week 5 loss to Arkansas. The Cowboys also have the blueprint
to beat A&M after destroying them, 56-28, in 2008. Oklahoma State
totaled 401 yards.
Unfavorable matchup: Colorado at Texas. The
Longhorns are going to show the Buffs no mercy in Week 6, as they are
also rested coming off a bye. Colorado faces the nation's 11th best
defense (259.5 ypg) after losing to West Virginia on the road in Week 5.
Colorado doesn't have fond memories of last year's debacle against Texas
in Boulder, Colo. The Longhorns won 38-14 and allowed just 266 yards of
offense.
Big Ten
Notes: Illinois, looking to jump start their season,
has made a shocking move. They have replaced quarterback Juice Williams with Eddie McGee
heading into Week 6 against Michigan State. Williams has just one
touchdown pass in four games as Illinois is 1-3. It gets even worse for
Illinois. Star receiver Arrelious Benn
left Week 5 against Penn State with a shoulder injury and is
questionable for Saturday ... Ohio State running back Daniel Herron sat out Week 5 against Indiana with a nagging ankle
injury despite being probable. Brandon Saine
started in his place and rushed for 113 yards on 17 carries. Herron is
once again probable for Week 6 against Wisconsin, but should play since
it is a bigger game ... Former quarterback Marvin McNutt had his breakout game as a receiver in Week 5 against
Arkansas State. He totaled 121 yards and two touchdowns on four catches
... Wisconsin running back John Clay
had a career-high 184 rushing yards and three touchdowns in Week 5
against Minnesota. He now has 582 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in
five games. He is also fifth in the nation in rushing (116.4 ypg).
Byes:
None
Teams playing FCS schools: Penn State (vs. Eastern
Illinois)
Favorable matchup: Michigan State at Illinois. Until
the Illini show then can stop an opponent, they are going to be the
favorable matchup for quite some time. Michigan State is riding high
after upsetting Michigan in Week 5. They now look for two straight wins
as they take on the nation's 105th ranked defense (417.8 ypg).
Unfavorable
matchup: Wisconsin at Ohio State. The Badgers are cruising at 5-0,
but are still looking for national respect heading into Week 6 against
Ohio State. They will definitely get it with a win, but it could be
tough sledding on offense for the Badgers. Ohio State is in the top 10
for both total (252.6 ypg) and scoring defense (11.8 ppg). Wisconsin
lost a close game, 20-17, last season against Ohio State and managed
just 326 yards.
Conference USA
Notes: Already down star running back Damion Fletcher (groin) and wide receiver DeAndre Brown (shoulder) due to injuries, Southern Miss was dealt
another devastating blow in Week 5 against UAB. Quarterback Austin Davis will miss the remainder of the season after tearing a
ligament in his left foot. Martevious Young
will now take over under center. He has sleeper potential in larger
Fantasy leagues. As for Fletcher and Brown, both players are expected
back for Week 6 against Louisville ... UAB will use the bye week to get
some of their receivers healthy. Both Mark Ferrell (arm) and Frantrell Forrest
(knee) were out Week 5 against USM due to injuries ... Marshall running
back Darius Marshall has broken 100
yards in four straight games and still leads the nation in rushing
(159.8 ypg) ... Tulane wide receiver Jeremy Williams is second in the nation in receiving (131.3 ypg) ...
Memphis running back Curtis Steele
returned to the lineup in Week 5 against UCF after missing two games
with a knee injury. He was limited, totaling 22 yards on eight carries
... Memphis wide receiver Duke Calhoun
has broken 100 yards and has a touchdown in three straight games. He is
11th in the nation in rushing (111.4 ypg) ... UCF running back Brynn Harvey had a career-high 219 rushing yards in Week 5 against
Memphis. He has six touchdowns in five games and has moved up to 14th in
the nation in rushing (107.2 ypg) ... There was plenty of offense in
UTEP's 58-41 upset win over Houston in Week 5. Aside from the two teams
combining for 99 points, they also put up 1,245 yards of offense. The
real stars were UTEP running back Donald Buckram,
who rushed for 262 yards and four touchdowns on 32 carries, and Houston
quarterback Case Keenum, who completed
51 of 76 passes for 536 yards and five touchdowns. Other notables were
UTEP wide receiver Jeff Moturi, 127
yards, one TD) and Houston wide receiver James Cleveland (147 yards, two TDs).
Byes: UAB, UCF, Tulsa
Teams
playing FCS schools: None
Favorable matchup: Marshall at
Tulane. The Thundering Herd don't exactly have the smoothest offense in
the nation, averaging 331.8 ypg (91st), but they should be able to move
the ball in Week 6 against Tulane. The Green Wave are 84th in total
(391.3 ypg) and 106th in scoring defense (34.5 ppg).
Unfavorable
matchup: Southern Miss at Louisville. Although USM head coach Larry
Fedora says the game plan won't change despite losing Davis at
quarterback, we have to expect a little bit of a transition period for
the Golden Eagles. It doesn't help their cause they have to go on the
road to Louisville in Week 6 and face the 39th ranked defense (316.8
ypg).
Independents
Notes: Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen has failed to hit 300 passing yards in just one of five
games this season. He also has 12 touchdowns to two interceptions. He
has really hit the maturation curve coach Charlie Weis was hoping the
junior quarterback would achieve in 2009 ... Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate has elevated his game since Michael Floyd (shoulder) exited the lineup. Tate totaled a career-high
244 receiving yards on nine catches in Week 5 against Washington. He has
387 total yards (86 rushing) in his last two outings.
Byes: Notre
Dame
Teams playing FCS schools: None
Favorable matchup:
Navy at Rice. The Midshipmen are coming off a huge overtime win, 16-13,
over Air Force in Week 5 and will look to make it three straight
victories in Week 6. They get a winnable game against Rice. The Owls are
one of the nation's worst defenses, allowing 40.6 points per game
(118th).
Unfavorable matchup: Army at Vanderbilt. The Black
Knights have come down to earth a bit in their last two games after
winning two of three to begin the season. They have lost two straight
and have managed just 26 points in the process. It doesn't get any
easier against Vanderbilt, who is 23rd in scoring (15.6 ppg) and 25th in
total defense (292.2 ypg).
MAC
Notes: Kent State running back Andre Flowers, who is already replacing Eugene Jarvis (kidney), missed Week 5 with a shoulder injury. He was
replaced by Jacquise Terry, who rushed
for 109 yards and one touchdown against Baylor. Terry might have to be
the feature back in Week 6 against Bowling Green, if Flowers, who is
questionable, isn't ready ... Toledo tight end Danny Noble sat out Week 5 against Ball State with an ankle injury
and is questionable for Week 6 against Western Michigan. Noble was
replaced last week by Tom Burzine, who
had two touchdowns ... Western Michigan leading receiver Juan Nunez sat out Week 5 against Northern Illinois with a bruised
knee. He is questionable for Saturday against Toledo and might be
replaced in the starting lineup by Chleb Ravenell
... Toledo wide receiver Stephen Williams
had a monster game in Week 5. He totaled 10 catches for 231 yards and
two touchdowns, including the game-winning score against Ball State ...
Miami (Ohio) wide receiver Armand Robinson
has nine catches in three straight games and 100 yards in two straight.
He has really benefited from the quarterback change to Zac Dysert ... Northern Illinois running back Chad Spann is tied with Navy quarterback Ricky Dobbs and Kansas running back Jake Sharp
for first in the nation in scoring (12.0 ppg) ... Temple running back Bernard Pierce has 296 rushing yards and three touchdowns in his last
two games. He has emerged as the Owls top running back ... Ohio wide
receiver LaVon Brazill has a touchdown
in three straight games. He also has 13 catches for 190 yards in that
span.
Byes: None
Teams playing FCS schools: Buffalo
(vs. Gardner-Webb)
Favorable matchup: Western Michigan at
Toledo. The Broncos have gotten off to a very slow start at 2-3 and were
embarrassed, 38-3, in a Week 5 loss against Northern Illinois. It seems
like the perfect time for the Toledo game to come around. While the
Rockets are proficient on offense, the same can't be said for their
defense. Toledo is allowing 37.8 points (115th) and 438 yards per game
(109th). Western Michigan managed 27 points and 371 yards in a win over
Toledo last season.
Unfavorable matchup: Ball State at Temple.
The Cardinals are starting to get it together on offense, having managed
30 points in two straight games. However, they run into a real brick
wall in Temple. The Owls have allowed a total of 25 points their last
two games -- both wins -- and seem to be really clicking on defense.
Mountain West
Notes: BYU wide receiver McKay Jacobson is out 4-6 weeks with a pulled hamstring. Luke Ashworth will replace Jacobson in the starting lineup ... UNLV
quarterback Omar Clayton is
questionable for a second straight game with a sore shoulder. Mike Clausen, who played last week against Nevada, will start again
Week 6, if Clayton is unavailable. Wide receiver Rodelin Anthony is also questionable after missing two games with a
concussion ... Utah running back Matt Asiata
is out for the season with a torn ACL. He will be replaced in the
starting lineup by Eddie Wide. Tough
break for Fantasy owners, who lose a high-end option in Asiata ... UNLV
wide receiver Philip Payne had a
career-high 10 catches in Week 5 against Nevada. He already has 33
catches in five games as a sophomore after totaling just 29 as a
freshman in 2008 ... Wyoming freshman running back Alvester Alexander had a career-high three rushing touchdowns Week 5
against Florida Atlantic.
Byes: San Diego State
Teams
playing FCS schools: None
Favorable matchup: New Mexico at
Wyoming. The Lobos finally showed some life in Week 5 against Texas
Tech. Although they lost, New Mexico still posted a season-high 28
points and 431 yards. They now face a Wyoming squad that is allowing
28.4 points (88th) and 408.2 yards per game (100th).
Unfavorable
matchup: TCU at Air Force. Take your pick. Both teams are in the top
20 in scoring and total defense. The Horned Frogs did trump the Falcons,
44-10, last season, but it's a different story in 2009. Air Force is
playing very good defense, much like TCU, and hasn't allowed an opponent
more than 20 points. This game could be a low-scoring affair.
Pac-10
Notes: Arizona wide receiver Delashaun Dean (thigh), running back Keola Antolin
(ankle) and running back Nic Grigsby
(shoulder) are all probable for Week 6 against Washington after resting
up during the bye ... The Ducks are considering reinstating suspended
running back LeGarrette Blount this
season. However, Fantasy owners shouldn't keep Blount on your roster
until it becomes official. Heading into a big game against UCLA in Week
6, the Ducks are expected to have quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (knee), who sat out the second half of Week 5 against
Washington State. However, running back LaMichael James is questionable with a sprained ankle ... UCLA
quarterback Kevin Prince, who has been
sidelined since Week 3 with a broken jaw, is going to see the doctor
this week and might play Saturday against Oregon. Kevin Craft has been starting in his absence ... Washington wide
receiver D'Andre Goodwin is probable
for Week 6 against Arizona after getting clocked on the final play of a
Week 5 overtime loss to Notre Dame ... Washington quarterback Jeff Tuel and wide receiver Jared Karstetter,
whom both suffered hip pointers in Week 5 against Oregon, are probable
for Week 6 against Arizona State ... Washington running back Chris Polk leads the Huskies with 452 rushing yards. Unfortunately,
he has just one rushing touchdown ... Arizona State wide receiver Chris McGaha had a career-high 15 catches and 165 yards in Week 5
against Oregon State. He came into the game with just 10 catches for 103
yards ... USC running back Joe McKnight
has broken 100 rushing yards in three of five games and has six
touchdowns ... Cal running back Jahvid Best
has been in a real rut lately. After his five-touchdown performance
against Minnesota, Best has just 102 rushing yards and no touchdowns in
his last two games ... Oregon tight end Ed Dickson
has 18 catches for 251 yards and four touchdowns in his last two games.
Byes:
Cal, Southern Cal
Teams playing FCS schools: None
Favorable
matchup: Arizona State at Washington State. The Sun Devils are
steaming after losing two in a row and there is nothing like a perfect
remedy in Washington State. The Cougars have been one of the nation's
worst defenses the last two seasons. They are allowing 505.6 yards
(119th) and 36.6 points per game (114th).
Unfavorable matchup:
Oregon State vs. Stanford. The Cardinal have been very good at keeping
the opposition out of the end zone in 2009. Only one team -- Wake Forest
-- has managed to break 20 points and none of Stanford's four other
opponents have made it past 17. Stanford is also allowing just 324.8
yards per game (41st).
SEC
Notes: Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is no longer dealing with post-concussion symptoms.
However, he has still not been cleared to play Saturday against LSU.
Fantasy owners will need to track his progress all week. John Brantley will start if Tebow can't go ... Florida wide receiver Deonte Thompson, who has been out several weeks with a hamstring
injury, is still iffy to return Week 6 ... Vanderbilt running back Zac Stacy, who has been slowed by an ankle injury the last two
games, is questionable for Week 6 against Army ... South Carolina tight
end Weslye Saunders is questionable for
Saturday against Kentucky with a sprained ankle ... Alabama tight end Colin Peek had a career-high six catches for 65 yards and one
touchdown in Week 5 against Kentucky ... Mississippi wide receiver Shay Hodge had his breakout performance of 2009 in Week 5 against
Vandy. He totaled eight catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns after
having eight catches for 147 yards and one touchdown in his first three
games ... Mississippi State freshman receiver Chad Bumphis also had his breakout performance in Week 5. He totaled
six catches for 123 yards and one score against Georgia Tech.
Byes:
None
Teams playing FCS schools: None
Favorable
matchup: Auburn at Arkansas. One of the nation's best offenses gets
to go up against one of the worst defenses. Enough said.
Unfavorable
matchup: LSU vs. Florida. The Gators defense has been as good as
advertised in 2009. They are the nation's top defense (212.8 ypg) and
trail only Nebraska in scoring defense. That's not good news for LSU.
The Tigers are 99th in total offense (321.6 ypg).
Sun Belt
Notes: Florida Atlantic tight end Jamari Grant missed Week 5 against Wyoming with an ankle injury. He
gets an extra week to rest before FAU plays again, but his status still
isn't known because the injury is considered serious ... La.-Lafayette
quarterback Chris Masson (knee) is
probable for Week 6 against North Texas. Masson, who injured himself in
Week 4 against Nebraska, used the bye in Week 5 to rest up ... Redshirt
freshman Kawaun Jakes has supplanted Brandon Smith at quarterback for Western Kentucky. Jakes will make his
second career start Saturday against FIU after completing 22 for 28
passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns against Navy in Week 4 ...
La.-Monroe running back Frank Goodin
had his second three-touchdown game in Week 5 against FIU. Wide receiver Darrell McNeal scored twice against the Panthers and now has four
touchdowns in five games.
Byes: Arkansas State, Florida
Atlantic, La.-Monroe
Teams playing FCS schools: None
Favorable
matchup: FIU at Western Kentucky. This is a battle of two 0-4 teams
that struggle mightily on defense. Western Kentucky is dead last in
scoring defense (41.0 ppg) and FIU is dead last in total defense (513.3
ypg). It's probably an ideal time to start your FIU and WKU players.
Unfavorable
matchup: None. We could see a lot of scoring from around the Sun
Belt in Week 6. Of the four other teams in play -- Middle Tennessee,
Troy, North Texas and La.-Lafayette -- all have questionable defenses.
WAC
Notes: Everybody wants to know about Nevada running back Mike Ball after he burst onto the scene with 184 rushing yards and
five touchdowns Saturday against UNLV. The whole Nevada team had a field
day against the Rebels. Nevada rolled up 773 yards, including 559 on the
ground. Ball was filling in for Vai Taua,
who was out with an elbow injury. However, Taua is expected to be back
Friday against Louisiana Tech, meaning Ball could slip down to third on
the depth chart since Luke Lippincott is
also still in the picture. Consider Ball a one-week wonder until further
notice ... The Hawaii offense suffered a big blow after losing
quarterback Greg Alexander to a knee
injury in Week 5. Alexander is out for the year with major ligament
damage. Junior college transfer Bryant Moniz
will now take over under center. He completed 5 of 11 passes for 109
yards in place of Alexander last week, so there is hope he can keep the
chains moving at Hawaii ... Boise State wide receiver had the first
10-catch game of his career in Week 5 against UC-Davis ... Idaho has
quietly produced the nation's 21st best passing attack (272.6 ypg)
behind quarterback Nathan Enderle. They
have four receivers with at least 14 catches and 174 yards. Max Komar leads the way with 25 catches for 408 yards and two
touchdowns. Eric Greenwood, Daniel Hardy and Preston Davis are
their three other primary receivers.
Byes: Boise State
Teams
playing FCS schools: None
Favorable matchup: Fresno State
at Hawaii. The Bulldogs will be looking for some revenge after losing,
32-29, to Hawaii in overtime last season. The Bulldogs moved the ball
quite efficiently, racking up 522 yards (318 rushing). They did that
without star running back Ryan Mathews,
who was battling injury. Hawaii is 92nd in total defense (395.5 ypg), so
Fresno State should be able to move the ball again versus Hawaii.
Unfavorable
matchup: None. Much like the Sun Belt, the entire WAC schedule is a
conference slate in Week 6 and offense will be the name of the game. The
only team with an impressive defense in the WAC is on a bye -- Boise
State.