And down the stretch, they come! It’s playoff push time. If you are still reading this series of articles, then you are either still alive in your leagues, or you are hoping for some nuggets to help for next year and beyond. Either way, you are in luck. I got you, kid!
Coach Speak?
Two quotes that have seemingly flown under the radar that really caught my attention this week.
- Sam Pittman: “Ja’Quinden Jackson is very questionable…Let’s saddle up Braylen Russell and let’s go. I met with him this morning and said if you want it, go take it! We believe in him and we are going to feed him early. We gonna let the horse eat.”
- Sonny Dykes on his running back room: “We are searching for someone to take the position over. We need a back that can do everything. We need someone that can pass protect, catch the ball, and make plays running. Trent Battle has been doing the things that’s been an issue for us like getting north and south. He’s starting to separate because of his size and experience. He’s pretty good at pass protection and does a really nice job of catching the ball.”
Is this noteworthy? Maybe. Maybe not. But it’s two great RB systems that I will take some shots on this week with Russell and Battle.
True Freshmen Wide Receiver Target Leaders
Top 10 presented without commentary. Do with this information what you will.
Lebby is Already Cooking in StarkVegas
Jeff Lebby is a play-caller extraordinaire. The Sooners’ offense cratered from the top five in the country last year to the worst in the entire P4 this year without Lebby.
Meanwhile, under his guidance, the Bulldogs have improved in every offensive category this year despite losing their starting QB four games into the season. In fact, they have really hit their stride the last two weeks, averaging 28 PPG against UGA and A&M, as Michael Van Buren looks to have settled in nicely.
Mississippi is a stock we should be buying for CFF in 2025. Lebby will remain aggressive in recruiting, the portal, and play-calling on the offensive side of the ball. Van Buren should be a solid option in redraft, and incoming QB commit Kamario Taylor should be a dynasty target. The WR room looks to have found their leaders in Kevin Coleman and Mario Craver (see section above). Wheels up, baby!
Oh, It’s You Again?
I’ve been at this CFF game for 15+ years, and I haven’t been sold on the idea of “post-hype sleepers” when it comes to CFF. I believe the CFB lifespan is too short for a career arc that shows us enough promise/ability to become a draft commodity, then fails, and then returns to prior expectations. Well, that may be the dinosaur thought process going extinct.
The 2024 CFB is unrecognizable from even the 2014 CFB. The spike in player and coach movement could play a huge role in bounce-back players. We saw it last couple of years with Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix…all transfers.
We are seeing it this year with Cade Klubnik, Kaleb Johnson, Nick Singleton, DT Sheffield, and Ja’Corey Brooks. It will be fascinating to see who showed us a Lil Sumpin’ Sumpin’ (great beer, BTW) last year, then struggled this year, only to resurrect their value next year. It gives us hope for guys like Nico, Salter, Raynor, Sawchuk, Buckley, Sama, Pauling, and Jalen Moss.
Where I Was Wrong
I’m ready to admit I was wrong on Jake Spavital. In fact, I probably owe him a personal apology after the way I wrote about his hire at Cal and the scathing remarks I made on multiple podcasts back in 2023. It’s clear from his time at Texas State that he wasn’t ready to be a head coach, but he did a hell of a job at Cal and might save Dave Aranda’s job at Baylor.
Coach Spav improved the Cal offense from 24 PPG before he arrived in 2022 to 30 PPG in 2023. They have since returned to 24 PPG after he left. Baylor averaged 23 PPG last year and now over 32 PPG this year with Spav. He has also provided us with an incredible season from Ott. He is now flexing on his haters (not me anymore, remember) by working a minor miracle with Sawyer Robertson. Even Bryson Washington looks like a fun option moving forward. I’m willing to admit I was wrong and invest in Spavital assets in 2025…assuming he’s still just an OC.
Cheers to Week 9, and Good Luck!
