Why you still sleepin on me? That’s okay you can keep dreaming…
– Jhene Aiko, musician
Graham Mertz, QB Florida
People are still seeing Mertz with Wisconsin Badger-tinted glasses this season, and that’s got to stop. Mertz, at only 16% owned, has scored 25 or more points in two of his last three games vs. South Carolina (31.35), UGA (20.3), and Arkansas (25.8), respectively. He’s thrown two or three TD passes in five straight games, and his connection with true freshman Eugene Wilson is starting to heat up. He also has old reliable in Ricky Pearsall, who’s had a productive season also.
Most importantly, the Gators get a pivotal matchup this weekend in Baton Rouge versus what might be the worst defense in SEC history. LSU’s secondary is looking holier than a donut shop on National Holy Donut Day (I think that makes sense…). Mertz and the Gators probably won’t win, but he should be due for a big outing.
Terrion Stewart, RB Bowling Green
Stewart broke out originally as a freshman back in 2020, and then basically didn’t play much football in-between then and now. He’s been BGSU’s bellcow RB since Sept. 30. As long as they aren’t being shut out like they were vs. Miami of Ohio, he’s been a pretty steady player for CFF. They play one of the worst teams in the MAC this week, and the signs point towards Stewart having another big outing. The strikes against him are the presence of RB Taron Keith, who’s also somewhat involved. And the nature of MAC teams being hard to get info on, which always adds a level of uncertainty. There’s also been a recent update that he may be dealing with an injury, which is not ideal this week.
Mario Anderson, RB South Carolina
Anderson’s been a steady touch player for USCjr., and they get a very nice matchup this week vs. Vandy’s 108th ranked rush defence. Anderson has seen 16 or more carries in three of his last four, and I would expect him to get a similar workload in this game. A hundred yards and two scores doesn’t feel out of the question here. His pass game usage is a huge plus also.
Elijah Sarratt, WR James Madison
It shouldn’t surprise readers that JMU’s got some WRs who are also benefiting from JMU’s improved passing offence this season. The Dukes’ attack started off somewhat lackadaisically in 2023, but they continue to hone in on their skills each week. Sarratt — who mysteriously remains at only 13% owned — has now scored 14 or more points in his last five games, and scored over 20 in three out of those five.
McCloud keeps putting it in the end zone, and someone has to be on the other end of that line. Reggie Brown is fairly involved too, but Sarratt appears to be the favourite target man week after week. Oh, and the Dukes play UConn’s 117th ranked pass defence this week.
(BONUS) Terron Kellman, RB UNCC
When it comes to sleepers, there’s levels to this game. The names I’ve covered this week are certainly on the lower end of Fantrax ownership, but if you’re a CFF diehard (and you likely are because you’re reading this article), you were probably already familiar with each of those players. But I’ve got a bonus name for the degenerates out there. A name that paid subscribers at VolumePigs would have seen earlier this week.
That is UNCC’s Kellman. He has now seen 20+ carries in back to back weeks, with scores of 9.7 and 14.2 points. Those outputs are not good enough, clearly, but with that kind of touch volume, and a matchup vs. the nation’s 105th ranked defence vs. the run (according to Fantrax), the recipe is here for mucho fireworks on Saturday. Add on that Memphis might be without both its starting QB and RB, and UNCC could be live for the upset; or at the very least keep the game competitive to the end. If you’re truly desperate this week, or simply looking to score some brownie points for creativity, UNCC’s Kellman could be a cool play. The status of injured RB Shadrick Byrd will have to be monitored.
Like this type of content? I’ve got good news for you; there’s an ungodly amount of it over here: VolumePigs.
You can also find me occasionally tweeting about CFF and CFB over here.
