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This is the fifth in a series of college fantasy football conference previews. You can find the rest here.
As the start of the season approaches, I’m here to help you all get ready for your college fantasy football leagues. I already wrote a draft guide, in which I tried to lay out some general guidelines for you to follow for your own league. College fantasy football has so many different ways to play, that I tried to make some key points you could use when thinking about your individual league rules. In the interest of helping as many people as I can, I will provide a breakdown of each of the BCS leagues (and the independents), and if your league takes some random combination of those (my league with the Solid Verbal podcast uses Big Ten, Pac-10, and independents only), you can look at my analysis of these leagues to prepare for your draft. Then, throughout the season, I’ll keep you updated on which players are underperforming, and which players are emerging as fantasy options.
Without any further ado, here is my preview on the Big East:
As a reminder, I will assume CBS league default scoring rules and roster limits when discussing these leagues, as those will be the most commonly used rules.
Here is one fantasy sleeper per team; some of these will make a large enough splash in the largest of player pools, while others are only worth consideration in Big East only leagues:
| Cincinnati |
Marcus Barnett (WR) |
| Connecticut |
Zach Frazer (QB) |
| Louisville |
Bilal Powell (RB) |
| Pittsburgh |
Jonathan Baldwin (WR) |
| Rutgers |
Joe Martinek (RB) |
| South Florida |
Lindsey Lamar (RB) |
| Syracuse |
Delone Carter (RB) |
| West Virginia |
Wes Lyons (WR) |
Quarterbacks
The name of the game in the Big East is departed QB talent. Matt Grothe (USF) and Tony Pike (Cincinnati) return, but after that there are few proven options.
Jarrett Brown (WVU), of course, takes over in a system that has been a traditional source of fantasy production, and possible position battles at UConn and Rutgers give fantasy players high-risk/high-reward options. I think Zach Frazer holds onto the job at UConn, and the new offense makes him an intriguing sleeper pick.
Do I need to tell you to stay away from Greg Paulus (Syracuse)? The guy was playing basketball for Duke in March, and hasn’t played football since high school.
At Louisville, Justin Burke has won the job, but I wouldn’t feel good coming out of a draft with him. And an opener against awful Indiana State won’t tell us anything, either. To call anyone a “winner” in the Pitt position battle would just feel wrong.
Running Backs
Noel Devine will get a lot of hype, and is the best option in the Big East. It may be difficult to draft him at his value, as many people will probably reach for him based on his potential. Victor Anderson is a notch below, but still a solid starter in almost every league.
Rutgers will be an excellent source of rushing yards for fantasy players. Uncertainty at QB and an experienced offensive line are pretty good indicators to look for touches for the RBs. The problem is no one is sure if Joe Martinek or Jourdan Brooks will get most of the work, with a 3rd RB, Kordell Young, injured. My pick is Martinek, as his physical style seems to be getting a lot of praise from the coaches in fall camp.
As a sleeper option, I chose Bilal Powell of Louisville, as Anderson’s durability, his fade down the stretch (207 yards total in last 4 games), and Kragthorpe’s stated “split carries” policy are enough to make me think this is one handcuff worth taking.
My other RB sleepers from the Big East are Delone Carter (not just because of his 84 TD potential) and USF freshman Lindsey Lamar. Everyone at USF is some combination of suspended and/or injured, so the praise Lamar has gotten in fall camp (and the opportunities he should get) may make him worth a look. Carter is a better fantasy option now that Greg Paulus has been named Syracuse’s starting QB. Let’s just say I think they will run the ball. A lot.
Wide Receivers
If you don’t know the name Mardy Gilyard, you’re not paying attention to college fantasy football. This guy is far and away the best option in the Big East, and is a #1 WR option for your team, regardless of league. I’d consider taking him at the end of the first round in leagues where I must draft Big East WRs, and in the first 3 rounds of virtually every league.
After Gilyard, there are some other good options, but he is the only elite option. No other player is a sure-fire every week fantasy starter (default CBS rules require 3 WR in the starting lineup), but there are some good sleepers and matchup plays to either keep on your bench, or to follow for those bye-week fill-ins.
WR, in general, are inconsistent fantasy performers. I recommend you get at least one elite option on your team, and then target WRs which get carries. Red Zone targets are also huge for WRs, as a TD, even if it is the only catch, is very valuable from a #3 WR.
So who are these sleeper options you should either stock your bench or target as walk-ons? 6’5” sophomore Jonathan Baldwin (Pitt) and 6’8” Wes Lyons (West Virginia) are two big play threats. Baldwin for his 22.4 yards per catch a year ago, and Lyons for his physicality. I admit I was fairly ignorant about Lyons until being turned on to him by our Big East preview guest author. I have since scoured the internet for information on him, and I like what I see, enough to pick him as my sleeper from the Mountaineers (one of the few teams most fantasy players will pay attention to from this league).
Rutgers Tim Brown could also step into the Kenny Britt role, so keep an eye on him. The new faces at QB, however, make him a longshot to be a breakout stud. You can do worse, however, than playing him against FIU, for example, in a week you are lacking options at WR. As a senior, he will know the system, and he has shown some explosiveness for what was (surprisingly) the highest scoring Big East offense a year ago.
I tagged Bearcats two-way threat Marcus Barnett as a sleeper, as someone should emerge as defenses key on Gilyard. Plus, I like that the man leads his team in tattoos.
Tight Ends
Tight end in general is made up of dreaful, inconsistent options. This is especially true in the Big East. If you’re in a league where you must take a Big East tight end (first of all, what the hell is wrong with you) there are still 6 equally mediocre options. I can’t imagine a scenario where I’d do anything but go with matchups and try to guess the hot hand with Big East tight ends, as there is not a standout in the group. Not unless you can merge Pitt’s two mediocre options into one slightly above average option. Even then, I’d look elsewhere unless it’s a bye week fill-in and you’re desperate.
Kickers
Don’t draft one till the end. Don’t carry a backup. It’s a waste of time to try to rate one versus another for fantasy purposes. Just play the matchups.
Defense / Special Teams
Just play the matchups, and don’t carry a backup. Just because they’re projected to get more points than, say, a #2 WR, don’t go get a defense until near the bottom of your draft. You’ll be much better off loading up on potential fantasy studs at the more valuable positions.
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