Fantasy College Hoops: Preview - Week 4

Here are the links to team-by-team schedules and current rosters. Remember the deadline to submit your lineups is 5:00pm on Monday, November 30th... so get them in! You may submit them as a comment to this post, or reply to my email with the template. Whatever works for you! Here are the matchups and starting lineups for Week 4:

Boilers (1-2) vs. Aids (2-1)

Booo Joel (0-3) vs. God's on my side (1-2)

The Pink Jellybeans (2-1) vs. Neenan's Warriors (0-3)

WGP (3-0) vs. Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd (2-1)

* Gordon Bombay (3-0) vs. Chalmers Chiefers (2-1)

Crimson & Bluebloods (2-1) vs. Maria Koppen (0-3)

* Denotes this week's "Game of the Week"

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Fantasy College Hoops: Recap - Week 3

Here are the storylines for Week 3: Chalmers Chiefers vs. Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd didn't live up to the hype. Perhaps the early pat on the back (i.e. #1 in power rankings) went to their heads. Time to regroup for Chalmers Chiefers... Speaking of regrouping, God's on my side is probably anxious for some out-of-conference games. His only win came at the hands of a Maria Koppen forfeit. We'll see how well this team fares against in the coming weeks. You have to feel bad for Neenan's Warriors. This team played to their ceiling and still came up short. The season is still young, but they'll need to find a way to get a tally in the win column before it's too late. Here's a look at the player rankings through Week 3:

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Fantasy College Hoops: Update - Week 3

[Monday] The game of the week between Chalmers Chiefers and Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd just got a lot more interesting. Mac Koshwal sat out DePaul's consolation game against St. Joseph's, nursing an injured foot. We'll see if this comes back and bite the current league leader. Newly acquired Marcus Ginyard (8pts, 5reb, 6ast, 3stl) did a little bit of everything in North Carolina's 93-72 blowout win over Gardner-Webb. It wasn't a big scoring night, but the highest point total belonged to E'Twaun Moore (22pts, 3reb, 3ast, 1blk) who helped lead the Boilermakers to a 1-point victory over Tennessee, while being named MVP of the Paradise Jam. With Tyler Smith (10pts, 4reb, 3ast) a non-factor, Purdue battled and paddled in a highly physical contest. [Tuesday] Well, he did it again... Evan Turner (16pts, 10reb, 11ast, 3blk, 2stl) posted his second triple-double on the season, as he tries for his third POW in as many weeks. But overall, Feast Week has been more of a scoring famine for players around the league. The only other starter to break 25 points last night was Mike Davis (16pts, 11reb, 1ast, 1blk), who played 36 minutes in a 78-64 win against a pesky Wofford team. [Wednesday] Chalmers Chiefers appears to be on the verge of dropping his first matchup of the year. An uncharacteristic performance from Cole Aldrich (4pts, 9reb, 1ast, 3blk, 1stl) hurt his chances. But freshman Xavier Henry (19pts, 5reb, 2ast) picked up the scoring slack, as the Jayhawks ran away from Oakland in a 30-point rout. In the semifinals of the NIT Season Tip-Off, Connecticut's Kemba Walker (20pts, 5ast, 1blk, 1stl) and Stanley Robinson (14pts, 11reb, 4ast, 3blk, 3stl) dominated an undermanned Louisiana St team. [Thursday] Creighton managed to take Michigan into overtime in a back-and-forth battle. But in crunch time, the Wolverines were too much, led by DeShawn Sims (16pts, 11reb, 1ast) and Manny Harris (20pts, 9reb, 11ast, 3stl), narrowly missing his second triple-double on the year. [Friday] With a couple of Ivy League teams on the slate for Feast Week, Wesley Johnson (26pts, 3reb, 3ast, 2stl) poured in a career high 26 points as Syracuse crushed Columbia 85-60. But Neenan's Warriors continued their hot streak, getting a double-double from Dominique Jones (11pts, 4reb, 10ast, 2blk, 1stl) and an offensive explosion from Devan Downey (34pts, 2reb, 1ast). The Game of the Week appears to be over, as Derrick Favors (16pts, 8reb, 1ast, 4blk) put the final nail in Chalmers Chiefers' coffin. [Saturday] The Pink Jellybeans allowed Booo Joel to play at full strength, despite turning in their lineup one day late. It appears the college basketball gods saw The Pink Jellybeans' gracious act and brought favor upon them. As Booo Joel's last hope, Tajuan Porter (DNP) sat out with an ankle injury in Oregon's game against Montana St, sealing his fate. Another team desperate for their first victory on the season, Neenan's Warriors refuses to yield ground. Jacob Pullen (25pts, 6reb, 7ast, 3stl) nearly cancelled out Crimson & Bluebloods' fellow Wildcat Curtis Kelly (11pts, 11reb, 2ast, 5blk, 2stl) against IUPUI. This one could come down to a photo finish. Aids narrowly missed a double-double from Greg Monroe (13pts, 9reb, 6ast, 1blk, 1stl), but his matchup against Maria Koppen has been a foregone conclusion for days now. [Sunday] "A comeback for the history books..." Okay, maybe it wasn't that great, but Crimson & Bluebloods denied Neenan's Warriors their first win on the season. Ed Davis (16pts, 15reb, 2ast, 3blk, 1stl) and the overpowering North Carolina frontcourt was too much for the unintimidated Nevada Wolfpack. But this one was close, as Roy Williams recorded a milestone 600th victory, but failed to cover the -15.5 spread. Continue reading for a look at the current scoreboard:

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Fantasy College Football: Recap - Week 13

What a finish! A Stuckey Situation nearly went from fourth place to the league title in one week. But in the end, I'm a man - I'm forty grabbed three points in Week 13, which was just enough to hold onto first place. Thanks to Any Given Saturday, who scored the most points this week (147.83). Despite being mathematically eliminated, they finished on top for only the second time this season - the other being Week 1. Remember to get in your choices for keepers before the end of the season. Here's a look at the scoreboard and player rankings:

Fantasy College Football: Update - Week 13

[Thursday] The Aggies and Longhorns knew what they were most thankful for on Turkey Day 2009: their quarterbacks. For Texas, Colt McCoy (304yds, 4td, 18car, 175yds, 1td) solidified his Heisman chances as he ran wild on the rare occasion that Jordan Shipley (8rec, 88yds, 2td) wasn't open. But Texas A&M's signal caller made quite a name for himself against the nation's #1 ranked defense. Jerrod Johnson (342yds, 4td, 1int, 14car, 97yds) who matched McCoy stride for stride most of the night. His number one target, Jeff Fuller (6rec, 132yds, 3td) finally looked to be completely recovered from his early season leg injury. The offensive shootout, a 49-39 victory for #3 Texas, had to be a surprise for most who tuned in. [Friday] Nebraska already had the Big XII north division wrapped up, but still managed to take care of business in Boulder. This marked the fourth game Nebraska was outgained in total offense by their opponent. Ironically, they are all wins. Nebraska returned an interception and a punt for a touchdown, which ended up making the difference in their 28-20 victory over Colorado. [Saturday] In the 104th installment of the Bedlam Series, Oklahoma shutout Oklahoma St 27-0, and knocking them out of a potential Fiesta Bowl invitation. DeMarco Murray (13car, 72yds, 2td) found just enough room behind a patchwork offensive line. But the defense stole the show, dominating a clearly not 100% Zac Robinson. Unless Nebraska pulls off a miracle, it looks like the Big XII will only get one BCS bid (Texas). The extra at-large bid would have reeled in approximately $4.5M. It wasn't pretty, but Texas Tech held on to beat Baylor in their season finale 20-13. Despite their lowest output in a victory since 2001, the Red Raiders made just enough plays to get the win. Lyle Leong (6rec, 58yds, 2td) caught two 3rd-quarter touchdown passes. The 118th version of the Border War was a microcosm of the Jayhawks' season. The Jayhawks executed nearly to perfection early, jumping out to a 21-10 late in the first half (i.e. starting the season 5-0). But then, they repeatedly shot themselves in the foot. A Reesing interception led to a Missouri FG just before halftime, and two Briscoe fumbles directly led to Missouri touchdowns (i.e. 7-game losing streak). Though it was a tough game to watch as a Jayhawk fan, outstanding offensive performances were abundant. Todd Reesing (498yds, 4td, 1int, 2-pt conv, 8car, 8yds, 1td) threw for a school-record 498 yards in his final game as a Jayhawk. His top receivers, Kerry Meier (10rec, 52yds, 2td, 2-pt conv) and Dezmon Briscoe (14rec, 242yds, 2td, 2fum) were forced to make plays all game long, due to a nonexistent running game. Missouri countered with Derrick Washington (15car, 111yds, 2td, 2rec, 8yds), who showed no ill effects from last week's concussion. While Blaine Gabbert (303yds, 1td, 17car, 94yds, 1fum) kept Kansas guessing with his arm and his legs. But the story of the year has to be the play of Danario Alexander (15rec, 233yds, 1td, 1car, 10yds). In my opinion, he's the best wide receiver in the country. And if he didn't play for Missouri, in a weak division, he'd be in New York for the Heisman Trophy. If a Stanford running back on an 8-4 squad is deserving, then why not Alexander? Oh well, I guess that's college football... Continue reading for a look at the current scoreboard:

Fantasy College Hoops: Power Rankings #1

It's that time of year again! Time for the first round of fantasy college hoops power rankings. Get your game face ready for this ego-bruising, pride-crushing analysis. So in the true spirit of Thanksgiving, here are the five categories: Feast... This is the "meat and potatoes" player of the team's scoring. Famine... A potential bust from the early rounds, who will always leave his owner wanting more. Sleeper... and I'm not talking about tryptophan. This player from the late rounds (or free agency) will likely become a fixture in the starting lineup. Draft grade... This letter grade assigned to each owner evaluates their draft strategy and execution. Magic 8-ball outlook... A prediction on what each franchise can expect this upcoming season. Will my sources say "yes" to success? Or does a spot in the playoffs look grim? For others, it might be so hazy you'll need to ask again later. So feel free to post your comments and let the smack-talking officially begin. It's Thanksgiving week, but some might not be thanking me after this. Remember... read at your own risk!

Team #8: Boilers (1-1)

Feast: Stanley Robinson, Connecticut... Having your 6th round player as your stud usually isn't a good thing. But there is always an exception, and his name is Stanley Robinson. He is a legitimate double-double threat, and Boilers' most consistent player thus far. Connecticut is a gold mine for big time producers, and Robinson is their best one.

Famine: Tasmin Mitchell, Louisiana St... A borderline "keeper", Mitchell's production hasn't carried over from last season. He's a combo forward who hasn't found his role within LSU's offense yet. If the light comes on, he'll be dangerous. But until then, Boilers should be kicking himself for taking Mitchell #3 overall.

Sleeper: Quincy Pondexter... Boilers is hoping his first move in free agency works out better than last year (Kyle McAlarney). With Washington losing Jon Brockman to graduation, there will be a ton of rebounds up for grabs. Though he's being played out of position, Pondexter will be counted on to contribute in a number of ways. And stuffing the stat sheet is never a bad thing.

Draft grade: After a great draft last season, I feel that Boilers regressed. Maybe not having the #1 overall pick threw him off his game? Robinson was a steal, but passing on Evan Turner and a number of quality big men made the roster pretty guard heavy. Luckily, there's a whole season to change this team's identity... C-

Magic 8-ball outlook: "Outlook not so good." The horses just aren't there right now. Mitchell and Vasquez have struggled out of the gate. And they might start feeling the pressure if the losses start to pile up. Boilers needs to find a way to win ugly until they can hit their stride.

Team #7: The Pink Jellybeans (1-1)

Feast: Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest... Last year's postseason difference maker embraces a new role in Winston-Salem. After playing second fiddle to Jeff Teague and James Johnson, Wake Forest will look to Aminu to shoulder the load. His production will improve as their go-to-guy, which wasn't too shabby in a supporting role last year.

Famine: Sherron Collins, Kansas... I don't know why teams insist on taking Collins #2 overall, but it happened yet again. I suppose I should let it slide, because he's an All-American candidate and leader of the #1 Jayhawks. But it's highly unlikely that he puts up numbers worthy of being taken this high (again).

Sleeper: Jimmy Butler, Marquette... The Juco transfer from Houston, Texas is making the most of his minutes early in the year. The Pink Jellybeans scooped up Butler in free agency, just hours before Neenan's Warriors. With the losses Marquette suffered in their backcourt, there will be plenty of opportunities for Butler to star alongside Lazar Hayward.

Draft grade: Considering this was your first time drafting, color me impressed. The Pink Jellybeans rarely referred to their "colors and mascots" cheat sheet. But after taking a closer look, there appear to be a lot more "misses" than "makes". I have a feeling free agency and The Pink Jellybeans are going to be really good friends... C

Magic 8-ball outlook: "Don't count on it." The Pink Jellybeans have caught on faster than expected, but they still have a long way to go. There are conflicting priorities between the co- owners, which is never a good thing. So it might just take some time for The Pink Jellybeans to work out the kinks.

Team #6: Crimson & Bluebloods (1-1)

Feast: Patrick Patterson, Kentucky... The buzz of the offseason was John Calipari taking his travelling circus to Lexington. Players typically need time to adjust to new schemes. But Calipari's dribble-drive motion offense appears to be a perfect fit for Patterson before he heads off to the NBA.

Famine: Ed Davis, North Carolina... After toying with the idea of declaring for the NBA draft, Davis was destined for a prominent role in the Tar Heel offense. So far, he's been passively watching his teammate, Deon Thompson, do most of the work. You can see his potential, but he was taken far too early (Round 3) to justify it.

Sleeper: Wesley Johnson, Syracuse... I knew who I was taking in the last round before the draft even started. I just had to cross my fingers he was still available. Luckily for me, he was... Johnson, a transfer from Iowa State, came in with a lot of hype. He's Syracuse's most versatile player, and does it on both ends of the court. It always feels good to have a potential keeper fall into your lap in the last round.

Draft grade: Did I have a body-double at the draft or something? After two weeks, the opening day roster hardly resembles the current squad. A high percentage of turnover is never good for team morale. But right now, this squad needs to find their identity after a miserable draft... D+

Magic 8-ball outlook: "Cannot predict now." With so many moves in free agency, it's difficult to see how all of the pieces fit together for Crimson & Bluebloods. But you can't underestimate the value of experience... especially after last season's legendary title run.

Team #5: Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd (1-1)

Feast: Evan Turner, Ohio St... As the league's top producer, Turner is already making a name for himself on the national scene. He leads the Buckeyes in points, rebounds and assists. You couldn't draw up a better player to have on your roster at this point. Now if only the rest of Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd's roster was the same way...

Famine: Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech... You took him way too early! Plus, Favors is going to have to outrebound teammate Gani Lawal all year long, which is nearly impossible. I don't know why you dipped into the freshmen pool so early and often. After watching last year's freshmen class, they're hardly sure things.

Sleeper: Kemba Walker, Connecticut... The tough point guard from The Bronx is a star in the making. Even as a reserve on last year's extremely deep UConn team, he averaged 25+ minutes. After hitting the "freshman wall", he blossomed late in the season and NCAA tournament. Now, Walker is holding the reins of the new-look Huskies. They'll go as far as he can take them, so he'll have the ball in his hands the majority of the time.

Draft grade: After having numerous pre-draft discussions with Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd, it was apparent his strategy got thrown out the window early in the game. Rolling the dice on freshmen is risky, but not the worst thing in the world. Based on the lack of depth, I'm expecting this team to shop the free agency market very soon... B-

Magic 8-ball outlook: "Signs point to yes." Unless the supporting cast is horrific, the team with the best player typically makes the playoffs. If this rookie owner can get some consistency out of the rest of his squad, he'll be able to cruise to a top seed. Of course, consistency isn't always the easiest thing to find...

Team #4: God's on my side (1-1)

Feast: Luke Harangody, Notre Dame... This year's #1 overall pick hasn't missed a beat from a year ago. Harangody is a double-double machine, and dominates the box score. Notre Dame might be in for another "bubble" season, but 'Gody will do everything he can to get them into the NCAA tournament.

Famine: Deonta Vaughn, Cincinnati... Taking Vaughn might have been a case of separation anxiety for God's on my side. Unfortunately, Vaughn will likely see a dip in production this season. The return of point guard Cashmere Wright will move Vaughn off the ball. And bringing in Lance Stephenson won't help free up any more shots.

Sleeper: Kenny Boynton, Florida... Remember how effective Nick Calathes was last year for Smurphs? Meet his replacement - Kenny Boynton. The Gators usually run their offense through one player, which bodes well for fantasy hoops owners. Boynton, a McDonald's All-American, is destined to be that player. He has all the tools to become a difference maker down the road.

Draft grade: No one had a stronger first three rounds than God's on my side. The three-headed monster of Harangody, Lawal and Varnado will be tough to match up with. But did you fall asleep for the rest of the draft? Nevertheless, this squad still looks to have enough firepower up front to win it all... B+

Magic 8-ball outlook: "It is decidedly so." While this team might have divine intervention on their side, having Luke Harangody doesn't hurt either. But don't be fooled, this isn't a one-man show. And if they can find one more backcourt contributor, this team will have all the makings of a contender.

Team #3: Gordon Bombay (2-0)

Feast: Kyle Singler, Duke... Some things just make sense. Like when Coach Krzyzewski finally moved Singler to the wing. As one of the most versatile players in the country, he has a devastating inside-out game. Though not an elite player last year, expect Singler's stats to receive a boost now that he's at his natural position.

Famine: Jerome Randle, California... So far, the preseason Pac-10 player of the year has had a rough go. The California Bears have sustained a couple injuries and tough losses. I have a feeling Randle might try to force it too much, instead of letting the game come to him. Of course, the Pac-10 is so weak, that Randle might be able to pull it off anyway.

Sleeper: Trey Thompkins, Georgia... After not making a roster a year ago, the sophomore from Lithonia, Georgia burst onto the scene. Thompkins gained valuable experience playing for Team USA in the FIBA U19 World Championship over the summer. He has recorded double-doubles in two of his first three games on the season, and hasn't shown any signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Draft grade: After getting two first-round caliber players right off the bat, the future looks bright for this young owner. Although, I'm not sure Gordon Bombay deserves a pat on the back for this draft. A generous big brother did most of work, but I am forced to give credit where credit is due... B

Magic 8-ball outlook: "As I see it, yes." With a strong core of players to build around, the talent is there for a serious run. But this owner might want to take a dip in the free agency pool. Not patching up a thin bench is a problem that snowballs as the season rolls along.

Team #2: Aids (1-1)

Feast: Manny Harris, Michigan... In John Beilein's 4-out/1-in offense, pentetration and 3-point shooting are vital. And Manny Harris runs it to perfection. He has one of the quickest first steps in the nation, and his shot-% has improved each season. After fading down the stretch a year ago, only time will tell if he can weather another grueling Big Ten season.

Famine: AJ Ogilvy, Vanderbilt... Ogilvy is the Steven Jackson of college basketball. While both great players, everyone knows it's just a matter of time before they're sidelined with a nagging injury. If he can shake the stigma, then I'll be eating crow. But history is clearly on my side on this one...

Sleeper: Keith Gallon, Oklahoma... A 300-pounder from vaunted Oak Hill Academy, Keith "Tiny" Gallon will try to fill the void left by Blake Griffin's departure. He'll have a familiar face out on the court, in high school teammate Willie Warren. Gallon has been dominating early with his mammoth frame. But will he be able to sustain this level of success when the competition stiffens?

Draft grade: For being absent at this year's draft, you should have no complaints. Perhaps missing the draft was part of Aids' strategy, because we all know he's awful at it. I just wish I could've saved some of his players for my own team... B+

Magic 8-ball outlook: "Outlook good." Aids' scoring was through the roof in the first week. You could see their scoring power when hitting on all cylinders. With a talented and deep roster, the playoffs look to be gift wrapped. So don't screw it up.

Team #1: Chalmers Chiefers (2-0)

Feast: Cole Aldrich, Kansas... The most dominant center in the country came back for one reason: another ring. Although, I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping out Chalmers Chiefers' chances as well. Aldrich still doesn't always get the touches he deserves, but his impact on the defensive end is second to none.

Famine: Tyler Smith, Tennessee... Chalmers Chiefers made Tennessee's senior leader a second round pick for the second straight year. Smith has big play ability, but I'm not sold on his consistency. He'll likely test the patience of an owner who might pull his hair out trying to pick the "right" game for Smith.

Sleeper: JaMychal Green, Alabama... New Bama head coach Anthony Grant has already spoken very highly of Green, an '08 McDonalds All-American. The Crimson Tide will shift to a more up-tempo style of play this year. Regardless, Green has a nose for the ball and can influence a game in a variety of ways.

Draft grade: I'm hard pressed to find a mistake in Chalmers Chiefers' draft. Denis Clemente was a homer pick in Round 5. But every other team had slipped up at least once before that point. Chalmers Chiefers is the only team starting six double-double threats. That's a gamble he'll enjoy taking week after week... A-

Magic 8-ball outlook: "Without a doubt." The optimism is overflowing in Chalmers Chiefers' camp. And why not? Right now, they're the clear favorite to bring home the title. But this squad can't let the compliments go to their head. They need to maintain an underdog mentality, regardless of how they fare week to week. Remember, there's nowhere to go but down.

Fantasy College Hoops: Preview - Week 3

Here are the links to team-by-team schedules and current rosters. Remember the deadline to submit your lineups is 5:00pm on Monday, November 23rd... so get them in! You may submit them as a comment to this post, or reply to my email with the template. Whatever works for you! Here are the matchups and starting lineups for Week 3:

Boilers (1-1) vs. WGP (2-0)
The Pink Jellybeans (1-1) vs. Booo Joel (0-2)
Aids (1-1) vs. Maria Koppen (0-2)
Gordon Bombay (2-0) vs. God's on my side (1-1)
* Chalmers Chiefers (2-0) vs. Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd (1-1)
Crimson & Bluebloods (1-1) vs. Neenan's Warriors (0-2)

* Denotes this week's "Game of the Week"

Fantasy College Hoops: Starting Lineups - Week 3

Fantasy College Hoops: Recap - Week 2

Here are the league storylines for Week 2: With two teams (Booo Joel, Maria Koppen) failing to submit a lineup, you have to wonder if people are falling back into bad habits. The game of the week between Aids and Gordon Bombay was an instant classic. Throughout the week, they went back and forth. But in the end, Gordon Bombay found a way to rid themselves of pesky Aids. WGP is off to a surprising 2-0 start, despite only scoring more points than the three 0-2 teams in the league. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good! The story of this early season has to be Chalmers Chiefers. After missing out on the playoffs, this team got focused in the offseason and should be a force all year long. Here's a look at the player rankings through Week 2:

Fantasy College Football: Preview - Week 13

For the Big XII's schedule of games for Week 13, click here. It's the regular season finale, and there are rivalry games galore. This week features #3 Texas vs. Texas A&M (Lone Star Showdown), #11 Oklahoma St vs. Oklahoma (Bedlam Series), and Missouri vs. Kansas (Border War). The Big XII's north representative, Nebraska, travels to Boulder for a showdown with Colorado. And Baylor hosts Texas Tech in what should be a high-scoring affair. With Week 13 byes, the regular season is complete for Iowa St and Kansas St. Here's a look at the starting lineups:

Fantasy College Football: Recap - Week 12

The Big XII might be Texas in a cakewalk, but this fantasy league looks to be a dogfight until the very end. Whoooaaa Nelly completed their comeback to relevance, recording the top score this week. With a surprising second place finish, A Stuckey Situation (4th place) has not be mathematically eliminated from contention. With a narrow 2-point lead, I'm a man - I'm forty can't afford to let up. It's officially crunch time, so let's see who wants it most! Here's a look at the scoreboard and player rankings:

Fantasy College Football: Update - Week 12

[Thursday] After suffering a concussion last week, Zac Robinson was ruled out for last night's game against Colorado. And without their senior leader, the Cowboys looked like a bunch of lost puppies. Despite wearing alternate black uniforms for the first time since 1994, the Cowboys had zero passing yards at halftime. Keith Toston (30car, 172yds, 1td, 2rec, 45yds, 1td) had a senior night to remember. As did Perrish Cox (3tackles, 1fum rec) who brought back Colorado's first punt back 67 yards for a touchdown, and a 7-0 lead. The Cowboys overcame a sluggish start to escape with a 31-28 win, keeping their hopes alive for an outside chance at a BCS at-large bid. [Saturday] For the first time all conference season, Taylor Potts looked confident. With both team's seasons in complete disarray, the Red Raiders demolished the Oklahoma Sooners 41-13. It was their most lopsided win in the history of the series. Oklahoma now needs a win in the Bedlam Series next week to stay above .500 on the season. Good luck! It was senior day in Columbia, and Danario Alexander (11rec, 173yds, 1td) went out with a bang. Blaine Gabbert (337yds, 2td, 12car, 51yds) has the Tiger offense rolling as of late. After an electric start, Derrick Washington (11car, 62yds, 1td) suffered a concussion in the second quarter, and his status is unknown for the season finale against Kansas. With not much riding on the game, Texas A&M threw caution to the wind and lit up the scoreboard against Baylor. Jerrod Johnson (153yds, 2td, 16car, 83yds, 1td) led the Aggies' offensive onslaught that racked up 375 yards rushing. In the battle for the Big XII north, Nebraska played it safe, leaned on their defense, and walked away with a 17-3 victory against Kansas St. But let's be honest, all they won was the right to get throttled by Texas on December 5th. Speaking of Texas...

they had no problem brushing aside a troubled Jayhawk team. Colt McCoy (396yds, 4td, 12car, 29yds, 1fum lost) had a legendary performance on senior night in Austin. The lone bright spot for Kansas was Dezmon Briscoe (5rec, 101yds) who returned a kickoff 98-yards for a touchdown, while scoring a touchdown in eight of his last nine games. Continue reading for a look at the current scoreboard:

Fantasy College Hoops: Update - Week 2

[Monday] The game of the week, Aids vs. Gordon Bombay, was the only matchup between 1-0 teams. Though both were late with lineup submissions, I decided to let them play at full strength to keep it interesting. The only player involved last night was Jerome Dyson (10pts, 3reb, 6ast, 1blk) who shot a miserable 3-15 from the field. Dyson's fellow Huskies fared much better, as Stanley Robinson (18pts, 3reb, 3ast, 2blk) and Kemba Walker (16pts, 1reb, 6ast, 1blk, 5stl) helped UConn get an ugly 77-63 win against Colgate in the first round of the NIT Season Tip-Off. The high score of the night belonged to Cory Higgins (21pts, 2reb, 3ast, 3stl), who drained his fifth 3-pointer with :10 left in their game against Coppin St. [Tuesday] Last night concluded ESPN's 24-hour college hoops marathon. There were some pressure-packed games, including #2 Michigan State's comeback win over Gonzaga, and a nail-biter between Memphis and #1 Kansas. It appears that many of this league's matchups very well could come down to the wire too. In the game of the week, Virginia Tech's Jeff Allen (14pts, 10reb, 1ast, 3blk, 6stl) filled up the box score against UNC-Greensboro. While Gordon Bombay countered with Georgia's Trey Thompkins (14pts, 16reb, 2ast, 1blk), who suffered a home upset to Wofford. Cole Aldrich (18pts, 11reb, 5blk, 1stl), last night's high scorer, calmed a nervous Jayhawk nation in their rematch of the 2008 NCAA Championship. He dominated the paint, while looking every bit the part of an All-American. [Wednesday] Texas once again used a small army of players to wear down another overmatched opponent. Damion James (18pts, 7reb, 2ast, 1blk, 1stl) led the charge in Texas' 73-41 blowout win over Western Carolina. With the Maui Invitational scheduled for next week, Wisconsin and Trevon Hughes (15pts, 7reb, 4ast, 1blk, 1stl) took care of business against Oakland. The Pink Jellybeans did everything they could to wrap up their first victory in franchise history last night. Al-Farouq Aminu (22pts, 10reb, 3ast, 1blk, 1stl) led all scorers with 42.30 points. [Thursday] Madison Square Garden was the site of the semifinals for the 2K Sports Classic. Wesley Johnson (17pts, 11reb, 6blk) and Syracuse thoroughly outhustled #13 California in their 95-73 "upset" win. Jerome Randle (25pts, 5reb, 3ast) was the only reason the score wasn't even more lobsided. Despite not hitting a three-pointer, Dominique Jones (17pts, 10reb, 6ast, 3stl) was the first of Neenan's Warriors to post a 30+ point performance. But last night's high score belonged to God's on my side's Jarvis Varnado (20pts, 9reb, 2ast, 8blk, 3stl). Apparently SE Louisiana didn't know that Varnado was one of the NCAA's best shot blockers, as they repeatedly challenged him... and failed. [Friday] The game of the week just got a lot more interesting! Manny Harris (25pts, 8reb, 3ast, 2stl) and Gregory Echenique (16pts, 14reb, 2blk, 1stl) helped Aids nearly grab the lead back, heading into the weekend. We'll know who will be moving to 2-0 between these two by the end of today's games. One team that is already 2-0: Chalmers Chiefers. They defeated Neenan's Warriors with the help of Mac Koshwal (12pts, 19reb, 4ast, 1blk), who dominated in his first start of the year. With the high score for the week so far, Evan Turner (26pts, 14reb, 6ast, 2blk, 1stl) is making a strong bid for back-to-back player of the week honors. Although, this time would be in a losing effort for Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd. Trailing by 0.20 points, Crimson & Bluebloods' Michael Washington (13pts, 10reb, 3ast, 2blk) grabbed his final rebound in overtime, which ended up making the difference. [Saturday] What a finish to Week 2! Duke continued their strong play at home, thanks to Jon Scheyer (18pts, 7ast) and Kyle Singler (13pts, 7reb, 7ast, 1blk, 1stl). Gordon Bombay's Singler and John Calipari (covered -18 spread vs. Rider) outscored Aids' Greg Monroe (13pts, 7reb, 2ast, 1stl) and Keith Gallon (15pts, 11reb, 1blk). Boilers needed Oklahoma's Jeff Capel to lose badly, which he did. But in the end, it wasn't enough, as The Pink Jellybeans hung on for their first win of the year. There are still a couple of guys in action on Sunday, so the final standings won't be released until tomorrow. [Sunday] Only two league players were in action, and both put up some nice numbers. Mike Rosario (22pts, 1reb, 1ast) buried four 3-pointers in a 77-71 loss to Vermont. God's on my side's Luke Harangody (32pts, 9reb, 1ast, 2stl) barely missed a monster double-double, which would have wrestled player of the week away from Evan Turner. Continue reading for a look at the current scoreboard:

Fantasy College Hoops: Update - Week 2

Fantasy College Football: Power Rankings #3

We're only two weeks away from the end of the regular season. But every team still has plenty to play for: the league championship, new contracts (keepers) and most importantly... pride! So in the true spirit of Thanksgiving, here is the final round of Fantasy College Football Power Rankings. Here's the rundown for the five categories: Feast... The "meat and potatoes" of the team's scoring. Famine... This player consistently left food on the table, and his owner wanting more. Potential keeper... The most worthy player of getting franchise tagged. Franchise grade... A letter grade for how well each owner performed over the long haul. Crystal ball prediction... Thoughts on the last two weeks of the season - and beyond. So go right ahead and dig in, pig out, and completely stuff yourself on these Power Rankings. But just like on Thanksgiving, you'll probably feel the effects afterwards. Bon Appétit!


Team #6: Dez it really matter
Feast: Zac Robinson, Oklahoma St... As the fifth quarterback taken in this year's draft, Robinson did a marvelous job of silencing his critics. He overcame the loss of his No. 1 target for the majority of the year, and has consistently been ranked in the top ten in league scoring.


Famine: Jake Sharp, Kansas... The Jayhawks have not had a shortage of disappointing senior seasons, and Sharp is Exhibit A. He never fully recovered from his undisclosed injury, and Mangino's refusal to decrease his workload made his teammate, Toben Opurum, useless for Dez it really matter.


Potential keeper: Robert Griffin, Baylor... With all of the chaos Dez it really matter endured this season, picking up Griffin might be just what the doctor ordered. He'll be able to start with a fresh slate next season, in hopes that Griffin can regain his form after coming off ACL surgery last season.


Franchise grade: Giving the reigns to wide receivers never works. The egos spiraled out of control early in the season, and the team never could recover. It was painfully obvious that losing Dez Bryant would keep this team in the cellar for good... D+


Crystal ball prediction: After showing a lot of promise early in the year, Dez it really matter lost control of his team. The lack of depth cost this team big time, and a potential lack of pre-draft preparation might be the root of the problem. This team needs to do some heavy offseason evaluations if they expect to compete next year.


Team #5: Any Given Saturday
Feast: Todd Reesing, Kansas... The Jayhawk signal caller has been less than spectacular this year. With an abundance of mental mistakes, Reesing does not look like the same quarterback we've come to know and expect. But despite his subpar season, he is tops in league scoring, and provided some stability at the quarterback position down the stretch for Any Given Saturday.

Famine: Taylor Potts, Texas Tech... The Red Raider experiment should be classified as an obvious failure. For the first time in a long time, Lubbock was home to a quarterback controversy. It didn't matter how many quarterbacks Any Given Saturday plucked out of free agency. They all fell flat on their face eventually, with Potts leading the way.

Potential keeper: Roy Helu Jr... You have to like Helu's production down the home stretch of the season. He got nicked up in the middle of the year, but notched four 100-yard games and scored nine touchdowns for an anemic Nebraska offense. With another year under his belt, Helu will likely take it to the next level for his senior campaign.

Franchise grade: Losing Gresham was unfortunate, but the Red Raider roster overload led to your demise. Roster uniformity leads to peaks and valleys, but usually ends in disappointment. And that is clearly the case for Any Given Saturday... C-

Crystal ball prediction: Helu should be one of the elite players for next year. He'll be a great centerpiece to build around, and as long as you incorporate some diversity in the draft, good things will happen. With a heavy involvement in free agency each week, the effort was certainly there.


Team #4: A Stuckey Situation
Feast: Danario Alexander, Missouri... In a pass-happy Big XII, with so many established QB/WR connections, no one could have seen this coming. Alexander was instrumental in grooming Missouri's first-year starting quarterback, while leading all wide receivers in fantasy points. With the numbers he's put up, Alexander very well might have played himself into this year's NFL draft.


Famine: Brandon Banks, Kansas St... The exact opposite can be said for the undersized Wildcat wideout. Though he was a terror on special teams, Banks was a nightmare for A Stuckey Situation everywhere else. He clearly wasn't a fit for Bill Snyder's offensive scheme, and was a huge disappointment after recording a 1000-yard season a year ago..


Potential keeper: Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M... With all of the preseason hype for the big name Big XII quarterbacks, Johnson got lost in the shuffle. He was underutilized all season, but put up great numbers when given the chance to start. The Aggie offense showed the ability to put points on the board, and Johnson was the focal point. If given the chance to run the show, Johnson could end up leading the league in points.


Franchise grade: A Stuckey Situation was about one legit player short of competing for the title this year. Trading Cyrus Gray for Derrick Washington turned out to be a wash, but the only relevant player currently on the roster taken after the second round: Danario Alexander. That's far too many mistakes to make during a draft, which should have built the backbone of a championship squad... C+


Crystal ball prediction: With a relatively firm grasp on fourth place, A Stuckey Situation should finish "in the money". But that's all they can expect, with any further movement up the ladder looking unlikely. This team played it safe for most of the year, and rightfully finished in the middle of the pack.


Team #3: Whoooaaa Nelly
Feast: Keith Toston, Oklahoma St... Not much more needs to be said about Toston. He made nearly everone forget who Kendall Hunter was for most of the season, and finished as the third ranked running back in the league.

Famine: Detron Lewis, Texas Tech... Red Raider receivers are typically explosive, but unreliable. Not the case with Lewis, who never broke 20+ FCFP on the year. Originally thought to be Tech's go-to-receiver, Lewis battled injuries and Leach's doghouse throughout the season. Aside from Malcolm Williams (Texas), Lewis was the biggest early round bust at receiver as far as production goes.

Potential keeper: Blaine Gabbert, Missouri... After a rebuilding season, the future looks bright in Columbia. With a bowl game berth and a month of extra practice, expect Gabbert to play like a cagey veteran next year.

Franchise grade: No team overcame adversity like Whoooaaa Nelly. Losing your starting quarterback and stud running back to injury typically spell disaster. But that was not the case, as Whoooaaa Nelly is still in a dogfight for second place. Hats off this owner, who tweaked this lineup to perfection week after week... B+

Crystal ball prediction: I am amazed at the determination of this squad, transforming from league laughingstock to a top finisher. Though time is running short on their comeback, they still could pull a rabbit out of the hat. I know I'm rooting for this team the rest of the way, because they stuck to their guns and gave it everything they had.

Team #2: The Real McCoy
Feast: Colt McCoy, Texas... Texas' quest for another National Championship looks probable, thanks to a great season from Colt McCoy. The top pick in this year's draft has been at the top of the player rankings each week, and is one of the main reasons The Real McCoy finds themselves in second place.


Famine: Jay Finley, Baylor... Finley has combined for less than 15 points over his last four starts, which is a perfect ending for his disappointment of a season. He has been hampered by a nagging ankle injury, but the loss of Robert Griffin is the logical reason for his statistical dropoff.


Potential keeper: Daniel Thomas, Kansas St... This Juco quarterback turned "Wildcat" feature back has been running circles around nearly every opponent this year. Thomas is currently the #2 overall scorer and should have another productive season in store for his senior campaign. Consider Thomas the league's player of the year if The Real McCoy can pull out a first place finish.


Franchise grade: The best recipe in fantasy college football is to get your hands on the best quarterback and running back. This was the case for The Real McCoy. With a lineup that was solid from top to bottom, rarely did adjustments need to be made. You can't teach this kind of stuff... A-


Crystal ball prediction: The Real McCoy has a legitimate chance to finish as the league champion. But I don't think they have enough left in the tank to regain the lead. A bye in Week 13 for Daniel Thomas looms large, but never count out The Real McCoy's will to win.


Team #1: I'm a man - I'm forty
Feast: Alexander Robinson, Iowa St... The number six. This is how many 100-yard rushing games Robinson recorded in ten starts. Unfortunately, it was also the last week he scored a TD on the ground (@Kansas 10/10). He's been a workhorse for the Cyclones, but he must make a statement in his regular season finale against Missouri this weekend.


Famine: Kerry Meier, Kansas... Like a broken record, Meier's senior season for the Jayhawks has been disappointing. He racks up the receptions, but has lost two fumbles over his last three games. It's also been more than a month since Meier scored a touchdown.

Potential keeper: Landry Jones, Oklahoma... Sam Bradford's replacement got off to a shaky start, but looks more comfortable running the show each week. Aside from his debacle in Lincoln two weeks ago, Jones continues to mature within the Sooner offense, and let his playmakers do what they do best. Keep in mind, Jones is only a redshirt freshman, so he has huge upside as a long term investment.

Franchise grade: I'm a man - I'm forty is another squad who overcame apparent quarterback trouble. But they didn't panic under pressure, and leaned heavily on their fantastic defense to pick up the slack. Travis Lewis and Roddrick Muckelroy could end up as the unsung heroes who ensure I'm a man - I'm forty walks away with trophy in hand... A

Crystal ball prediction: It's not over yet, but I'm a man - I'm forty should be able to keep the rest of the league at arm's length. Having Jordan Shipley counter Colt McCoy's production has to make you feel warm and fuzzy. Barring a last minute meltdown, the title appears to be in good hands. Just make sure it stays that way...

Fantasy College Hoops: Preview - Week 2

Here are the links to team-by-team schedules and current rosters. Remember the deadline to submit your lineups is 5:00pm on Monday, November 16th... so get them in! You may submit them as a comment to this post, or reply to my email with the template. Whatever works for you! Here are the matchups and starting lineups for Week 2:

Boilers (1-0) vs. The Pink Jellybeans (0-1)
Booo Joel (0-1) vs. WGP (1-0)
* Aids (1-0) vs. Gordon Bombay (1-0)
God's on my side (0-1) vs. Maria Koppen (0-1)
Chalmers Chiefers (1-0) vs. Neenan's Warriors (0-1)
Crimson & Bluebloods (0-1) vs. Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd (1-0)

* Denotes this week's "Game of the Week"

FCH Starting Lineups - Week 2

Fantasy College Football: Preview - Week 12

For the Big XII's schedule of games for Week 12, click here. Thursday night's game features two teams headed in opposite directions. I have been impressed with Oklahoma State's sticktoitiveness for several weeks now. After overcoming the Dez Bryant fiasco and the injury to Kendall Hunter, they remain in contention for an excellent bowl game invite. I'm almost afraid to watch the Kansas vs. #3 Texas game, as the point spread should be in the 40's. Missouri hosts Iowa St, as both teams are coming off wins. Oklahoma heads to Lubbock for a matchup with Texas Tech. Baylor takes on Texas A&M in a meaningless game that could have some offensive fireworks. And this week's marquee matchup will determine the Big XII north representative for the annual annihilation at Arrowhead on December 5th. Here are the starting lineups for Week 12:

Fantasy College Hoops: Recap - Week 1

Here are the storylines from the opening week: Boilers sold Booo Joel on drafting Corey Raji, who was promptly suspended for the first two games of the year. Therefore, he was forced to play a man down while only losing by 10 points (ouch). The Pink Jellybeans struggled mightily to put points on the board, and reportedly Scottie Reynolds is on an extremely short leash. They've made some moves in free agency, which should add some pop to the lineup. God's on my side put up some nice numbers, but Aids has a knack of getting off to fast starts. Only time will tell if he's for real, after fading down the stretch last season. With Kevin Coble lost for the season, Maria Koppen has to be thinking "what if?" on their close loss to Gordon Bombay. This week's game of the week was neck-and-neck until the last day. Chalmers Chiefers pushed through in the clutch, while Crimson & Bluebloods starts the season 0-1 for the second straight year. Depending on which side you were on, the most impressive/depressing performance was Evan Turner for Paul Rudd > Ashley Judd outscoring Neenan's Warriors by himself. Courtney Fortson's indefinite suspension didn't help, but this one was never in doubt. Here's a look at the league leaders in scoring through Week 1:

Fantasy College Hoops: Update - Week 1

[Monday] Booo Joel on Evan Turner: "He's just too up and down. He never had big games when I put him in." Well, it seems the leader of the Buckeyes got the message... too bad Booo Joel didn't keep him. Evan Turner (14pts, 17reb, 10ast, 2blk, 2stl) tipped this season off with a triple-double that should make the rest of the league do a triple-take. He became only the second Buckeye to do so (Dennis Hopson, 1986) and appears to have POTW honors wrapped up already. The game of the week between Chalmers Chiefers and Crimson & Bluebloods got started early, as the Tarheels' Deon Thompson (20pts, 10reb, 3stl) and Ed Davis (13pts, 11reb, 2ast, 4blk, 1stl) posted double-doubles. In the late game, Wesley Johnson (12pts, 8reb, 4ast, 6stl) helped Syracuse bounce back from their embarrassing exhibition loss to Le Moyne last week. [Wednesday] Last night featured a couple of Golden Bears during their matchup with Detroit. Jerome Randle (22pts, 2reb, 3ast), Rivals' preseason Pac-10 player of the year, had 16 points in the first half. While head coach Mike Montgomery covered the -18 spread easily, cruising to a 95-61 win. [Friday] Patrick Patterson (20pts, 12reb, 1ast, 1blk) made John Calipari's debut in Lexington a success, a 75-59 win over Morehead St. Speaking of successful debuts, Xavier Henry (27pts, 5reb, 2ast, 1blk, 1stl) broke the Kansas freshman scoring record, while draining five three-pointers. Tyler Smith (14pts, 11reb, 4ast, 1blk, 2stl) ran a little bit of point-forward for Tennessee in their win over Austin Peay. Penn State's one-man-show, Talor Battle (27pts, 10reb, 4ast) picked up right where he left off last season. With the NCAA's all-time blocks record within reach, Jarvis Varnado (22pts, 14reb, 2ast, 7blk) won't be taking any prisoners this year. He was a perfect 8-8 from the floor. And after a much needed offseason in the weight room, Georgetown's Greg Monroe (18pts, 11reb, 2ast, 2blk, 2stl) muscled his way past Tulane. Fantasy College Hoops looks to be the only saving grace for Landry Fields (25pts, 9reb, 1ast, 1blk, 5stl). He will likely be an elite player in this league, but Stanford will be lucky to win more than ten games all year. After losing a significant percentage of scoring from a year ago, Connecticut didn't have to look very far for a replacement. Jerome Dyson (27pts, 3reb, 8ast, 1blk, 4stl) should cool any nerves for the fans in Storrs. It's common knowledge that the nation's streakiest shooter resides in Waco. But WGP clearly picked the right game for LaceDarius Dunn (32pts, 1reb, 1ast, 2stl) who went 10-16 from the floor. And after not making a roster last season, Georgia's Trey Thompkins (25pts, 12reb, 1ast, 3blk, 1stl) played with a chip on his shoulder. [Saturday] On a day that saw 8 of 11 players reach at least a double-double, the point totals were through the roof. The scoring was fast and furious, and Manny Harris (18pts, 13reb, 10ast, 1stl) was to blame, once again. There's nothing better than starting the season with a monster triple-double. As another non-roster player from a year ago, James Anderson (22pts, 15reb, 1ast, 1blk, 1stl) currently ranks in the top 10 in scoring thus far. The freshman behemoth nicknamed "Tiny", Keith Gallon (18pts, 15reb, 2ast, 1blk) put up some gigantic numbers in his Sooner debut. [Sunday] With Gordon Bombay needing a solid performance out of his best player, Damion James (21pts, 15reb, 2ast, 1blk) shut the door on Maria Koppen. With the outcome hanging in the balance, Da'Sean Butler (26pts, 7reb, 5ast, 1stl) put up some big time numbers when WGP needed it most. Click the link below for a look at the current scoreboard:

FCH Lineups - Week 1

Fantasy College Football: Recap - Week 11

I'm a man - I'm forty created some slight separation from the rest of the pack. The only thing stopping this team is their head coach, who has posted five consecutive losing weeks. But the main storyline is Whoooaaa Nelly, who continues to climb back into picture. The finish should end up being extremely close. The last round of power rankings will be coming out next week. And despite four straight second-to-last finishes, Dez it really matter will be included in them. Here's a look at the scoreboard and player rankings: