Week 2 of the college season is here and we are going to try a slightly different format for the Team Total preview and will look to emulate John Lee's fantastic Vegas Value Chart that has been a key feature in our daily NFL coverage. We are also stealing the idea of using a scale to measure the rushing and passing matchup for each offense.
A rushing or passing matchup rating of 5 is an extremely attractive matchup for the offense, while a 1 means the team is facing a tough defensive matchup and should probably be avoided in daily fantasy lineups. The star rankings take into account the team's Vegas total, relative strength of the offense's passing and rushing attack against the opposing defense and the expected game script (including blowout potential). The matchup ratings will help you to focus your research on the smaller number of teams and positional groups with the best matchups.
Thursday/Friday Slate
| Team | Total | Opponent | Game Line | Game Total | Rushing | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 36.25 | FAU | -17.5 | 55 | 4 | 3 |
| Louisiana Tech | 31 | Western Kentucky | -1 | 61 | 3 | 4 |
| Western Kentucky | 30 | Louisiana Tech | 1 | 61 | 3 | 3 |
| Utah | 28.75 | Utah State | -13.5 | 44 | 3 | 3 |
| Florida Atlantic | 18.75 | Miami | 17.5 | 55 | 2 | 1 |
| Utah State | 15.25 | Utah | 13.5 | 44 | 1 | 1 |
4 Star matchups
Louisiana Tech Passing. The Bulldogs passed for 355 yards and 5 touchdowns in a dominating win over WKU last season. Florida transfer Jeff Driskel has a deep group of talented pass catchers to throw to in 2015 and should find success against the Hilltoppers defense.
Miami Rushing. The Hurricanes have the highest team total of the night at 36+ points and should find plenty of success on the ground. Joseph Yearby is the starter but freshman Mark Walton is also a highly talented runner and the Hurricanes could go run-heavy should they be able to build an early lead in a game in which they are favored by 17.5 points.
3 Star Matchups
Louisiana Tech Rushing. Western Kentucky did a nice job holding Vanderbilt in check last week, but this still profiles as a defense that will struggle to stop the run against good teams and the Bulldogs are likely to lean heavily on Senior back Kenneth Dixon.
Miami Passing. Brad Kaaya is a very talented young passer and despite missing some of his top passing targets (Stacy Coley, Braxton Berrios), still has plenty of talent to throw to including Rashawn Scott and Herb Waters.
Western Kentucky Passing and Rushing. Coming off a rough showing at Vanderbilt, Brandon Doughty will look to rebound against the Bulldogs. He threw 4 Interceptions and only 1 Touchdown in a nightmare performance last season at Louisiana Tech, but in his team's home opener the senior star should show much better. Leon Allen has a decent matchup against Louisiana Tech's defense. After opening as 3 point favorites, the line has swung in Louisiana Tech's favor and the Hilltoppers are now slight home underdogs.
Utah Passing and Rushing. Utah State presents a neutral matchup for Utah, which should find equal success on the ground with Devontae Booker and through the air with Travis Wilson.
Saturday Early Slate
| Team | Total | Opponent | Game Line | Game Total | Rushing | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 49.75 | Hawaii | -40 | 59.5 | 3 | 3 |
| Alabama | 45.75 | Middle Tennessee | -35 | 56.5 | 3 | 3 |
| Wisconsin | 43 | Miami (OH) | -33 | 53 | 4 | 2 |
| Georgia Tech | 41.5 | Tulane | -28.5 | 54.5 | 4 | 2 |
| Mississippi | 41.25 | Fresno State | -28.5 | 54 | 3 | 3 |
| Arkansas | 37.75 | Toledo | -21.5 | 54 | 4 | 3 |
| Clemson | 37.75 | Appalachian State | -17 | 58.5 | 4 | 4 |
| Georgia | 35.75 | Vanderbilt | -20.5 | 51 | 3 | 2 |
| Louisville | 33.75 | Houston | -12.5 | 55 | 3 | 3 |
| Rutgers | 32 | Washington State | -2 | 62 | 4 | 3 |
| Michigan | 31.75 | Oregon State | -15.5 | 48 | 2 | 3 |
| Washington State | 30 | Rutgers | 2 | 62 | 4 | 3 |
| Minnesota | 29.75 | Colorado State | -6 | 53.5 | 3 | 2 |
| Notre Dame | 29.5 | Virginia | -11.5 | 47.5 | 2 | 3 |
| Iowa | 27.75 | Iowa State | -3.5 | 52 | 3 | 2 |
| Iowa State | 24.25 | Iowa | 3.5 | 52 | 1 | 2 |
| Syracuse | 24.25 | Wake Forest | -4.5 | 44 | 3 | 2 |
| Colorado State | 23.75 | Minnesota | 6 | 53.5 | 1 | 1 |
| Houston | 21.25 | Louisville | 12.5 | 55 | 1 | 2 |
| Appalachian State | 20.75 | Clemson | 17 | 58.5 | 1 | 1 |
| Wake Forest | 19.75 | Syracuse | 4.5 | 44 | 1 | 2 |
| Virginia | 18 | Notre Dame | 11.5 | 47.5 | 1 | 1 |
| Oregon State | 16.25 | Michigan | 15.5 | 48 | 1 | 1 |
| Toledo | 16.25 | Arkansas | 21.5 | 54 | 1 | 1 |
| Vanderbilt | 15.25 | Georgia | 20.5 | 51 | 1 | 1 |
| Tulane | 13 | Georgia Tech | 28.5 | 54.5 | 1 | 1 |
| Fresno State | 12.75 | Mississippi | 28.5 | 54 | 1 | 1 |
| Middle Tennessee | 10.75 | Alabama | 35 | 56.5 | 1 | 1 |
| Miami (OH) | 10 | Wisconsin | 33 | 53 | 1 | 1 |
| Hawaii | 9.75 | Ohio State | 40 | 59.5 | 1 | 1 |
4 Star Matchups
Clemson Passing and Rushing. Clemson has the highest team total of a team that isn't favored by over 20 points. While the teams with higher team totals will probably be pulling the starters early, Clemson's starters should play late into the game against a decent Appalachian State team that has famously pulled off upsets of top BCS teams in the past. DeShaun Watson, Artavis Scott and Wyatt Shallman are all top options. Senior Charone Peake and freshmen Ray-Ray McCloud, Deon Cain and Trevion Thompson will look to fill in for the loss of star WR Mike Williams to a neck injury in Week 1.
Wisconsin and Georgia Tech Rushing. Both the Badgers and Yellow Jackets enter the week as huge favorites and should find plenty of success on the ground. These would be 5 star rushing matchups if we knew the starters would play all game, but with both teams listed as 4 touchdown favorites, we could see the starters leave early. These two teams have such powerful rushing attacks they are still able to rack up massive numbers even in expected blowouts. Wisconsin's starting back Corey Clement is nursing a strained groin and may not play much, which means backups Taiwan Deal and Dare Ogunbowale should have big games. QB Justin Jackson and B-Backs Marcus Marshall and Patrick Skov will have big days for Georgia Tech.
Rutgers and Washington State Passing. The Rutgers-Washington State game boasts the highest total over/under at 62 and the game is expected to be very close. All of the elements are present for a possible shootout. Rutgers QB Chris Laviano and WR Leonte Carroo hooked up for 3 touchdowns in Week 1 despite being suspended for the first half. The Cougars' passing offense disappointed Week 1, but still projects to be a powerful air attack going forward. QB Luke Falk is expected to play after injuring his shoulder late against Portland State last week and has a deep stable of receiving targets.
Arkansas Rushing. Arkansas is a big home favorite but Toledo should be good enough to keep it close into the 3rd quarter even with their star RB suspended. The big concern for daily fantasy will be how long the starters play, but there is a lesser chance of an early benching in this game than there is for Ohio State or Alabama (who almost certainly will have the backups in for much of the game) due to the relative strengh of the opponents. Arkansas coach Bret Bielema usually isn't shy about running up the score if he can. RB Alex Collins should have a big game behind the monster Arkansas Offensive Line, which should be able to push around their MAC opposition.
