If you played my picks in week 2, chances are you were pretty successful. I consider week 3 the first real week of college football. Teams are beginning to play their conference schedules or playing teams that actually can put up some sort of fight. Also, I want to emphasize that there are players that could be “Top Plays” every week, but some players are a pretty obvious choice. I want to give a little insight to some players that you may just over look because either you don’t know who he is or just aren’t sure about him. With that, here are my picks for week 3:

QUARTERBACK

Top Play: Jameis Winston, Florida State (vs. Nevada)- The freshman made his debut against Pitt in week one and boy did he make the most of it. He accounted for 5 total touchdowns and nearly 400 yards. Expect this offense to revolve around Winston. Against Nevada this week, look for him to rack up stats against a mediocre at best defense. Just to give you an idea, the Seminoles are favored by 33 points. I expect Winston to be a large reason why they have a great shot to cover.

Top Play: Brett Hundley, UCLA (at Nebraska)- Hundley is one the most athletic quarterbacks in the country. The Bruins are traveling to Lincoln this week for a top 25 showdown with the Huskers. If the Bruins expect to win this game, Hundley will have to play well, and I think he will. Nebraska has been surprisingly poor on defense the first couple of games. They gave up over 600 total yards to Wyoming in week 1.

Value Play:  Keith Price, Washington (at Illinois)- Price looked like a man on a mission in the week one dismantling of Boise State. He did throw an interception but it was the first pass of the game and looked nearly perfect after that. I look for the new up tempo offense the Huskies are using to bode well for Price’s stats. If you are looking to save some money on your QB, Price should be good play against an average Illinois defense.

Value Play: Zach Mettenberger, LSU (vs. Kent State)- Mettenberger looks to be more confident this season throwing the ball as was evident last week throwing 5 touchdowns against UAB. He is playing against a disappointing Kent State team this week and is a great value play as he is only $5,500 this week so you will be saving quite a bit. 

 

RUNNING BACK

Top Play: De’Anthony Thomas, Oregon (vs. Tennessee)- The Black Mamba, as he’s called by many, should continue to break big plays this week against Tennessee. He has started the season with two 100 yard performances and five touchdowns in those two games. He looks to have a clear hold on the carries from the Oregon backfield. The Ducks are favored by 28 points in this one so expect Thomas to jump out early with a touchdown or two.

Top Play: James Sims, Kansas (at Rice)- Sims is quietly one of the best running backs in the country. His team had a bye week in week 1 but last week he carried the ball 16 times for 84 yards and a touchdown against South Dakota. He should get more touches this week as the competition steps up a little bit and until the Jayhawks get the passing attack going, expect Sims to be the focal point moving forward.

Value Play: Brennan Clay, Oklahoma (vs. Tulsa)- This is a very good value play this week. He is only going to cost you $3,750 and should see a pretty heavy workload. With Oklahoma turning to Blake Bell to be the starting quarterback, the emphasis on the running game has magnified. Expect Clay to build on his 22 carry, 170 yard performance a week ago.

Value Play: Alex Collins, Arkansas (vs. Southern Miss)- The Hogs rushing attack has gotten a complete overhaul this season with new head coach Bret Bielema in town. Collins is a freshman that has benefited greatly from the offensive philosophy. He has 45 carries for 303 yards. He will continue to get carries in this offense and for the price of $2,500, you can save up for that stud at another position.

WIDE RECEIVER

Top Play: Brandin Cooks, Oregon State (at Utah)-  Cooks is the primary target in the Beavers’ offense. He has caught 20 passes in two games this season and I expect him to keep that pace up. He also has caught two touchdowns in both games as well. He will continue to be looked for in this offense so I think he is a very safe play moving forward.

Top Play: Jamison Crowder, Duke (vs. Georgia Tech)- He is the bright spot for this Blue Devils’ offense. He has caught 17 passes in the first two games, and last week against Memphis he caught 11 passes for 140 yards. He hasn’t reached the end zone yet but I am going out on a limb and saying he will this week possibly more than once. The reason I say that is because Duke is an 8 point underdog so they may have to throw more to get back into the game. 

Value Play: Bryce Treggs, California (vs. Ohio State)- This matchup may scare some people off but let me give you a few things to think about. Cal has moved to the new “Bear-Raid” offense with new head coach Sonny Dykes. This means you should expect the ball to be thrown around a lot. Ohio State has not faced any offense like this so far and it could test the Buckeyes. In fact, this one could be on upset alert. Treggs has caught 21 passes in the first two games so I expect him to be targeted often. At $5,000, Treggs could be a sneaky pick this week.

Value Play: Ricky Seals-Jones, Texas A&M (vs. Alabama)- This one could be a bit of a risk but I think RSJ could play a big part in this game. The 6-5 freshman should have a clear size advantage against what could be considered the weakness of the Alabama defense. If you are going to beat Alabama, they will have to beat them through the air and RSJ has the big play ability to do so. At $3,250 he isn’t much of a risk monetarily but any player is a risk when playing the vaunted Alabama defense.

TIGHT END

Top Play: Chris Coyle, Arizona State (vs. Wisconsin)- I could have easily just put Ted Bolser here again but I wanted to give you other options. Coyle has only played in one game so far and it was against Sacramento State and he only caught two passes for 48 yards. He did find the end zone, though, in the 55-0 blowout win last week.  He was taken out of the game rather early but look for the Sun Devils’ QB Taylor Kelly to look his way against Wisconsin.

Value Play: Nick O’Leary, Florida State (vs. Nevada)- This guy was QB Jameis Winston’s favorite red zone target in his collegiate debut in week 1. He caught 4 passes and three of them were for touchdowns. There isn’t much difference in price among tight ends but for $3,500 he is a good play. 

 

OTHERS TO WATCH

 WR: Shaquelle Evans, UCLA (at Nebraska)- Evans is the top target for QB Brett Hundley to throw to. UCLA should score plenty of points and Evans could benefit.

WR: Rashad Greene, Florida State (vs. Nevada)- Greene is coming off a disappointing 2012 season. He started the season with an 8 catch, 129 yard performance in week 1. Freshman QB Jameis Winston should continue to look his way.

RB: Mark Weisman, Iowa (at Iowa State)- Weisman is one of the more consistent running backs in the country and should be utilized often in this state rivalry.

QB: Tommy Rees, Notre Dame (at Purdue)- Rees has taken advantage of the departure of Everett Golson this season. Should have a strong outing against Purdue.