College Fantasy Football: Bold predictions for the weekend's Week 2 slate

Yahoo Sports College Football analysts Eric Froton and Nick Bromberg deliver their boldest college fantasy football predictions for the remaining Week 2 slate.

South Carolina comes alive

Being an also-ran program in the SEC can be a frustrating existence. Just ask South Carolina, which is coming off a dismal 4-8 campaign where the Gamecocks averaged just 22.7 points and 336 yards per game last season. So when SC plays an inferior opponent in a paycheck game, as they do this week against FCS Towson, they go full Cobra Kai and show no mercy whatsoever. In Week 1 they destroyed Kent State 57-0, and in Week 13 last year hung an absurd 579 yards and 56 points on Coastal Carolina. 

I think we see LaNorris Sellers score 4+ touchdowns and score 30+ fantasy points, which would firmly plant Sellers in CFF QB1 territory, making him a must-start. I also believe he hits rising star WR Nyck Harbor for two long touchdowns, with Harbor easily clearing the 20 fantasy-point mark.

Some teams take their foot off the gas against lower division programs and play backups early, However, with HC Shane Beamer’s seat getting warm, I expect major fantasy production to come from South Carolina’s starting offense before they take on SEC foe Mississippi State next weekend. — Eric Froton

Clemson’s Redemption

Clemson’s opening game 51-10 evisceration at the hands of LSU and new head coach Lane Kiffin was approaching cataclysmic, leading to questions about whether Dabo Swinney can succeed in the new era of college football. This week they are in a classic “get right” spot against a very capable Georgia Southern offense that averaged 28 PPG and ranked top-50 nationally in EPA/Play and success rate. Unfortunately, GaSo was saddled with one of the worst defenses in the country, ranking 135th in EPA/Rush and 122nd in 20+ yard plays allowed. 

Clemson will be forced to press the pedal-to-the-metal and get back into a winning mindset before welcoming Bill Belichick’s UNC defense to Memorial Stadium in Week 3. Starting RB Gideon Davidson is going to punch in two touchdowns and clear 100 rushing yards, while superstar WR Bryant Wesco Jr. clears 100 yards receiving with another score. GaSo’s offense is pesky enough to keep Clemson’s starters in through the third quarter, which means a long touchdown reception for WR TJ Moore, too.

In summation, I think all three of Clemson’s top playmakers find the end zone after getting smothered by DC Blake Baker’s LSU defense, as the Tigers try to reclaim their offensive identity heading into ACC play. — Froton

Is a waiver-wire QB your key to Week 2 success?

Don’t be afraid to grab a free-agent QB and immediately put him in your starting lineup in Week 2. Especially if his team is playing an overmatched opponent.

Louisville QB Lincoln Kienholz is rostered in just 6% of leagues. He scored over 35 points against Ole Miss and the Cardinals play FCS Villanova on Friday night. Florida’s Aaron Philo threw three TDs and ran for another in Week 1. The Gators have FCS Campbell in Week 2 and he’s on just 4% of teams. 

Even a player like Cincinnati’s JC French, who scored over 30 points in the Bearcats’ Week 1 win over Boston College is on just 1% of teams. And Cincy has Western Carolina in Week 2.

Starting a player like that may seem like a risk, but given their opponent, it might actually be a safe bet in Week 2. — Nick Bromberg

Believe in the Alabama run game

I don’t think that Alabama’s 227 rushing yards against East Carolina were a fluke. The Crimson Tide rushed for five touchdowns as QB Keelon Russell was the team’s leading rusher in his first start with 86 yards and a TD.

RB Daniel Hill had just 47 yards on nine attempts but he scored two touchdowns against the Pirates. Hill is rostered in just 11% of leagues after Week 1 and will assuredly be added to more teams if Alabama’s rushing success continues. And I think it will. Hill and freshman EJ Crowell — who is on 12% of teams — are going to become valuable fantasy players throughout the course of the season. Don’t be afraid to be early rather than late. — Bromberg