Well, at least Homecoming week makes for a bunch of inflated stat lines – provided those guys play.  Likely a few guys got victimized by Dexter McCluster and AJ Green actually taking the week off (unlike McCluster figuratively taking the first few weeks of the season off), which …well, to be honest I’m a bit surprised Green sat, since Georgia’s offense has had issues getting going.  I suppose Tennessee Tech’s bad enough for even Mark Richt to feel safe.

Other random side effect of Homecoming: the top performers look a little strange this week.

Top Performers

Jonathan Crompton, QB, Tennessee (21-27, 331, 5 TD; 1 rush, 1 TD)

Once again, Crompton straight-up wrecked an opposing defense.  The amazing part is that Crompton did it in more or less one half; Tennessee came out throwing, and Crompton was involved in nearly every TD that took place while he was in the game.  Don’t expect that again, but did you know he now leads the SEC in passing TDs?

Shay Hodge, WR, Ole Miss (7 rec, 169 yds, 2 TD)

Hodge has been showing up in a big way lately, including a 65-yard TD reception.  It helped a bit this week that the aforementioned McCluster wasn’t in the game, meaning Hodge was their only big play threat, but he leads the team in reception yards and TDs for a reason.

Darvin Adams, WR, Auburn (6 rec, 115 yds, 3 TD)

Hey everyone!  Auburn has a WR!  Adams actually leads the Tigers in both yards and TDs – and it’s not particularly close in either category.  Adams hasn’t had a real breakout fantasy week (since West Virginia early), though, and got completely shut down against LSU.  However, since he was going up against a wannabe defense he wrecked them.  Go figure.

Julio Jones, WR, Alabama (4 rec, 102 yds, 2 TD)

Like so many on this list, Jones had a big 73-yard TD reception that drove a lot of his fantasy production.  Unlike a lot of those guys, he had a second TD reception on top of that.  Allow me to say: glad you made it, Julio!  Welcome to the 2009 fantasy season!

DJ Williams, TE, Arkansas (7 rec, 137 yds)

It’s tight end day down here, as two make the Top Performers list.  Williams needs to offer an assist to the South Carolina defense, as a couple of failed tackles gave him a huge 69-yard reception right before halftime.  Those 69 yards accounted for just about half of his overall yardage, but even with that, a 7-reception, 70-ish yard game isn’t bad from a TE.

Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida (7 rec, 120 yds)

As horrible as it may be, when you have an offense that’s struggling to pass the ball you want their TE.  It’s weird to say that about Florida, but it’s also generally true.  Hernandez, though, is incredibly talented, and deserves to be included among the best pass-catching TE in the country.  He’s been a stalwart for the Gators all season, although he’s struggled to reach the end zone.

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina (5 rec, 116 yds, 1 TD)

Jeffery snuck by the Arkansas D for a big 80-yard TD catch; those of you who can do math (read: everyone) can figure out he got pretty much shut down other than that, but hey – if you’re going to have just one catch, an 80-yard TD would be pretty high on the list.

Jevan Snead, QB, Ole Miss (16-29, 235 yds, 2 TD; 7 rush, 2 rush TD)

Snead had a mostly decent game through the air, but those two rushing TDs are fantasy gold from a QB.  Don’t expect that to continue, though; generally speaking, the passing output would be what I’d expect going forward.  Still, it’s a nice grab if you started him this week.

Broderick Green, RB, Arkansas (47 rush, 2 TD; 2 rec, 40 yds)

Once again, the short yardage specialist brings in a couple of close-yardage TDs.  This time, though, Green has some semi-decent yardage to go along with it.  For those of you in dynasty leagues, Michael Smith is gone next year and Green’s been showing up here quite a bit.  Just saying.

Next Week’s Games:

Fortunately for those of us that enjoy quality football, we’re back to mostly in-conference competition this week.  The two teams with out-of-conference games were part of the in-conference tilts last week, so we won’t make fun of them too much for scheduling teams from the WAC and Sun Belt.

Troy @ Arkansas

Louisiana Tech @ LSU

Neither of these defenses are worth writing home about, which means: start everyone!  Take note, though: Charles Scott is out for the year with a broken clavicle, so don’t start him.

Auburn @ Georgia

This is a night game, and if past history is to be believed Joe Cox and the passing game will be quality, which means AJ Green will rebound.  On top of that, I have my doubts about either defense here, so guys like Ontario McCalebb will be worth monitoring to see if they’re healthy enough to start.  (McCalebb saw no action last week, which may mean he’s not healthy or may just mean they were holding him out of a freebie.)

Tennessee @ Ole Miss

Look; as odd as it sounds, Jonathan Crompton might be worth starting.  Montario Hardesty definitely is, and Dexter McCluster could cause some headaches; the only guy who knows Wildcat-type plays as well as Gus Malzahn is Houston Nutt, and he’s made an effort to get McCluster involved recently.

Florida @ South Carolina

Alabama @ Mississippi State

Kentucky @ Vanderbilt

In short: Mark Ingram, Tim Tebow, Aaron Hernandez, and maybe Marquis Maze, if you think McElroy will actually be a semi-decent passer.  I wouldn’t look at anyone else in any of these games.

***Chris is one of the main writers at Simulated Gameday Experience (http://www.simulatedgamedayexperience.com) – just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.”

Related posts:

1. SEC Bookend
2. SEC Breakdowns & Projections
3. SEC Bookends: Unusual Suspects
4. Catching up on SEC Wide Receivers
5. SEC Bookends: Threat Down

Tags: SEC