I figured this week was going to be dead zone for action and fantasy; I haven’t enjoyed being this wrong in a while.  There were big performances across the board for some knowns and some relative newcomers, and we’re not even counting the LSU D/ST performance that might’ve won a fantasy week or two, unless you’re not a fan of getting 2 TDs from your defense.

Top Performances

AJ Green, WR, Georgia (pictured left, thanks Icon SMI)

Another week, another 150-yard, 1 TD effort for AJ Green.  From a fantasy perspective, he’s put equally talented WR Julio Jones to straight shame; while Alabama’s been spreading it out, Georgia’s done nothing of the sort.  As a result, Green has been a fantastic fantasy WR, and might as well look at buying some property on this list the way things have been going.

Terrell Zachary, WR, Auburn

Auburn’s WR corps was mostly a wasteland, which was part of the reason for concern with this team.  This week, Zachary stepped up big with 122 yards and 2 TDs, both of which were at least 45-yard passes.  He’s a legitimate big-play threat for Auburn, so expect feast/famine type weeks, but when he’s not rolling snake eyes he’s good for a bundle.

Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

First things first: Tebow’s got a bye next week, so let’s hope he’s okay.  Concussions are no laughing matter or easy recovery, but he’ll get lionized for playing through it- even though he should be on the bench.  With that being said, he had one heck of an effort in what amounted to one quarter’s worth of action, rushing for 123 and 2 TDs to go with another 100 yards and a passing TD.  However, going forward I’d expect less of Tebow running and more of him passing, if only as a protective measure.

Anthony Dixon, RB, Mississippi State

Don’t blame the Bulldogs’ 30-26 loss to LSU on Dixon; he had his best week of the season by far against the Tigers’ D, turning in 106 yards and 2 rushing TDs.  While Dixon and the Mississippi State offense won’t be confusing anyone with Florida’s offense, they’ve certainly upgraded from lo-fi to at least medium-fi, and Dixon should help reap the benefits.

Chris Todd, QB, Auburn

Yes, he’s on here again. I can’t not put someone who throws for 287 and 5 TDs on this list; I mean, what do you want me to do?  I don’t get this either.  I still don’t expect this to last, but we’re running out of time for me to doubt him.

Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee

Another week, and another outstanding rushing performance for Hardesty, who managed to pull down 140 yards and a TD and another 29 yards passing.  Hardesty was initially tabbed as the guy blocking Bryce Brown, but RB1 on Rocky Top is clearly Hardesty’s job to give up, and he has lived up to that billing and more, as he’s on pace for nearly a 1,500 yard season at this rate.

Bryce Brown, RB, Tennessee

With that being said, Lane Kiffin has made an effort to get the ball in Brown’s hands as well, and he was the Reggie Bush to Hardesty’s Lendale White this week.  He had an even run/pass balance (56 yards running, 60 yards passing) and a TD, which is pretty good from a true freshman.  Brown won’t be available in any dynasty leagues, but even one-season leagues might find uses for him as a spot play.

Warren Norman, RB, Vanderbilt

The little-known secret of this season so far might be Vanderbilt’s rushing offense.  While Zac Stacy charged out to a pretty good start, this week was Norman’s time to shine, running up 119 yards and a TD.  Note that Vanderbilt’s offense has been shut down against good defenses, so these guys are all strictly matchup plays, but they’re not bad matchup plays.

Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama

While Alabama’s been spreading it around, McElroy is the guy who’s been doing the spreading.  McElroy did it again this week, turning in a 291-yard, 3 TD performance against a lackluster Arkansas secondary.  The Tide offense won’t really ever allow McElroy to be anything other than a second-level option, but as options go, he’s been pretty good so far.

Next Week’s Games

There’s a shortage of true fantasy barn-burning matchups this weekend, but there are a plethora of mid-card games.  None of the SEC games are true duds (although I’d just check the finals of Arkansas / TAMU, SC State / SC, and MSU / GT if I were you), which is a bit of a step up from typical weeks.  Florida’s on a bye, so heads up.

LSU @ Georgia

Auburn @ Tennessee

I don’t know too much of what to expect from either one of these games.  Tennessee is clearly in “start RBs only” mode until proven otherwise, but of the other teams, I don’t know what to expect from anybody’s defenses.  As a result, everyone here gets a tentative yes with the exception of Auburn’s offensive skill players.  If Monte Kiffin was able to put together a package to stop Florida, Auburn’s going to be just as much of a challenge for him.  In the other game, I have no idea what to expect; I can see 7-3 as easily as I can see 45-42, but the latter seems more likely the way things are going.

Ole Miss @ Vanderbilt

Mississippi State @ Georgia Tech

Both games here fall into the intriguing camp; I don’t expect much from Vanderbilt’s offense, but I want to see how Ole Miss responds.  On the other hand, MSU hasn’t seen Georgia Tech’s offense in a while, but the Yellow Jacket defense hasn’t done much of note lately, so the Bulldogs may be able to move the ball.

Alabama @ Kentucky

Arkansas @ Texas A&M

South Carolina State @ South Carolina

These games fall into the “start everyone” camp; for South Carolina that’s solely because of FCS team alert, and in Arkansas’s case I don’t trust the Aggie defense at all.  Meanwhile, Alabama just doesn’t seem like it’ll let the Wildcats slow them down, and I’m assuming nobody owns any Wildcats; if you do, I think it’s pretty obvious I’d sit them here.

Related posts:

1. SEC Bookends: More than Just Tim Tebow
2. SEC Bookends: Threat Down
3. SEC Bookends: Who Cares Who’s #1?
4. SEC Bookends: Unusual Suspects
5. SEC Bookends: Yes, This is a Game

Tags: SEC