This week’s approach to Head2Head College Salary Cap Game is a little different. Say goodbye to a couple of mainstays whose seasons have concluded without bowl eligibility. Kansas State QB Josh Freeman bounced back nicely tallying 41 after carrying out a string of four horrible games. He ends his season as the eighth best value in H2H. Purdue RB Kory Sheets also went out with a bang putting up 29 in Purdue’s finale, finishing the season as the sixth best value.

Finally, some of the more familiar names (Britt, McCoy, Brown, Gronkowski, McCoy, and Shipley) will be omitted from this list due to midweek games and the short schedule this Saturday. Why should half the list include players that can’t help with your playoff push?

Let’s get to it:

10) Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State (10.0M, 54.35 efficiency rating)

Oregon State tailback Jacquizz Rodgers (1) scores against USC (Icon SMI)

Rodgers left the game last Saturday with what is being called a sprained AC joint. However, head coach Mike Riley is optimistic that Rodgers will be able to go against rival in-state rival Oregon this week. He’s averaging about 22 points per week and should see significant carries in an effort to keep the ball out of the Ducks’ hands. Also keep in mind Beaver quarterback Lyle Moevao could be sidelined for Sean Canfield which could mean an increased workload for Rodgers.

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Our Forum on Ning spawned a couple excellent writers/entertainers this season. Most of you know the effervescent “Neil Young” but you should also get to know Topher Dean.

Topher comes through again with some great analysis of the best values at Head2Head.com’s College Salary Cap Game. My favorite snippet:

So do you start Bradford or Harrell? Don’t choose. Start them both.

His top ten through week 11 of the H2H season-Ed.:

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The Head2Head College Salary Cap Game is nearing its end, and our Forum’s own resident H2H analyst Topher Dean breaks down his Efficiency Rating’s top ten through week 10 of the H2H season – Ed.:

10) Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers (6.5M, 70.25 efficiency rating)

The Big East’s top receiver finally nudges into the top ten after several weeks of consistent play. Britt (right, Rivals.com) hauled in 9 passes for 107 yards and a score against Syracuse this past Saturday earning him 25 H2H points. The junior is averaging over 20 points per game and has a salary below 7.0M, which should warrant an immediate plug into the lineup. The trouble is he’s the fourth receiver on this list this week so someone has to be the odd man out unless you’re flexing. Britt faces the conference’s top defense in South Florida this week which should test his staying power on this list.

9) Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas (6.9M, 76.36 efficiency rating)

I asked for 30 and he gave me 20. Not bad, but with what appears to be a now healthy Quan Cosby, Shipley’s numbers could take a hit. Don’t get off this wagon yet because he remains Colt McCoy’s most reliable target. This week Kansas and the Big 12′s worst pass defense stroll into Austin and Shipley could still be looking at a career day.

8) Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State (12.9M, 81.35 efficiency rating)

This is quite a fall from grace from what could be the NFL prospect among collegiate quarterbacks. Nobody has been more disappointed in Freeman last two performances than me but it seems his lack of supporting cast at wide receiver (you can only get so much out of water-bug Brandon Banks) is catching up with him. It may be time to jump off the ship but I’m giving him one more week against Nebraska at home to redeem himself. Read the rest of this entry →

Head2Head.com publishes a weekly “Perfect Lineup” that would have netted the most points while staying under the $100M salary cap but it doesn’t provide any analysis when it comes to consistent point makers. That’s where Topher Dean comes in.

Topher reached out to me via email a few weeks back and shared the basics of his efficiency ratio – suffice it to say that it meets our standards for publishing – plus the cat can write! Enjoy his work on the Head2Head College Salary Cap Game below. – Ed.

The obvious challenge in any salary cap game is locating bargain players who solidly contribute while at the same time giving the owner the opportunity to afford the big name no-brainer producers. The formula used to calculate the efficiency rating is highly classified. What isn’t a secret is that it’s a perfect barometer for gauging the games best values, thus allowing you to splurge on high dollar players.

The top ten through week 9 of the H2H season:

10) Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas (6.9M, 78.12 efficiency rating)

Shipley (right, ICON SMI) fell short of my expectations this week as Texas’ slow start against the Red Raiders really hurt his total. It’s too bad H2H doesn’t give points for returns or Shipley would have been in the money there. Don’t get discouraged though, Shipley faces a Baylor team notorious for allowing big games to wide receivers. Thirty points should be no problem for him this week.

9) Colt McCoy, QB, Texas (17.2M, 79.80 efficiency rating)

Texas Tech showed the Longhorns their muscle outlasting them and holding Colt McCoy in check. He got it going late but it was only enough to muster 22 points, well below his average. Texas will take out their frustration at home against Baylor. McCoy will have to put up huge numbers to keep his name in the Heisman race.

8) Michael Smith, RB, Arkansas (9.0M, 80.75 efficiency rating)

Well, the start of the week only got you 16 points as the Razorbacks took down unbeaten Tulsa. It won’t get any easier for Smith this week as he’ll face a stout Gamecock defense only allowing 106.7 yards on the ground. Arkansas will need to get Smith the ball in different ways in order to beat South Carolina and more importantly get Smith his usual 26.

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Head2HeadSports.com’s College Football Salary Cap Game made many changes to their salary structure this week to adjust for underperformance – lucky for you I am here to show you there are some bargains to be had.

At first I thought it was a sign of the times that there were no players getting raises, but their marketing guru Nikki reminded me that would be unfair to those of you who have locked in early values on fantasy studs like Sam Bradford and most notably Josh Freeman and do not want to spend any cash on lineup adjustments.

Harumph to those of you.

Here are the largest changes, the bargain bin. There are some stud RBs in particular that you should look at now: Read the rest of this entry →