Hi, I’m Topher and I’m an H2Haholic…

Head2Head.com notified me this week that registration is now open for their second annual College Football Salary Cap competition. I quickly realized how much of a degenerate I am by not only signing up over four months prior to kickoff but by attempting to set my roster for week one. Not to my surprise, the players list with their respective salaries is not yet available.

My post-spring game list of the top trio of players at each skill position doesn’t include players that could be bargains but rather players that require justification for their potential cap-eating salaries. The bargains, however, may just be the newcomers on this list. But first let’s recap my 2008 season.

Regular Season Record: 14-0
Regular Season Average Points: 197.5
Overall Finish: 58th of 5000+

On to 2009…

QUATERBACKS

Sam Bradford, Oklahoma. Bradford was H2H’s second leading scorer a year ago and the Heisman winner and more of the same can be expected in 2009. The Sooners lost receivers Juaqin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson to the draft but that should translate into more production for tight end Jermaine Gresham and wideout Ryan Broyles.
Projected salary: 20.0 million

Colt McCoy, Texas. McCoy trailed only Harrell and Bradford in scoring last year and much of that came with his running game. Now a certified dual threat, look for McCoy to challenge Bradford for the Heisman and more importantly the H2H scoring title.
Projected salary: 19.0 million

Todd Reesing, Kansas. I promise I’m not just taking Big 12 quarterbacks into consideration here. The simple fact is—they have the best quarterbacks running spread offenses. Reesing returns his two favorite targets in Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier and it appears the Jayhawks’ running game could struggle again which equals big points for Reesing owners.
Projected salary: 18.5 million

Wildcard: Juice Williams, Illinois. Consistency is all Juice needs to become a premiere player in H2H as he is easily capable of 50 point outbursts. From a value standpoint, he could be last year’s Josh Freeman.
Projected salary: 15.0 million

Newcomer: Blaine Gabbert, Missouri.The Tigers lose a lot of fire power on offense but I think people may be pleasantly surprised by Chase Daniel’s successor. He may have the strongest arm in the Big 12.
Projected salary: 12.0 million

RUNNING BACKS

Jahvid Best, California. JAW-vud is H2H’s top scoring running back that didn’t make the jump to the NFL. The junior led the college ranks in all-purpose yards last year and is a preseason favorite for the Heisman. If he picks up where he left off last season (497 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns in last his last two games) then look out! But…it’s gonna cost you.
Projected Salary: 16.0 million

Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State. “Quizz the Diminutive” (yes, I coined that) is back for his sophomore campaign after shredding Pac-10 defenses a year ago. This may be a bit of a stretch for the 5’6” Rodgers but if he can consistently do what he did to the Trojans a year ago, he must be considered for your H2H rosters. Not to mention he gets to play Washington and Washington St every year.
Projected Salary: 13.2 million

Michael Smith, Arkansas. When he wasn’t sidelined with a bum hammy, Smith was as productive as any running back a year ago. He might even have some H2H value this year because I feel he flies a bit under the radar and this season could be his coming out party—provided he stays healthy.
Projected Salary: 11.0 million

Wildcard: LeGarette Blount, Oregon. With the departure of Jeremiah Johnson to the NFL, Blount is without a doubt the focal point of the running game for the Ducks. A fierce, angry runner he’s going to need some maturation personally (returning from team suspension, for example) and from a young offensive line to be H2H relevant.
Projected Salary: 12.5 million

Newcomer: Bryce Brown, Tennessee.A Wichita-native, like myself, the 6’0” 215lb. Brown caused a media frenzy during his recruitment process but finally landed in Knoxville. He’s probably the most highly touted prospect from the state of Kansas since some guy named Barry Sanders and that turned out pretty good.
Projected Salary: 10.0 million

WIDE RECEIVERS

Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State. With the exodus of Michael Crabtree, Bryant is now without a doubt the number one receiver in the country (it was pretty close last year). Zac Robinson is back for another year and that means the chemistry between these two will only get more fluid.
Projected Salary: 14.0 million

Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas. Speaking of chemistry there is certainly no shortage in Lawrence when it comes to the Reesing-Briscoe connection. Briscoe was third in the nation in receiving yards a year ago and the scary thing is I don’t think we’ve seen the best of this guy yet.
Projected Salary: 11.8 million

Jordan Shipley, Texas. There was no better value WR in H2H a year ago. Shipley will have to improve on his numbers however this year in order to justify him as an every week player.
Projected Salary: 11.4 million

Wildcard: Kerry Meier, Kansas. Arguably the most underappreciated football player outside of Lawrence, Meier was second to only Jeremy Maclin in catches in the Big 12 a year ago. Briscoe will get most of the attention but Meier is the possession receiver on a team that will pass, pass, and pass. Ten catch, 100 yard games is like breathing for you and me.
Projected Salary: 8.0 million

Newcomer: Jheranie Boyd, North Carolina. The Tarheels saw their top three receivers depart for the NFL so someone will have to be the beneficiary of that void. Boyd passed on Missouri, Oklahoma, and Illinois to land in Chapel Hill and his timing is conducive to having an immediate impact. Probably an unknown by the H2H salary setter-upper people, Boyd could be one of 2009’s best buys. Oh, and he has a 44 inch vertical that even Nate Robinson would be jealous of.
Projected Salary: 5.0 million