This article is part of our CFB Barometer series.
The College Football was world turned upside down by last weekend's events. Four of the top six teams lost, launching both major schools from Mississippi into the top 5, while also giving squads like Baylor, Notre Dame and even TCU and Arizona hope for a berth in the new playoff. Meanwhile, the Heisman trophy race is getting narrower by the week, as Todd Gurley of Georgia and Dak Prescott of Mississippi State look to be the clear frontrunners. However, there's plenty of football still to be played, and the twists and turns have only just begun.
Let's highlight some more primetime performers in this week's College Football Barometer.
UPGRADE
Connor Halliday, QB, Washington State - Even the best fantasy players sometimes exceed expectations. That's exactly what Halliday did Saturday when he passed for an FBS-record 734 yards in a 60-59 loss to the Cal Bears. Halliday tossed six touchdowns in the process. He has been the chief beneficiary of coach Mike Leach's spread offense; this was the third game this season he has thrown for at least 500 yards. Perhaps even more absurd, Halliday had already had a six-touchdown game this season, against Portland State on Sept. 13. It is also worth noting that the Cal Bears, Halliday's opponents in this game, have allowed 164 points over their last three contests. The Bears play Washington next; this would be an excellent opportunity to roll with some Huskies. Meanwhile, Halliday will put up monstrous numbers for the remainder of the season, but this latest contest was special, even for him.
De'Runnya Wilson, WR, Mississippi State - In every game he has appeared in this season, Wilson has found the end zone. He is a huge target at 6-foot-5, yet has shown not only the ability to box out opposing defenders in the red zone, but also make big yardage plays as well. Wilson has just 14 catches on the year, but is averaging 17.6 yards per grab. He has emerged as the favorite target for quarterback Dak Prescott, and should continue to thrive for the Bulldogs, particularly if last year's star wideout, Jameon Lewis, continues to be hampered by injury.
Terris Jones-Grigsby, RB, Arizona - In a surprise start, Jones-Grigsby rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown in the stunning upset win over Oregon on Thursday. The 5-foot-7 back also led the Wildcats in receiving with 95 yards on four catches. Freshman Nick Wilson had been receiving the lion's share of the workload this season, but Jones-Grigsby took advantage of the opportunity. Wilson still had 92 yards and two touchdowns in the game, but a timeshare could be in the works if both backs remain effective. The Wildcats are 5-0, ranked in the top 10, and have a more-than-capable quarterback in Anu Solomon under center. The two-headed monster of Wilson and Jones-Grigsby could be extremely potent as the season progresses.
Everett Golson, QB, Notre Dame - The Irish play North Carolina this Saturday, meaning that fantasy owners can start Golson and the rest of the Irish skill players with confidence. The North Carolina defense has been gashed this season; the Tar Heels are allowing a staggering 42 points per game in 2014. That places them 125th in the nation in terms of points allowed. Golson, meanwhile, has at least three touchdowns in four of five games this season. He has also thrown for at least 225 yards in every contest this season. The odds are in his favor for a monstrous performance against the hapless Heels.
CHECK STATUS
Rashad Greene, WR, Florida State - The Seminoles are undefeated this season despite the constant circus surrounding Jameis Winston and the massive losses on both sides of the ball of players who bolted to the NFL after last season's championship run. Greene has been one of the few mainstays for an offense that lost Devonta Freeman and Kelvin Benjamin to the NFL. He has provided big plays in big spots, whether catching touchdowns or returning punts. Greene left Saturday's game against Wake Forest due to a concussion, though, and his status for Saturday's tilt with Syracuse is up in the air. Although he wasn't needed against the Demon Deacons, and the Seminoles could survive against the Orange without his services as well, an extended absence by the consistent Greene could be trouble if he is forced out of upcoming games with Notre Dame and Louisville. Though that remains to be seen, monitor Greene's status. He has 38 grabs for 576 yards and three touchdowns this season.
Gunner Kiel, QB, Cincinnati - Kiel suffered a rib injury in Saturday's loss to Memphis, and is questionable for this weekend's tilt with the University of Miami. Although x-rays came back negative, Kiel's status is up in the air. His loss would be devastating to both the Bearcats as well as fantasy owners. Before Saturday's loss, Kiel had thrown for 14 touchdowns in just three games. That included a six-touchdown virtuoso performance against Toledo in the season opener, as well as four touchdowns apiece in matchups with Miami (Ohio) and Ohio State. The Bearcats also may be without the services of starting running back Hosey Williams, who left Saturday's game due to a knee injury. It may be best to have an emergency plan in case Kiel can't go against the 'Canes.
Davis Webb, QB, Texas Tech - Webb tossed four interceptions in Saturday's drubbing at the hands of the Kansas State Wildcats. Coach Kliff Kingsbury's high-octane spread offense will always produce yards and scores, but Webb has been subpar with his decision-making in 2014. He has thrown 10 picks this season, including eight over the last three games. Perhaps even more surprising, Webb has surpassed the 300-yard passing mark just once in the last four games, completing well below 60-percent of his passes over that span. With matchups against Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma still looming, Webb can ill afford to be careless with the football. He still has 1,603 yards and 16 touchdowns through five games, but has been rather lackluster by spread offense standards.
Devontae Booker, RB, Utah - Are the Utes for real? Booker has rushed 57 times for 334 yards and two touchdowns over the last two games. He is averaging 5.8 yards per carry through the first five games of the season. However, the Utes still have yet to play Stanford, USC, Oregon, Arizona State and Arizona, all teams that are either ranked of have been ranked at some point this season. As a result, it remains to be seen if Booker can keep churning up yardage at this pace. The odds are against it, but Booker is a JUCO transfer who was a relative unknown up until the past few weeks. Utah will lean heavily on its new running back, who may or may not be a breakout star. Stay tuned to find out.
DOWNGRADE
Taysom Hill, QB, BYU - A broken leg will sideline Hill for the remainder of the season. Hill and the Cougars had dreams of a possible undefeated season and even, perhaps, a berth in the college football playoff. Those dreams were shattered Friday, though, when Hill left the game and the Cougars ultimately fell to Utah State, 35-20. Backup Christian Stewart tossed three interceptions in relief of the injured Hill; Stewart had just two career collegiate passes prior to entering the game. Hill had been one of the most feared fantasy quarterbacks in the game this season. The dual-threat QB had 15 total touchdowns prior to the injury. He had passed for 975 yards while rushing for an additional 463 yards on the ground. Hill should be fine for 2015, but his 2014 campaign looks finished.
Jeff Driskel, QB, Florida - Inconsistency and not injury forced Jeff Driskel to the bench during Saturday's 10-9 win over Tennessee. Driskel has had a rollercoaster career for the Gators, as coach Will Muschamp has stuck by Driskel while letting talented QBs like BC's Tyler Murphy and NC State's Jacoby Brissett seek playing time elsewhere. After three quarters and zero points, though, the Gators turned to freshman Treon Harris, who led two scoring drives to give Florida the narrow win. It remains to be seen if Driskel or Harris will get the starting nod Saturday against LSU. Even if Driskel gets his job back, there are simply better options out there at the quarterback position.
Wes Lunt, QB, Illinois - Lunt fractured his fibula Saturday against Purdue, and will miss at least the next month for the Illini. Lunt was averaging over 313 yards per game through the air this season prior to the injury. Lunt had previously missed the game against Nebraska with a different leg injury earlier this season, but also was sacked hard Saturday and forced out of the game against the Boilermakers. Lunt had passed for at least two touchdowns in each of his five starts this season. The reins of the offense will likely be handed over to senior Reilly O'Toole, who has seen his share of playing time over his collegiate career for Illinois. Still, Lunt's production will be almost impossible to replace and replicate.
Blake Sims, QB, Alabama - This could be the beginning of the end for Blake Sims. He did not look good against better competition Saturday, and the Tide have a difficult SEC slate following the 23-17 loss to Ole Miss. Sims has also been dealing with a shoulder issue, and completed a season-low 61.3-percent of his throws against the Rebels. Sims has also been turning the ball over more over the past two weeks, after being championed by coach Nick Saban for his decision-making and ball security earlier in the season. Saturday's loss could just be a blip on the radar, or it could be a sign of more difficult times to come for Sims.
