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Darian Mensah Has Attractive Matchup
Two consecutive outstanding performances earned Miami quarterback Darian Mensah the ranking of QB4 in RotoBaller's Week 3 projections. The Miami quarterback put up 252 yards passing and three touchdowns while completing 93.3% of his passes in a blowout win over Florida A&M just a week after he threw for 401 yards passing and five touchdown passes on 90% completion against Stanford in the opener. On Friday night, Mensah and the Hurricanes will go up against Wake Forest, which has allowed 242.5 yards passing per game through two weeks. Mensah is projected to score 29.8 fantasy points against the Demon Deacons, who allowed Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne to record 329 yards passing and a touchdown last week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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Mason Mini Looks to Rebound
Cal tight end Mason Mini is expected to have a big week as RotoBaller's TE6 in the Week 3 rankings. Mini performed well in Week 1, recording four receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown during a season-opening win over UCLA. However, this past week against Syracuse, he managed just a couple of receptions for 38 yards. This week, going up against a lesser opponent in Wagner, Mini has a chance to rebound. Wagner fell to James Madison 87-3 in Week 2, allowing three different JMU pass catchers to find the end zone in a lopsided defeat. Mini is projected to score 9.5 fantasy points this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Austin Simmons Trying to Stay Hot
Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons has recorded seven touchdown passes through the first two weeks of the 2026 season and is RotoBaller's QB20 entering Week 3, when he has quite a juicy matchup against Troy. The Trojans have allowed 220 yards passing per game through the first two weeks of the year, while Simmons is averaging 272 yards per contest. In a Week 2 rivalry win over Kansas, Simmons completed 65.5% of his passes for 292 yards passing and three touchdowns. He is hoping for more this week against a non-conference opponent and is projected to score 24.2 fantasy points in Week 3.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gio Lopez Probable for Friday Night
Wake Forest quarterback Gio Lopez is listed as probable on the injury report ahead of Friday's ACC opener against Miami. It is unclear what Lopez's injury is, but Miami head coach Mario Cristobal stated "People who are saying he was banged up, he's not" on Monday in a press conference, regarding Lopez's status. Despite the opposing coach dismissing his status, Lopez is on the report, albeit listed as probable. The junior quarterback is coming off of a physical game against Purdue in which he carried the ball 13 times for 59 yards and two scores in a double-overtime victory. Wake Forest will look to upset Miami at home on Friday night, entering the game as 20.5-point underdogs.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Luke Reynolds Entering Must-Start Territory
Virginia Tech junior tight end Luke Reynolds has emerged as Ethan Grunkemeyer's top target, as he caught eight passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns in last week's win over Old Dominion. The Penn State transfer trails just Jelani Thurman and Trey'Dez Green in the FBS in terms of tight end receiving yards, and has entered must-start territory as one of few reliable options at such a thin position. The Hokies have their toughest test of the season this Saturday night as they travel to Maryland but nonetheless, Reynolds should be in starting lineups.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
John Mateer Can Be Started Against New Mexico
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer struggled mightily in the 17-10 loss to Michigan. Mateer completed 17-of-33 passes for 189 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while rushing 13 times for 45 yards. The senior is in a "great head space" after the showing according to head coach Brent Venables, and has a great opportunity to bounce back against New Mexico this week. The Lobos have only surrendered 14 points on the year, but have also only played Central Michigan and Mercyhurst. Mateer's rushing ability gives him a safe floor in this game, but the Sooners do have tough matchups against Georgia and Texas looming.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jeremiah Smith Remains a No-Brainer Start
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has continued his dominance through the first two games of the season. Despite Ohio State's offense going cold in the second half against Texas, Smith still mustered up eight catches for 164 yards and a score. The junior receiver is the Buckeyes' entire offense and despite an easy matchup with Kent State this week, they won't stray away from their star receiver. Smith has a very high ceiling against a Golden Flashes team that surrendered 57 points to South Carolina in Week 1.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Faizon Brandon Has Upside in Weak Matchup
Tennessee freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon has played well so far through the first two starts of his career. He was nearly perfect in Week 1 against Furman, but only completed 10-of-21 pass attempts in Week 2 against Georgia Tech. With Tennessee set to face Kennesaw State in Week 3, the competition becomes softer again and Brandon should have an easier time throwing the ball around. He also was much more productive on the ground against Furman, rushing 10 times for 68 yards and two scores. Given how Josh Heupel historically loves to run the score up on lesser opponents, Brandon is a great start this week in fantasy.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Bryce Underwood Set to Make Impact on the Ground?
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood was a big part of the upset win over Oklahoma last weekend. He only completed 9-of-17 passes for 111 yards, but he also scrambled 18 times for 87 yards and a score. Head coach Kyle Whittingham stated that he wishes he'd run Underwood earlier, indicating that the sophomore quarterback may be due for a consistent dosage of running. The Wolverines play their final non-conference game against UTEP this week, and it should be a good opportunity for Whittingham to test out some more ground-and-pound football with his athletic quarterback. Underwood can be started in fantasy this week due to the soft matchup and high upside he possesses on the ground.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Drew Mestemaker Set for Another Big Game
Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker had an incredible bounce-back in the shocking 39-31 upset win over Oregon after falling flat on his face in Week 1 against Tulsa. Mestemaker finished the game 26-for-43 for 317 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also ran for 109 yards and a touchdown. This week, the sophomore draws a 1-2 Murray State team. While he may be pulled by halftime if all goes according to plan, he should have an opportunity to put up some monster numbers. Mestemaker can be trusted in fantasy lineups once again.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Oregon Guard Trent Ferguson Out for Season
Oregon starting guard Trent Ferguson (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Ferguson made his first career start last weekend in the 39-31 loss to Oklahoma State, but suffered a knee injury in the game. The junior got into the Boise State game in Week 1, and showed enough to earn the start in Week 2, but will spend the rest of the season recovering from the injury. The Ducks could not afford a hit to the line, as Dante Moore was sacked four times in the loss.
Source: 247Sports
Source: 247Sports
Jared Curtis to Make First Career Start
Vanderbilt freshman quarterback Jared Curtis is set to take over at Vanderbilt this week against North Carolina State. Curtis has played in each of the Commodores' games thus far and took the reins from Blaze Berlowitz in last week's 35-26 win over Delaware. He finished the game 14-of-22 for 210 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for two scores, leading Vanderbilt to a comeback win over the Blue Hens. Curtis draws a tougher opponent this week in the Wolfpack, but the five-star recruit is ready for the opportunity.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordan Dwyer Doubtful to Play in Week 3
TCU wide receiver Jordan Dwyer (foot) is next expected to play in Week 3 against Arkansas State. Head coach Sonny Dykes said the wideout was doubtful to play. Dwyer is yet to play this season because of the injury. He has produced most of his 2,381 career yards and 25 touchdowns over the past two collegiate seasons. Last year with the Horned Frogs, Dwyer had 730 yards and seven scores across 54 receptions. With Dwyer out so far, it's been Ed Small and Kari Ashley leading the team's pass catchers. Small has 166 yards across 14 receptions, while Ashley has 136 yards, two touchdowns and 10 catches. Jeremy Scott, Ka'Morreun Pimpton and Jacobe Hayes will continue to help fill in until Dwyer is ready to play.
Source: Steven Johnson
Source: Steven Johnson
Chris Barnes Should Be Able to Play in Week 3
Oklahoma State wide receiver Chris Barnes (undisclosed) got injured in Week 2, but is expected to be able to play this week, according to head coach Eric Morris. He had 36 receiving yards on five receptions in Week 1, then tallied 51 yards on two catches in Week 2. His Week 3 matchup is a favorable one against Murray State. The Racers have played Eastern Illinois, Middle Tennessee and Valparaiso so far, so Oklahoma State is easily the most challenging opponent. If Barnes is limited, or ends up not playing, Wyatt Young and Justin Bowick are two receivers who could produce even more. Terrence Lewis and Miles Coleman would be other wideouts who could factor in if Barnes isn't a full go.
Source: Tyler Waldrep
Source: Tyler Waldrep
Bo MacCormack III Could Return in Week 3
Boston College running back Bo MacCormack III (shoulder) could return to the field in Week 3 against Maine. MacCormack is expected back by Week 4 at the latest, when BC plays Virginia Tech, according to head coach Bill O'Brien. MacCormack played in Week 1 against Cincinnati, rushing seven times for 40 yards and catching a pass for 12 yards. If MacCormack doesn't play this week, expect running back Evan Dickens to lead the backfield, with quarterback Mason McKenzie also likely to be heavily involved. McKenzie leads the Eagles with 172 rushing yards and a score, while Dickens has 103 yards and two touchdowns. Maine is an FCS opponent, so the matchup is stellar for all the Boston College offensive playmakers.
Source: Graham Dietz
Source: Graham Dietz
Trell Harris Expected to Miss Extended Time
Oklahoma wide receiver Trell Harris (abdominal) is expected to miss the "foreseeable future" and will continue to be evaluated, according to head coach Brent Venables. The transfer from Virginia, and formerly Kent State, has produced six catches for 104 yards and a touchdown through two games. He had 847 yards and five touchdowns across 59 grabs a season ago, and his absence is a big loss for the Sooners. He is second on the team in receiving yards, only behind tight end Rocky Beers. Isaiah Sategna III is the only other pass catcher over 25 receiving yards, so Oklahoma needs some players to step up. The first test for Oklahoma without Harris around will come against New Mexico on Saturday evening.
Source: Adam Rittenberg - ESPN
Source: Adam Rittenberg - ESPN
Malachi Toney Lined Up for More Success in Week 3
Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney gets a bit tougher test in Week 3 against Wake Forest, but the Heisman hopeful is still set up for a big showing. He opened the season by catching 12 passes for 234 yards and three scores against Stanford in Week 1, then had a more modest 96 yards and a touchdown on four receptions against Florida A&M in Week 2. Wake Forest has allowed 380 yards and 26 points per game through two weeks, and Miami's offense is miles ahead of both teams the Demon Deacons have played so far. Toney is a must-start fantasy wide receiver, even as the matchups get a bit tougher in ACC play.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Benjamin Brahmer Eyeing Another Big Showing in Week 3
Penn State tight end Benjamin Brahmer has started his season strong and is looking to keep things rolling in Week 3 against Buffalo. He had an eight-yard touchdown for his only reception in Week 1 against Marshall. Brahmer then erupted for 79 yards and two scores across five receptions in Week 2 against Temple, so he's a fantasy asset on the rise. Buffalo is allowing 25 points and 408 yards per game so far, and that's against UAlbany and Florida International, so a big offensive day could be coming from Brahmer and the Penn State offense. Buffalo allowed tight ends to tally 21 yards across three catches against UAlbany, while surrendering just seven yards on a single catch last week. Brahmer is the best TE the Bulls have faced by a wide margin, and given how he's looked through two weeks, fantasy owners should expect big things from him in Week 3.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Arch Manning Poised for Big Showing in Favorable Week 3 Matchup
Texas quarterback Arch Manning is set up well in Week 3, as a favorable matchup against UTSA awaits. Manning led the Longhorns to a comeback win over Ohio State last week, a game in which he had 195 passing yards, a touchdown and a pick, plus 24 rushing yards across eight attempts. He had 305 passing yards, four touchdowns and an interception in Week 1 against Texas State, plus rushed for six yards on three attempts. UTSA is allowing 21 points and 451.5 yards per game so far, and that's while playing UT Rio Grande Valley and Texas State. Manning and the Texas offense could deliver monster numbers in this one, so fantasy owners should be confident in Manning and several other Longhorns.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
KJ Duff Looking to Build on Stellar Start
Rutgers wide receiver KJ Duff will look to keep delivering big in Week 3 against USC. Duff caught nine passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1 against Massachusetts. He followed that up with 137 yards and two scores across eight receptions against Boston College in Week 2. USC has allowed 18.7 points and 270 yards per game so far this season, and will be the Scarlet Knight's toughest challenge yet. Duff has delivered with two different quarterbacks, and could be set up for another big game as Rutgers tries to keep up with USC. Fantasy owners should continue to start Duff and trust him to deliver, even in some of these tougher tests.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Trey'Dez Green Looking for Second Straight Big Outing
LSU tight end Trey'Dez Green will look to keep trending up despite having a tougher test in Week 3 against Ole Miss. Green is coming off a Week 2 performance against Louisiana Tech that saw the TE catch six passes for 104 yards and a touchdown; he also got two rushing attempts, gaining seven yards. The tight end went for 58 yards on four receptions in Week 1. In Week 1, Ole Miss allowed two tight ends to combine for 58 yards across four catches. Last week, the Rebels allowed Charlotte TE Jason Jeffares to go for 27 yards on two grabs. Green will be the top tight end that Ole Miss has faced and his fantasy owners should trust him to deliver despite the tougher test.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
