Freeman no longer H2H's #1 value

[Topher Dean]

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.

Head2Head.com doesn’t really assist patrons in that matter to the detriment of most apathetic owners. The site does publish each week which grouping of players 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 I come in.

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)

He 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.

7) Graham Harrell, QB, Texas Tech (20.0M, 83.60 efficiency rating)

Harrell went for 474 yards through the air but only came away with 29 points. That just goes to show how much more valuable touchdowns are than yards. Don’t shy away though, 29 points is nothing to sneeze at. He likely just made himself the front runner for the Heisman and will face a tough Oklahoma State team this Saturday. That track meet will be fun to watch and Harrell owners should expect a big game.

6) Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma (5.2M, 86.92 efficiency rating)

Nebraska was no match for Bradford as he exceeded his per game average and registered 41 points. The bottom line is Oklahoma is going to score a lot of points and over 60% of the time Bradford will be involved. The Sooners travel to College Station this week and the Aggies have held many of the big time conference quarterbacks somewhat in check. However, none of those quarterbacks were named Sam Bradford.

5) Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut (10.0M, 86.93 efficiency rating)

Things started off nicely for Brown but the game against West Virginia went south pretty fast for the Huskies. He scored nearly all of his 13 points in the first quarter and disappeared after that. UConn faces a horrible run stopping team in Syracuse in two weeks (allowing over 200 rushing yards per game), Brown owners can expect him to right back on track in a major way.

4) Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State (12.9M, 90.20 efficiency rating)

Welcome back to earth Mr. Freeman. Easily his worst game of the season, Freeman was completed dominated by an inspired Jayhawk defense. His offensive line provided him with very little protection which led to a plethora of turnovers. It was the first time this season Freeman failed to account for a score and his efficiency rating is feeling the wrath of his 2 point outing. Things won’t get any easier as Kansas State will go to Columbia this week to face the Tigers. It’ll be interesting to see if he can bounce back and regain the #1 spot.

3) Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri (5.2M, 90.60 efficiency rating)

He’s as steady as they come and remains one of the only guys you should never rotate out of your lineup. Regardless of the matchup Coffman is always Chase Daniel’s primary target. He went off for 29 against Colorado and you wouldn’t be greedy to expect him to surpass that this week against Kansas State.

2) Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State (11.2M, 93.85 efficiency rating)

Along with Michael Crabtree, I don’t ever recall seeing two wide receivers as dominant as these stat hogs. Bryant posted his second 50 point game of the season in a stellar four touchdown effort against Iowa State. What’s amazing about Bryant is that he’s really the only receiving threat on the team but no one can seem to stop him. I wouldn’t expect a repeat performance against Texas Tech this week but 30-40 points seems about right.

1) Kory Sheets, RB, Purdue (6.9M, 96.35 efficiency rating)

Somebody finally sacked up and ripped the #1 spot from Freeman. Sheets did so with a huge 42 point performance against Michigan. I called for 30+ easy last week and Sheets had no problem delivering. Two of the nation’s best runners will be on the field this Saturday when Purdue faces Javon Ringer and Michigan State. Wisconsin ran all over Michigan State so expect Sheets to do the same.

Honorable Mention: LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh; Manuel Johnson, WR, Oklahoma; Cedric Peerman, RB, Virginia; Juice Williams, QB, Illinois; California Defense/Special Teams; Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers; Chase Daniel, QB, Missouri; Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State; Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland; Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech.

[Vince Mullins]

No Jermaine Gresham? Not even HM?

I would have thought he would compete with Coffman for cheap WR/TE but I trust your analysis is spot on.

[Topher Dean]

He's getting close. While Gresham is cheaper at 4.7M, his per game average is about 6 points behind Coffman's and that is what is keeping him from cracking the list.

Gresham is sitting at #22 right now with a rating of 55.10, just behind Minnesota's D/ST and just ahead of your other boy, Kendall Hunter.