College Football Challenge-Week 5 Picks

Stefphon Jefferson (25) is a must-own at running back in College Football Challenge. Marco Garcia-US PRESSWIRE

It’s College Football Challenge time as we head into week five and conference play kicks up. There’s plenty of high-scoring games coming up this weekend, so make sure you check out the matchups and get your lineups set before kickoff. There are a number of big-name teams on a bye, so don’t just assume last week’s team will work for week 5.

My team from week 4 didn’t even work for last week only putting up 106 and dropping me down to the 63rd percentile. WR were my biggest issue, but not for our leader “Zach has the Best Entry.” It’s hard to argue with the team name since he’s in the top 0.3% of the game ranked 229 overall. He had the foresight to start Stefphon Jefferson who went for 66 opints and Le’Veon Bell who lit up EMU for 31. His 187 were the high for the week in our 20-member group (join here) and extended his lead overall to 59 points.

Here’s who I’m taking for week 5:

Quarterbacks

September 22, 2012; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith (12) throws the ball during warm-ups against the Maryland Terrapins at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

Geno Smith-WVU: Smith and the Mountaineers have enjoyed a nice soft opening to their season and now head into conference play in the Big 12 for the first time. To open they host the newly-ranked Baylor Bears in what should be quite the shootout. West Virginia averages 47.3 points a game but trail the Baylor offense by 4. Both teams can hang points on the board which should make for a up-tempo, high-scoring game in an electric atmosphere as Morgantown officially welcomes the Big 12.

Johnny Manziel-Texas A&M: Speaking of the big 12, former member Texas A&M is continuing its inaugural SEC schedule this week as they host the Razorbacks. Check out what Aggies QB Johnny Manziel has done both with his legs and his arm the past few weeks putting up 51 and 37 challenge points in his last two contests. This week the Aggies host high-scoring but struggling Arkansas in what shapes up to be a high-scoring shootout in College Station. I’m not sure which of the two games will go higher this one or the West Virginia game, but I do know I want QBs involved in both games.

Running Backs

Stefphon Jefferson-Nevada: I’m a week late, I get it. Jefferson exploded against Hawaii scoring six rushing touchdowns on 170 yards. He looks like he’s in line for another big week as the Wolfpack travel to Texas State who rank 106th in points allowed in the nation and gave up 58 to Texas Tech two weeks ago. Jefferson is too good to pass up this week.

Marcus Lattimore-South Carolina: Lattimore and the Gamecocks roll into Kentucky to face the Wildcats who got crushed 38-0 by Florida last week. The Gators rushed for 200 yards so expect Lattimore to continue to put up nice numbers while South Carolina relies on him while Conner Shaw continues to recover from his shoulder injury.

Sep 22, 2012; Winston Salem, NC, USA Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver Michael Campanaro (3) catches a pass while being defended by Army Black Knights defensive back Hayden Pierce (9) during the first quarter at BB

Wide Receivers

Michael Campanaro-Wake Forest: Wake receiver Campanaro has put up three solid games in his first four with only the Seminoles able to shut him down. He went for 153 yards and a pair of touchdowns last week against Army. The Demon Deacons hols Duke this week, so expect him to get plenty of catches, yards, and a score or two this week as well.

DeAndre Hopkins-Clemson: The Tigers offense hung with Florida State for a while and Hopkins continue to emerge as Clemson’s top option even with Sammy Watkins back. Hopkins has TDs in three of the first four Clemson games. This week, Clemson travels to BC in a nice mid-afternoon matchup. I think the Tigers offense will have another solid game and Hopkins will be a big part of it.

Team Kicker and Defense

Florida State Kickers: FSU visits South Florida who did knock off Nevada to get to 2-0 before losing to Rutgers and Ball State to get the their current 2-2 level. They allow 24.5 points per game and Florida State should be scoring quite a bit in this one.

LSU Tigers Defense: LSU returns home after putting up a solid 21 challenge points on the road at Auburn to hose Towson. Last week, Towson put up 46 but they should find things a bit harder against the Tigers than they did against the St. Francis Red Flash last week. LSU’s defense is elite and Alabama hosts Ole Miss this week making the Bayou Bengals the better option of the two SEC defensive powerhouses.