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Navy QB Jackson Gutierrez Jumps To Top Fantasy Spot
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- Navy QB Jackson Gutierrez Jumps To Top Fantasy Spot
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
A quarterback from Navy now sits at the top of the college rankings. Jackson Gutierrez jumped 29 spots to become the number one fantasy quarterback for Week 10. Following his 110-yard rushing performance and touchdown score in Saturday's 35-13 defeat against Notre Dame, this massive transfer occurred. The Irish defense usually stops the run, but Gutierrez broke that trend before halftime. He has run for a touchdown in four straight games and has 979 rushing yards with 13 scores this season.
The shift in the rankings leaves many traditional powerhouses far behind. While Gutierrez claims the top spot, North Texas running back Jahiem White still holds the number one overall flex position. Against Florida Atlantic in a 48-41 victory, White ran 26 times to gain 193 yards and score two touchdowns. He has scored in every single game since transferring to North Texas and has topped 100 rushing yards for five weeks in a row. Even with these huge numbers, his own coach found fault with his ball security.
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The Coach Who Criticized a Star
North Texas head coach Neal Brown was not fully satisfied despite the player's nearly 200 yards. Brown pointed out a specific issue during the game that could hurt the team in the long run. This comment stands out because White also scored in all eight games since his transfer. The running back faces a much weaker defense next, as Rice allows 175.0 rushing yards per game, which ranks 109th in the FBS.
Other players also saw their stock rise after big games. Easton Messer of Florida Atlantic climbed from the fourth flex spot to the second spot. During the loss to North Texas, he secured 16 receptions totaling 189 yards alongside three touchdown scores. His team hosts UTSA on Thursday, and the Owls defense allows 35.8 points per game.
Duke Record Setter and Boise State Jumper
Nate Sheppard of Duke holds the third flex spot after a historic night against Boston College. He ran 20 times for 97 yards and scored five rushing touchdowns in a 47-2 rout. His 18 total touchdowns now set a Duke single-season record. Sheppard gave credit to his offensive line for his success. This performance puts him in a strong position as his team faces tougher competition later in the season.
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Boise State freshman Dylan Riley made a massive jump in the rankings, moving from the 13th flex spot to the fourth spot. To date, his totals include 1,049 rushing yards and nine touchdowns achieved on 165 carries. The next opponent for Riley is Colorado State, a team that struggles mightily against the run. Both 261.1 rushing yards and 42.4 points allowed per game represent the lowest FBS figures for the Rams.
South Carolina Turnaround and Heisman Hopes
While the rankings focus on fantasy points, the story of the month belongs to South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers. On October 4, the team was in a deep hole after three straight losses. Many fans wanted Sellers benched and coach Shane Beamer fired. Now the Gamecocks are ranked No. 23, and Sellers is a real Heisman Trophy candidate. In the last three wins, Sellers completed 60 of 91 passes for 790 yards and eight touchdowns while adding 257 rushing yards and five scores.
Not everyone agrees that Sellers is perfect, as his pick six against Oklahoma was a major mistake. Yet the offense has become a nightmare for other teams to defend. Coach Shane Beamer acknowledged the improvement after the victory over Oklahoma on Saturday. He stated, "LaNorris is certainly playing better ." Beamer added that when the quarterback plays well, the team has a chance to win.
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The team faces a tough stretch ahead with games against Texas A&M, Arkansas, Georgia, and Clemson. A nine-win season would be a miracle for the coaching staff after the dark days in September. The turnaround has been so fast that some voices now want to give Beamer a contract extension. The Gamecocks have a clear path to a nine-win team if they can hold on during this final run of the schedule.
