Devy Fantasy Football Primer: Luther Burden, Nico Iamaleava, Travis Hunter (2024)

As we hit the final stretch of the college football season, every game becomes a pivotal moment for playoff hopes and individual player stocks. Week 12 is headlined by a top-12 SEC matchup in Tennessee vs. Georgia.

With both teams fighting for postseason positioning, it’s a game loaded with NFL talent on both sides of the ball. The Heisman Trophy race is also becoming clearer as the season winds down.

Devy Fantasy Football Primer

(All odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook)

Games of the Week

No. 7 Tennessee @ No. 12 Georgia (-10.5) | Total 48.5 | Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC

Tennessee is in a three-way tie for first place in the SEC while Georgia is in a five-way tie for second place. A loss here for Georgia would give them their third of the season and knock them out of playoff contention. A loss for Tennessee would hurt possible playoff seeding and making the SEC title game but not put them out of the playoff conversation.

Carson Beck has hit a major slump over the past four games throwing nine interceptions to five touchdowns. Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava has not lived up to the hype this season but has played solid football the last two games and led the Volunteers to a home victory over Alabama. Whichever quarterback outperforms the other and makes fewer mistakes will ultimately lead their team to victory in Athens.

Tennessee has an elite defense to go along with one of the best rushing attacks in the nation led by Dylan Sampson. They should control the time of possession throughout the game and put them in a good position to get after Beck.

Tennessee Offensive and Defensive Ranks

(Via Outlier.Bet)

Offense
- 16th in scoring: 37.6 points per game
- 59th in passing yards: 235.3 yards per game
- 9th in rushing yards: 235.1 yards per game
- 38th in yards per play: 6.1 yards per play
Defense
- 5th in scoring: 12.6 points per game
- 15th in passing yards allowed: 171.6 yards per game
- 9th in rushing yards allowed: 100 yards per game
- 4th in yards per play allowed: 4 yards per play

Georiga Offensive and Defensive Ranks

(Via Outlier.Bet)

Offense
- 48th in scoring: 30.6 points per game
- 17th in passing yards: 286.4 yards per game
- 104th in rushing yards: 123.9 yards per game
- 45th in yards per play: 6 yards per play
Defense
- 16th in scoring: 18.4 points per game
- 36th in passing yards allowed: 195.6 yards per game
- 21st in rushing yards allowed: 111 yards per game
- 16th in yards per play allowed: 4.6 yards per play

My Picks:

Moneyline: Tennessee (+290)
Spread: Tennessee +10.5 (-118)
Total: Under 48.5 (-115)

Devy Spotlight

Luther Burden III (WR – Missouri ) | 2025

Luther Burden has been very quiet and not impressive over the past four games. In these games, he has 19 receptions for 166 yards with 93 rushing yards and one touchdown. This is not the type of production we want to see from a player who is a consensus top-three wide receiver in the upcoming draft class.

burden faces South Carolina’s tough defense next in what should be a competitive game where his impact is needed for Missouri to come out on top. With how reactionary the dynasty game is today, another mediocre game could cause panic in the community.

"Hey just call 3, dog. He's down there somewhere…. His phone's on speed dial." – @lutherburden3

Luther Burden III has made some amazing plays as a #Mizzou Tiger.

This catch in the clutch last night may be his most impressive yet. pic.twitter.com/oTQN50rNEe

— Corey Miller (@corey_miller5) November 10, 2024

Heisman Trophy Race

The top five Heisman favorites after Week 11:

Travis Hunter (WR/DB – Colorado) | +120
Dillon Gabriel (QB – Oregon) | +320
Ashton Jeanty (RB – Boise State) | +350
Cameron Ward (QB – Miami) | +800
Kurtis Rourke (QB – Indiana) | +1400

Another week where we have the same top five from last week but a shuffling in the order.

Travis Hunter has taken over the top spot after 99 yards and one touchdown in a big win for Colorado over Texas Tech. Dillon Gabriel became the FBS all-time leader in touchdowns this past weekend and moves into the second spot. Ashton Jeanty moved up one spot after a monstrous game of 221 yards and three touchdowns.

Cameron Ward put up another week of solid numbers but Miami suffered their first season loss. Kurtis Rourke led Indiana to a tough win over Michigan but did not have the best game numbers-wise.

At this stage, it looks like a four-man race with Rourke having an outside shot at being invited to New York. However, Indiana is 10-0 for the first time in program history. If they can beat Ohio State on the road in two weeks and win out, it will be hard to not justify him over Cameron Ward or possibly Ashton Jeanty.

For more content, check out my weekly dynasty buy, sell, and hold article, follow me on X @GUMP7285, and catch the Gridiron Fantasy Show weekly and the Destination Devy College Football Podcast on Saturdays.