Kansas State head coach Ron Prince and the rest of his offensive coaching staff were scratching their heads in the offseason after losing wide receiver Jordy Nelson to graduation.

All Nelson did as a senior was become a consensus All-American as he totaled 122 catches for 1,606 yards and 11 touchdowns. The coaches figured that Deon Murphy would just slide into Nelson's spot as top receiver and prime target for quarterback Josh Freeman. Murphy was Big 12 Newcomer of the Year in 2007 after totaling 605 receiving yards and five touchdowns coming off the junior college level.

Still, Kansas State needed depth at wide receiver, so they went the junior college route again. The Wildcats signed four JUCO receivers, including four-star prospect Aubrey Quarles, who was expected to start opposite Murphy and be the guy that immediately fills Nelson's shoes.

A guy overlooked in Kansas State's recruiting class was Brandon Banks, a junior college prospect from Bakersfield College (Calif.). It wasn't hard to see why Banks was being passed over. He is listed as 5-7 and weighs just over 140 pounds probably soaking wet. He is not exactly an intimidating presence or prototypical build of a blue chip prospect, but Banks has passed everyone on the Wildcats depth chart and is a star in the making.

"He is a hungry and humble young man and that is important for all football players," Prince said. "The hungrier you are and the more humble you are, the more readily you accept coaching and step up to challenges. I think he has been doing that his whole life. He has probably been told quite a bit that he is too small. He does not accept those limitations that others put on him."

Banks leads Kansas State with 22 receptions for 463 yards and six touchdowns. For those counting at home, he is averaging 21 yards per catch and 115.8 yards per game.

Standing out is nothing new to Banks. He was a four-year starter and two-time All-Conference selection at Garner High School (N.C.), and was a first-team All-American at Bakersfield, where he set the school record with 15 touchdowns in two seasons.

Opposing teams are beginning to respect Banks' ability on the football field, but this is no tall order.

"I didn't see any tape of him when we were recruiting him," Freeman said, "but working with him this summer, I definitely realized that he was going to go out and make some plays for us this year.

"He is a tough guy with a tremendous desire to win at all cost. He is one of the few guys that are successful as he is for his size."

Fantasy Pretender or Contender

San Diego State wide receiver Vincent Brown had a career day Week 5 against Idaho as he caught eight passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. He now leads the Aztecs with 20 catches for 315 yards and four scores. He clearly has emerged as the team's top receiver with Darren Mougey battling injury.

However, Week 5's performance could Brown's top performance in 2008. The Aztecs did face the 115th ranked passing offense and Brown made most of his yardage on three catches -- the two touchdown grabs (41,48) and a 51-yarder. He had 33 yards on his five other catches.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Lindley is coming into his own under center, but he is still a first year starter and inconsistency has to be expected. Brown could have a lot of ebb and flow in 2008.

Fantasy Take: Pretender

Fantasy Walk-on of the Week

Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick (owned 27 percent of Fantasy leagues) put on quite a show Week 5 against UNLV. He threw for 176 yards and a pair of scores, while rushing for 240 yards and three more touchdowns. He totaled 61 Fantasy points. Kaepernick had just 66 Fantasy points through the first three games.

The 6-6, 215-pound dual-threat quarterback needs a real morale boost as Nevada heads into conference play Week 6 against Idaho. All the Wolfpack have left is WAC games and that's good news for Kaepernick, who thrived in conference play last season.

Kaepernick compiled 2,569 total yards (2,027 passing) and 25 touchdowns in eight conference games last season as a first-time starter when he filled in for the injured Nick Graziano.

Injury Notes

Arizona State might finally get running back Keegan Herring into the lineup Saturday against California after he hasn't played since Week 2 because of a hamstring injury ... Cal running back Jahvid Best is in his first year as a starting tailback, but he is already developing into an injury-prone player. Earlier in the season he bruised his sternum against Maryland, and now he will miss Saturday's game against Arizona State with a dislocated elbow. He is on a week-to-week basis ... Connecticut tight end Steve Brouse is out 6-8 weeks after breaking his leg during a Week 5 win against Louisville ... Illinois running back Daniel Dufrene left Week 5's loss against Penn State with a sprained shoulder, but head coach Ron Zook is expecting him to be ready for Michigan Saturday ... Iowa leading rusher Shonn Greene is trying to recover from a costly fumble in a loss to Northwestern last week as well as a head injury sustained on the same play. However, Greene is listed as probable for Saturday's tilt with Michigan State ... Kent State running back Eugene Jarvis has missed the last two games due to a sprained ankle and remains questionable heading into Week 6 against Akron ... New Mexico running back Rodney Ferguson played through a bruised shoulder Week 5 against New Mexico State and he is once again expected to play Week 6 against Wyoming ... Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham sustained a shoulder stinger on punt coverage Week 5 against TCU and the Sooners have him listed as questionable for Week 6 against Baylor ... Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew missed Saturday's game against Troy because of an ankle injury and head coach Mike Gundy said his status is day-to-day leading up to Week 6's Big 12 opener against Texas A&M ... Penn State wide receiver Jordan Norwood injured his hamstring in practice leading up to Saturday's big win over Illinois and was not available. His status for Week 6's game against Purdue is also up in the air ... Purdue running back Kory Sheets had to leave Week 5 against Notre Dame because of a shoulder injury, but head coach Joe Tiller is expecting him to suit up Saturday against Penn State ... South Carolina All-SEC performer Kenny McKinley has already been ruled out for Saturday's game against Ole Miss because of a hamstring injury, but now the Gamecocks are considering using a redshirt on the injured star ... Stanford running back Toby Gerhart suffered a mild concussion in the first quarter of Saturday's win against Washington and is questionable for Week 6 against Notre Dame ... The Southern California defense could be without three potential All-Americans Saturday against Oregon. Taylor Mays (chest), Brian Cushing (hand) and Rey Maualuga (knee) were all injured in a surprising loss to Oregon State Week 5 and all are questionable or doubtful for Week 6 ... Vanderbilt is coming off a bye week, but they are still listing quarterback Chris Nickson, who has a sprained throwing shoulder, questionable for Week 6 against Auburn ... The Washington Huskies suffered a devastating blow as dual-threat quarterback Jake Locker broke his right thumb Saturday against Stanford and will now miss 6-8 weeks ... West Virginia QB Patrick White didn't finish Saturday's rout of Marshall because of a bruised left thumb, but he has already guaranteed he will play Week 6 against Rutgers ... Wisconsin tight end Garrett Graham is expected to practice Wednesday after missing Saturday's game against Michigan with a foot injury. He is still being questionable for Week 6's showdown with Ohio State.

Schools playing Non-FBS teams

An important note to remember in College Fantasy Football is that players are assessed a 25 percent penalty when a FBS team plays a FCS team (formerly Division I-AA). Therefore, if you own a player on a team listed below, you will only get 75 percent of their Fantasy points for the upcoming week:

New Mexico State

Five Players to Start

Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State: Moore is one of the most efficient passers in the country (179.82) and he is just licking his chops for a chance to play Louisiana Tech, a team that ranks dead last in pass defense (348.67 ypg). Moore is coming off a strong performance against Oregon (386 passing yards, 3 TDs) and already has 840 passing yards in three games.

Mike Thomas, WR, Arizona: Thomas has a touchdown in three of four games this season and has managed 100-plus receiving yards in three straight contests. He continues to be Willie Tuitama's favorite target, and Thomas could be in for a big day Week 6 against Washington. The Huskies rank 110th in pass defense (279.25 ypg) and have allowed 14 passing touchdowns in four games. Thomas also had 10 catches for 165 yards and three touchdowns against UW in 2007.

Kahlil Bell, RB, UCLA: Bell, who is coming off a torn ACL in 2007, sprained his ankle in the opener against Tennessee and didn't return to the starting lineup Week 5 against Fresno State. He made quite an impact with 73 rushing yards and a pair of scores. UCLA wants to use Bell as their featured back and he could be in line for a breakout game Week 6, as the Bruins hosts Washington State. The Cougars are second to last (118th) in rush defense (269.0 ypg) and have allowed 22 rushing touchdowns in 2008. Bell had four carries for 67 yards and one touchdown against Wazzu last season before tearing his ACL in that game.

Brennan Marion and Damaris Johnson, WRs, Tulsa: Two of the top passing offenses will be on display Saturday as Tulsa and Rice square off. They will be a lot of footballs in the air and this game could take awhile. Tulsa QB David Johnson has made a seamless transition at quarterback and has locked on to Marion and Johnson as his favorite targets. The duo have combined for 664 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Rice has allowed 12 passing touchdowns this season, so both receivers could find the end zone Saturday.

Charlie Jones, RB, Memphis: The former Miami Hurricane is averaging just under 41 rushing yards per game and doesn't have a 100-yard outing in 2008. Curtis Steele does most of the leg work for Memphis, but Jones is the Tigers' touchdown machine. He has six touchdowns on just 41 carries. Memphis plays UAB in Week 6. The Blazers rank 91st against the run (175.4 ypg) and have allowed 10 rushing touchdowns.

Five Players to Bench

Antone Smith, RB, Florida State: Smith had a field day Week 5 as he rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns against Colorado. He came into the game with just 148 rushing yards in the first three games. Colorado ranks in the lower half of FBS teams in rush defense and FSU's Week 6 opponent -- the Miami Hurricanes -- do not. Miami is allowing just 65 rushing yards per game (7th) and have allowed just two rushing touchdowns in four games.

P.J. Hill, RB, Wisconsin: Hill is a star running back and usually a legit candidate for the Heisman Trophy. He is averaging 112.25 rushing yards per game. Usually he is a must-start in Fantasy, however, the Badgers get Ohio State in Week 6. Hill missed a showdown with OSU in 2007 because of injury. The Buckeyes have given up just four rushing touchdowns in five games and are allowing just 95.3 rushing yards per game (22nd). They are going to load the box against Wisconsin and dare quarterback Allan Evridge to beat them through the air.

Shay Hodge, WR, Ole Miss: Hodge torched the Gators in Week 5 for 133 yards, which included an 84-yard touchdown strike. He has four touchdowns in five games and is leading Ole Miss with 325 receiving yards. Hodge is going to be tested Week 6 against South Carolina. The Gamecocks have the second best pass defense (105.0 ypg) and have allowed just one passing touchdown in 2008.

D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas: Speaking of Florida -- Arkansas' Week 6 opponent -- aside from Hodge's long touchdown in Week 5, the Gators have allowed just three passing touchdowns and still own the ninth ranked passing defense (151.75 ypg). They have not allowed a receiving touchdown to a tight end in four games and they have athletic enough linebackers to cover up Williams Saturday.

Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor: Griffin might be one of the most exciting freshmen in the country and is already making waves in the Big 12 with 12 total touchdowns (seven passing) in his first four games. He uses his track speed to run past opponents, but that could be a tough task Week 6 against Oklahoma. The Sooners have the 15th best total defense (253.0 ypg) and are allowing just 13 points per game (13th). They have the athletes on defense to keep up with Griffin.