Week 12 Rewind: Griffin, Barkley reward Fantasy owners

OK, I'll admit it. I fell asleep. A day that began at 5:45 a.m. caught up with me, and not even the intriguing evening slate of games could keep the sleepy elves from dancing on my eyelids. Of course I knew when I woke up to about 80 texts on the phone that I had missed some serious fun.

Fantasy stalwarts Matt Barkley and Robert Griffin led their teams to stirring victories, and in doing so not only shook up the BCS like a kid with a snow globe, but they led their Fantasy owners into championship tilts across the nation.

Barkley has been overshadowed because his school is on probation and Andrew Luck operates in the same conference. Griffin has been overlooked because, despite his crazy numbers and signature moments, he plies his trade in Waco, Texas, and not Tuscaloosa, Ala., or Norman, Okla.

These two haven't just been Fantasy good, they've been outstanding in every sense, combining for a remarkable 73 touchdowns against only 12 interceptions. They do it in different ways in different leagues, but Fantasy owners, especially those in keeper leagues, are hoping these two stud juniors have one thing in common:

That each returns for his senior campaign.

A few other observations from a shakeup Saturday

Speaking of overshadowed quarterbacks, it's clear that Tulsa's G.J. Kinne has spent much of his career playing second-fiddle to Case Keenum. However it's great to see Kinne wrap up his career with such a fine statistical and win-loss campaign. And this gritty, gutty leader of the Golden Hurricane attack will get an attempt to knock out Keenum's Cougars on November 25.

Iowa State was ignored during the conference expansion hullabaloo, thus it was nice to see the fine folks in Ames enjoy their Friday night. And the Cyclones' young quarterback, Jared Barnett, may be one to consider as a backup heading into 2012.

I'm not sure I've written a piece without mentioning Montee Ball, and this one is no different. His 31 touchdowns, while playing a Big Ten slate, are simply remarkable. A player expected to split carries has become college Fantasy football's sure thing, having scored at least two touchdowns in every single game.

Outside of Mr. Ball there haven't been many hotter backs than Utah's John White. He's averaging about 170 yards and has scored nine times over the last five games.

I built my Fantasy squad around wide receivers like Robert Woods and Michael Floyd this year, and while each has paid fine dividends at times, I'm reminded once again why it's the running backs that win the dough, thus I'm playing for second place cash over the next two weeks.

Temple's Bernard Pierce recovered nicely, posting 157-3 on Saturday.

How about that classic between Miami and South Florida? A 6-3 victory may have been the final straw for the Hurricanes to announce they're packing it in once the regular season concludes.

Michigan's Fitzgerald Toussaint is rocketing up 2012 draft boards with his combination of speed and fireplug power. Almost as impressive as his 330 yards and three scores over the past two weeks (against Illinois and Nebraska) are his 27 and 29 carries in each respective contest.

Unless they're matched up up against my alma mater, there's no way I'm pulling against Kansas State for the rest of the year. They're too great of a story, and Collin Klein is going to be a very interesting draft day option next summer.

If we're only looking at this week, then it's clear that Cincinnati's Zach Collaros is one of the nation's most valuable players. The Bearcat offense was lost without its leader.

I've seen enough of UCLA, Utah and Arizona State. Can the NCAA allow USC to play in the Pac-12 title game just for the sake of good football?

Good luck to all owners pushing for a championship next week.

Five to Watch during Championship Week

Houston at Tulsa: First to 50.

Ohio State at Michigan: The Wolverines are prepared to let out seven years of frustration.

Virginia Tech at Virginia: The Wahoos are waiting, and this game means more than bragging rights in Old Dominion.

Baylor vs. Texas Tech: RG3, RG3, RG3

Penn State at Wisconsin: Can Penn State be the team to actually slow down Mr. Ball?