When then NFL season started, so did the fantasy football leagues for many Loyola students.
Fantasy football is a game played online that allows its players to draft players on to their roster. The real life success of the players on the fantasy team roster determines how many fantasy points they earn. The team with the higher fantasy point total is the winner for that week.
As the number of fantasy football players grows nationwide, the popularity of the online game can be seen during football season at Loyola. Many of Loyola’s fantasy players have been playing for years. “I probably starting playing in eighth grade,” said Nick Serena, music industry freshman,”My dad and I always make a joint team because with twice the brains we’re twice as likely to actually remember to start a certain guy.”
Having a certain player on a roster will not affect the score of a team unless that player is starting. There is room on a roster for players to be on the “bench” where a fantasy owner can have the player available but not use points he scores at that position.
Aside from the opportunity for a fan to exhibit their knowledge of football, there is also money at stake in many of the leagues. “They all put down like 50 bucks to join the league so potentially we could win a bunch of money,” Serena said.
Criminal justice sophomore Michael Dewey is also looking to come away with some money by the end of the season. Dewey said his league cost $100 to join, so he is hoping to get a return on his investment. “I’ve never won a money league before,” Dewey said. “I got third in the league last year so this is the first time I’m going for the big bucks.”
Fans are sometimes conflicted if the success of the team they root for comes at the expense of their fantasy team. But Serena said his loyalties are always to his hometown team. “I can’t root for a guy against my team,” he said. “I’ll just hope that the other guys on my roster have good games.”
Before any fantasy owner can look ahead for the cash prize at season’s end, the starting roster has to be adjusted on a weekly basis. The roster adjustments will generally be based on how players match up against the team they are playing. However, even with all the factors considered there are some things you can’t plan for.
“Michael Vick was working for me the past two weeks but he got hurt,” Dewey said. Vick has surprised a lot of fantasy owners with his play after being named starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Four-year fantasy football veteran and math sophomore Thomas Schachte said the most common problem is a healthy player underperforming. “Green Bay packers wide receiver Greg Jennings is killing me. He has consistently gotten, like, six points where I have need like 10 from him,” said Schachte.
With all the frustrations that come from players that disappoint there are almost just as many break out players who catch fantasy owners by surprise. Serena pointed out that one of the season’s biggest surprises was an aging veteran that had scared off many fantasy owners. “LaDainian Tomlinson had a huge week (in week 4),” Serena said. “He was a guy I did not want to pick but he did well for a second running back.”
With all the underperforming players, unexpected injuries ,surprise out break performances and potential prize money at stake, managing a team week to week can be a handful. But Dewey said it helps him enjoy football more.
“Fantasy-wise it’s been a little rough,” Dewey said citing his 2-2 record at the end of week four. But he added, “Fantasy football is fun. I have a reason to cheer for every team.”
Hasani Grayson can be reached at [email protected]
