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Week 4 brought more high-profile season-ending injuries (Robert Griffin, Stafon Johnson) and more turmoil in the top 10 (with Cal, Ole Miss and Miami all falling). Struggling offenses in Eugene and Austin got back on track, while top fantasy pick Case Keenum had his national coming-out party in Houston's big home win over Texas Tech.

Week 5 is low on marquee national matchups, but it marks the beginning of meaningful conference play for many teams. As the schedules toughen up in the SEC and other BCS conferences, it will become increasingly important to look toward offensively rich leagues like Conference USA and the MAC to find reliable performers.

Cream of the Crop

Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech: The ACC's leading rusher has seamlessly replaced the injured Darren Evans in the Hokies' ground-oriented attack. This week, the redshirt freshman draws conference bottom-feeder Duke.

Team Defense, Boise State: After getting left out of the BCS despite an unbeaten season last year, the Broncos know they need to win impressively each week. The defense showed some chinks against Fresno State but rebounded last week against a potent Bowling Green team and should really get healthy this week at home against UC-Davis.

Ed Dickson, TE, Oregon: Dickson earned second-team all-conference honors last season, and so far in 2009, he's been a vital part of the Ducks' inconsistent offense. When quarterback Jeremiah Masoli broke out of his slump last week against Cal, Dickson was his main target, with 11 catches for 148 yards and three scores. The Oregon offense is waking up; expect another big day from Dickson against lowly Washington State.

Marshwan Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati: Brian Kelly's Bearcats have rolled rival Miami (Ohio) for 45-plus points in each of his two years at the helm. The matchup with this season's woeful Redhawks edition is a perfect opportunity for Gilyard and triggerman Tony Pike to pad their Big East-leading stats.

Jacoby Ford, WR, Clemson: The Tigers' offense is a two-man show, with superback C.J. Spiller and wideout Ford providing the bulk of Clemson's yardage. Spiller is banged up this week after a physical bout with TCU, and Ford will be relied on to provide the spark against a young Maryland defense that's missing its top cornerback.

Vincent Brown, WR, San Diego State: By far the leading receiver in the Mountain West, Brown has twice as many receiving yards as his entire team has rushing yards. He and his Aztecs get a welcome home date with a weak New Mexico State team this week.

Trevor Vittatoe, QB, UTEP: The Miners' offense hasn't come close to meeting its lofty expectations this season, but a rebound opportunity is on the way. Vittattoe has accounted for eight touchdowns in the past two meetings with Houston, both narrow losses. He catches the Cougars' defense at the perfect time, traveling cross-state after an emotional win over Texas Tech. Expect a Vittatoe-Keenum duel and a third straight shootout in the series.

Damaris Johnson, WR, Tulsa: Johnson was limited by nagging injuries in last week's beatdown of Sam Houston State but is expected to be at full strength for Rice, another tasty matchup for the potent Tulsa offense.

Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas: Mallet was bottled up by Alabama's fine defense, but the sophomore showed what he could do against Georgia and should have an easier time of it in Saturday's clash with old SWC rival Texas A&M.

Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State: Juco quarterback-turned-running back Thomas has carried the ball more than anyone in the Big 12. The Wildcats workhorse turned in another solid game against Football Championship Subdivision school Tennessee Tech and figures to keep the chains moving against a banged-up Iowa State run defense that hasn't really stopped anybody yet.

Opportunity Knocks

Team Defense, South Carolina: The Gamecocks sport the nation's 13th-ranked defense, a well-rounded unit that won't have much trouble shutting down a South Carolina State offense that averages less than 300 yards per game.

Team Kicking, Toledo: Senior Alex Steigerwald made the preseason Groza watch list after setting a MAC record with 23 consecutive field goals last season. He has made all but one kick so far this season and should get a shot to pad his numbers this week as the potent Rockets visit defenseless Ball State.

Mike Kafka, QB, Northwestern: C.J. Bacher was under center when the Wildcats dented the Boilermakers for 48 points in last season's meeting, but Kafka is prepared for his turn. The Big Ten passing leader catches a soft Purdue defense at just the right time, fresh off a final-drive meltdown against Notre Dame.

Jay Finley, RB, Baylor: With superstar quarterback Robert Griffin sidelined and backup Blake Szymanski nursing a shoulder injury, Finley will have to carry the offense this week against Kent. The Bears workhorse sat out the last game with an ankle injury but is back at full speed this week.

Rusty Smith, QB, Florida Atlantic: The senior hasn't been quite as productive as Middle Tennessee's Dwight Dasher or Troy's Levi Brown. He's hitting his stride, though, with a good game at South Carolina followed by a 347-yard, interception-free effort in last week's loss to ULM. Another big game is in the offing, as this week Smith draws Wyoming's 112th-ranked pass defense and finally will have top receiving playmaker Cortez Gent back from suspension.

Team Defense, Rutgers: The Knights' stop unit isn't exactly a terror, but it's a solid group that ranks 16th nationally against the run and should have a big day against FCS school Texas Southern

On the Shelf

Bo Levi Mitchell, QB, SMU: Mitchell will be a fantasy mainstay later this season, guiding June Jones' run-and-shoot, but it's best to wait until the schedule softens again. Jerry Hughes and TCU's ferocious pass rush have Mitchell's blockers outclassed.

Damion Fletcher, RB, Southern Miss: The Eagles will be without both Fletcher and receiver DeAndre Brown when they travel to UAB on Thursday. The two stars were unable to finish the game at Kansas due to groin and shoulder injuries, respectively.

Fresh Faces

Luke Lippincott, RB, Nevada: Lippincott was the WAC's leading rusher in 2007 but missed nearly all of last season with injury. His replacement, Vai Taua, picked up where Lippincott left off in Nevada's pistol attack, leading the WAC in rushing in 2008. This season, Taua has been the starter, but he was injured last week and Lippincott came off the bench to post a 100-yard game against Missouri. Taua is still out, so Lippincott will get the chances this week against rival UNLV.

B.J. Daniels, QB, South Florida: Daniels was the star of the show in the Bulls' emotional victory over Florida State, passing for 215 yards and running for another 126. He must still prove he can fill the leadership role fallen field marshal Matt Grothe provided, but the dual-threat's physical tools are impressive. He was the star of offseason camp and now gets a chance to show what he can do on the road against an improving Syracuse team.

Will Harris is a fantasy college football analyst for ESPN.com.