Things may be finally looking up for the Cedar Valley Meerkats.

If you don’t know who the Meerkats are, it’s probably because you aren’t one of the 12 people in the fantasy football league in which I participate. But to those of us who play – and actually take it (too) seriously – it can be cause for a major fanta-bration or a fanta-stroke, depending on which side of the fanta-world you fall each week.

This was going to be the year I really took the league seriously. After several years of .500 records, I spent the extra time it takes to set pre-draft rankings, analyze statistical trends for sleeper free agents, and check out weekly matchups and set my roster accordingly. I drafted Drew Brees (quarterbacks are worth more in our league), DeAngelo Williams, Anquan Boldin, Visanthe Shiancoe and the Giants’ Steve Smith, snagged waiver pickups such as Darren McFadden and Brandon Lloyd, and I was poised to march through the postseason to my first-ever league title.

Or so I thought. After four weeks, several key injuries and three losses (thank you, DeAngelo), I needed to pick up my game if I was even going to make the eight-team playoff.

Now, at 1-3 and desperately needing a win, my matchup this week is against the undefeated “2011 Big 10 Champs” (a Cornhusker fan’s attempt at humor). But facing a roster which includes Arian Foster and Adrian Peterson (don’t ask me how that happened), I’m somehow heading into Monday night with a 31-point lead and feeling pretty good.

Next week looks even better, as I have that guy who never changes his roster (Jay Cutler is his starting quarterback this week). Should be another easy “W,” right?

As long as AP doesn’t rip off 200 plus and a couple scores Monday, I should be one win closer to .500. A win next week, and I’m 3-3. Good thing I took it so seriously this year.