Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is our weekly look at the best and worst matchups from around the NCAA and how they might affect your lineup decisions regarding your College Fantasy Football team. We are not in the business of stating the obvious, so this column doesn't highlight starting already established collegians like Tim Tebow or Colt McCoy.
We take into account all types of formats from 120-team to single-conference player pools. This information might not apply to you specifically, but with such a massive range of players, we are doing our best to cast a wide net.
ACC
Start of the Week: Boston College RB Montel Harris (at Virginia)
Analysis: Harris has become such
a force in the Boston College backfield that Josh Haden has chosen to transfer. Harris has three 100-yard rushing
performances in his last five games and has 10 touchdowns in that span.
He is set to face Virginia defense that is ranked 90th against the run
(166.7 ypg).
Other solid options: Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor (at Maryland); Florida State RB Jermaine Thomas (at Wake Forest); Duke WR Donovan Varner (vs. Georgia Tech); Wake Forest WR Marshall Williams (vs. Florida State)
Sit of the Week: N.C. State QB Russell Wilson (vs. Clemson)
Analysis: Wilson has been a
solid No. 1 Fantasy QB in 2009 and it's tough to go against a star
player like him. But he has had a few bad games this season and we feel
another one coming on in Week 11. Clemson is 13th in total defense
(290.7 ypg) and have allowed just 10 passing touchdowns in nine games.
They also have 19 interceptions. Wilson has thrown nine interceptions in
his last five games, so he is susceptible to the turnover. He also
totaled just 118 yards (92 passing) against Clemson last season.
Other
potential sits: Miami (Fla.) WR Leonard Hankerson (at North Carolina); Virginia RB Rashawn Jackson (vs. Boston College); Maryland WR Torrey Smith (vs. Virginia Tech)
Big East
Start of the Week: Syracuse RB Delone Carter (at Louisville)
Analysis: Carter is coming off
a strong performance against Pittsburgh (143 rushing yards), his second
100-yard rushing game in his last three outings. He is averaging 5.5
yards per carry in his last three games, so that should bode him well
going against Louisville, who is 70th in rush defense (150.2 ypg). The
Cardinals have also given up 15 rushing touchdowns on the ground.
Other
solid options: Cincinnati WR Armon Binns
(vs. West Virginia); Pittsburgh QB Bill Stull
(vs. Notre Dame)
Sit of the Week: Louisville RB Darius Ashley (vs. Syracuse)
Analysis: Ashley has come up
big for the Cardinals in their last few games as Victor Anderson and Bilal Powell have
both dealt with injuries. Ashley has 308 rushing yards in his last three
games and is averaging 5.2 yards per carry in that span. At least one of
Louisville's injured backs is expected to play this week, but even if
Ashley is still the lead dog, he is going up against a stout Syracuse
run defense. The Orange is allowing 106.4 rushing yards per game (23rd).
Other
potential sits: West Virginia QB Jarrett Brown (at Cincinnati)
Big 12
Start of the Week: Colorado RB Rodney Stewart (at Iowa State)
Analysis: Stewart came to
Colorado in the same recruiting class (2008) as five-star prospect Darrell Scott but with much less hype. Stewart has managed to outlast
Scott, who has decided to transfer, and has emerged as the Buffs' top
back. Stewart has nine touchdowns in his last seven games and four
100-yard outings in that stretch. He missed the Iowa State game last
season due to injury, so he will be looking to make up for lost time.
Iowa State is 93rd in run defense (169.8 ypg) and has given up five
rushing touchdowns in their last two games.
Other solid options: Iowa
State RB Alexander Robinson (vs.
Colorado); Texas RB Cody Johnson (at
Baylor); Kansas State WR Brandon Banks
(vs. Missouri); Missouri WR Jared Perry
(at Kansas State); Oklahoma QB Landry Jones
(vs. Texas A&M); Oklahoma State RB Keith Toston (vs. Texas Tech)
Sit of the Week: Kansas QB Todd Reesing
(vs. Nebraska)
Analysis: We give Reesing credit for playing
through a nagging groin injury, but Kansas is on a four-game losing
streak and their quarterback's play has suffered. Reesing has not hit
300 passing yards in three straight games and has just two touchdowns in
that span. He has an excellent history against Nebraska (nine touchdowns
in two games), but we feel he is going to continue his slide in Week 11.
Nebraska is 21st in pass defense (179.6 ypg) and has given up just three
passing touchdowns in nine games.
Other potential sits: Baylor
QB Nick Florence (vs. Texas); Missouri
RB Derrick Washington (at Kansas
State); Texas A&M RB Christine Michael
(at Oklahoma); Texas Tech RB Baron Batch
(at Oklahoma State)
Big Ten
Start of the Week: Wisconsin RB John Clay (vs. Michigan)
Analysis: Clay is expected to
play on Saturday after suffering a minor concussion in Week 10 against
Indiana. Even if he isn't 100 percent, Clay has an easy matchup against
Michigan. The Wolverines is 80th in rush defense (158.3 ypg) and have
allowed 17 rushing touchdowns in 10 games. Clay rushed for 52 yards and
one score on three carries against Michigan last season, and the
Wolverines' run defense is still just as bad.
Other solid options: Purdue
WR Keith Smith (vs. Michigan State);
Penn State WR Derek Moye (vs. Indiana);
Michigan State RB Edwin Baker (at
Purdue)
Sit of the Week: Iowa RB Brandon Wegher
(at Ohio State)
Analysis: Wegher has inherited the team's
starting tailback job thanks to injuries to Adam Robinson and Jeff Brinson.
Wegher has done well as a true freshman with 502 rushing yards and six
touchdowns, but he is going to find it tough to run against Ohio State.
The Buckeyes, who rank third in run defense (85.4 ypg), have shut down
some impressive backs such as Evan Royster,
John Clay and Joe McKnight. It doesn't help Wegher's cause that James Vanderberg
will be making his first start, so you know Ohio State will stack the
box to stop the run.
Other potential sits: Michigan RB Brandon Minor (at Wisconsin); Indiana WR Tandon Doss (at Penn State); Purdue RB Ralph Bolden (vs. Michigan State)
Conference USA
Start of the Week: Tulane WR Jeremy Williams (at Rice)
Analysis: Williams is coming off a
10-catch, 139-yard performance against UTEP and is starting to build
chemistry with redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Griffin. We expect the good times to continue in Week 11
against Rice. The Owls might be one of the worst teams in college
football and is 108th in pass defense (257.0 ypg). They have allowed 21
passing touchdowns, so the open receiving lanes are there for Williams
to take advantage.
Other solid options: UTEP QB Trevor Vittatoe (at SMU); East Carolina WR Dwayne Harris (at Tulsa); Southern Miss RB Damion Fletcher (at Marshall); Rice RB Charles Ross (vs. Tulane); UAB TE Jeffery Anderson (at Memphis); Memphis WR Carlos Singleton (vs. UAB); UCF RB Brynn Harvey
(vs. Houston)
Sit of the Week: Tulsa QB G.J. Kinne
(vs. East Carolina)
Analysis: Kinne finally had the breakout
performance we were looking for in Week 10 as he totaled 434 yards and
four touchdowns in a close loss to Houston. But the Cougars have a poor
defense and ECU is third in the conference in scoring defense (18.2
ppg). ECU held former Tulsa quarterback David Johnson to 195 passing
yards and forced him to throw five interceptions last season, and
Johnson was far more along in his progress than Kinne.
Other
potential sits: Houston RB Bryce Beall
(at UCF)
FBS Independents
Start of the Week: Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd (at Pittsburgh)
Analysis: Floyd returned to
action in Week 10 against Navy after missing five games with a broken
collarbone. It didn't appear as though he missed a beat with 10 catches
for 141 yards and one touchdown. Pitt is a top 40 pass defense (204.1
ypg), but Floyd still should be able to find some open lanes since he is
a great athlete. He did have 10 catches for 100 yards and two scores
against the Panthers last season.
Other solid options: None
since Army and Navy are both playing FCS opponents
Sit of the Week: Notre Dame RB Armando Allen (at Pittsburgh)
Analysis: Allen is set to
return from an ankle injury in Week 11 against Pittsburgh, but he might
be better off to sit on the sidelines. Pittsburgh is pretty stout
against the run (106.8 ypg) and has given up just eight rushing
touchdowns in nine games. Allen averaged just 3.8 yards per carry
against Pitt last season.
Other potential sits: None since
Army and Navy are both playing FCS opponents
MAC
Start of the Week: Western Michigan RB Brandon West (at
Eastern Michigan)
Analysis: The Eagles have the worst run
defense in the country (292.8 ypg) and have been torched for 30 rushing
touchdowns. West has 290 rushing yards in three career games against
EMU, including 166 yards and a score in 2008.
Other solid options: Eastern
Michigan RB Dwayne Priest (vs. Western
Michigan)
Sit of the Week: Akron WR Jeremy LaFrance
(vs. Temple)
Analysis: The junior receiver is coming off a
career game against Kent State. He totaled eight catches for 126 yards
and two touchdowns in a 28-20 win. Temple shouldn't make the same
mistakes as Kent State and make sure to put a few bodies on LaFrance.
Temple is 31st in total defense (329.7 ypg).
Other potential sits: Eastern
Michigan WR Jacory Stone (vs. Western
Michigan); Western Michigan WR Robert Arnheim
(at Eastern Michigan)
Mountain West
Start of the Week: BYU QB Max Hall (at New Mexico)
Analysis: A lot of things have
gone wrong in Mike Locksley's first year at New Mexico and stopping
their opponents is one of the Lobos' biggest issues. The Lobos are
particularly bad against the pass, allowing 258.3 passing yards per
contest (109th). They have also given up 22 passing touchdowns in nine
games. Hall has five passing touchdowns to one interception in two
career games against New Mexico.
Other solid options: Air
Force RB Jared Tew (vs. UNLV); San
Diego State WR DeMarco Sampson (vs.
Wyoming)
Sit of the Week: Utah RB Eddie Wide
(at TCU)
Analysis: Wide set a school record for consecutive
100-yard games -- six -- with 145 yards and two touchdowns in Week 10
against New Mexico. He has been outstanding in place of the injured Matt Asiata, but we are afraid TCU will rain on his parade in Week
11. TCU is seventh in run defense (89.7 ypg) and have allowed just three
rushing touchdowns in nine games. Quarterback Jordan Wynn will be making just his second career start, so TCU is
likely to stack the box against the run and make Wynn beat them through
the air.
Other potential sits: UNLV WR Ryan Wolfe (at Air Force); Wyoming WR David Leonard (at San Diego State); TCU QB Andy Dalton (vs. Utah)
Pac-10
Start of the Week: Arizona QB Nick Foles (at California)
Analysis: The Cal secondary
definitely has their issues as they are 117th in pass defense (276.2
ypg). That's not good news for them as they are about to face a
quarterback on a roll like Foles, who is averaging 287.2 passing yards
in his last five games. Cal has allowed a 300-yard passer in three of
their last four games.
Other solid options: USC WR Ronald Johnson (vs. Stanford); Washington WR Jermaine Kearse (at Oregon State); Oregon State TE Joe Halahuni (vs. Washington); UCLA WR Nelson Rosario (at Washington State)
Sit of the Week: Cal RB Shane Vereen
(vs. Arizona)
Analysis: Vereen takes over the tailback duties
for Cal since Jahvid Best is sidelined
by a concussion. He has a tough first challenge ahead as he faces the
nation's 11th best run defense (96.0 ypg). Arizona held Toby Gerhart to 4.4 yards per carry and Jacquizz Rodgers to under 100 rushing yards this season.
Other
potential sits: Washington RB Chris Polk
(at Oregon State); Washington State WR Jared Karstetter (vs. UCLA); Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli (vs. Arizona State)
SEC
Start of the Week: Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett (vs. Troy)
Analysis: The Razorbacks take a
break from SEC play to welcome in a Sun Belt opponent. We wouldn't be
surprised if both teams put up some good numbers since they are both
passing teams going against poor passing defenses. The Trojans are 106th
in pass defense (256.3 ypg) and have allowed 18 passing touchdowns in
nine games. Mallett will be looking to exorcise some demons after
passing for 329 yards last week against South Carolina but no touchdowns.
Other
solid options: Arkansas TE D.J. Williams (vs. Troy); Vanderbilt RB Warren Norman (vs. Kentucky); LSU RB Stevan Ridley (vs. Louisiana Tech); Georgia RB Washaun Ealey (vs. Auburn); Auburn QB Chris Todd
(at Georgia)
Sit of the Week: Ole Miss QB Jevan Snead
(vs. Tennessee)
Analysis: The Vols have done a good job of
containing some of the SEC's best quarterbacks -- Tim Tebow, Chris Todd, Greg McElroy and Stephen Garcia --
and that shouldn't change in Week 11. It's easy to say Snead has been a
grave disappointment this season and it is going to be tough for him to
pick apart a secondary that has allowed just four passing touchdowns in
nine games.
Other potential sits: Mississippi State RB Anthony Dixon (vs. Alabama); Tennessee WR Gerald Jones (at Ole Miss); South Carolina TE Wesyle Saunders (vs.
Florida)
Sun Belt
Start of the Week: Arkansas State RB Reggie Arnold (at Florida Atlantic)
Analysis: Arnold has a
strong history against FAU with 243 rushing yards and three touchdowns
in three career games. Arnold is already up to 10 touchdowns in 2009 and
should add to those totals in Week 11. Florida Atlantic is allowing
237.9 rushing yards per game (116th) and has already surrendered 29
rushing touchdowns in eight games.
Other solid options: La.-Monroe
RB Frank Goodin (vs. Western Kentucky);
North Texas RB Lance Dunbar (at FIU);
Middle Tennessee State QB Dwight Dasher
(vs. La.-Lafayette); Troy WR Jerrel Jernigan
(at Arkansas)
Sit of the Week: Florida Atlantic QB Jeff Van Camp (vs. Arkansas State)
Analysis: Van Camp made
his first career start in Week 10 against UAB and held his own with 254
passing yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for a score. But the
Red Wolves have a much better defense than UAB. They are 28th in scoring
defense (20.0 ppg) and lead the conference in total defense (346.4 ypg).
Arkansas State held Rusty Smith to 196
passing yards and one score last season and he is by far a better player
than Van Camp.
Other potential sits: Western Kentucky RB Bobby Rainey (at La.-Monroe); La.-Lafayette QB Chris Masson (at Middle Tennessee State)
WAC
Start of the Week: Boise State QB Kellen Moore (vs. Idaho)
Analysis: A lot of folks probably
don't realize but Moore has at least three touchdown passes in five
straight games and six of seven. He has 27 touchdown passes in nine
games to just three interceptions. His efficient ways should continue in
Week 11 against Idaho. The Vandals are 104th in pass defense (254.1 ypg)
and have picked off six passes to 20 allowed passing touchdowns..
Other
solid options: Utah State RB Robert Turbin
(vs. San Jose State); Fresno State WR Seyi Ajirotutu (at Nevada); New Mexico State RB Seth Smith (at Hawaii)
Sit of the Week: Idaho RB DeMaundray Woolridge (at Boise State)
Analysis: Woolridge has
been a solid back for Idaho in 2009, especially near the goal line. He
has a team-high 14 rushing touchdowns. Idaho might want to trust the run
game in Week 11, especially if quarterback Nathan Enderle is still out with a shoulder injury. Still, they are
going to find it tough to move the ball against Boise State, who is 10th
in total defense (271.6 ypg). They have allowed just eight rushing
touchdowns in nine games.
Other potential sits: Louisiana Tech
RB Daniel Porter (at LSU)