Here we are folks at yet another Championship Week, and hopefully at least one of your leagues is alive and kicking. This is the time of the season where you lay it all on the line, scour the waiver wires for a one-week wonder, and hope to take home that gaudy looking trophy and maybe some cheese. Make sure to go for broke, leave it all on the field and any other cliché you can think of. Note: Some hosting sites break ties with bench points so load up there too.
Last Week's Running Back Starts: Le'Veon Bell (8), Jeff Demps (2), Brandon Pendergrass (18), Jyruss Edwards (4), Kenny Turner (7), Adonis Thomas (29)
Grade: C. If my picks caused you to miss your championship, I apologize.
Last Week's Running Back Sits: Lyle McCombs (5), Isaiah Pead (2), Giovani Bernard (10), Chris Nwoke (7), Matt Brown (25)
Grade: B. Did not see Brown going off as well as Bernard Pierce, but the rest of them were solid calls.
Start Em! Running Backs
James Washington, NC State vs. Maryland: If there ever a time to continue to pick on the horrid run defense of the Terps, it is during Championship Week. Washington is only owned in about 6 percent of leagues so he should be available. Washington has not gotten a ton of yards lately but is getting his touches, which should matter against Maryland.
Terrance Ganaway, Baylor vs. Texas Tech: Baylor is riding a huge win over Oklahoma and when they roll out of Arlington, it will be on the legs of Ganaway as he should gash the Red Raiders' 119th-ranked rush defense.
Ka'Deem Carey, Arizona vs. Louisiana: I know that Carey splits carries with Keola Antolin but considering the opponent, Carey should be worth a couple of scores before this game is over.
All 120
Jawon Chisholm, Akron vs. Western Michigan: Chisholm is still getting a ton of carries per game, and although the score will get out of hand real early, the Zips know they need to ride their talented freshman if they have any chance of putting up a fight. The Broncos are allowing more than 220 rushing yards per game so Chisholm should be worth at least 100 and a score.
Brandon Rutley, San Jose State vs. Fresno State: Earlier this year, Rutley was looking like a workhorse but he was bitten by the injury bug. After gaining 132 yards and two scores against Navy, it appears Rutley is back to form and should punish the Bulldogs.
Adam Muema, San Diego State vs. UNLV: I know a lot of people thought the ground game for the Aztecs was dead after losing Ronnie Hillman, but Muema showed that he was capable of keeping it alive last week against Boise State. Heading into the game, the Broncos had allowed one 100-yard rusher, but Muema gouged them for 119 yards and three total touchdowns. Well suffice it to say that UNLV is not exactly Boise State so Muema should enjoy another productive outing.
Sit Em! Running Backs (BCS)
Roy Finch, Oklahoma vs. Iowa State: Here is a SAT question for you: Mike Alstott is to Blake Bell as Warrick Dunn is to whom? Finch is doing plenty of work between the 20s but when the Sooners sniff the goal line, Bell has been getting the call and all the scores. It is best to find a better scoring option if you want to win your league's title game.
Michael Dyer, Auburn vs. Alabama: Dyer rushed for just 27 yards in the Iron Bowl last year and that was with a Heisman Trophy winner on offense. With Cam Newton slinging passes on Sundays, Dyer will get more carries but don't expect much more yardage.
David Wilson, Virginia Tech vs. Virginia: This may seem odd, but hear me out. First, Wilson doesn't score a ton of touchdowns. Second, the Cavaliers have the nation's 28th-ranked rush defense. Lastly, this is a rivalry game and you can bet Mike London wants the arm of Logan Thomas to have to beat him before the legs of Wilson get it done.
All 120
Lampford Mark, Nevada vs. Utah State: Mark has teamed up with Cody Fajardo to wreak havoc on the WAC, but Utah State is coached by former Utah defensive coordinator Gary Andersen and will be able to slow down the rushing side of the Pistol. The Aggies are only allowing a little over 120 rushing yards a game so expect them to make Nevada put up yards through the air.
Tyler Smith, Rice vs. SMU: SMU has shut down the run all year and against cross town rival Rice, this shouldn't change. Smith is getting a lot of carries but the Mustangs have only allowed a 100-yard rusher three times this year and only once in conference.
Orleans Darkwa, Tulane vs. Hawaii: Darkwa and the Green Wave offense have just started to roll, but that will all come to an end when they head to the Big Island to face the Warriors. Hawaii's best run defense will be their offense and when the score gets lopsided, Darkwa will see fewer carries. With the championship on the line, find a better start than Darkwa.
