I've always viewed myself a sports traditionalist. A part of me died when the Norris Division went away. I sometimes miss watching games without scores scrolling nonstop across the bottom of the screen. And it just seemed a simpler time before "upon further review" became a part of our lexicon. So one would think that college football on Thursday and Saturday night (and seemingly every other day and time) would have me longing for tear-away jerseys and 80's cheerleaders with wolf hair. Alas it does not, because getting through a rough workday is much easier when one can look forward to Nebraska and Missouri that evening. And per usual, this week's prime time fun continues well into the weekend.

The late, great Barry White once crooned that too much of a good thing was still a good thing. Or maybe that was the Fine Young Cannibals. Whatever. Either way Friday night gives us Louisiana Tech traveling to tackle Nevada. And after a full slate on Saturday we'll all be treated to Florida vs. LSU, Michigan vs. Iowa and Georgia Tech vs. Florida State all playing simultaneously that evening.  

It's television schedules like this that make me want to apologize for screaming at all the dudes in the red hats who stand on the field, holding up the games while the commercials continue to roll. After all, a few extra beer commercials is a small price to pay for this college fantasy football utopia.

And fantasy owners should also be giddy about the return of major offensive powerhouses returning from bye weeks, making those that survived last week with some makeshift lineups ready to bust out in a big way. But as experienced owners know all too well, for every seemingly sure thing there are ten players that will come from nowhere and emerge as a week-saver; and last week's start and sit recommendations are certainly evidence of this.

And speaking of the unpredictable, my buddy Alex is going through a tough fantasy season. Remember there fine chap, losing is a disease...

 Last Week:

Quarterback selections were solid. Running backs were good, and wide receivers weren't too shabby. Tight ends and defenses were nothing to write home about.

On to week six...

Quarterbacks

Start Em:

Steven Sheffield, Texas Tech vs. Kansas State

There's a reason we recommend that no draft be completed without nearly every Texas Tech signal caller on rosters. It's for moments like this. Sheffield did a nice job in relief of an injured Taylor Potts (concussion) and it's looking more likely that he'll get the nod against Bill Snyder's boys.

I know that K-State has been solid against the pass thus far. But they haven't played the Red Raiders.

Bo Levi Mitchell, SMU vs. East Carolina

East Carolina has struggled against the pass, and they'll travel to Dallas to take on the Mustangs, and team that wings it at every opportunity. Bo Levi is still showing an affinity for throwing it to the other team, though he did only toss two in last weekend's loss to TCU. We'll call that progress, and look for a much better performance this Saturday.

Ricky Stanzi, Iowa vs. Michigan

This off-season many national pundits were singing the praises of Ricky Stanzi, and I really couldn't figure out why. I mean he's a solid Big Ten quarterback, but by no means would we deem him the second coming of Chuck Long or even Chuck Hartlieb. Hell his middle name isn't even Chuck. And his seven interceptions on the campaign (having thrown at least two in three of his last four games) don't scream fantasy factor. Then why I am telling you to start him?

Because Iowa is playing a Michigan defense that has been very susceptible to the pass, and one that is bringing a pretty young team into hostile Kinnick on a crisp autumn evening. And Stanzi has shown an ability to play well in big games, and 280-3 sounds just about right.

Sit Em:

Andrew Luck, Stanford at Oregon State

With only one game north of 200 yards passing thus far I do realize that not many are likely counting on Andrew Luck this weekend. But this still doesn't mean I can't tell the one guy in Palo Alto to sit the redshirt freshman quarterback.

Case Keenum, Houston at Mississippi State

This one makes up for Andrew Luck. And this one is only for those owners fortunate to have two top level quarterbacks on their roster. The Bulldogs have been a solid, but not great, defensive team this season. But this is still an SEC opponent on the road. Keenum will post decent numbers, but those with a Colt McCoy or Jerrod Johnson will want to play their other quarterback instead, as the Cougars will struggle to match their normal output. And the weather for Starkville could be a little wet this weekend.

Chris Todd, Auburn at Arkansas

Mr. Todd has exceeded all expectations while throwing for 12 touchdowns against only one interception thus far in the 2009 campaign. And now he gets to travel to Arkansas to wing it against one of the nation's poorer defensive units. A recipe for another four scores, right? Not so fast.

I'm going to trust my gut here. Things are simply going too well at Auburn, and this one has letdown city written all over it. Todd and the Tigers struggle.

Running Backs

Start Em:

Dimitri Nance, Arizona State at Washington State

ASU coaches have been singing the praises of Dimitri Nance, as they've been pleased with his work. And the fact that he's seen 17, 25 and 18 carries over the last three weeks speaks to the trust he's earned. And this week against Washington State he'll earn a whole bunch of yards.

Noel Devine, West Virginia at Syracuse

Well, I have fallen for him again, but now I think this love will stand the test of time. Devine has rushed for more than 80 yards and at least one touchdown in all games this season, capped by last week's 22-220-1 display against Colorado. In fact Devine looked so good last Thursday that I traveled down memory lane and took a look at an old high school tape:

Da Cuse has been solid against the run thus far. This will change.

Curtis Steele, Memphis vs. UTEP

Thanks to injuries Curtis Steele has only carried the ball 32 times this season. Coach Tommy West says his starting tailback is now healthy, and timing is indeed everything. UTEP is among the nation's worst at defending the run, meaning Mr. Steele will have plenty of chances to boost those numbers.

Sit Em:

Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh vs. UConn

What would a start/sit piece be without Dion Lewis mentioned somewhere? It wasn't the fab freshman's inability to find the endzone last week that caused concern; rather it was the emergence of fellow freshie Ray Graham, he of the 12-75-1 performance against Louisville.

I expect both backs to struggle versus UConn, a top five national defense against the run.

Daniel Thomas, Kansas State at Texas Tech

No doubt that Thomas has been one of the nation's biggest surprises; in fact he's been a catalyst to my own team's rebirth. However this week I turn into a doubting Thomas, believing that the Red Raiders will look to make the Wildcats one dimensional and overplay the run.

MiQuale Lewis, Ball State vs. Temple

I know you people. You drafted Lewis too high, you see Temple on the schedule and think just maybe the Ball State pinball can return to this 2008 form. Let it go, man. Let it go. Lewis is doing all he can, but the supporting cast just isn't there. And Temple is a top-25 team nationally against the run.

Wide Receivers

Start Em:

Armand Robinson, Miami (OH) at Northwestern

Just who is Armand Robinson you ask? Well he's a receiver who has spent the last three weeks catching nine balls, nine balls and then ten balls for a total of 310 yards. The only problem is that he hasn't scored...yet.

Robinson is the top target in the Redhawks' attack, and he should find pay dirt, along with his usual number of catches, against Northwestern on Saturday.

Naaman Roosevelt, Buffalo vs. Gardner-Webb

The eyes light up when you see the likes of Gardner-Webb on a schedule in week six. Kind of like finding a $20 in pants you last wore two months ago. Roosevelt has caught 15 balls for 134 yards in the last two weeks, and these performances have come against teams considerably better than Gardner-Webb.

Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State vs. Houston

Bumphis, coming off a seven touch, 133 yard and two score performance, will face a Houston defense that ranks near the bottom of the country in total defense. There will be points.

Sit Em

Greg Salas, Hawaii vs. Fresno State

Greg Alexander's maturation was the key reason behind the Warriors' offensive rebirth. With the change at quarterback Salas sees his stock, both this week and beyond, take a hit.

Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss vs. Alabama

The Alabama defense is good at a bunch of things, and stopping the pass is one of them.

A.J. Green at Tennessee

If Tennessee has done one thing well this year, it's stop the pass. Despite already playing Florida, UCLA and Auburn the Vols currently rank 17th nationally in pass defense, and they'll make someone else beat them should UGA have designs on an aerial assault.

Tight Ends and Defenses

Start Em

Garrett Graham, Wisconsin vs. Ohio State

Do you have anyone better?

Tom Burzine, Toledo vs. Western Michigan

We're riding the hot hand. Burzine is coming off a 3-14-2 performance against Ball State, and he may be the one Rocket skill player we haven't mentioned yet. 

Kavario Middleton, Washington vs. Arizona

Just feel like he's due for a bust out.  

Arizona State D at Washington State

Washington State is to BCS leagues what Rice is to all FBS leagues. A get well quick remedy.

North Carolina State D vs. Duke

The Wolfpack, allowing less than 18 points per game, should have little problem manhandling the Blue Devils.

North Carolina D vs. Georgia Southern

Hard to pin the Tar Heels' recent struggles on the D.

Penn State D vs. Eastern Illinois

Joe Paterno has become so sensitive about his non-conference slate that he comes to press conferences armed with ammunition for when the inevitable questions about the cupcake arises. This one will be ugly.

Defenses that Cause Concern:

Florida D at LSU

I'm not telling you to sit the Florida defense. I just wouldn't start them in Baton Rouge...at night.

Ole Miss vs. Alabama

The Rebels have been a very nice defense for much of the season. The Tide's skill talent could give Ole Miss fits.

Nebraska at Missouri

Press me and I'll tell you this game gets sloppy and stays relatively low scoring. However much better defensive units have gone into Columbia in recent years only to be blitzkrieged.

Final Thought

Make sure you have extra batteries for the remote and cold ones for your fridge, and head into your bunker.

We'll see you Sunday morning.