August sure seems like a long time ago. I was confident about my draft day prospects, a New Year's Day bowl seemed a certainty for my alma mater, and my furnace still had months of hibernation left. And now here I am, needing to slip the bouncer a $20 to sneak in the playoffs, telling myself that a bowl trip to the Motor City/Pizza Pizza Bowl will at least save on airfare, and I've been packing hats and gloves for the last few tailgates, when it's supposed to be jeans and sweatshirt weather here in the Midwest. Clearly things haven't gone as planned. But like many, I'm still alive. And this is all that matters.
Unlike last week, the slate of games on tap doesn't present too many high-profile matchups. Games like Fresno State vs. Idaho, Wake Forest at Georgia Tech and Kansas at Kansas State certainly provide intrigue along with a few others, but there isn't that one game that could be deemed a must-see fantasy tilt. Even Houston at Tulsa, a game which appeared in August to be a "First One to 50 Special", has lost some of its luster thanks to a lackluster Golden Hurricane attack. But it's college football, right?
We'll be begging for weeks like this come February.
Last Week
The starts again outscored the sits by a nice margin, but like any good prognosticator, it's the bad ones that stick out. For all the solid recommendations like Landry Jones, Jacquise Terry and DeVier Posey, the fact that I advised owners to sit Josh Nesbitt stings. As does recommending starts for Michael Smith (sat out) and Chris Bonner (caught one ball). But I won't beat myself up too badly. Like my wife always tells me, "Brian, you can't always be perfect. I love you even if you're only right 99% of the time."
But we can't rest on our laurels. It's week ten. It's time to put on your best duds and crash the ball otherwise known as the college fantasy football playoffs.
Quarterbacks
Start Em
Kevin Riley, Cal vs. Oregon State
Mr. Riley has caught fire. He's posted 29, 27 and 26 fantasy points in his last three outings, and now he faces an Oregon State defense that is currently 116th against the pass. There's nothing wrong with defensive units selling out to stop Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen; however now Kevin Riley is making it hurt.
This game has old-fashioned Pac-10 shootout written all over it.
Todd Reesing, Kansas at Kansas State
The Jayhawk senior was benched last week and apparently his groin is bothering him. Reesing has likely seen better weeks. But it seems like the perfect time for an in-state rivalry game.
There's no doubt that Kansas State coach Billy Snyder has worked some serious magic with smoke and mirrors this season. However his defense that ranks 81st against the pass is going to struggle against a senior quarterback looking for redemption with the type of receiving weapons that can wreak havoc in the secondary.
Nick Foles, Arizona vs. Washington State
Foles welcomes a Cougar defense that ranks 118th against the pass. Arizona will probably be without two of its top backs, Nic Grigsby and Greg Nwoko, but the Arizona offense will have no problem posting huge numbers through the air.
Longshot Special: Jeff Van Camp, Florida Atlantic vs. UAB
Our guy Rusty Smith is lost for the season, but all hope is not lost for the Owl passing attack this week. Van Camp has been in the program for a while, patiently waiting for his chance (though certainly he didn't want it to come at Rusty's expense). And now Van Camp gets to begin his era against UAB, a team that ranks dead last in the country against the pass.
Sit Em
Christian Ponder, Florida State at Clemson
Ponder heads to Death Valley on Saturday night to take on a Tiger defense that ranks 5th nationally against the pass. And Ponder is going to play through some bruised ribs. I'm feeling a letdown.
Thaddeus Lewis, Duke at North Carolina
I just don't want you to do it. I don't want to see you place your playoff hopes in the hands of a Duke football player. I know Lewis has had a couple of nice weeks but he's traveling to Chapel Hill to tackle a re-energized Tar Heel squad. At least as re-energized as a Duke or North Carolina fanbase can get during football season.
Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State at Penn State
For all of his struggles, would you believe that the Buckeye sophomore is in the top ten of fantasy quarterback point producers? His 214 points place him just behind Kellen Moore, and a couple spots ahead of Tebow the Great.
The Penn State defense will be jacked up to face the Pennsylvania native making his first start in State College. And Pryor will find the Nittany Lions to be a little tougher than the likes of Minnesota and New Mexico State.
Running Backs
Start Em
Montario Hardesty, Tennessee vs. Memphis
Hardesty, coming off a 25-point performance, welcomes Memphis to town. And Memphis ranks 100th in total defense, and 105th against the run.
This senior has done a nice job this season, and sitting at about 840 rushing yards on the season, we expect Hardesty to surpass the 1000-yard barrier on Saturday.
Vai Taua, Nevada at San Jose State
San Jose State ranks 118th against the run, and the Nevada Wolfpack bring one of the nation's most devastating running attacks to Spartan Stadium. Taua has scored more than 20 fantasy points in each of the past three weeks. This won't be pretty.
Keola Antolin, Arizona vs. Washington State
Injuries to Nic Grigsby and Greg Nwoko mean that Antolin is the clear starter heading into a game against Washington State. The Cougars just happen to have the 114th ranked run defense.
My only concern deals with how many touchdowns Nick Foles keeps for himself, and how quickly Mike Stoops will take a look at some of his younger backs.
Longshot Special: Washaun Ealey, Georgia vs. Tennessee Tech
I know some of you are desperately seeking running back help, and in Ealey you've got an interesting option. Mark Richt thought enough of his young back to give him 17 carries against Florida. If this frosh can see 17 against Tennessee Tech then you've got yourself at least 100 and a touch.
Sit Em
Daniel Thomas, Kansas State vs. Kansas
Thomas welcomes Kansas to town. And this Jayhawk squad is a little ornery after last week, and they've shown an ability to shut down the run, ranking 14th nationally against ground attacks.
LaMichael James, Oregon at Stanford
Stanford is solid, not great, against the run. But I'm expecting the Cardinal to play a little ball control, thus limiting the opportunities for the Ducks to move the ball. James will struggle to meet expectations.
Derrick Washington, Missouri at Baylor
Sure Baylor is near the bottom of BCS teams against the run. And Missouri should move it on the ground, however the Tigers are moving towards a more by-committee approach to running the pigskin. Washington saw 22 carries against Colorado last week, and I view this as a sign that Kendial Lawrence and De'Vion Moore will see a little more action this weekend.
Wide Receivers
Start Em
Jerrel Jernigan, Troy at Western Kentucky
Explode for 13-203-1 and fantasy owners take notice. This week he'll roam against a secondary that's 96th nationally against the pass.
Danario Alexander, Missouri at Baylor
It may be two years later than we expected, but Danario Alexander has finally become the fantasy receiver we hoped he'd become. He's suddenly a weekly lock for seven receptions, and he's an excellent target inside the 20-yard line. Baylor is a solid defense against the pass, but they have four games remaining against teams that can really wing it. By the time the season's over Baylor will have tumbled down the pass defense rankings, and this week will begin the fall.
Kerry Meier, Kansas at Kansas State
I like Todd Reesing to bust out, thus I also see his top receiver having a game against the instate rivals. Meier had an off-week against Texas Tech, and he should bounce back something huge.
Longshot Special: B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State vs. Western Michigan
Cunningham is playing pretty well, but his stats have yet to show it. Look for the Spartans to let out a little frustration against Western Michigan, and Cunningham should hit for some big plays.
Sit Em
Duke Calhoun, Memphis at Tennessee
It's called respecting your elders. Monte Kiffin baby. He'll shut down the Duke.
DeVier Posey, Ohio State at Penn State
Posey has been one of my favorites over the last couple of weeks, but the fun ends temporarily in State College.
Armon Binns, Cincinnati vs. UConn
Armon has done a very nice job of...well, coming from nowhere. And as an owner of Mardy Gilyard I'm none too pleased at this fella's emergence. So there. Welcome to the sit list buddy.
Tight Ends
Last week instead of mentioning a few tight ends that I liked, I instead threw out a few "fearless" predictions. And two of them stunk. Back to the tight ends.
Ed Dickson, Oregon at Stanford
Don't you dare give up on Steady Eddie.
Riar Geer, Colorado State vs. Texas A&M
Don't you dare give up on High Flyer Riar.
Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame vs. Navy
Rudolph hasn't scored since week five. We'll call him due.
Remember boys and girls, it's week ten. For many, this it. Make no mistake where you are...