Complete Week One Player Rankings & Projections l More Sit & Starts
Week Three presents a better opportunity to look at statistical trends. Sure most teams are still beating up on the Weak Sisters of the Blind and Poor, however if you look hard enough you can see a team's personality and skill taking shape.
So my Start and Sit recommendations should be awesome this week, right...right?
Last Week's Running Back Starts (points in parenthesis):
John Clay (26), Mikel LeShoure (24), Darren Evans (4), Andre Ellington (7), Duane Bennett (24), Ed Wesley (15), Charles Clay (17), Sam McGuffie (17), Zach Line (27)
Grade: Let's pretend Evans isn't on that list. B
Last Week's Running back Sits:
Dion Lewis (14), Marc Tyler (8), LaMichael James (19), Trent Richardson (25), Seth Smith (1), Dwayne Priest (2), Donald Buckram (DNP)
Grade: Let's pretend Richardson and James aren't on that list...gotta get some credit for Dion Lewis, right? B-
Start Em! Running Backs
BCS-Only
Darius Willis, Indiana vs. Western Kentucky
Ben Chappell is on the QB Start List, why not go all in with those mighty Hoosiers?
Daniel Thomas, Kansas State vs. Iowa State
Thomas is becoming THE sure thing at the running back spot. You know he'll get his, and the Cyclones struggle to stop the run.
Edwin Baker, Michigan State vs. Notre Dame
Notre Dame has played two Big Ten teams (Purdue and Michigan) that have very similar talent to the Spartans. And the two Big Ten teams have run wild on the Irish. Baker is the MSU home run back.
Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina vs. Furman
The Ball Coach has said he's going to keep feeding his freshman the ball, and Lattimore looks like one of the best running backs to enter the SEC in recent years.
All-120
Bobby Rainey, Western Kentucky vs. Indiana
Rainey has done it against Nebraska, so he sure as hell can get it done against the Hoosiers. I'm expecting a shootout.
Zach Line, SMU vs. Washington State
As Kyle Padron struggles a bit, I'm going to stick with Mr. Line. He's only averaging 14 carries per game, but in this offense he finds plenty of wide open spaces.
Eddie Wide, Utah at New Mexico
It's really unfair to deem New Mexico (ranked 120) the worst defense in the country as they've only had to play Oregon and Texas Tech during the first two weeks. However after facing two wide open attacks they're going to see more of a smashmouth style against the Utes, and they will struggle to stop Wide.
Doug Martin, Boise at Wyoming
The Cowboys held their own against Texas last week, but they're going to struggle to keep up with the well-oiled machine coming over from Boise. I take some ribbing here at HQ, but my love for Doug Martin knows no boundaries.
Sit Em! Running Backs
BCS Only
John Clay, Wisconsin vs. Arizona State
Ok, this one is with a caveat. John Clay is likely your RB1, so play him. I've just been very impressed with the majority of the Pac-10, and the Badgers looked a little iffy last week. This game will be more of a slugfest, thus Clay will struggle to get his.
Duane Bennett, Minnesota vs. USC
Bennett has been a great play the last couple of weeks, however this stops temporarily in Week Three.
Tauren Poole, Tennessee vs. Florida
Oregon's domination in Knoxville last Saturday night is in the rearview mirror, and Derek Dooley will have his boys ready when Urban's boys come to town. This game has 21-10 written all over it, and the Gators will look to take Poole out of the equation.
All-120
Bryce Beall, Houston at UCLA
UCLA is not a very good team, I realize this. However their backs are entirely against the wall, and the Bruins will come out fighting, right? I've recommended a sit for Keenum as well, so this is a feast or famine dealio.
Sam McGuffie, Rice vs. Northwestern
McGuffie is a great spot starter when the matchups are right. This week isn't right; the Wildcats are picking up a little steam.
Thomas Merriweather, Miami (Oh) at Colorado State
Colorado State's defense is horrible against the run, however they've played a Big 12 team in Colorado and a bunch of horses in Nevada. Miami doesn't bring that type of offense.