Complete Week Twelve Player Rankings & Projections l More Sit & Starts
Last Week's Quarterback Starts (points in parentheses):
Geno Smith (28), Aaron Murray (28), Danny O'Brien (30), Ryan Katz (16), Jake Heaps (33), Jordan Wynn (5), Brian Anderson (26), David Piland (19)
Grade C. Wynn really laid an egg while Katz and Piland were unexpectedly bad. Outside of those two, the rest of the starts were decent. Decent, not spectacular.
Last Week's Quarterback Sits:
Dan Persa (33), Ryan Nassib (8), Tyrod Taylor (21), Terrelle Pryor (19), Jeffrey Godfrey (21), Trevor Vittatoe (4), Corey Robinson (19), Ryan Radcliff (33)
Grade B. Radcliff and Persa hurt but everyone else was down this week which made them good to ride the pine.
Well the playoffs are here folks and hopefully you’re still in the thick of it. If not, better luck next year. But for those non-losers, here are a select few starts and sits that could send you to the championship game.
Start Em!
BCS-Only
1. Matt McGloin, Penn State vs. Indiana
A former walk-on, McGloin has revitalized a stagnant Nittany Lion offense by giving a passing balance to the team. In the three game that he has started this year, McGloin has thrown seven touchdowns and just two picks. The coaching staff will not make McGloin win the game for them but he makes the running game so much better and thus his play action passes have a little more zip to them. Against the Hoosiers, expect to see a steady does of Silas Redd and Evan Royster but for McGloin to get his through the air.
2. Andrew Luck, Stanford vs. Cal
I know this is ‘The Game’ and the Golden Bears will step up, but their defense has no answer for Luck. He can knife apart their secondary and when they are on their heels, he can even gouge them on the ground. Top talent rises to the occasion and you can expect Luck to ascend in this game.
3. Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois vs. Northwestern
This is going to be a huge game for the Illini as it is against their in-state rival and it is being played at historic Wrigley Field. With that being said, I just do not think the Wildcats have an answer for the mercurial Scheelhaase. In the last four games, Scheelhaase has thrown for 11 touchdowns and zero picks while also averaging around 75 yards rushing.
4. Zach Collaros, Cincinnati vs. Rutgers
Collaros is coming off an injury and didn’t look too good against West Virginia but I see him getting back in the groove especially against a reeling Rutgers team.
All-120
1. Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois vs. Ball State
The Huskie offense is rolling and the catalyst is Harnish. He is a high percentage passer but is also dangerous as a runner as witnessed by his 149 yards rushing last week against Toledo. Ball State will attempt to bottle Chad Spann and that will leave Harnish free to run or throw all over them.
2. Ryan Aplin, Arkansas State vs. Navy
Aplin has been a star all of this year which is saying something considering his incredibly difficult schedule and the fact that it is his first year in a new system and as a starter. Aplin can knife apart opposing secondaries but is also a dangerous runner. Navy is normally a discipline and stingy defense but after giving up nearly 400 yards passing last week to Central Michigan, I can safely give Aplin my vote of confidence against the Middies.
3. Bryan Ellis, UAB vs. Memphis
I have been pretty high on Ellis all year as I have been impressed at how well he has performed considering it is his first year as a starter. While Ellis has made me look stupid at times, he is on a roll and will continue that against Memphis. Last week, Ellis torched the East Carolina secondary to the tune of 400+ yards passing and five touchdowns. Expect something close to that this week against the Tigers.
4. Blaine Gautier, Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Florida International
Gautier got his first start of the season last week against Florida Atlantic and did incredibly well finishing with 254 yards passing, two touchdowns, and one pick but also rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown. Whenever you can find a guy who leads his team in passing and rushing, you know you have a fantasy star on your hands. Gautier is most definitely available in your league and should be a nice start.
Sit Em! Quarterbacks
BCS Only
1. B.J. Daniels, USF vs. Pittsburgh
I have been thoroughly unimpressed by Daniels this year as he just seems to not fit into Skip Holtz’ offense and has struggled because of it. While he is leading his team to wins, he has not been the fantasy darling he was expected to be. On the opposing side of the ball, Pittsburgh has been struggling a bit but they will put pressure on the Floridian signal caller and you will need only wait a short while to watch him implode.
2. Denard Robinson, Michigan vs. Wisconsin
I never thought I would need to put Robinson on this side of the list but he has been struggling lately as defenses are starting to figure him out. The Badger ‘D’ is playing really well lately and they just have a lot to play for. Look for them to pressure Robinson with J.J. Watt, contain him with a slew of fast linebackers and Jay Valai at safety, and make him beat them with his arm.
3. Stephen Morris, Miami vs. Virginia Tech
Morris has been playing pretty well lately but he is still a freshman and will do well not to wet himself during this game.
4. Tommy Rees, Notre Dame vs. Army
Rees handled himself really well against a tough opponent in Utah but will actually have more difficulty in the Black Knights. Why? Well Army runs a different defense that can be confusing to a young signal caller and they have a blazing fast defensive end in Josh McNary and I have personally seen the tackles of the Irish struggle with speed rushers.
All-120
1. Ryan Griffin, Tulane vs. UCF
Griffin is probable for this game which is reason enough to sit him. However, even if he does play, Griffin will be shut down by the stifling UCF defense. They field an amazing defensive end in Bruce Miller and will bottle up tailback Orleans Darkwa thus making Griffin try and win the game through the air.
2. David Piland, Houston vs. Southern Miss
I lost all confidence in Piland after a five pick day last week against the worst pass defense in the nation and against a defense like Southern Miss, I do not see his stock rising.
3. Jordan La Secla, San Jose State vs. Hawaii
La Secla finally put together a good game last week as he threw for 331 yards and two scores while also rushing for another touchdown. However, that was against Utah State and against the Warriors of Hawaii, La Secla will be playing from behind the entire game which will make his day a lot harder than the one against Utah State.
4. Ryan Colburn, Fresno State vs. Boise State
Colburn is a good quarterback and has performed well even against top competition. He threw for four touchdowns against Cincinnati in the season opener and tossed another four scores against Mississippi two weeks later. Well Boise State has a better defense than both of those squads and they have a lot to play for at this time of the year. Look for the Broncos to play with their hair on fire, shut down Robbie Rouse and the ground game, and then thoroughly harass Colburn.