Complete Week Thirteen Player Rankings & Projections l More Sit & Starts
Last Week's Quarterback Starts (points in parentheses):
Matt McGloin (24), Andrew Luck (28), Nathan Scheelhaase (14), Zach Collaros (43), Chandler Harnish (21), Ryan Aplin (21), Bryan Ellis (28), Blaine Gautier (24)
Grade A-. Everyone over 20 points except for Scheelhaase who found out early that all he needed to do to beat Northwestern was just turn around and hand off to Mikel LeShoure.
Last Week's Quarterback Sits:
B.J. Daniels (3), Denard Robinson (43), Stephen Morris (9), Tommy Rees (12), Ryan Griffin (DNP), David Piland (29), Jordan La Secla (0), Ryan Colburn (-3)
Grade B. Shame on me for telling you to bench Robinson and Piland did a lot better than I thought. However, four of the sits scored under 4 points.
If you are reading this, you are most likely headed to your league's championship so congratulations. This week I have worked on finding some home runs as you will need to pull out all the stops at this point if you are going to take home that sweet trophy. Get ready to gloat for the next year my brother.
Start Em!
BCS-Only
1. Cam Newton, Auburn vs. Alabama
Against the stiffest competition, Newton has stepped up and has performed better as the defenses got better. Well against Alabama, Newton will face the toughest defense he has seen all year and although this game will be a tough one, Newton will still get his shots in. You have ridden Newton all year and you can't stop now.
2. Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State vs. Michigan
It is no surprise that both teams will be playing their best in this age old rivalry but the Wolverine defense has been rather soft this year and that will be a prime situation for Pryor going off on them.
3. Rob Henry, Purdue vs. Indiana
As a Purdue alum, I have seen many Bucket games and no matter how bad Purdue is, they always rise up and play well against the Hoosiers. Henry played very well last week against Michigan State and will do even better against the Indiana defense. They will have no answer for his speed and he should rush for over 100 yards and total at least three touchdowns.
4. T.J. Yates, North Carolina vs. Duke
Yates has been pretty inconsistent but when he is on, he is a lock for around 400 yards passing and a few touchdowns. Against an in-state rival, expect Yates to really put it on the Blue Devils.
All-120
1. Alex Carder, Western Michigan vs. Bowling Green
Carder is unstoppable in MAC play and he will charge right at Bowling Green. Carder can certainly hurt a defense through the air but is also a dangerous scrambler. Expect Carder to be worth at least four total touchdowns as the Broncos pluck the Falcons.
2. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada vs. Boise State
625 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, 278 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns. Those are the numbers that Kaepernick has put up in his three games against Boise State. That is a fantasy average of 35 points per meeting. This is probably the most important matchup between these two teams in Kaepernick's era and you have to believe that he will certainly step up one last time.
3. Kolton Browning, Louisiana-Monroe vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
Browning has been on fire lately with 11 total touchdowns in his last three conference games. He is mastering the passing attack and is also leading his team in rushing. Against the rival Cajuns, it will be a shootout and Browning will definitely come out with guns blazing.
4. Ryan Lindley, San Diego State vs. UNLV
UNLV has an underrated defense but Lindley is playing incredibly well and has shown the ability to take his team on his shoulders as witnessed by his 500+ yard passing, 5 touchdown day against Utah last week. The ground game will find more success against the Runnin' Rebels so Lindley will not have to shoulder the offensive load by himself, but he certainly will be worth at least 300 yards and three touchdowns.
Sit Em! Quarterbacks
BCS Only
1. Cody Hawkins, Colorado vs. Nebraska
Hawkins has been playing quite well despite the firing of his father but will hit a wall against the Cornhusker defense.
2. Ben Chappell, Indiana vs. Purdue
The Boilermakers have been playing hard and while they are out of bowl contention, they will certainly bring their 'A' game for the Old Oaken Bucket contest. Chappell will be thoroughly harassed by Ryan Kerrigan and is better suited riding the pine this week.
3. Geno Smith, West Virginia vs. Pitt
The Backyard Brawl will be in full swing as Pitt is playing for a BCS berth. The Mountaineers have not faced a stronger defensive line than that of the Panthers and Smith will struggle in this game.
4. Christian Ponder, Florida State vs. Florida
Ponder has been dealing with an elbow injury lately and regardless if he is at full health against the Gators, he would not be a good start. The Gators have lived by their defensive all season and that will not change against the Seminoles.
All-120
1. Jake Heaps, BYU vs. Utah
The Holy War will provide a huge test for the vastly improved Heaps but he will still struggle to do much against the Utes.
2. Jordan Wynn, Utah vs. BYU
Heaps has been playing well lately while Wynn has struggled a bit (outside of the San Diego State game). BYU will certainly step up in this game and Wynn will put up less than desirable numbers.
3. David Piland, Houston vs. Texas Tech
Everytime I have said to sit Piland, he somehow goes off and everytime I say to start him, he sputters. This time I feel good about this one. Last year when Houston played the Red Raiders, the quarterback threw for 435 yards, a touchdown, and a pick but that was Case Keenum. Piland is no Keenum, the Texas Tech defense is playing better than last year, and this game is in Lubbock. Trust me. Sit Piland.
4. Boo Jackson, Ohio vs. Kent State
Kent State has the one of the best defenses in their conference and will be playing hard in what will be head coach Doug Martin's last game. Sorry Boo.