Complete Week One Player Rankings & Projections l More Sit & Starts
Like Kyle Padron, Brian McDonald has gotten a quick hook from the weekly quarterback sit/start piece. Robert Griffin tossing five touchdowns against TCU sealed his fate. The fantasy veteran should have known that you never sit a guy like RG3, regardless of the rankings and opponent. Even if that opponent is the nation's top defense from the previous season. Last year is last year. Brian will sit in the penalty box this week and feel shame.
So I've been called in from the bench, and like SMU quarterback J.J. McDermott, I'm fighting for the permanent starting spot this week. I'm holding nothing back. Hopefully, I can perform better than my counterpart and hold on to the job for a few weeks.
Note, you won't find Case Keenum, Geno Smith and the like on our start lists. These fellas are too obvious. Our goal is to highlight the not-so-obvious players to start or some of the hot names to sit.
Start Em! Quarterbacks
BCS-Only
Tyler Bray, Tennessee vs Cincinnati
Underrated game of the week. This one could be full of offense. The Vols' passing game was hot last week, putting up 293 yards and three scores. With receivers Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers to throw to each week, Bray has weapons at his disposal. And they haven't unleashed freshman DeAnthony Arnett yet. I suspect we'll see this long ball threat sooner rather than later, giving Bray another toy with which to play. The Vols won't be able to just grind this one out SEC-style, and Bray should be the benefactor.
Denard Robinson, Michigan vs. Notre Dame
Last week did nothing to assuage the fears that Brady Hoke's offense will limit Robinson's fantasy production. However, last week's game against Western Michigan was the perfect recipe for a poor fantasy showing. The Broncos carved out a few long drives early and two Michigan defensive touchdowns simply kept the ball out of Robinson's hands. Add in the fact that the Broncos couldn't stop the run and the game was called before the end of the third quarter, and Robinson never had a chance to put up numbers (Michigan only had 18 minutes time of possession). A perfect storm if you will.
The double tight end formation in the red zone is a concern, but D-Rob spent plenty of time wheeling and dealing from the shotgun last week as well. Look for more shotgun looks this week as the Wolverines will find the traditional running game more difficult against the Irish. It's under the lights at Michigan Stadium...start Mr. Robinson.
Kain Colter, Northwestern vs. Eastern Illinois
Put a big old asterisk next to this one. Assuming that Dan Persa isn't named the starter before game time, Colter is a good play. Persa will likely get some reps to gauge where he's at and brush off some rust. But I can't see Coach Pat Fitzgerald giving him a heavy workload against Eastern Illinois. Especially after the way Colter played on the road against Boston College last Saturday. This looks like easy pickings for Colter and the Wildcats.
Marshall Lobbestael, Washington State vs. UNLV
The fantasy buzz was loud surrounding Wazzu in the preseason and even with Jeff Tuel out for the year, it should remain this way. This week against UNLV at least. Wisconsin tore through the Rebels like a D2 school in Week One. While Wazzu doesn't have nearly the firepower as the Badgers, they have enough weapons to put up some points. If you're in a jam, Lobbestael could get you out of it as a sleeper QB2.
All-120
Brett Smith, Wyoming vs Texas State
Wyoming opens up the season with two cream puffs. What a great way to get your young quarterback into a rhythm. Last week the freshman threw the ball 41 times against Weber State, racking up 294 yards passing and three scores. Smith also got it done on the ground, adding 44 yards and another score to his Week One total. There is no reason to believe he can't do it again against Texas State this week. Texas Tech racked up 505 yards of total offense against the Bobcats last week.
Kriss Proctor, Navy vs. Western Kentucky
The Hilltoppers held Kentucky to under 100 yards rushing and 200 yards in total offense, so why the play here? Call it a fluke. Western Kentucky was 99th in total defense last season. Chalk last week up to an inept Kentucky offense. Proctor & Co. will be more than they can handle in Week Two. Look for an enormous number of combined rushing yards and attempts in this one.
Jeff Godfrey, UCF vs. Boston College
Boston College is still licking their wounds from the Wildcats thrashing them in their own place. Now they have to head to Orlando for a night game against the Knights. Godfrey is a young gun looking to prove he's ready for elite status. Not an ideal play as a QB1, but don't shy away from him as a QB2 just because an ACC opponent is on tap.
Chazz Anderson, Buffalo vs. Stony Brook
Anderson may not have found the end zone last week against Pitt, but he threw the ball 49 times. He'll find things much easier at home against Stony Brook. A solid sleeper play at QB2 this week.
J.J. McDermott or Kyle Padron, SMU vs. UTEP?
If not for a juicy matchup against UTEP's pass defense, I would simply put the pair on the sit list. I also know this is a cop out and you want answers. If you're desperate and looking for a Hail Mary, the play here is McDermott. He's going to get the start and given the Miners' previous struggles to stop balls thrown through the air, he should thrive. I fully expect Padron to also see significant reps starting in the second quarter, which will keep both from putting up huge numbers. This is a job audition for both parties, and right now McDermott is the one with nothing to lose. If you're just itching to play an SMU quarterback, go with McDermott.
Sit Em! Quarterbacks
BCS Only
Tevin Washington, Georgia Tech vs. Middle Tennessee State
Middle Tennessee State sounds like a pushover, right? Not quite. The Raiders were 30th in pass defense last year holding teams to under 200 yards per game. Obviously Georgia Tech doesn't butter its bread through the air, but in order for Washington to be a fantasy threat, he has to be able to connect on one or two deep balls to receiver Stephen Hill. I don't see that as a given this week, and there are too many vultures at running back to make Washington a confidence play.
James Vandenberg, Iowa vs. Iowa State
Fantastic start by the big Dutchman. With running back Marcus Coker doing his best to fumble the game away, Vandenberg rallied the troops with two scores through the air and one on the ground. One problem, this week's opponent isn't Tennessee Tech. Iowa State will put up a better fight, and Iowa will return to the ground and pound.
Barrett Trotter, Auburn vs. Mississippi State
Trotter was money last week, completing 73.9 percent of his passes for 261 yards and three scores. But this week the Tigers aren't playing Utah State. Mississippi State is the most underrated team in the SEC, and Dan Mullen's squad is poised for an upset. The Bulldogs have held nine of their last 13 opponents under 20 points per game. The Tigers will drop their first game since Nov. 27, 2009.
Aaron Murray, Georgia vs. South Carolina
Georgia's offense looked awful last week. I can't imagine them looking much better against an SEC defense. If the Bulldogs drop two in a row, coach Mark Richt might not make it to see a third.
Robert Griffin, Baylor vs. Bye
Sit him!
All-120
Casey Pachall, TCU vs. Air Force
Last week's TCU/Baylor game turned into a wild-and-wooly affair. Look for this week's TCU contest come down to Earth, literally. Both teams will try to establish the run more than that forward pass thing. A repeat of Pachell's four passing touchdowns is unlikely.
Tyler Lantrip, Nevada at Oregon
Nevada is in the unenviable position of having to face the Oregon Ducks after a loss. Add to the fact that Nevada has yet to get their feet wet and is also breaking in a new group of running backs, and Lantrip should remain on your bench for another week.
Tim Jefferson, Air Force vs. TCU
The losses in TCU's secondary showed last week as RG3 lofted ball after ball down the sideline for scores against the nation's top defense in 2010. Don't look for the Horned Frogs to give up scores as easily this week. Jefferson was solid in the Falcons' debut, accounting for three scores; he'll have a much tougher time in Week Two.