Complete Week One Player Rankings & Projections l More Sit & Starts
If you're sitting at 1-4, please read the following: Put down that trade! I know it is Week 5 and you are desperate for a win but you don't really want to do that, do you? Step back, take a deep breath, and check out the start and sit recommendations below.
If you are rolling with 3+ wins, read this: You are doing well and you are in the thick of it. Don't ease up now. Go for the home run ball and tighten your grip around your opponent's throat. Start some of these gems to tack on another 'W'.
Last Week's Running Back Starts: Eric Stephens (26), Giovani Bernard (20), John White (4), Jawon Chisholm (18), Javonti Greene (1), Trey Watts (8)
Grade: B. I couldn't have predicted Greene going down with an injury or the injury to Jordan Wynn impacting White so greatly. Chisholm, Stephens, and Bernard came through quite nicely, though.
Last Week's Running Back Sits: Chris Rainey (3), Cyrus Gray (21), Mike Ball (3), Reggie Bullock (7)
Grade: B. Outside of Gray going off on the Razorbacks, these are very respectable sits.
Start Em! Running Backs
BCS-Only
Michael Dyer, Auburn vs. Arkansas
Last week the Razorbacks gave up over 380 rushing yards and five ground scores to the Aggies. While I doubt Auburn will roll up those numbers, you can bet Dyer will see plenty of carries deep into the game as he continues to carry his team.
Isaiah Crowell, Georgia vs. Tennessee
Crowell is firmly entrenched as the starter now and is a focal point of the offense. Crowell should see mid-20s in carries as well as a few passes, which is more than enough work to gash the Vols' linebacking corps.
Antwon Bailey, Syracuse vs. Tulane
Bailey has quietly been averaging 20 carries per game and has three 100-yard games under his belt so far. Against the Green Wave, the Orange should feed Bailey plenty of carries and even a few passes.
All-120
Anthon Samuel, Bowling Green vs. Western Michigan
This Floridian freshman is averaging 107 rushing yards per game while the Broncos are giving up almost 180 per contest. Samuel is a threat to take it to paydirt at any moment and could have one or two of those moments during this game.
Morgan Williams, Toledo vs. Eastern Michigan
With Adonis Thomas still healing, former 1,000-yard back Williams has been filling in just fine. Since Thomas went down against Syracuse, Williams has rushed for three touchdowns and even had a 120-yard outing against a stingy Temple defense. Now the Rockets will welcome in the Eagles of Ypsilanti and Williams should run roughshod all over them.
Reggie Bullock, East Carolina vs. Houston
All the talk this offseason was whether or not Chevelle Buie would be cleared to play for the Pirates. There was little fanfare surrounding Bullock, a junior college transfer. Well here we are five weeks into the season and unfortunately Buie is not with the team, and Bullock has risen to the top of the depth chart. He gives the Pirates a legitimate feature back. So far this season, East Carolina has seen a murderer's row of opponents but against UAB, their first conference foe, Bullock went off for 169 yards and a touchdown. The Cougars just got done giving up over 200 yards rushing to UTEP's Joseph Banyard, so expect Bullock to get free on Saturday.
Sit Em! Running Backs
BCS-Only
Montel Harris, Boston College vs. Clemson
Harris has not faced a defense this tough all year and I see the score getting lopsided real fast. This will place the Eagles into catch-up mode, thus limiting Harris' touches.
Lyle McCombs, Connecticut vs. West Virginia
While the 3-3-5 defense can be suspect against power running teams, I just don't see McCombs getting much accomplished regardless of the amount of carries he logs. The Huskies cannot stop the pass, so Geno Smith should get the score up pretty early. This will lead UConn to pass in order to catch up.
John Hubert, Kansas State vs. Missouri
Missouri has been solid against the run this season, allowing just 87 yards per game. Hubert will also lose carries to his quarterback, Collin Klein, so it's best to sit this diminutive Wildcat.
All-120
Robbie Rouse, Fresno State vs. Boise State
Rouse has rushed for over 100 yards in four straight weeks, but that streak stops here. The Broncos are giving up just 112 yards per game and have not allowed a 100-yard rusher despite playing Georgia, Tulsa, Nevada, and Toledo.
Orleans Darkwa, Tulane vs. Syracuse
Darkwa is finally healthy and is running strong, but the Orange are surprisingly very good against the run. They are yielding an average of 102 yards a game and should easily lock down the Green Wave rushing attack.