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Well, in most leagues this is your last week to squeak out a playoff berth so you are no doubt aiming for the fences. This is not the time to go conservative as it could leave you moping around in shame as you wait for bowl season to arrive. If you have already locked up your starting spot, be sure to still pay attention as a better seed never hurts. And for those out of contention, read the below suggestions in hopes of crushing the playoff dreams of one of your friends. Regardless of where you are in the standings, Week 10 has arrived.
Last Week's Running Back Starts: Rolandan Finch (36), Cameron Marshall (29), Stephen Houston (30), Mike Ball (10), Kenny Turner (14), Zach Line (23)
Grade: A. Outside of Ball these were better picks than I could have ever imagined.
Last Week's Running Back Sits: Silas Redd (19), Dustin Garrison (3), Dominique Whaley (0), Ja'Terian Douglas (4), Joseph Banyard (3), Brandon Rutley (8)
Grade: B. Redd played much better than expected but nobody else broke double-digits. I call that a pretty good prognostication.
Start Em! Running Backs
BCS-Only
Daniel Herron, Ohio State vs. Indiana
It is possible that Herron is still in your league's waiver pool and this is a great time to add him to your roster. The Hoosiers are giving up well over 200 rushing yards per game so Herron should get at least half that number in this blowout.
James White, Iowa State vs. Kansas
It is too easy at times to pick on the hapless Jayhawks, but here I go anyway. Iowa State is coming off an epic win over Texas Tech where White carried the rushing load, so expect him to see plenty of yardage against Turner Gill's squad.
Perry Jones, Virginia vs. Maryland
With Jones you are never fully sure how he will get his numbers but lately he just has. Even with Kevin Parks vulturing touchdowns, Jones will see plenty of production against the Terps as the team seems to revolve around him in the rushing and receiving game. Jones should reach the end zone at least once and could push toward 150 total yards in this game.
Brandon Harton, Georgia vs. New Mexico State
Now I know that he is available in your league and with Ken Malcome, Isaiah Crowell, and Carlton Thomas suspended as well as Richard Samuel nursing a sprained ankle, Harton will be the main man for one week. It just so happens that that week is against the Aggies of New Mexico State.
All-120
Jahwan Edwards, Ball State vs. Eastern Michigan
Edwards started off the season red hot, but has since cooled, rushing for just 82 yards in the past two weeks. However, he has reached paydirt in every conference game this year and should see multiple scores against Eastern Michigan.
Alonzo Harris, Louisiana vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Harris is coming off a monster performance but may have still snuck under the radar in a few leagues. If he is available, snatch him up for this weekend's rivalry game against the Warhawks. While it is doubtful he will match last week's outing, the Ragin' Cajuns know what they have in the freshman and will work him plenty against Louisiana-Monroe.
Jamal Woodyard, Southern Miss vs. East Carolina
With Kendrick Hardy still out due to injury, freshman Woodyard has really stepped up, rushing for over 100 yards the past two weeks. This weekend against the Pirates he should notch his third such performance, which makes him a solid start as you push towards playoff stardom.
Sit Em! Running Backs
BCS-Only
Zach Brown, Pitt vs. Cincinnati
It will be tempting to snag Brown now that Ray Graham is out for the year, but don't jump on the bandwagon just yet. Brown caught a ton of passes last week but was not an effective rusher, and when you add the top five rushing defense of the Bearcats, you have all the more reason to let him ride the pine.
Fitzgerald Toussaint, Michigan vs. Iowa
For the first time seemingly all season, the Wolverines have decided on a starting running back but make no mistake that against the Hawkeyes, the team's leading rusher will still be Denard Robinson. I don't expect Toussaint to get many carries and thus many yards against the Kirk Ferentz/Norm Parker defense.
Zac Stacy, Vanderbilt vs. Florida
Stacy and Jordan Rodgers have been the catalysts of the Vanderbilt offensive,but they will have some trouble against the Gators. The Gator secondary is not as stout as years past but their front seven is solid and athletic.
All-120
Robbie Rouse, Fresno State vs. Louisiana Tech
Maybe it is because they have such a terrible pass defense but the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech have one of the nation's best rushing defenses, giving up just over 100 yards per game. This game should feature Derek Carr airing it out to Jalen Saunders but not a huge outing for Rouse.
Orleans Darkwa, Tulane vs. SMU
Darkwa has not been the productive workhorse we expected him to be, but he does reach the end zone a decent amount, which is why he is still on many rosters. However, against a stingy SMU defense and a Mustang offense that will make the score lopsided early, the Green Wave will be looking to the air to keep in this one.