Week 3 College Fantasy Start 'Em and Sit 'Em
This week's schedule features a few interesting conference battles and a slew of intriguing non-conference matchups. Our Michael Hurcomb helps you exploit the right matchups in his Week 3 edition of Start 'Em and Sit 'Em.
Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is our weekly look at the best and worst matchups from around the NCAA and how they might affect your lineup decisions regarding your College Fantasy Football team. We are not in the business of stating the obvious, so this column doesn't highlight starting already established collegians like Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy or any other top-tier players.
We take into account all types of formats from 120-team to single-conference player pools. This information might not apply to you specifically, but with such a massive range of players, we are doing our best to cast a wide net.
      ACC
Start of the Week: Maryland RB Da'Rel       Scott (vs. Middle Tennessee State) 
Analysis: The 
      Terps have been unimpressive in their first two games, but Week 3 
      against Middle Tennessee State provides them with an opportunity to make 
      a statement. Scott only needed 11 carries in 2008 against the Blue 
      Raiders to rack up 123 yards and one score. He is averaging 5.3 yards 
      per carry in 2009, so the wheels are already churning.  
Other 
      solid options: Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor 
      (vs. Nebraska); North Carolina QB T.J. Yates 
      (vs. East Carolina)
    
      Sit of the Week: Florida State QB Christian       Ponder (at BYU) 
Analysis: Ponder has pretty much been 
      the Seminoles' offense this season, as he is 10th in the nation in total 
      offense (326.5 ypg). However, BYU did a pretty good job bottling up Sam       Bradford in Week 1 before knocking him out with a shoulder 
      injury and have looked excellent on defense. They rank 12th in scoring 
      (8.0 ppg) and 17th in total defense (213.5 ypg). 
Other potential 
      sits: Clemson RB C.J. Spiller (vs. 
      Boston College); Duke QB Thaddeus Lewis 
      (at Kansas); Miami RB Graig Cooper (vs. 
      Georgia Tech)
    
      Big East
Start of the Week: Pittsburgh RB Dion       Lewis (vs. Navy) 
Analysis: Lewis has been the hottest 
      Fantasy addition and rightfully so. The true freshman back has exploded 
      on the scene with 319 rushing yards and four touchdowns in his first two 
      games. He is also a quality pass-catching back, with eight receptions 
      for 56 yards and one score. Navy does have the 34th ranked run defense 
      (82.0 ypg), however, former Pitt RB LeSean McCoy ran all over the 
      Middies in 2008 to the tune of 156 yards and three scores. Now that you 
      have the freshman on your team, don't be afraid to use him right away. 
Other 
      solid options: Connecticut RB Jordan Todman 
      (at Baylor); Rutgers QB Tom Savage (vs. 
      Florida International); Cincinnati QB Tony Pike 
      (at Oregon State)
    
      Sit of the Week: Louisville RB Victor       Anderson (at Kentucky) 
Analysis: Anderson was bottled 
      up by Kentucky in 2008. He gained just 31 yards on 12 carries in a 27-2 
      loss. Both teams are coming off byes and wins in Week 1, when Anderson 
      rushed for 93 yards and two scores. However, Kentucky is one of the best 
      defenses in the country and allowed just 62 rushing yards in Week 1. Add 
      the fact that Bilal Powell is also 
      emerging as another threat in the UL backfield; it could be a rough week 
      for Anderson. 
Other potential sits: West Virginia QB Jarrett       Brown (at Auburn)
    
      Big 12
Start of the Week: Oklahoma State QB Zac       Robinson (vs. Rice) 
Analysis: The Cowboys, reeling 
      from a shocking loss to Houston, will likely have to face Rice without 
      RB Kendall Hunter (leg), but they won't 
      need him to get back on track. Rice has been awful the first two weeks, 
      ranking dead last in scoring defense (49.5 ppg). UAB QB Joe       Webb totaled four touchdowns in Week 1 against the Owls, and 
      Texas Tech QB Taylor Potts followed 
      that in Week 2 with seven passing touchdowns. 
Other solid options: Kansas 
      QB Todd Reesing (vs. Duke); Colorado TE Riar       Geer (vs. Wyoming); Nebraska TE Mike       McNeill (at Virginia Tech); Texas A&M WR Jeff       Fuller (vs. Utah State)
    
      Sit of the Week: Kansas State WR Brandon       Banks (at UCLA) 
Analysis: Banks has been one of 
      Fantasy's biggest disappointments to date. He has just 10 catches for 
      100 yards through two games and has yet to find the end zone. We figure 
      his troubles will continue in Week 3 against the Bruins, who held 
      Tennessee to just 93 passing yards on Saturday.  
Other potential 
      sits: Baylor RB Jay Finley (vs. 
      Connecticut); Texas Tech RB Baron Batch 
      (at Texas)
    
      Big Ten
Start of the Week: Ohio State QB Terrelle       Pryor (at Toledo) 
Analysis: The Rockets haven't 
      played a lot defense in their first two games. They have allowed 85 
      points, as well as 493 yards per game (110th). Ohio State might not have 
      a very appealing offense, but this is a week where Pryor will definitely 
      be motivated to make a big statement after last week's loss to USC. 
      Also, Toledo has allowed seven passing touchdowns in their first two 
      games. 
Other solid options: Penn State WR Graham       Zug (vs. Temple); Michigan State RB Caulton       Ray (at Notre Dame); Purdue QB Joey       Elliott (vs. Northern Illinois)
    
      Sit of the Week: Northwestern RB Stephen       Simmons (at Syracuse) 
Analysis: While Syracuse hasn't 
      been impressive in many facets of the game in 2009, they have been 
      pretty solid against the run. No player has broken 100 yards against the 
      Orange and even Penn State's Evan Royster 
      could manage just 3.4 yards per carry. Simmons has broken 70 yards in 
      each of his first two games and scored twice last week against Eastern 
      Michigan, but it won't be easy sledding on the ground in Week 3. 
Other 
      potential sits: Minnesota QB Adam Weber 
      (vs. California); Iowa TE Tony Moeaki 
      (vs. Arizona)
    
      Conference USA
Start of the Week: SMU QB Bo       Levi Mitchell (at Washington State) 
Analysis: Mitchell 
      continues to be plagued by a high interception rate and that is 
      preventing him from being a must-start Fantasy QB. However, Week 3 
      should provide the opportunity for Fantasy owners to start Mitchell. He 
      goes up against a Washington State team that has struggled to stop 
      everyone since Paul Wulff took over as head coach last season. The 
      Cougars rank 117th in pass defense (341.0 ypg), and the good news for 
      Mitchell is that they have yet to record an interception in two games. 
Other 
      solid options: UCF RB Brynn Harvey 
      (vs. Buffalo); UAB TE Jeffery Anderson 
      (at Troy)
    
      Sit of the Week: Tulsa RB Charles Clay 
      (at Oklahoma) 
Analysis: The Sooners will be the Golden 
      Hurricanes' third straight road game but by far their toughest 
      competition. Clay leads Tulsa with two rushing touchdowns, but he had 
      just two carries for seven yards the last time he faced the Sooners in 
      2007. Also, the Oklahoma front seven might be one of the most impressive 
      units in the country. They are allowing just three rushing yards per 
      game. 
Other potential sits: East Carolina QB Patrick       Pinkney (at North Carolina); Southern Miss QB Austin       Davis (vs. Virginia)
    
      FBS Independents
Start of the Week: Army RB Patrick       Mealy (vs. Ball State) 
Analysis: The Cardinals have 
      had trouble stopping the run this season (203.0 ypg) and now face a team 
      that does nothing but run out of the triple option. Mealy has been the 
      team's best back in two games. He has a team-high 208 yards and is 
      averaging 13.9 yards per carry. 
Other solid options: Notre 
      Dame WR Michael Floyd (vs. Michigan 
      State)
    
      Sit of the Week: Navy RB Alexander Teich 
      (at Pittsburgh) 
Analysis: The Panthers did a good job of 
      stopping the triple option in 2008, holding the Midshipmen to 194 
      rushing yards. Fullback Eric Kettani was held to eight carries for 13 
      yards, so Teich has his work cut out for him against the nation's 18th 
      ranked run defense (56.5 ypg). 
Other potential sits: Notre 
      Dame TE Kyle Rudolph (vs. Michigan 
      State)
    
      MAC
Start of the Week: Bowling Green RB Willie       Geter (at Marshall) 
Analysis: Geter is a bit of an 
      unknown in Fantasy circles, but after Week 3 he could definitely pop on 
      the radar. Geter leads the Falcons with 148 rushing yards. He had a 
      203-yard performance in 2007 against Kent State but has pretty much 
      disappeared ever since. He is starting to find his rhythm again under 
      first-year coach Dave Clawson. Geter had 123 total yards (99 rushing) 
      and one touchdown last week against Missouri and now faces the nation's 
      116th rushing defense (274.5 ypg). 
Other solid options: Akron 
      WR Deryn Bowser (vs. Indiana); Western 
      Michigan WR Juan Nunez (vs. Miami 
      [Ohio]); Northern Illinois RB Me'co Brown 
      (at Purdue)
    
      Sit of the Week: Ball State RB MiQuale       Lewis (at Army) 
Analysis: Ball State has been 
      absolutely embarrassing through the first two games of the season and 
      there is a chance they are going to open the season 0-3. Army is 
      allowing just 55 rushing yards per game (17th) and Lewis is still 
      running behind a pretty inexperienced offensive line. 
Other 
      potential sits: Buffalo RB Brandon Thermilus 
      (at UCF); Temple DST (at Penn State)
    
      Mountain West
Start of the Week: Colorado State WR Rashaun       Greer (vs. Nevada) 
Analysis: The Wolfpack were pretty 
      poor against the pass in 2008 and they didn't really look improved in a 
      Week 1 loss to Notre Dame (allowed 332 passing yards). Colorado State is 
      averaging 225.5 passing yards per game and will be ready to throw the 
      ball. Greer leads the team with 212 yards on eight catches and is coming 
      off a 162-yard outing against Weber State. 
Other solid options: Utah 
      WR David Reed (at Oregon); BYU WR McKay       Jacobson (vs. Florida State); Wyoming RB Darius       Terry (at Colorado); San Diego State QB Ryan       Lindley (at Idaho)
    
      Sit of the Week: UNLV WR Ryan Wolfe 
      (vs. Hawaii) 
Analysis: Wolfe has faced the Warriors twice in 
      his illustrious career but really hasn't had a standout game. He has 12 
      catches in two games, but no touchdowns and just 127 yards. Hawaii is 
      allowing just 206.5 passing yards per game, so the Rebels might need to 
      rely on Phillip Payne and Rodelin       Anthony to open up the field. 
Other potential sits: New 
      Mexico QB Donovan Porterie (vs. Air 
      Force)
    
      Pac-10
Start of the Week: Washington State RB James       Montgomery (vs. SMU) 
Analysis: This is one of the few 
      times we might get a chance to highlight the Cougars in a positive 
      light, so we are going to take it. Montgomery, a Cal transfer, had his 
      breakout game last week against Hawaii. He rushed for 118 yards and one 
      touchdown on 17 carries. Montgomery seems to be emerging as Wazzu's top 
      back and he could be in line for another 100-yard game in Week 2. The 
      Mustangs rank 76th against the run, yielding 145.5 yards per game. 
Other 
      solid options: USC WR Damian Williams 
      (at Washington); Stanford RB Toby Gerhart 
      (vs. San Jose State)
    
      Sit of the Week: Oregon State DST (vs. Cincinnati) 
Analysis: 
      The Beavers are about to face one of the best offenses in the 
      nation. Cincinnati and QB Tony Pike come 
      to town in this top 25 matchup. The Bearcats are second in scoring 
      offense (58.5 ppg) and fifth in total offense (571.0 ypg). The Beavers 
      might be 2-0 and have the 29th best scoring defense (14.0 ppg), but they 
      have yet to face a team like Cincy. 
Other potential sits: Arizona 
      WR Terrell Turner (at Iowa); UCLA RB Johnathan       Franklin (vs. Kansas State); Oregon State QB Sean       Canfield (vs. Cincinnati)
    
      SEC
Start of the Week: LSU RB Charles       Scott (vs. La.-Lafayette) 
Analysis: Scott has been 
      one of the most disappointing Fantasy options thus far. He has just 101 
      rushing yards and one touchdown through two games. He is not even the 
      leading rusher on his own squad -- that would be Keiland       Williams. However, this is the game Scott should get on track 
      since LSU needs to make a statement after two so-so performances. Scott 
      did very well in two games against non-BCS schools in 2008. He racked up 
      262 rushing yards and four touchdowns. 
Other solid options: Alabama 
      QB Greg McElroy (vs. North Texas); 
      South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia (vs. 
      Florida Atlantic); Mississippi State RB Anthony       Dixon (at Vanderbilt)
    
      Sit of the Week: Tennessee QB Jonathan       Crompton (at Florida) 
Analysis: Crompton scored 
      Tennessee's only touchdown against the Gators in 2008 but it was on a QB 
      sneak. He passed for just 162 yards and is facing pretty much the same 
      defense. Oh yeah, let's not forget Florida will also be extra motivated 
      after Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin threw a few ill-advised jabs toward 
      the Gators in the offseason. Crompton thought UCLA was a tough opponent 
      last week (93 passing yards). Wait until he gets to The Swamp. 
Other 
      potential sits: Georgia DST (at Arkansas); Kentucky QB Mike       Hartline (vs. Louisville)
    
      Sun Belt
Start of the Week: Middle Tennessee State QB Dwight       Dasher (at Maryland) 
Analysis: Dasher has looked good 
      thus far running offensive coordinator Tony Franklin's spread offense. 
      Aside from a three-interception performance in the opener against 
      Clemson, Dasher is 20th in the nation in total offense (292.5 ypg). The 
      Maryland defense has been pretty pathetic under first-year coordinator 
      Don Brown. They rank 108th in total (479.5 ypg) and 113th in scoring 
      defense (43.5 ppg). 
Other solid options: Troy WR Jerrell       Jernigan (vs. UAB); Florida International WR Greg       Ellingson (at Rutgers)
    
      Sit of the Week: Florida Atlantic QB Rusty       Smith (at South Carolina) 
Analysis: Despite South 
      Carolina losing three starters from one of the best pass defenses in the 
      nation in 2008, the Gamecocks have still remained strong in the 
      secondary in 2009. They rank 16th against the pass (137.5 ypg) and have 
      allowed just two passing touchdowns in two games. Smith is coming off a 
      two-interception performance against Nebraska in Week 1, so he could be 
      in for another rough week. It doesn't help he lost WR Cortez       Gent to a team-imposed suspension. 
Other potential sits: North 
      Texas RB Cam Montgomery (vs. North 
      Texas); Troy DST (vs. UAB)
    
      WAC
Start of the Week: San Jose State WR Kevin       Jurovich (at Stanford) 
Analysis: Jurovich has faced 
      two pretty good defenses -- USC and Utah -- and has come away with 12 
      catches for 177 yards. He hasn't broken the goal line yet, but that 
      could come in Week 3 against Stanford. The Cardinal rank 80th in pass 
      defense, allowing 227 yards per game. 
Other solid options: Boise 
      State WR Austin Pettis (at Fresno 
      State); Hawaii QB Greg Alexander (at 
      UNLV)
    
      Sit of the Week: Fresno State QB Ryan       Colburn (vs. Boise State) 
Analysis: It's time to give 
      Colburn credit. After beating out Ebahn Feathers 
      and Derek Carr for the starting 
      quarterback job, Colburn has actually kept Fresno State competitive and 
      almost led them to a big win over Wisconsin last week. Fresno State also 
      has the 37th best pass offense (245.0 ypg). Unfortunately, Colburn 
      already has four interceptions in two games and Boise State will 
      certainly force him into tough situations. The Broncos do have the 18th 
      best pass defense (138.5 ypg). 
Other potential sits: Utah 
      State RB Robert Turbin (at Texas A&M); 
      Idaho WR Max Komar (vs. San Diego State)
    







                
                







