Week 8 College Fantasy Start 'Em and Sit 'Em
Can Matt Barkley help the Trojans get back at Oregon State? Which options from the Notre Dame-Boston College game should you look to avoid? Our Michael Hurcomb touches on that and more in his 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 or Colt McCoy.
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: Duke QB Thaddeus       Lewis (vs. Maryland) 
Analysis: We went with Lewis as 
      a start two weeks ago against N.C. State, and he didn't disappoint with 
      459 passing yards and six touchdowns (five passing). We figure we will 
      stay with the hot hand since Lewis has another favorable matchup against 
      Maryland. The Terps are allowing 33.7 points per game (106th) and 218.7 
      passing yards per contest (66th). 
Other solid options: Boston 
      College QB Dave Shinskie (at Notre 
      Dame); Virginia RB Rashawn Jackson (vs. 
      Georgia Tech)
    
      Sit of the Week: Clemson TE Michael Palmer 
      (at Miami, Fla.) 
Analysis: Palmer has started to become a 
      reliable option in the Clemson passing game, totaling nine catches for 
      114 yards and one touchdown in his last two games. Unfortunately, we 
      feel his hot streak will end against the Hurricanes. Miami is 22nd in 
      pass defense (172.2 ypg) and have pretty much shut down every tight end 
      they have faced this season. Florida State tight end Caz       Piurowski had the best numbers against Miami with three catches 
      for 33 yards and one score. 
Other potential sits: Miami (Fla.) 
      WR Leonard Hankerson (vs. Clemson)
    
      Big East
Start of the Week: Syracuse WR Mike       Williams (vs. Akron) 
Analysis: Akron has the nation's 
      36th ranked pass defense (195.7 ypg), but that's a little misleading 
      since they have allowed 12 passing touchdowns in six games. Williams has 
      emerged again as Syracuse's star receiver and has six touchdowns in six 
      games. He has at least one touchdown in two straight and his streak 
      should continue in Week 8. 
Other solid options: Cincinnati RB Isaiah       Pead (vs. Louisville); Cincinnati DST (vs. Louisville); South 
      Florida WR Jessie Hester (at Pittsburgh)
    
      Sit of the Week: Pittsburgh QB Bill Stull 
      (vs. South Florida) 
Analysis: A key matchup to watch this week 
      is the South Florida defensive line against the Pittsburgh offensive 
      line. The Bulls are one of the best defensive teams in the country and 
      that's because they pressure the quarterback. They have 17 sacks and 
      force turnovers (eight interceptions). Stull hasn't made a ton of 
      mistakes in 2009, but we feel Pitt is going to have to run the ball with Dion       Lewis and Ray Graham to be 
      successful.  
Other potential sits: Rutgers RB Joe       Martinek (at Army); West Virginia WR Alric       Arnett (vs. Connecticut); Connecticut RB Jordan       Todman (at West Virginia)
    
      Big 12
Start of the Week: Texas Tech WR Detron       Lewis (vs. Texas A&M) 
Analysis: Lewis has 
      underachieved from a Fantasy standpoint in 2009. He was one of the most 
      drafted wide receivers and expected to be the guy to pace the Tech 
      receiving attack sans Michael Crabtree. While he does have a team-high 
      35 catches for 485 yards, his numbers have been quite modest until 
      recently. Lewis has 13 catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns in his 
      last two games. His hot streak should continue in Week 8 against Texas 
      A&M since the Aggies are one of the worst pass defenses in the country 
      (226.7 ypg). Lewis had nine catches for 92 yards last season against 
      A&M.  
Other solid options: Nebraska RB Roy       Helu (vs. Iowa State); Oklahoma State RB Keith       Toston (at Baylor); Baylor WR Kendall       Wright (vs. Oklahoma State); Oklahoma QB Landry       Jones (at Kansas); Kansas State TE Jeron       Mastrud (vs. Colorado); Texas A&M WR Uzoma       Nwachukwu (at Texas Tech)
    
      Sit of the Week: Missouri RB Derrick       Washington (vs. Texas) 
Analysis: No one -- we mean no 
      one -- has been able to run on Texas this season. They rank first in 
      rush defense (35.8 ypg) and dominated the Oklahoma tandem of DeMarco       Murray and Chris Brown in Week 
      7. Even with Chase Daniel around in 
      2008, Washington managed just seven carries for 17 yards, although he 
      did score a touchdown. Texas has allowed just one rushing touchdown in 
      2009, so we don't expect easy sledding for Washington. 
Other 
      potential sits: Kansas RB Jake Sharp 
      (vs. Oklahoma); Iowa State QB Austen Arnaud 
      (at Nebraska); Colorado RB Rodney Stewart 
      (at Kansas State)
    
      Big Ten
Start of the Week: Northwestern WR Zeke       Markshausen (vs. Indiana) 
Analysis: Markshausen has 
      emerged as quarterback Mike Kafka's favorite target in 2009. He leads 
      the team with 50 catches for 459 yards. He had a career game against 
      Michigan State in Week 7 with 16 catches for 111 yards and one 
      touchdown. Markshausen has managed 10-plus catches in two of his last 
      three games and has at least 60 yards in five straight. He should have 
      another nice week going up against a pass defense allowing 237.3 yards 
      per game and 11 passing touchdowns. 
Other solid options: Purdue 
      RB Ralph Bolden (vs. Illinois); Iowa TE Tony       Moeaki (at Michigan State); Ohio State RB Brandon       Saine (vs. Minnesota); Penn State WR Derek       Moye (at Michigan)
    
      Sit of the Week: Michigan QB Tate Forcier 
      (vs. Michigan) 
Analysis: The game is in the Big House and 
      Forcier has been a media darling in his freshman season, but even if he 
      has some last-second heroics against the Nittany Lions, we don't expect 
      his stat line to be pretty. Only one team has managed 20 points against 
      Penn State this season and the Nittany Lions are 14th in pass defense 
      (163.4 ypg). 
Other potential sits: Minnesota RB Duane       Bennett (at Ohio State); Indiana RB Darius       Willis (at Northwestern); Michigan State RB Larry       Caper (vs. Iowa); Iowa RB Adam Robinson 
      (at Michigan State)
    
      Conference USA
Start of the Week: SMU QB Bo       Levi Mitchell (at Houston) 
Analysis: We have been 
      very impressed with Mitchell since his four-interception meltdown 
      against Washington State earlier this season. He has thrown just two 
      picks in his last three games and hasn't turned the ball over since the 
      TCU game in Week 5. Interceptions have always been holding Mitchell 
      back, but he could finally be turning the corner. Mitchell should have a 
      good week against Houston, which is allowing 225.5 passing yards per 
      game (70th). Mitchell passed for 365 yards and four touchdowns against 
      Houston last season. 
Other solid options: Marshall WR Antavious       Wilson (vs. UAB); UCF RB Brynn Harvey 
      (at Rice); Rice TE Taylor Wardlow (vs. 
      UCF); Southern Miss WR DeAndre Brown 
      (vs. Tulane)
    
      Sit of the Week: Tulane WR Jeremy Williams 
      (at Southern Miss) 
Analysis: The Tulane passing game hasn't 
      been very consistent in 2009 and that's why the team is handing the 
      reigns over to redshirt freshman Ryan Griffin, 
      who unfortunately has to make his first start of his career on the road 
      against Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles are 49th in pass defense (209.7 
      ypg) and will likely key on Williams, who is Tulane's best receiver.  
Other 
      potential sits: UAB TE Jeffrey Anderson (at Marshall)
    
      FBS Independents
Start of the Week: Navy RB Vince       Murray (vs. Wake Forest) 
Analysis: We went with 
      Murray as a start in Week 7, and he didn't disappoint with 141 rushing 
      yards and two scores against SMU. Like Thaddeus       Lewis, we will ride the hot hand and stick with Murray in Week 
      8. Wake Forest is allowing 130.1 rushing yards per game (56th) and gave 
      up 225 rushing yards to Navy's starting fullback -- Eric Kettani -- in 
      two games last season (Wake and Navy met in a bowl game). 
Other 
      solid options: Notre Dame TE Kyle Rudolph 
      (vs. Boston College)
    
      Sit of the Week: Notre Dame RB Armando       Allen (vs. Boston College) 
Analysis: Allen has been 
      in a real funk since injuring his ankle against Michigan State in Week 
      3. In his last two games, Allen has managed just 90 rushing yards on 24 
      carries and has failed to find the end zone. We don't think he will snap 
      out of his funk in Week 8 against Boston College, which is 39th in run 
      defense (117.1 ypg). In two career games against BC, Allen has just nine 
      carries for 33 yards and no touchdowns.  
Other potential sits: Army 
      RB Kingsley Ehie (vs. Rutgers)
    
      MAC
Start of the Week: Buffalo RB Mario       Henry (at Western Michigan) 
Analysis: The Bulls 
      backfield is banged up. They are already down James       Starks for the season (shoulder), but now Brandon       Thermilus and Ike Nudka could miss Saturday's game against 
      Western Michigan with ankle injuries. That should leave the rushing load 
      to Henry, who will face the nation's 101st ranked run defense (182.8 
      ypg). The Broncos have also allowed nine rushing touchdowns this season. 
Other 
      solid options: Central Michigan RB Bryan       Schroeder (at Bowling Green); Ball State RB MiQuale       Lewis (at Eastern Michigan); Northern Illinois RB Me'co       Brown (at Miami, Ohio); Ohio WR LaVon       Brazill (vs. Kent State); Temple RB Kee-ayre       Griffin (at Toledo)
    
      Sit of the Week: Miami (Ohio) WR Armand       Robinson (vs. Northern Illinois) 
Analysis: Robinson 
      has been one of the Redhawks most productive players. However, teams 
      have finally figured that out and have minimized Robinson's impact as of 
      late. In his last two games, he has just six catches for 78 yards. We 
      don't expect him to snap his slump going up against the Huskies, who are 
      30th in scoring defense (18.8 ppg) and are one of the better defenses in 
      the MAC. 
Other potential sits: Bowling Green WR Adrian       Hodges (vs. Central Michigan); Kent State WR Tyshon       Goode (at Ohio); Akron RB Joe Tuzze 
      (at Syracuse); Toledo RB DaJuane Collins 
      (vs. Temple)
    
      Mountain West
Start of the Week: UNLV WR Ryan       Wolfe (at New Mexico)
 Analysis: Wolfe has a pretty 
      solid history against the Wolfpack. In three career games, he has 23 
      catches for 344 yards and two touchdowns. There is no reason he can't 
      have another strong outing against New Mexico since the Wolfpack are 
      allowing 258.8 passing yards per game (107th). New Mexico has also 
      allowed 15 passing touchdowns this season. 
Other solid options: San 
      Diego State QB Ryan Lindley (at 
      Colorado State); New Mexico QB Donovan Porterie 
      (vs. UNLV)
    
      Sit of the Week: BYU QB Max Hall 
      (vs. TCU) 
Analysis: Hall has continued to impress in 2009 and 
      has added to his storied career. He is eighth in the nation in total 
      offense (306.4 ypg), has managed at least two scores in all seven games 
      and has five 100-yard passing games. Unfortunately, we feel he is going 
      to run into a brick wall in Week 8. TCU is still one of the nation's 
      premier defenses despite heavy losses from last season and rank ninth in 
      pass defense (156.8 ypg). Hall doesn't have a great history against TCU 
      either. He has one passing touchdown to three interceptions in two games 
      versus the Horned Frogs. 
Other potential sits: Utah WR David       Reed (vs. Air Force); Colorado State QB Grant       Stucker (vs. San Diego State)
    
      Pac-10
Start of the Week: USC QB Matt       Barkley (vs. Oregon State) 
Analysis: We are 
      witnessing the rise of another star quarterback at USC. Barkley has 
      continually improved over the last few games and finally appears past 
      his shoulder injury. He had a breakout game against Notre Dame on 
      Saturday with 380 passing yards and two touchdowns. The good times 
      should continue in Week 8 against Oregon State. The Beavers are one of 
      the nation's worst pass defenses (275.3 ypg).  
Other solid 
      options: Oregon RB LaMichael James 
      (at Washington); Cal WR Marvin Jones 
      (vs. Washington State); Arizona State WR Chris       McGaha (at Stanford)
    
      Sit of the Week: Oregon State QB Sean       Canfield (at Southern California) 
Analysis: Canfield 
      has been efficient under center for OSU in 2009 as Lyle       Moevao has been slow to recover from shoulder surgery. He has 
      passed for more than 200 yards in four straight games, but we see that 
      streak coming to an end in Week 8. The Trojans are allowing just 192.3 
      passing yards per game (33rd) and have given up just two passing 
      touchdowns. Even Moevao was held to 167 passing yards last season 
      against USC. 
Other potential sits: Washington WR Jermaine       Kearse (vs. Oregon); Arizona WR Juron       Criner (vs. UCLA); UCLA RB Jonathan Franklin (at Arizona)
    
      SEC
Start of the Week: Auburn RB Ben       Tate (at LSU) 
Analysis: One area of weakness for LSU 
      has been its run defense. Teams have been able to move the ball on the 
      ground against the Tigers, and Auburn should continue that trend in Week 
      8 since its run game is about the only thing working on offense these 
      days. Tate has rushed for 444 yards and four touchdowns in his last 
      three outings.  
Other solid options: Ole Miss WR Shay       Hodge (vs. Arkansas); Kentucky WR Randall       Cobb (vs. La.-Monroe); Florida WR Deonte       Thompson (at Mississippi State)
    
      Sit of the Week: Tennessee WR Gerald Jones 
      (at Alabama) 
Analysis: Jones finally seems past all his injury 
      woes and is becoming an integral part of the Vols' passing game. He has 
      12 catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games. He 
      posted 105 receiving yards and two scores two weeks ago against Georgia. 
      However, that was the Bulldogs and not the Crimson Tide. Alabama has 
      pretty much shut down every offense it has faced this season and have 
      the nation's 12th best pass defense (163.3 ypg). In his lone game 
      against Alabama, Jones had just two catches for 27 yards. He won't 
      repeat his Georgia outing in Week 8.  
Other potential sits: Alabama 
      QB Greg McElroy (vs. Tennessee); 
      Mississippi State RB Anthony Dixon (vs. 
      Florida); Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett (at 
      Ole Miss); South Carolina TE Weslye Saunders 
      (vs. Vanderbilt)
    
      Sun Belt
Start of the Week: Troy QB Levi       Brown (vs. North Texas) 
Analysis: Brown is finally 
      settling into a rhythm after a rough start to the season. He has passed 
      for at least 350 yards in three of his last four games and has eight 
      touchdowns to one interception in that span. He totaled 405 yards (391 
      passing) and two touchdowns against North Texas last season. The Mean 
      Green's defense isn't much improved, allowing 35.5 points per game 
      (113th). 
Other solid options: North Texas WR Jamaal       Jackson (at Troy); Middle Tennessee State QB Dwight       Dasher (vs. Western Kentucky); Western Kentucky RB Bobby       Rainey (at Middle Tennessee State); Florida Atlantic QB Rusty       Smith (vs. La.-Monroe); La.-Monroe TE Ladarius       Green (at Florida Atlantic); Arkansas State RB Reggie       Arnold (vs. FIU)
    
      Sit of the Week: La.-Monroe QB Trey Revell 
      (at Kentucky) 
Analysis: Revell has done a nice job guiding the 
      Warhawks in his first full season as a starter. They are 4-2 and Revell 
      is averaging 219.7 yards per game (52nd). However, he has really 
      struggled in out-of-conference losses to Texas and Arizona State. Revell 
      has just 378 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in those 
      two games. It won't be easy for Revell to take La.-Monroe into SEC 
      country this weekend. 
Other potential sits: FIU RB Darriet       Perry (at Arkansas State)
    
      WAC
Start of the Week: Utah State RB Robert       Turbin (at Louisiana Tech) 
Analysis: Turbin has 
      really matured into a star running back in his first season under Gary 
      Andersen. He is 14th in the nation in rushing (106.7 ypg) and has four 
      100-yard games in 2009. However, he was limited to just seven carries 
      and 36 yards in Week 7 against Nevada. Andersen took full responsibility 
      for Turbin's lack of touches and is looking forward to establishing the 
      run game against Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs are a perfect opponent 
      since they are 107th in rush defense (194.5 ypg). 
Other solid 
      options: Louisiana Tech RB Daniel Porter 
      (vs. Utah State); Idaho QB Nathan Enderle 
      (at Nevada); Boise State RB Doug Martin 
      (at Hawaii)
    
      Sit of the Week: Hawaii WR Greg Salas 
      (vs. Boise State) 
Analysis: The Warriors receiving corps is 
      really banged up. They just lost Rodney Bradley 
      for the year with a broken leg and Royce Pollard 
      is also out with a stress fracture in his leg. Salas is the team's top 
      receiver and Boise State is likely going to focus on stopping Salas by 
      putting lockdown corner Kyle Wilson on 
      him. Boise State is 26th in pass defense (177.7 ypg). 
Other 
      potential sits: Utah State WR Stanley       Morrison (at Louisiana Tech); Fresno State WR Seyi       Ajirotutu (at New Mexico State)
    







                
                







