Start vs. Sit: Who Should Suit Up and Who Should Stay Home

Start vs. Sit: Who Should Suit Up and Who Should Stay Home

This article is part of our Start vs. Sit series.

ACC

Start

Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson vs. Presbyterian

So much for missing C.J. Spiller. Ellington rushed 12 times for 122 yards and two scores against North Texas, and the Tigers face another patsy in Presbyterian this week. Expect more of the same from Andre in Week 2.

Anthony Allen, RB, Georgia Tech at Kansas

Allen was given a small workload in Week 1 because South Carolina State was putting such an unusual emphasis on stopping Georgia Tech's inside runs, but it's unlikely that Kansas will be as eager to see Josh Nesbitt and Roddy Jones run for 175 yards and five touchdowns. Allen should get more opportunities this week.

Sit

Damien Berry, RB, Miami at Ohio State

Berry had a nice opening week against lowly FAMU, rushing six times for 45 yards while also hauling in a 32-yard touchdown from Jacory Harris. However, the No. 2 Buckeyes await in The Horseshoe this week, having held Marshall to 44 yards on the ground last week. Combine that with Miami's gigantic running back committee, and Berry is someone to avoid.

Jermaine Thomas, RB, Florida State at Oklahoma

Thomas found the end zone in last week's laugher over Samford, but rushed eight times for just 31 yards overall in FSU's 59-6 rout. Oklahoma will clearly prove a far tougher opponent, and Thomas will have to deal with OU's freakish athleticism on the defensive front. As a result, don't expect Thomas to have much success this week against

ACC

Start

Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson vs. Presbyterian

So much for missing C.J. Spiller. Ellington rushed 12 times for 122 yards and two scores against North Texas, and the Tigers face another patsy in Presbyterian this week. Expect more of the same from Andre in Week 2.

Anthony Allen, RB, Georgia Tech at Kansas

Allen was given a small workload in Week 1 because South Carolina State was putting such an unusual emphasis on stopping Georgia Tech's inside runs, but it's unlikely that Kansas will be as eager to see Josh Nesbitt and Roddy Jones run for 175 yards and five touchdowns. Allen should get more opportunities this week.

Sit

Damien Berry, RB, Miami at Ohio State

Berry had a nice opening week against lowly FAMU, rushing six times for 45 yards while also hauling in a 32-yard touchdown from Jacory Harris. However, the No. 2 Buckeyes await in The Horseshoe this week, having held Marshall to 44 yards on the ground last week. Combine that with Miami's gigantic running back committee, and Berry is someone to avoid.

Jermaine Thomas, RB, Florida State at Oklahoma

Thomas found the end zone in last week's laugher over Samford, but rushed eight times for just 31 yards overall in FSU's 59-6 rout. Oklahoma will clearly prove a far tougher opponent, and Thomas will have to deal with OU's freakish athleticism on the defensive front. As a result, don't expect Thomas to have much success this week against the Sooners.


Big 12

Start

Scotty McKnight, WR, Colorado at California

McKnight is as fundamentally sound and consistent as any receiver in the country. He opened 2010 with six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown against Colorado State, and we bet he'll put up similar (if not better) numbers against a California team that figures to force Colorado to play catch-up.

De'Vion Moore, RB, Missouri vs. McNeese State

With Derrick Washington dismissed from the squad, somebody needs to shoulder the rushing load for the Tigers. Though Kendial Lawrence was supposed to be that guy, it was Moore who led the way with 78 yards on 16 carries in Mizzou's 23-13 win over Illinois. Both backs figure to get plenty of touches against McNeese State this week, though Moore has looked far more impressive thus far and could eventually steal the starting job away.

Sit

Cody Johnson, RB, Texas vs. Wyoming

In true Mack Brown fashion, the Texas coach has already flip-flopped on whom would be Texas' starting runner. Though Johnson started and had 59 yards on the ground against Rice, it was Tre Newton who found the end zone three times and heads into Week 2 as starter. With Fozzy Whittaker also in the mix, Johnson may not be a reliable source of fantasy points, even against Wyoming next week.

Johnathan Wilson, WR, Kansas vs. Georgia Tech

This was supposed to be Wilson's breakout season with Kerry Meier and Dez Briscoe no longer around. However, former QB Todd Reesing is also gone, and Kale Pick and Jordan Webb were woeful against FCS opponent North Dakota State. The Kansas passing game is one to avoid until somebody shows they can throw the ball with some consistency for the Jayhawks.

Big East

Start

Armon Binns, WR, Cincinnati vs. Indiana State

The Zach Collaros Era didn't exactly start off with a bang for the Bearcats, as Cincy surprisingly lost to Fresno State. Still, with Mardy Gilyard gone, Binns is the top target for the Bearctas and should have a field day against a school most known for having Larry Bird as an alumnus.

Joe Martinek, RB, Rutgers at Florida International

Martinek was solid against Norfolk State last week, going for 109 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Florida International's defense isn't likely to slow him down any.


Sit

B.J. Daniels, QB, South Florida at Florida

Daniels is normally a great option, but not this week against the mighty Gators. Though UF's offense sputtered last week, its defense looked in midseason form, forcing four turnovers and showing no ill effects from the losses of Joe Haden and Brandon Spikes. As such, Daniels' athleticism may be held in check this week.

Delone Carter, RB, Syracuse at Washington

Carter is the best offensive player for the Orange and showed it last week with 26 rushes for 91 yards against Akron. But Washington's offense might leave Syracuse in a cloud of dust early on, forcing the Orange to abandon Carter and the running game.

Big Ten

Start

Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan at Notre Dame

Anyone who watched Connecticut's sad attempt to slow Robinson last week is sold on the second-year quarterback. He threw for 186 yards and rushed for 197 more last week, and he made it look easy. He looked to be in midseason form, and is poised for another solid outing against Notre Dame. But make no mistake—it won't be as easy for Robinson. Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly won't get caught off guard like Connecticut was.

Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin vs. San Jose State

Although Ball is the backup to John Clay, it's probable that the backups will see plenty of work against San Jose State. Ball took 16 carries for 79 yards and two touchdowns against UNLV last week, so expect something similar this week.

Sit

Robert Bolden, QB, Penn State vs. Alabama

Bolden shined last week, albeit against Youngstown State. His line: 20-for-29, 239 yards and two scores. His reward? Playing the No. 1 team in the nation the next week. This is not the time to go with the true freshman

Le'Vion Bell, RB, Michigan State vs. Florida Atlantic

Bell rushed for 140 yards and two TDs on 10 carries last week against Western Michigan, but 75 of those yards came on one carry. Furthermore, the Spartans should get Larry Caper back this week against the Owls, and fellow running back Edwin Baker rushed 17 times for 117 yards and another score. As a result, Bell's productions should be reduced this week.

Conference USA

Start

Austin Davis, QB, Southern Miss vs. Prairie View A&M

The Golden Eagles plan on airing it out this season, and Davis has freak WR DeAndre brown at his disposal. Prairie View A&M is not exactly the same as playing South Carolina, either.

Damaris Johnson, WR, Tulsa vs. Bowling Green

Johnson is a versatile threat who can score from anywhere on the field. With nearly 300 all-purpose yards last week, he is a must-start nearly every week, but particularly against Bowling Green.

Sit

Jonathan Davis, RB, UCF vs. NC State

Davis had his way filling in for Brynn Harvey last week against South Dakota, rushing 20 times for 107 yards and a touchdown. It will be no cakewalk this week though, as Davis will have to navigate against superior athletes from the ACC.

Orleans Darkwa, RB, Tulane vs. Ole Miss

Darkwa scored three times last week, but don't bet on a C-USA athlete facing an SEC squad—even one that lost against Jacksonville State a week prior.

Independents

Start

Ricky Dobbs, QB, Navy vs. Georgia Southern

Dobbs was a touchdown machine in 2009, but was largely bottled up against Maryland in Navy's Week 1 loss to Maryland. He should be able to run wild against Georgia Southern this week, though.

Sit

Dayne Crist, QB, Notre Dame vs. Michigan

Crist was efficient in Notre Dame's victory over Purdue, completing 19-of-26 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown. However, the Irish had success running the ball, and Michigan gave up 138 yards on the ground last week to Connecticut. Combine that with a new offense for Crist, and it may be better to wait on him for a few weeks.


MAC

Start

Eric Williams, RB, Ball State vs. Liberty

Williams racked up 105 yards on 20 carries and found paydirt against SE Missouri State last week. Though fellow back Cory Sykes also found the end zone twice, Williams got more carries, and Liberty does not figure to be a particularly difficult opponent.

Zac Dysert, QB, Miami (OH) vs. Eastern Michigan

Dysert had a rough outing against Florida last week, but the Eastern Michigan defense will be a whole lot nicer to him. Look for a big game here, as Dysert showed potential as a freshman last year and ought to make the most of this good matchup.

Sit

Jacquise Terry, RB, Kent State at Boston College

Although he's listed as a running back, Terry doubles as a receiver for Kent. And last week it was Terry, and not standout teammate Tyshon Goode, who stole the show against Murray State, taking 15 touches for 103 yards and two scores in the victory. However, with Boston College looming, Terry will likely go back to relative anonymity, at least for this week.

Jerry Davis, QB, Buffalo at Baylor

Davis had a nice tune-up against Rhode Island, torching the Rams for 302 yards and four TDs. The odds are, however, he won't find things as easy against a Big 12 opponent.


MWC

Start

Matt Asiata, RB, Utah vs. UNLV

Despite tearing his ACL less than a year ago, it was Asiata who received the bulk of the carries for the Utes in their 27-24 OT victory and not fellow stablemate Eddie Wide. Asiata averaged 4.2 yards per carry against a stellar run defense, and should find plenty of space against the Rebs.

J.J. Di Luigi, RB, BYU at Air Force

Di Luigi put up nice numbers against Washington last week, totaling 152 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. Air Force's defense is tougher than Washington's, but their run-heavy offense will force BYU to give Di Luigi more touches in an attempt to control the clock.

Sit

Austyn Carta-Samuels, QB, Wyoming vs. Texas

While Carta-Samuels is one of the best-kept secrets in college football, and torched Southern Utah to the tune of 26-for-32 for 319 yards and three scores last week, the Longhorns are nowhere near as friendly to opposing quarterbacks.

Jake Heaps, QB, BYU at Air Force

Heaps will be a star one day for BYU, but for now, he is splitting time with Riley Nelson and will go up against an Air Force defense that was among the best in the land just one season ago.

Pac-10

Start

Ryan Whalen, WR, Stanford at UCLA

Quarterback Andrew Luck is a fantasy beast this season, and Whalen could see the most targets should Chris Owusu struggle to come back from injury. Whalen caught 57 balls for 926 yards and four TDs in 2009.

Keenan Allen, WR, Cal vs. Colorado

Allen proved a dynamic multi-purpose threat in Week 1, hauling in four balls for 120 yards and a touchdown while also running three times for 38 yards and another score. The Golden Bears will find ways to get the ball into the exciting freshman's hands.

Sit

Greg Nwoko, RB, Arizona vs. The Citadel

It appears as though starter Nic Grigsby and backup Keola Antolin are both healthy, which was not the case in 2009 when Nwoko saw some extended playing time. As a result, even against The Citadel, Nwoko is not the best play.

Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA vs. Stanford

Franklin has a chance to make a name for himself this season, but UCLA might fall behind too early to give him many rushing attempts this week. The Bruins might have no choice but to air it out constantly before the first half ends.

SEC

Start

Jeff Demps, RB, Florida vs. USF

Demps was Florida's most effective runner against Miami (OH), and he should have a secure workload heading into this game given the struggles of Chris Rainey and Emmanuel Moody last week. South Florida's defense isn't what it used to be, as former starters Jason Pierre-Paul (DE), George Selvie (DE), Kion Wilson (LB) and Jerome Murphy (CB) are all missing from this squad.

Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas vs. ULM

Quarterback Ryan Mallett gets the pub, and rightly so, but he's got to have someone to throw to, right? Enter Adams, who caught seven TDs in 2009 and posted a monstrous six-catch, 138-yard, two-touchdown performance in Week 1 against Tennessee Tech. Expect more of the same against a Sun Belt opponent.

Sit

Jeremiah Masoli, QB, Mississippi at Tulane

Masoli split snaps with Nathan Stanley in the opener, as Stanley tossed three touchdowns and the former Oregon QB did not find the end zone. The timeshare does not bode well for Masoli, who accumulated just 138 yards in a 49-48, 2OT loss.

Zac Stacy, RB, Vanderbilt vs. LSU

Stacy rushed nine times for 69 yards and a score in Week 1, though that was against Northwestern. The Tigers yielded just 24 yards rushing on 33 carries to North Carolina last week, and as such, Stacy makes for an extremely poor play.

Sun Belt

Start

Lance Dunbar, RB, North Texas vs. Rice

Just a friendly reminder for those of you who happened to take Dunbar out of your lineup for his 178 total yard output against Clemson: leave him in the rest of the season. He is an extreme dark horse Heisman candidate.

Derek Lawson, RB, Arkansas State at Louisiana-Lafayette

Despite getting pummeled 52-26 by Auburn last week, Arkansas State stuck with Lawson on the ground, giving him 16 carries. Against a far lesser UL-Lafayette defense, Lawson should find another solid workload and figures to turn it into nice numbers.

Sit

Jeff Van Camp, QB, Florida Atlantic at Michigan State

Don't expect a repeat of last week's 252-yard, three-TD performance against the likes of the Big Ten's Michigan State. Sun Belt athletes just aren't built for the BCS.

Jerrel Jernigan, WR, Troy at Oklahoma State

See directly above. Jernigan is awesome, but will likely be the focus of the Oklahoma State defense. If you're in a Sun Belt-only league, however, you probably invested too high of a pick for Jernigan to leave him out of this matchup.

WAC

Start

DeMarco Sampson, WR, San Diego State

Move over, Vincent Brown, you've got company. Sampson caught seven balls for 179 yards against Nicholls State last week, and should find more room to roam against New Mexico State. Brown and QB Ryan Lindley also make good plays in the high-flying Aztec offense.

Vai Taua, RB, Nevada vs. Colorado State

Taua won't have to share the ball with Luke Lippincott this season, making him the featured back in the high-octane Nevada offense. He scored twice in Nevada's season-opener against Eastern Washington.

Sit

Nathan Enderle, QB, Idaho at Nebraska

What a difference a week makes. Enderle's 311-yard, three-touchdown masterpiece against North Dakota will seem like an eternity ago once the Cornhusker defense gets through with him.

Lennon Creer, RB, Louisiana Tech at Texas A&M

The Aggies hardly have anything better than an average BCS defense, but that's still enough to crush the average WAC opponent. The Louisiana Tech offense struggled against Grambling last week, so we're steering clear of all of them for now.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jesse Siegel
Siegel covers college football, college basketball and minor league baseball for RotoWire. He was named College Sports Writer of the Year by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association.
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