Start vs. Sit: Who to Play, Who to Bench Week 2

Start vs. Sit: Who to Play, Who to Bench Week 2

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

PLAYERS TO START

C.J. Brown, QB, Maryland (vs. Old Dominion)

Due to injuries, Maryland was stuck starting approximately 37 quarterbacks last season, but this is a new year, and Brown is healthy and firing on all cylinders. Last week against Florida International, Brown was the Terrapins offense. He went 20-for-23 for 281 yards and three touchdowns, and was also their leading rusher with 105 yards and two scores on 11 carries. This week, Brown goes up against an even weaker opponent, an Old Dominion team that is making the transition to the FBS this season.

Bryn Renner, QB, North Carolina (vs. MTSU)

Renner's numbers from last week won't inspire most people in a vacuum. He only threw for 194 yards and one touchdown. However, that was a road clash against South Carolina, one of the nation's more formidable defenses, even with all the handwringing about Jadaveon Clowney's conditioning. This week, Renner and company play host to Middle Tennessee State University, a much easier opponent. North Carolina will finally be able to show off its offense, to Renner's benefit.

Trevor Knight, QB, Oklahoma (vs. West Virginia)

Knight was a somewhat surprising choice to be Oklahoma's starting quarterback over Blake Bell, and in his first game he did not throw well against Louisiana-Monroe, going 11-for-28 for 86 yards. However, despite this, he threw three touchdowns to one interception, and he rushed 13 times for 103 yards. West Virginia struggled a bit against William and Mary last week, and

PLAYERS TO START

C.J. Brown, QB, Maryland (vs. Old Dominion)

Due to injuries, Maryland was stuck starting approximately 37 quarterbacks last season, but this is a new year, and Brown is healthy and firing on all cylinders. Last week against Florida International, Brown was the Terrapins offense. He went 20-for-23 for 281 yards and three touchdowns, and was also their leading rusher with 105 yards and two scores on 11 carries. This week, Brown goes up against an even weaker opponent, an Old Dominion team that is making the transition to the FBS this season.

Bryn Renner, QB, North Carolina (vs. MTSU)

Renner's numbers from last week won't inspire most people in a vacuum. He only threw for 194 yards and one touchdown. However, that was a road clash against South Carolina, one of the nation's more formidable defenses, even with all the handwringing about Jadaveon Clowney's conditioning. This week, Renner and company play host to Middle Tennessee State University, a much easier opponent. North Carolina will finally be able to show off its offense, to Renner's benefit.

Trevor Knight, QB, Oklahoma (vs. West Virginia)

Knight was a somewhat surprising choice to be Oklahoma's starting quarterback over Blake Bell, and in his first game he did not throw well against Louisiana-Monroe, going 11-for-28 for 86 yards. However, despite this, he threw three touchdowns to one interception, and he rushed 13 times for 103 yards. West Virginia struggled a bit against William and Mary last week, and the Sooners are a much tougher opponent. If Knight can find his footing as a thrower, he could have an even better game.

Storm Woods, RB, Oregon State (vs. Hawaii)

Yes, the Beavers got a lot of bad press because they lost to Eastern Washington, but overlooked in that may be the fact that Oregon State's offense scored 46 points. Woods only gained 68 yards on 16 carries, but he scored twice, and he added 44 yards receiving. While the defense for the Beavers needs to improve, their offense should not be an issue against Hawaii, and that includes Woods.

Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana (vs. Navy)

Buying into Coleman is a bit of a risk, but it could be a risk worth taking at this juncture of the year. Indiana put up a whopping 73 points last week, and Coleman rushed 14 times for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Yes, the opponent was Indiana State, and this was not a basketball game during the Larry Bird Era. However, Coleman was still very impressive, and Navy is not likely to be a tough opponent either.

Nathan Jeffery, RB, UTEP (vs. New Mexico)

The UTEP Miners did not play last week, so we don't have any new information on Jeffery. However, last season, he averaged 4.9 yards per carry and scored seven touches even though he dealt with injuries. The Miners open the year with a home game against New Mexico. The Lobos put up a decent effort last week, but it was a home game against UTSA, so Jeffery shouldn't be too worried about facing the New Mexico defense.

Alex Amidon, WR, Boston College (vs. Wake Forest)

Even though in recent years Boston College has been awful, Amidon has risen above it. He had 78 receptions for 1,210 yards and seven touchdowns last season, and he opened this year with 13 catches for 146 yards and a score. A home game against Wake Forest might be a battle of teams fighting to avoid the worst record in the ACC, but it will give Amidon the chance to have another big game.

Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State (vs. Eastern Michigan)

True freshman signal caller Christian Hackenberg looked up to the task in Penn State's season-opening win against Syracuse. Robinson was his main target, even though he was a bit banged up during this game. He finished with seven receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown. Now, the Nittany Lions have a home matchup against the perennially lackluster Eastern Michigan Eagles, which is a positive turn of events for Robinson.

Ryan Grant, WR, Tulane (vs. South Alabama)

Grant didn't catch either of the touchdowns thrown by Nick Montana in Tulane's opener, and he only had three catches, but he led the team with 82 yards. Grant, a senior, was far and away Tulane's best receiver last season and is likely to repeat that designation this season. South Alabama is in the early stages of becoming an FBS team, and lost its season opener to an FCS team. If Grant just happens to find the end zone, a solid proposition, this could be a big game for him.

PLAYERS TO SIT

Taysom Hill, QB, BYU (vs. Texas)

Hill struggled some in BYU's season-opening loss to Virginia. While he threw for 175 yards, one touchdown and one interception and rushed 11 times for 42 yards and a score, he also went 13-for-40 passing. Maybe it turns out Virginia's defense is really stout, but this is still a troubling performance, and Texas, while it struggled on defense last season, has the talent to really turn that round. Even at home, Hill is not a strong fantasy option this week.

David Fales, QB, SJSU (at Stanford)

Fales is one of the more highly thought of non-AQ quarterbacks, and he opened this year with a good start against an FCS cupcake. However, Fales could have had a great opener, and there would be still be plenty of reason not to start him this week. The Spartans visit Stanford, which could feature one of the nation's best defenses this season. The competition is too tough for Fales this week, with plenty of better options, with better matchups, available.

Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia (vs. South Carolina)

Murray didn't throw a touchdown pass last week against Clemson, and he did throw a pick, but he also went 20-for-29 for 323 yards on the road. This week, Georgia is at home, but its opponent is just as tough in South Carolina, and now Murray is without his top weapon Malcolm Mitchell. Eventually, Murray should have a few big games, but that likely won't happen this time out.

Adam Muema, RB, San Diego State (at Ohio State)

Of all the bad outings in Week 1, San Diego State's might have been the worst. The team got blown out by East Illinois, and Muema only managed 17 yards on 10 carries. If that was the case at home against an FCS team, a road trip to Ohio State looks very alarming for Muema's fantasy owners. Sure, the Buckeyes gave up some points to Buffalo last week, but there were suspensions and tired players and other things that likely won't be issues for Ohio State against the Aztecs.

Charles Sims, RB, West Virginia (at Oklahoma)

Sims posted good numbers in his first appearance with West Virginia after transferring, gaining 132 total yards and scoring a touchdown. However, he did that against William and Mary. This week, Sims has to face an Oklahoma defense that shut out Louisiana-Monroe in its opener. West Virginia's offense seems like it may need to get some kinks worked out, and the Sooners defense isn't going to make that any easier.

Kasey Carrier, RB, New Mexico (at UTEP)

Carrier did not open the season well, only gaining 54 yards on 20 carries. He wasn't even the top rusher for the Lobos against UTSA, which isn't a particularly tough defense. This week, New Mexico is on the road against UTEP. The Miners defense is a bit of a mystery since they didn't play last week, but based on Carrier's Week 1 output, it makes sense to wait for him to show signs of finding last year's form before starting him again.

Bernard Reedy, WR, Toledo (at Missouri)

The Rockets had a bad week offensively in their opener, but that isn't too surprising considering they played at Florida. Missouri should be an easier opponent, but it is still a road game against an SEC team. Reedy was the best player on Toledo's offense last week, but even that only resulted in seven catches for 50 yards. His numbers could be better, but probably not much better, and there are definitely plenty of better options available.

Jeremy Gallon, WR, Michigan (vs. Notre Dame)

The Wolverines offense had a field day against Central Michigan, but that was mostly a result of running the ball. The passing game was less formidable, but Gallon did lead the way with 47 yards and a touchdown. However, now Michigan has to play Notre Dame, which has a much tougher defense, and Devin Gardner still isn't a terribly experienced starting quarterback. It could be a down week for Gallon.

Josh Stewart, WR, Oklahoma State (at UTSA)

The Cowboys have been known for their offensive prowess under coach Mike Gundy, but in their season opener the offense struggled against Mississippi State, particularly passing the ball. Stewart led the offense in receiving, and he only gained 39 yards. Now that Oklahoma State has settled on J.W. Walsh as its quarterback, it likely will be even more run oriented. UTSA was decent defensively in the opener, and is at home, and so with the questions surrounding the Cowboys offense, setting aside Stewart for the week is a sound option.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Morgan
Chris Morgan is a writer of sports, pop culture, and humor articles, a book author, a podcaster, and a fan of all Detroit sports teams.
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