Starts & Sits for Week 4: Dion Lewis vs. Miami (FL)

Starts & Sits for Week 4: Dion Lewis vs. Miami (FL)

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

ACC

Start

Davin Meggett, RB, Maryland vs. Florida International

Meggett is the leading rusher for the Terps, and FIU allowed 206 yards on the ground last week against Texas A&M. Meggett is averaging a blistering 7.4 yards per carry to start the year.

Marc Verica, quarterback, Virginia vs. VMI

Verica has passed for 473 yards in his first two games, but the test gets a lot easier this week. Verica should find his receivers open early and often against the Keydets.

Sit

Montel Harris, RB, Boston College vs. Virginia Tech

BC has played patsies Weber State and Kent State in their first two contests, and while the Hokies aren't exactly having an enthralling start to the season, it could take Harris and the rest of the Golden Eagles some time to adjust to an opponent that's more on their level.

Johnny White, RB, North Carolina at Rutgers

White racked up 113 yards on 17 carries against Georgia Tech in defeat last week, but Rutgers has been playing low-scoring affairs all season. Also, Shaun Draughn is a threat to steal carries.

Big 12

Start

Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska vs. South Dakota State

Martinez has taken the term "dual-threat" to another level over his first three games for the 'Huskers, passing for at least 100 yards and rushing for at least 125 yards in each contest. He's got nine total touchdowns already, and should find the end zone at least two times against South Dakota State.

Mike

ACC

Start

Davin Meggett, RB, Maryland vs. Florida International

Meggett is the leading rusher for the Terps, and FIU allowed 206 yards on the ground last week against Texas A&M. Meggett is averaging a blistering 7.4 yards per carry to start the year.

Marc Verica, quarterback, Virginia vs. VMI

Verica has passed for 473 yards in his first two games, but the test gets a lot easier this week. Verica should find his receivers open early and often against the Keydets.

Sit

Montel Harris, RB, Boston College vs. Virginia Tech

BC has played patsies Weber State and Kent State in their first two contests, and while the Hokies aren't exactly having an enthralling start to the season, it could take Harris and the rest of the Golden Eagles some time to adjust to an opponent that's more on their level.

Johnny White, RB, North Carolina at Rutgers

White racked up 113 yards on 17 carries against Georgia Tech in defeat last week, but Rutgers has been playing low-scoring affairs all season. Also, Shaun Draughn is a threat to steal carries.

Big 12

Start

Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska vs. South Dakota State

Martinez has taken the term "dual-threat" to another level over his first three games for the 'Huskers, passing for at least 100 yards and rushing for at least 125 yards in each contest. He's got nine total touchdowns already, and should find the end zone at least two times against South Dakota State.

Mike Davis, WR, Texas vs. UCLA

After not touching the ball in UT's opener, Davis has accumulated 13 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns in his last two contests. The Bruins were crushed by Andrew Luck of Stanford, and lucked out after Houston's top two charts on the depth chart went out with injury. As such, Davis and quarterback Garrett Gilbert should have no trouble connecting.

Sit

Brodrick Smith, WR, Kansas State vs. UCF

The leading receiver for the Wildcats, Smith will have to deal with a surprisingly stingy UCF defense, which forced N.C. State's Russell Wilson into 10-of-30 passing for 105 yards just two weeks ago. As such, with the Wildcats obviously looking to feature stud running back Daniel Thomas, Smith could be in for a letdown.

Cameron Kenney, WR, Oklahoma at Cincinnati

Kenney is making a bid to be the No. 2 receiver to Ryan Broyles for the Sooners, averaging 16.6 yards per catch so far in 2010. However, Landry Jones leans heavily on Broyles and DeMarco Murray, and against a decent opponent, he's going to go with his trusted guns.

Big East

Start

Van Chew, WR, Syracuse vs. Colgate

Here's something to Chew on: Van is averaging 17.2 yards per catch in 2010, totaling 275 yards and two touchdowns through three games for the Orange. He has not had less than 79 yards receiving in any of Cuse's first three contests.

B.J. Daniels, QB, South Florida vs. Western Kentucky

Just in case you forgot about Daniels after a week off and a brutal loss to the Florida Gators. He faces the 0-3 Hilltoppers, who have allowed 150 points over their first three games. Cha-ching!

Sit

Darrin Williams, RB, Cincinnati vs. Oklahoma

Williams is the leading rusher for the Wildcats out of the backfield with 144 yards on 20 carries, but the Oklahoma athletes on the defensive front will be too much for him have any sort of impact.

Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh vs. Miami (FL)

It's been a frustrating season for Lewis thus far, averaging a mere 2.9 yards per carry. His task won't get any easier against a defense that has allowed 2.65 yards per carry this year.

Big Ten

Start

Michael Shaw, RB, Michigan vs. Bowling Green

The Falcons have been gashed on the ground over their first three games, and while Denard Robinson remains the showstopper, Shaw gained 126 yards and three touchdowns last week against UMass. With not much defense going on in Ann Arbor these days, a shootout bodes well for Shaw's chances this week.

Dan Persa, QB, Northwestern vs. Central Michigan

Persa has completed an insane 81.6 percent of his passes this season, racking up 769 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions in the Northwestern's first three contests. He should be in for another big game against the Chippewas.

Sit

Scott Tolzien, QB, Wisconsin vs. Austin Peay

Wisconsin will have no need to throw the ball in this game, so we'd be surprised if Tolzien makes it to 20 attempts. Look for James White and Montee Ball to get a lot of work in this one.

Robert Marve, QB, Purdue vs. Toledo

Marve tweaked his ankle last week against Ball State and had to exit the game early. Though he should start against the Rockets, he's simply been too inconsistent to rely on.

Conference USA

Start

Desmond Johnson, RB, Southern Mississippi at Louisiana Tech

The Golden Eagles stunned Kansas largely thanks to 89 yards and a score from Johnson, who is averaging 6.2 yards per carry on the season. Louisiana Tech has allowed over 200 yards rushing in each of its last two tilts.

Kris Adams, WR, UTEP vs. Memphis

Adams has grabbed three touchdowns over his last two games, and faces a Memphis squad that was torched by fellow C-USA squad East Carolina for 49 points just two weeks ago.

Sit

Aldrick Robinson, WR, SMU vs. TCU

Robinson finally broke out last week with three touchdowns for SMU, but faces the highly-touted TCU defense which hasn't allowed more than 164 yards passing in any contest this season.

James Cleveland, WR, Houston vs. Tulane

Cleveland's value takes a huge hit with Case Keenum gone for the year with an ACL tear. And while Bryce Beall can still carry the ball, and Tyron Carrier can still return kicks, Cleveland must put all his faith in third-string quarterback Terrance Broadway. Not something the Cougars, nor Cleveland, can be thrilled about.

Independents

Start

Theo Riddick, WR, Notre Dame vs. Stanford

The Irish should be down early to the Cardinal, forcing Brian Kelly to air it out with quarterback Dayne Crist. Riddick led the Irish last week with ten catches for 128 yards and a touchdown against Michigan State.

Sit

Notre Dame DST vs. Stanford

Not that the Notre Dame defense has been particularly start-worthy anyway, but darkhorse Heisman candidate Andrew Luck will pose a huge test for the Irish. One that they will likely fail.

MAC

Start

Chandler Harnish, QB, Northern Illinois at Minnesota

Harnish has completed 66 percent of his passes in 2010, but running has been his best weapon, tallying 295 yards rushing and two touchdowns in his two games as starter. The Golden Gophers are not what they once were either, as evidenced by their ugly 41-38 loss to South Dakota two weeks ago.

Vince Davidson, RB, Ohio at Marshall

Davidson had negative-nine yards last week against Ohio State. Yes, you read that correctly. Marshall won't put up quite that same fight, and Davidson has been getting the majority of the carries for the Bobcats.

Sit

MiQuale Lewis, RB, Ball State at Iowa

Lewis's 1,736-yard, 22-touchdown performance in 2008 seems like a distant memory, as the senior back is averaging a paltry 2.8 yards per carry in 2010. He's been supplanted by Eric Williams and Cory Sykes, and is certainly not worth starting against ranked Iowa.

Zac Dysert, QB, Miami (OH) at Missouri

Dysert tossed three touchdowns against Colorado State last week, but may not find as much success against the undefeated Mizzou Tigers of the Big 12. Missouri allowed just 191 yards passing and zero touchdowns through the air last week against San Diego State.

MWC

Start

Asher Clark, RB, Air Force at Wyoming

Clark averaged 6.2 yards per carry last week against Oklahoma, and Wyoming was shredded like swiss cheese to the tune of 275 yards rushing against Boise State last week, a non-triple option team. Expect Clark to break free for a bevy of yards against the Cowboys.

Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego State vs. Utah State

Rusher Ronnie Hillman has become a must-start, but expect Lindley to bounce back in a big way against the Aggies after a down week.

Sit

Pete Thomas, QB, Colorado State vs. Idaho

Thomas has done a lot of throwing since the Rams have been down for much of this season. However, he has tossed six interceptions as compared to one touchdown despite 695 yards and a 67 percent completion rate.

Zach Bolger, WR, Wyoming vs. Air Force

Air Force held Oklahoma wideout Ryan Broyles to his lowest yardage total of the season last week, and Bolger is nowhere near that talented.

Pac-10

Start

David Douglas, WR, Arizona vs. California

Douglas was quarterback Nick Foles' go-to receiver in the big win over Iowa, garnering seven catches for 74 yards and a score. Cal allowed 52 points last week to Nevada.

Remene Alston, RB, Oregon at Arizona State

LaMichael James is the easy start, but how about his backup? Alston has gotten at least nine carries in each of Oregon's first three games. Though Arizona State is improved, a blowout is still likely, and Alston is averaging 4.9 yards per carry while reaching the promised land twice already.

Sit

Cameron Marshall, RB, Arizona State vs. Oregon

Marshall has five touchdowns on the season, but three came in the Sun Devils' first contest against lowly Portland State. Otherwise, he has not found much room to run against better opponents like Wisconsin.

Ryan Katz, QB, Oregon State at Boise State

Katz hasn't passed for more than 159 yards in any game this season, and the Beavers figure to lean heavily on Jacquizz Rodgers against the Broncos.

SEC

Start

Matt Simms, QB, Tennessee vs. UAB

Simms tossed two touchdowns against Florida last week, and should find even less resistance against a UAB defense which allowed 416 yards passing to Troy last week.

Brandon Bolden, RB, Mississippi vs. Fresno State

Bolden has not really gotten going yet in 2010, but Fresno State has not seen a running attack the likes of Ole Miss. Utah State amassed 205 yards on the ground against Fresno last week.

Sit

Stevan Ridley, RB, LSU vs. West Virginia

Ridley has been the primary ballcarrier for the Tigers, and has had much success, rushing for 318 yards and two scores. However, West Virginia looked great last week, as the Mountaineers held Maryland to minus-ten rushing yards.

Enrique Davis, RB, Mississippi vs. Fresno State

Mississippi coach Houston Nutt's irrational appreciation of Davis has resulted in Davis receiving a team-leading 39 carries this year, but soon Nutt will realize what everyone else realized a long time ago: Davis is a bust. Brandon Bolden is averaging 5.35 yards per carry compared to Davis' miserable average of 3.03 yards per rush.

Sun Belt

Start

Lester Jean, WR, Florida Atlantic vs. North Texas

Jean has 15 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns in the Owls' two games this season, and faces a North Texas defense that has allowed at least 24 points in each of its first three games.

Ryan Aplin, QB, Arkansas State at Troy

Aplin has quietly passed for 959 yards and four touchdowns on the year, and the Red Wolves could be behind and passing a bunch against the Trojans.

Sit

Kawaun Jakes, QB, Western Kentucky at USF

Jakes completed 65 percent of his passes last week against Indiana, but overall has had an average season at best for the Hilltoppers against far superior opponents. USF poses another difficult threat.

T.Y. Hilton, WR, Florida International at Maryland

Hilton has seen a steady decline in his numbers since a 1,000-yard campaign in 2008. With just 96 yards over his first two games, and an ACC opponent on the horizon, Hilton is best left on the bench.

WAC

Start

Greg Salas, WR, Hawaii vs. Charleston Southern

Salas hasn't found the end zone yet in 2010 and has taken a backseat to Kealoha Pilares. However, CSU poses little threat to the Hawaii passing attack, and Salas could be in for a monster performance.

D.J. Harper, RB, Boise State vs. Oregon State

Doug Martin is the hammer, but Harper is managing a ridiculous 9.3 yards per carry for the Broncos. His big-play ability makes him a homerun threat with each and every touch.

Sit

Virgil Green, TE, Nevada at BYU

Green had a big first game, but his receptions have decreased in each of the Wolfpack's games. With Colin Kaepernick and Vai Taua dominating the touches, opportunities may be few and far between for Green.

Jordan La Secla, QB, San Jose State at Utah

La Secla may have his day eventually, but it will not come against Utah. Leave him on your bench for this week.

Want to Read More?
Subscribe to RotoWire to see the full article.

We reserve some of our best content for our paid subscribers. Plus, if you choose to subscribe you can discuss this article with the author and the rest of the RotoWire community.

Get Instant Access To This Article Get Access To This Article
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only College Football Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire College Football fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
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.
College Football Spring Practice: SEC Storylines
College Football Spring Practice: SEC Storylines
College Football Spring Practice: ACC Storylines
College Football Spring Practice: ACC Storylines
College Football Spring Practice: Big 12 Storylines
College Football Spring Practice: Big 12 Storylines
College Football Spring Practice: Big Ten Storylines
College Football Spring Practice: Big Ten Storylines