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: Florida State RB Jermaine Thomas (vs. Maryland)
Analysis: It's time to get on the Jermaine Thomas bandwagon. The sophomore tailback was given a second chance to win back his starting job after he lost it earlier in the season. Thomas hasn't made a fool of the FSU coaching staff with three straight 100-yard performances. He also has seven touchdowns (six rushing) in his last six games. The good times should continue against Maryland. The Terps are giving up 32.7 points per game (103rd) and have yielded 16 rushing touchdowns in 10 games.
Other solid options: Miami (Fla.) RB Damien Berry (vs. Duke); Maryland WR Torrey Smith (at Florida State)
Sit of the Week: Boston College WR Rich Gunnell (vs. North Carolina)
Analysis: Gunnell has really stepped up the production late in the season. He has 21 catches for 388 yards and two touchdowns in his last three games. North Carolina is well aware of this and should be prepared to stop Gunnell. The Tar Heels are 15th in pass defense (173.9 ypg) and have allowed only five passing touchdowns in 10 games. Gunell was held to five catches for 37 yards against UNC last season.
Other potential sits: N.C. State TE George Bryan (at Virginia Tech); Clemson QB Kyle Parker (vs. Virginia)
Big East
Start of the Week: Rutgers WR Tim Brown (at Syracuse)
Analysis: Brown might only be 5-8, 165 pounds, but the kid can flat out catch passes and fly down the field. He has a touchdown in four of his last five games and four 100-yard performances in 2009. Rutgers is probably going to win big on Saturday against Syracuse and Brown is likely to get in on the fun. The Orange is 103rd in pass defense (254.5 ypg) and have allowed 21 passing touchdowns in 10 games.
Other solid options: Connecticut WR Marcus Easley (at Notre Dame); Connecticut RB Jordan Todman (at Notre Dame); South Florida DST (vs. Louisville)
Sit of the Week: Syracuse RB Delone Carter (vs. Rutgers)
Analysis: Since Mike Williams abruptly left the program, Carter has become the star offensive player for the Orange. He has rushed for 100 yards in three of his last four games and has nine rushing touchdowns on the season. Rutgers will game plan to stop Carter on the ground and make Greg Paulus beat them through the air. The Scarlet Knights are 12th in run defense (98.2 ypg) and have given up just seven rushing touchdowns in nine games.
Other potential sits: Louisville WR Scott Long (at South Florida); Louisville RB Darius Ashley (at South Florida)
Big 12
Start of the Week: Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert (vs. Iowa State)
Analysis: Gabbert finally looks recovered from an ankle sprain that slowed him around the midseason mark. He has 766 passing yards and five touchdowns in his last two games. Gabbert has managed three passing touchdowns in four games this season and could threaten for that total again in Week 12 against the Cyclones. Teams have shredded Iowa State to a tune of 236.6 passing yards per game (83rd) and they have given up 20 passing touchdowns in 11 games.
Other solid options: Oklahoma RB Chris Brown (at Texas Tech); Nebraska WR Niles Paul (vs. Kansas State); Baylor WR Kendall Wright (at Texas A&M); Texas A&M QB Jerrod Johnson (vs. Baylor)
Sit of the Week: Texas Tech RB Baron Batch (vs. Oklahoma)
Analysis: Despite being slowed earlier in the season by a broken forearm, Batch has made up for lost time with 10 rushing touchdowns on the season. He has been on a roll lately with five scores in his last three games. Unfortunately, we see his party come crashing down against Oklahoma. The Sooners are a top five rush defense, allowing 84 rushing yards per game, and have yielded six rushing touchdowns in 10 games. Batch was held to eight carries for 47 yards last year against the Sooners.
Other potential sits: Kansas RB Jake Sharp (at Texas); Kansas State WR Brandon Banks (at Nebraska); Oklahoma QB Landry Jones (at Texas Tech)
Big Ten
Start of the Week: Purdue QB Joey Elliott (at Indiana)
Analysis: First, we will give the Indiana secondary credit for playing better football as of late. They have managed to force a lot of turnovers, 16 interceptions in 11 games, but Fantasy is all about numbers and the Hooisers are 95th in pass defense (245.3 ypg). Elliott has managed two straight games of 350-plus passing yards and looks to keep the streak alive in Week 12. Purdue did post 62 points and 479 passing yards last season against Indiana.
Other solid options: Penn State QB Daryll Clark (at Michigan State); Iowa RB Adam Robinson (vs. Minnesota); Ohio State WR DeVier Posey (at Michigan)
Sit of the Week: Minnesota QB Adam Weber (at Iowa)
Analysis: The loss of wide receiver Eric Decker is starting to take its toll on Weber. After a 416-yard, five-touchdown performance three games ago against Michigan State, Weber has 315 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in his last two games. He was held to a pathetic 94 passing yards last week against an FCS school. It doesn't get any easier in Week 12 against Iowa. The Hawkeyes are 10th in pass defense (165.7 ypg) and have picked off 19 passes in 11 games. In two career games against Iowa, Weber has totaled 317 passing yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
Other potential sits: Michigan State WR Blair White (vs. Penn State); Indiana QB Ben Chappell (vs. Purdue); Michigan RB Brandon Minor (vs. Ohio State)
Conference USA
Start of the Week: Memphis RB Curtis Steele (at Houston)
Analysis: Steele is back to full strength after missing a few games earlier this season with a knee injury. He has totaled 251 rushing yards and four touchdowns in his last two games and might reach those totals in Week 12 against a porous Houston defense. The Cougars are 113th in run defense (213.0 ypg) and have given up 24 rushing touchdowns in 10 games. Good running backs like Donald Buckram, Brynn Harvey, Anthony Dixon and Damion Fletcher have done very well against Houston, so the odds are in Steele's favor.
Other solid options: UTEP WR Jeff Moturi (at Rice); Houston WR Patrick Edwards (vs. Memphis); UCF Brynn Harvey (vs. Tulane); East Carolina WR Darryl Freeney (vs. UAB); Rice WR Toren Dixon (vs. UTEP);Tulsa WR Damaris Johnson (at Southern Miss)
Sit of the Week: Tulane RB Andre Anderson (at UCF)
Analysis: Believe it or not but the Knights have a stout run defense. UCF is allowing just 81.5 rushing yards per game and have given up nine rushing touchdowns in 10 games. That does not bode well for Anderson, who is 35th in the nation in rushing (91.3 ypg). He is coming off two straight 100-yard games, but his streak is likely to end in Week 12.
Other potential sits: UAB QB Joe Webb (vs. East Carolina)
FBS Independents
Start of the Week: Army RB Patrick Mealy (at North Texas)
Analysis: The Black Knights haven't had a lot of consistency on offense in 2009, but that shouldn't matter in Week 12 as they go up against one of the worst defenses in college football. North Texas is allowing 190.3 rushing yards per game (102nd) and that bodes well for a team that likes to run the triple-option. Mealy has been up-and-down all season, but he is coming off his second 100-yard performance and leads the team with 590 rushing yards. He could lead the charge on Saturday.
Other solid options: Army QB Trent Steelman (at North Texas)
Sit of the Week: Notre Dame DST (vs. Connecticut)
Analysis: On paper this looks like a slam dunk for the Irish, but Connecticut has definitely improved offensively this season under first-year coordinator Joe Moorhead. UConn is 42nd in scoring offense (29.7 ppg) and shredded a pretty good Cincinnati defense for 45 points two weeks ago. The Irish have shown some life on defense as of late, allowing just 20.0 points per game over their last four contests, but we could definitely envision a shootout on Saturday.
Other potential sits: None since Navy is on a bye
MAC
Start of the Week: Northern Illinois RB Chad Spann (at Ohio)
Analysis: Spann is still not feeling the love from Fantasy owners (starting in six percent of leagues) despite pushing Me'co Brown aside and leading NIU with 16 rushing touchdowns. He has seven multi-touchdown games in 2009 and will be looking for eight on Saturday. Ohio has given up just nine rushing touchdowns this season, but since NIU doesn't have a passing game, they will still look to bully around a run defense allowing 147.8 yards per game (66th).
Other solid options: Toledo RB DaJuane Collins (vs. Eastern Michigan); Eastern Michigan WR Kinsman Thomas (at Toledo); Akron WR Andre Jones (at Bowling Green)
Sit of the Week: Kent State RB Jacquise Terry (at Temple)
Analysis: Terry had the bye in Week 11 to rest his bum knee and is expected to play on Saturday against Temple. Although, Terry might consider taking the week off since Temple does very well against the run. The Owls are allowing only a little more than 100 rushing yards per game and have given up seven rushing touchdowns in 10 outings.
Other potential sits: Bowling Green TE Jimmy Scheidler (vs. Akron); Ohio QB Theo Scott (vs. Northern Illinois)
Mountain West
Start of the Week: Utah RB Eddie Wide (vs. San Diego State)
Analysis: Wide was our Sit of the Week in Week 11 against TCU, and unfortunately, he met our expectations with just 25 rushing yards on 14 carries. But that game is in the books and Wide is ready to get back to work. In Week 12, he faces a San Diego State run defense allowing 167.4 rushing yards per game (90th). The Aztecs have also allowed 18 rushing touchdowns.
Other solid options: Colorado State RB Leonard Mason (at New Mexico); New Mexico WR Daryl Jones (vs. Colorado State); TCU QB Andy Dalton (at Wyoming)
Sit of the Week: BYU QB Max Hall (vs. Air Force)
Analysis: Hall doesn't have a bad history against the Falcons (647 passing yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in two games), but he hasn't been outstanding either. Hall, our Start of the Week this past scoring period, has been playing well with 300-yard passing performances in four of his last five games. However, he is going to have to earn every yard against Air Force. The Falcons are the No. 1 pass defense (127.9 ypg) and have allowed four passing touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
Other potential sits: San Diego State QB Ryan Lindley (at Utah); Air Force RB Jared Tew (at BYU); Wyoming RB Alvester Alexander (vs. TCU)
Pac-10
Start of the Week: Oregon State DST (at Washington State)
Analysis: If you are in need of a defense since your regular team is on a bye, consider the Oregon State DST. The Cougars have little rhythm on offense, which is why they are averaging only 13.4 points per game (119th). Wazzu has totaled a whopping 14 points in its last two games. The Oregon State DST hasn't done a lot for Fantasy owners this season, but this is one of the few weeks the unit might surprise you.
Other solid options: Oregon State TE Joe Halahuni (at Washington State); Stanford QB Andrew Luck (vs. Cal); Cal WR Marvin Jones (at Stanford)
Sit of the Week: Arizona State WR Chris McGaha (at UCLA)
Analysis: McGaha has survived the turmoil that has gone under center at Arizona State to lead the Sun Devils with 54 catches and 658 receiving yards. He has been his most productive in the second half of the season with three of his four touchdowns in the last five games. Now, he faces his toughest challenge of the season. UCLA is 32nd in pass defense (192.4 ypg) and held McGaha to four catches for 51 yards last season.
Other potential sits: Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli (at Arizona); UCLA WR Taylor Embree (vs. Arizona State)
SEC
Start of the Week: Tennessee RB Montario Hardesty (vs. Vanderbilt)
Analysis: Hardesty is just 44 yards shy of his first 1,000-yard season. He is likely to get it against Vandy and could have a very good day in what is his final home game at Rocky Top. Vandy is allowing close to 200 rushing yards per game and have surrendered 18 rushing touchdowns in 11 games.
Other solid options: Georgia RB Washaun Ealey (vs. Kentucky); Kentucky WR Randall Cobb (at Georgia)
Sit of the Week: LSU WR Brandon LaFell (at Ole Miss)
Analysis: Even with the return of quarterback Jordan Jefferson from an ankle injury, LaFell has a tough road ahead in Week 12. Ole Miss has allowed just seven passing touchdowns in 10 games and are a top 20 pass defense. LaFell also doesn't have a great history against Mississippi with seven catches for 101 yards and no touchdowns in three games.
Other potential sits: Ole Miss RB Brandon Bolden (vs. LSU); Vanderbilt TE Brandon Barden (at Tennessee)
Sun Belt
Start of the Week: Florida Atlantic RB Alfred Morris (at Troy)
Analysis: Morris is 20th in the country in rushing, averaging 108.3 rushing yards per game. He has four 100-yard performances, including a 117-yard, two-touchdown outing in Week 11 against a very good Arkansas State run defense. Troy is a middle of the pack run defense and have given up 14 rushing touchdowns.
Other solid options: Troy RB Shawn Southward (vs. Florida Atlantic); La.-Monroe RB Frank Goodin (at La.-Lafayette)
Sit of the Week: Florida International WR T.Y. Hilton (at Florida)
Analysis: The Gators main objective on Saturday is to minimize the impact of Hilton. Florida has the athletes to keep up with him. FIU has no chance to win this game, but if it wants to put points on the board, they probably will need to find other targets outside of Hilton. Florida has the nation's second best pass defense (139.6 ypg).
Other potential sits: North Texas WR Jamaal Jackson (vs. Army); La.-Lafayette RB Yobes Walker (vs. La.-Monroe)
WAC
Start of the Week: Boise State WR Titus Young (at Utah State)
Analysis: Austin Pettis might be Kellen Moore's favorite target and Boise State's leading receiver, but Young is no slouch by any means. He has just three less catches than Pettis and is second on the team with 706 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He has had 100 yards and one touchdown in two straight games and could very well keep the streak alive against Utah State. The Aggies are 81st in pass defense (235.1 ypg) and have surrendered 22 passing touchdowns.
Other solid options: Fresno State RB Lonyae Miller (vs. Louisiana Tech); Louisiana Tech RB Daniel Porter (at Fresno State); San Jose State RB Lamon Muldrow (vs. Hawaii); Nevada RB Luke Lippincott (at New Mexico State)
Sit of the Week: New Mexico State RB Seth Smith (vs. Nevada)
Analysis: Smith is expected to suit up on Saturday against the Wolfpack despite a nagging shoulder injury. The Aggies are going to need every key player they can get to try and knock off the Wolfpack, but this is not the time for Smith, the team's leading rusher, to be less than 100 percent. Smith, who has 734 rushing yards, is set to face the nation's 22nd best run defense (105.6 ypg). Nevada has contained some pretty good running backs this season like Ryan Mathews, Robert Turbin and Derrick Washington.
Other potential sits: Utah State QB Diondre Borel (vs. Boise State); Hawaii WR Kealoha Pilares (at San Jose State)
