Each week, the CFG staff will outline a few players to start and sit at each position.  In this segment, we tackel the running back position.

Week 1 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Series
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends

 

RUNNING BACKS - WEEK 1


Todd DeVries
Since my partners in crime below went heavy on the BCS players, I’ll try to give my segment a non-BCS flavor (slim pickings since many small schools played on Thursday night).

Start ‘Em (non-BCS)

Jared Tew, Air Force (vs. Northwestern State)
You probably have better options on your roster to start ahead of Tew, but if you are in a pinch here is a guy who should put up solid numbers this week.  Tew rushed for 970 yards and 9 TDs last fall.  The Falcons won last their last season opener 72-0 over a similar joke opponent.

Bernard Pierce, Temple (vs. Villanova)
I'm going down with the ship on this one!  Head coach Al Golden says he will start the 5'5 167-pound Matt Brown over Pierce this week against Villanova.  A reward for Brown's efforts during fall camp when Pierce sat out with a head injury.  Temple-Villanova is a hoops city rivalry that got heated on the gridiron after Nova upset the Owls last fall.  I think Temple wants payback and refuse to believe that Pierce will not be a big part of the game plan.  Anything short of 16 fantasy points (100-1) would be a disappointment. 

Sit ‘Em (non-BCS)

Donald Buckram, UTEP (vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff)
Buckram was our No. 1 ranked RB this week before he bruised him knee in practice and was carted off the field.  No matter what you hear from the UTEP coaching staff in between now and kickoff, you would be wise to keep your stud on the bench.  UTEP faces Houston next week, and there is no need to rush Buckaroo back into action.

Morgan Williams, Toledo (vs. Arizona)
While the Rockets could give Zona some problems on their own turf, the safe bet is to keep Morgan Williams on your bench.  Sexy MAC matchups loom on the horizon where we expect him to break out.



Joe Arpasi

Start ‘Em

Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech (vs. Boise State)
Boise State has a tough defense, but there are things working in Virginia Tech’s favor. Boise has a new defensive coordinator, and they have not built up any momentum during the year. In 2009 Fresno State ran all over Boise in week 3 by committing to a smash mouth running game behind a talented rusher. You can expect Virginia Tech to take the same approach with Williams in this one.

Delone Carter, Syracuse (@ Akron)
Carter is the center piece of the Syracuse offense. He may be one of the best rusher that the Akron defense will face all year. Expect Carter to not only get the ball plenty in this one, but expect to see Carter as the main redzone weapon for ‘Cuse.

Sit ‘Em

Donald Buckram, UTEP (vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff)
Buckram was carted off the field in the middle of the week after taking a hard shot to the knee. The MRI was negative and it looks like he just has a knee bruise. Even if Buckram plays Saturday, don’t expect him to get a big workload. The safest thing to do will be to leave him on your bench and resist the temptation to “see what he can do.”

Angus Quigley, Kansas (vs. North Dakota State)
After Quigley was named the starting rusher, fantasy owners rushed to the free agent boards to snag him up. But there looks to be some form of a split carry scenario brewing at Kansas. Even though this match-up looks very nice, I have a hard time picturing Quigley hitting over 100 yards and 2 TDs. This is the perfect week to leave him on your bench while you watch what shape the new Kansas offense will take.

Kevin Mount

Start ‘Em

RB Roy Helu Jr, Nebraska (vs. Western Kentucky)
The demise of Helu as a feature back may be highly inaccurate and he should see plenty of carries against the Hill Toppers. The Huskers should pound the ball all day long and Helu will probably make the most of his opportunities. Look for a hundred yard day with a couple of scores.

RB Delone Carter, Syracuse (vs. Akron)
Carter will be looking to prove himself coming off his suspension and the Zips should proved to be a nice proving ground. The Cuse should make Carter the centerpiece of the offense and Week 1 seems like a great place to start.

Sit ‘Em

RB Anthony Allen, Georgia Tech (vs. South Carolina State)
As much as I like the Allen this year, I’m not sure how much work he will get in a blow out win versus South Carolina State. With Allen missing some practice due to a shot to the head, he might not see his normal workload the first week.

RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State (vs. TCU)
As much as it pains me to put Quizz on this list, it seems like the correct thing to do considering the situation and opponent. The Horned Frogs defense is just nasty and does not allow many yards or points. While Rodgers has had big games in the past against top defenses, I fear this will not be one of those times. He should get the touches but I don’t think the yards and scores will follow.