Hard to believe, but it's already Week 5.  We're through messing around.  In this week's edition of Start 'Em, Sit 'Em, we're coming down on you like the HAMMER OF THOR.  The thunder of our vengeance will echo through this article like the GUSTS OF A THOUSAND WINDS!

And with that eloquent little bit of poetry, let's dive in...


TODD DEVRIES

BCS Only Start:
 
QB- Brock Osweiler, Arizona State vs. Oregon State: I’m all in with Ossy this year.  He’s one of those sleepers that I snagged in multiple deep leagues, and he’s served me well as a QB2/3 thus far.  The Oregon State defense is 19^th worst in the land at giving up fantasy points to QBs (17.33 per game).  Brock’s quietly put up 19, 35, 18 and 19 points to start the year.  I think Brock tops the 20 point plateau this week at home against the Beavs.

RB- John White, Utah vs. Washington:  Harvey Langi, eat your heart out.  It’s been White, not Langi, that has taken over for Matt Asiata as the Utes’ top running threat.  He’s posted 19-150-1, 20-56-1, and 22-174-3 rushing statlines in his first three outings.  Look for more solid production when he faces the defensive-challenged Huskies at home this week.
 
WR- DaRick Rogers, Tennessee vs. Buffalo: With Justin Hunter lost for the year, the weight of the passing game falls on the shoulders of Rogers.  This week against an overmatched Buffalo squad, he’ll be up for the task.

Non BCS Start:
 
QB- Logan Kilgore, Middle Tennessee State: You know I love to dig deep in these Start/Sit picks (for better or for worse).  So this pick’s for you, Mr. Deep League Nutcase.  If you need a spot start at QB2, Kilgore makes sense.  After all, he’s facing Memphis – perhaps the worst defensive squad in the land. (Red Raider side note: RB Ben Cunningham and WR Sancho McDonald are also sneaky plays here.)
 
RB- Bobby Rainey, Western Kentucky vs. Arkansas State:  Yeah, on the surface this appears to be an obvious pick.  But judging from the dozens of Expert Advice questions we’ve had on “the demise of Rainey” from you non-believers, I’m making a statement here that I HAVE NOT LOST FAITH.  Don’t let me down, Rainey.
 
WR- Tyler Shoemaker, Boise State vs. Nevada: Austin Pettis who?  This dude has only caught 11 balls on the season, but 6 of them are for scores!  I don’t happen to own Shoemaker in any of my leagues, but if I did I’d have him in my lineup as a WR3 this week.  You can bet Boise State is going to be out for revenge against Nevada, who dashed their title hopes last year.  On the blue turf, they’ll be looking to hang 50 or 60 on the Pack.

BCS Only Sit:
 
QB- Dan Persa, Northwestern at Illinios: You know we love you, Dapper Dan.  But we’re not ready to rely on you just yet from a fantasy perspective.  Let’s play the “wait and see” game here against a better-than-you-think Illinois defense.
 
RB- Jason Ford, Illinois vs. Northwestern: The match up against Northwestern is nice.  But this selection all about the emergence of freshman Donovann Young.  It appears to only be a matter of time before the youngster takes over in the Illini’s backfield.  Barring a turn of events or a series of rookie mistakes, Ford is looking at split carries here with Young and senior Troy Pollard.

And to complete my Big Ten trifecta….

WR- Da’Jon McKnight, Minnesota vs. Michigan: Did you watch the terrible passing performance by the Gophers against North Dakota Freaking State last week?  I did.  Get all Gophers out of your lineups, BCS League people.

Non BCS Sit:
 
QB- Casey Pachall, TCU vs. SMU: Did you know the Mustangs’ defense has given up 18, 9 and 6 fantasy points to quarterbacks thus far on the season?  You would if you analyzed our handy-dandy “Defense Stats Allowed” tool.  This match up isn't as tasty as you'd think.
 
RB- Sam McGuffie, Rice vs. Southern Miss: What the hell happened to our favorite Michigan transfer (not named Tater Tots Forcier, of course, who's everyone's favorite Wolverine malcontent)?  Is McGuff banged up and we just don’t know it?  Is he waiting until C-USA play begins before he unleashes his fury?  It’s hard to imagine him just suddenly starting to suck eggs for no apparent reason.  Whatever the case may be, stay clear of McGuffie until he proves his worth on the field.  
 
WR- TY Hilton, FIU vs. Duke: I don’t usually like to replicate another staffer’s pick, but I’m doing it here (see Joe’s pick below).  TY’s game is all about speed.  If there’s damage to one of his wheels, this Ferrari isn’t worth taking out of the garage.  Not to mention his quarterback Wesley Carroll is hurt and will not play.  We love TY Hilton and have been on his bangwagon for three years, but we sadly must advise resting him until his hamstring greatly improves.


KEVIN MOUNT

BCS Only Start:
 
QB: Tyler Wilson Arkansas vs. Texas A&M: Wilson had a rough outing last week against Alabama, but should be in store for a bounce back performance against Texas A&M. The Aggies rank 109^th against the pass and may have a hard time slowing down the Arkansas receivers. Wilson should bounce back nicely this week.
 
RB: Cameron Marshall vs. Oregon State: Marshall ran all over USC last week to the tune of 141 yards and three touchdowns. Now he gets to take his shot against an Oregon State defense that has struggled this season. Marshall might just beat the Beavers into submission on Saturday night.
 
WR: Eric Ward vs. Kansas: Ward has scored two touchdowns in each of the last two games and is proving to be the #2 wide receiver for Texas Tech. He will be asked to do even more this week against Kansas with leading receiver Darrin Moore being out with an injury. The Kansas pass defense gives up a lot of yards and Ward could have a big day finding open spaces. He could very easily hit the 100-yard mark and add a score or two.

Non BCS Start:
 
QB: GJ Kinne vs. North Texas: Kinne suffered a MCL injury and was supposed to be out of action for two to four weeks, but gritted it out and played last week versus Boise State. He shouldn’t have to be full strength in order to tear up a horrible North Texas pass defense that ranks dead last in the nation and gives up over 330 yards per game. Look for the familiar big numbers out of Kinne this week.
 
RB: Jasmin Hopkins vs. Central Michigan: Hopkins is fresh off a 143 yard and two score performance against Cal-Poly. The good sign was the 22 carries that he received, showing that he can carry the load. He could see a bunch of carries this week against an average Central Michigan run defense. A 100-yard game is certainly within reach for Hopkins in Week five.
 
WR: Eric Thomas vs. UAB: Thomas has been very consistent and has scored at least one touchdown in every game this season. He should see plenty of open space this week against a lousy UAB pass defense that ranks 111^th in the nation. Another trip to the end zone for Thomas is a reasonable expectation.

BCS Only Sit:
 
QB- Taylor Martinez vs. Wisconsin: The Wisconsin faithful will be rocking Camp Randall stadium on Saturday night and it seems like an awful tough place for Martinez to excel. The Wisconsin defense has been very stout and could make life difficult for Martinez and the Huskers offense. Add in the crowd and environment and you have a recipe for disaster.
 
RB- Chris Rainey vs. Alabama: Rainey has had a very good fantasy season so far in 2011, but that could go on hiatus for a week against Alabama. The Alabama rush defense is stout and only allows 45 yards per game on average. Fantasy owners should not expect big numbers out of Rainey this week and may want to go with safer options at the running back position.
 
WR- DJ Woods vs. Miami Ohio: Woods was thought to be the main weapon in the Cincinnati passing game heading into the season, but the emergence of Kenbrell Thompkins and Anthony McClung have really hurt his fantasy value. The ball is getting spread around too much to warrant starting Woods this week.

Non BCS Sit:
 
QB- Alex Carder vs. Uconn: Carder could have a hard time posting big numbers this week against an underrated Uconn defense. The Huskies rank 23^rd in the country against the pass and should be ready for Carder. He could post decent numbers, but there are probably better options this week with higher ceilings.
 
RB- Mike Ball vs. Boise State: Ball has taken over as the work horse back for Nevada as evidenced by his 56 carries over the past two games. He has run well over that span, but could fin it tough sledding this week against Boise State. While he may put up decent numbers, he may be hard pressed to explode against the Broncos.
 
WR Darius Johnson vs. TCU: Johnson is coming off a big performance versus Memphis, but could find it difficult to duplicate that against TCU this week. The TCU defense should be better than the numbers suggest and should be ready to pounce all over SMU at home. Johnson could find himself double teamed often with Cole Beasley likely out this week to injury.


JOE ARPASI

BCS Only Start:
 
QB- Tyler Wilson Arkansas at Texas A&M: Wilson appears to be healthy after getting a little dinged up and he had a nice rebound game last week. This week brings rival Texas A&M and the spirits will be high for this one. The Aggies gave up tons of yards to Oklahoma State last week, so Wilson shouldn’t have a hard time moving the ball against them this week.
 
RB- Marc Tyler USC vs. Arizona: A footnote here, as a fantasy player I have lived by a rule to never play USC running backs (except Reggie Bush). They always rotate guys and when you think you got the right guy, the coaches change things up on you. I’m breaking my rule this week. Tyler has stood out this year as the top back and Arizona was gashed on the ground last week. Don’t go out of your way to play Tyler, but he can be a nice spot start if you’re in a pinch.
 
WR- Mohamed Sanu Rutgers at Syracuse: With the Rutgers running game having its struggles this season, it’s been up to the passing game to help carry the load. Sanu has been THE primary target in the passing game and this week should be more of the same story. Look for another 10+ reception day.

Non BCS Start:
 
QB- Tyler Tettleton Ohio vs. Kent State: Tettleton has made some fantasy waves despite some difficult match-ups. Now the feast begins for Ohio as they start to dine on a MAC schedule. The Ohio offense is on the rise and Tettleton has been at the heart of this positive change.
 
RB- Lance Dunbar North Texas at Tulsa: Its two weeks in a row for Dunbar to make my start list. He has made his way through the meat grinder portion of the schedule, and the young offensive linemen have worked their way out of their “Huggies.” Look for another great performance out of Dunbar on the ground and in the air.
 
WR- Nick Harwell Miami, OH vs. Cincinnati: Its two weeks in a Harwell on the start list as well. Cincinnati will provide a tough test, but this is a relatively unknown rivalry outside that local area (the urinal cakes in the Miami locker room say “BEAT UC”). Cincinnati should jump up early, and this will provide some nice “garbage time” for the Miami passing game.
 
BCS Only Sit:
 
QB- Nathan Scheelhaase Illinois vs. Northwestern: Scheelhaase owners envisioned big time numbers over the first four weeks of the season, but those predictions were not fulfilled on the field. “Haase” has not played bad, but he is just not racking up as much yards on the ground as many had hoped. Northwestern fields a pesky defense and “Haase” may have a difficult time reached the endzone 2-3 times.
 
RB- Ray Graham Pittsburgh vs. South Florida: Graham has been held a little in check the past couple of weeks. Defenses have seen that the passing game is not much of a threat so they have been directing their gameplans at stopping Graham and the ground game. Expect USF to do the same, and their defense will be one of the stiffest that Pitt has seen yet.  
 
WR- Connor Vernon Duke at Florida International: Vernon has put together some nice games lately while the schedule is being kind to Duke. Many people would see this one as another cakewalk for the Duke offense. But there is the potential to have some worry in this one. Duke is one the road against an under-rated and athletic FIU defense. This is a big time statement game for the FIU program and they will give one of their best shots of the year in this one. My gut keeps screaming “trap game” and I can’t block the sounds of out my head.
 
Non BCS Sit:
 
QB- Alex Gillett Eastern Michigan vs. Akron: Gillett was one of CFG’s sleeper picks during the summer months, but so far in 2011 he has not produced. His fantasy value lays in the MAC schedule, and here it is. This is a big week for owners still holding onto Gillett. If he can produce this week he’s worth hanging onto, but if he can’t put up good numbers against a poor defense it will be time to cut the dead weight.
 
RB- Kendrick Rhodes Florida International vs. Duke: Call this one a “gut feel” more than anything else. Rhodes blew up in week one, just to follow it up with two performances of less than 10 fantasy points. Although he had another good performance last week, my gut is thinking the offensive coaches will remember that they have Darriet Perry as well and Rhodes’ fantasy value goes down once again.  
 
WR- TY Hilton Florida International vs. Duke: Hilton’s injuries have appeared to hamper his play far worse than fantasy owners were hoping to see last week. An extra week of rest helps, but he should still be lacking the burst that makes him the dynamic play maker that he is. The call to sit him is a precautionary note, but a safe move at the same time.

Follow Joe Arpasi on Twitter: @CFFGeek_Joe


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