JOE ARPASI - Geek Staff

BCS Only Selections:

START ‘EM

QB Joey Elliot & WRs, Purdue (vs. Wisconsin)
Keith Smith and Aaron Valentin: Purdue at Wisconsin – Wisconsin has been susceptible through the air this year and Purdue is humming through the air. This could be a big day as the Boilers try to keep up with John Clay.

RB Jermaine Thomas, Florida State (vs. NC State)
Ponder has been lights out lately, but expect the rushing game to have a big day this week. Thomas should break several long ones.

WR Randal Cobb, Kentucky (vs. Mississippi State)
Both offenses will have success, and the Wildcats will have to keep getting Cobb the ball to keep up in this one. Plus the Bulldogs are worse against the pass then they are the run.

SIT ‘EM

QB Jordan Jefferson & RB Charles Scott, LSU (vs. Tulane)
There are too many question marks to be able to tell if the guy you have will put up the fantasy points. One guy could hoard them all, or the points could get spread around. Its just safe to ignore the match-up and focus on the problems in predicting how the LSU offense will produce.

RB Shane Vereen, California (at Arizona State)
Last week’s performance most likely was the last time Vereen will put up good numbers. The Sun Devil defense is tough, and Cal will have to rely on Best to carry the load in order to win this one.

WR Dexter McCluster, Mississippi (at Auburn)
Don’t be fooled by last week’s numbers. You can bet he won’t see half the amount of touches she had last week. Plus Most teams run the ball on Auburn, limiting McCluster’s opportunities to catch the ball.

JOE ARPASI - Geek Staff

Non-BCS Only Selections:

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QB Levi Brown ,Troy (vs. UL-Monroe)
Brown has been hot and he faces a very poor pass defense at home. Expect him to distribute the ball around again this week.

RB Chad Spann, Northern Illinois (vs. Akron)
Akron has had RBs slashing through them all season. The Northen Illinois rushing game is hot, and Spann is the TD man.

WR Armand Robinson, Miami, OH (vs. Toledo)
Toledo has one of the worst pass defenses in the country. The Rockets will build up a lead, and forcethe Redhawks to throw. Robinson has been hot and appears to be the #1 target.

SIT ‘EM

QB Diondre Borel & RB Robert Turbin, Utah State (at Fresno State)
This is a scary match-up to play on the road. Fresno RB Mathews should jump all over Utah State early, building a healthy lead. This will make Utah State one-dimensional on offense, and you can expect the Fresno d-line to pin their ears back and disrupt things.

WRs Aldrick Robinson & Emmanual Sanders, SMU (at Tulsa)
With the injury to QB Bo Levi Mitchell, things look bad for the SMU WRs. Tulsa will be tough on defense, and their offense should own the time of possession game.

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QB Joe Webb, UAB
The Miners rank 117th in total defense and 113th against the pass (insert cash register noises).

RB Damion Fletcher, Southern Miss
The achilles heel of an otherwise solid Houston team is it’s rush defense.  If you don’t remember Donald Buckram’s stat line against the Cougs, here is a refresher:  262 yards 4TDs.

WR Titus Young, Boise State
Kellen Moore is on fire and the Broncos have a stat-indusive match up here.

TE Tony Moeak, Iowa
8 of Ricky Stanzi’s 12 touchdown passes this season have come against inferior opponents.  I think that we can lump Indiana into that category as well, look for Stanzi to air it out.

SIT ‘EM

QB Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State
Texas’ defense is the class of the Big Twelve.  Look for that to show up on Robinson’s stat line.

RB C.J. Spiller
I know this match-up looks really juicy, and he might even go off for 50, but if your Clemson, there is no reason to risk injury to your star player in a meaningless game.

WR A.J. Green, Georgia
@Florida.  Enough anaysis.

TE Ed Dickson, Oregon
If you throw out the WSU game because everybody stats well against those guys, he has really only performed well against Cal.  The Golden Bears’ defense isn’t on the same level as USC’s this year.

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QB Trevor Vittatoe, UTEP (vs. UAB)
Again, it’s easy to take guys like Kaepernick, Keenum or Clausen this week, but I will never use any top 10-15 or 20 positional fantasy players in my weekly recommendations because it’s not as fun and I don’t believe that it is in line with the spirit of the column.  Rusty came through last week and hit my projections almost exactly.  So now that I’ve jinxed things, I’m going with Trevor Vittatoe this week versus a UAB team that has given up 313.7 yards per game through the air (not to mention that opponents have a combined 66.4 completion percentage and 17 passing TD’s against them as well)!

RB Brandon Wegher, Iowa (vs. Indiana)
It doesn’t matter who you plug in at RB in the Iowa system because their O Line is that good.  In Phil Steele’s Mid-Season All Big 10 teams, Iowa has a 1st team OT and OG along with a 2nd team C and OT!  Kirk Ferentz and his coaching staff truly are top notch and have always placed the utmost emphasis on winning the battles in the trenches (which usually goes a long way in determining who wins wars on football fields).  For this reason combined with the fact that Brandon Wegher is one of the highest rated Freshman RB’s in the nation (PS#5) and the fact that Iowa plays versus Indiana should mean decent numbers at the very least with the possibility of a break out performance. 

WR Armand Robinson, Miami(OH) (vs. Toledo)
I would take Phillip “Saturday Night” Livas (as my friend and fellow college fantasy football addict calls him), but the weather report does not look as good as Idaho on the schedule (not only a chance of rain, but also very high winds predicted) so I’ll hope that Armand Robinson can follow up on a big game last week because he’s playing versus a Toledo team that has given up 19 TD’s through the air thus far.  If you are looking for a really deep sleeper, try Hayo Carpenter of Minnesota because someone has to pick up the slack with Decker being out and he’s the fastest player on the team as well as a PS#1 incoming JUCO. 

SIT ‘EM

QB Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan (vs. Boston College)
Conversely, I will always try to take a top flight performer to flop for the sake of gamesmanship.  There are actually a lot to choose from this week as I don’t think Keenum’s numbers will be as big as people think against Southern Miss and Kellen Moore plays a San Jose St. secondary that Steele ranked #2 in the WAC pre-season (LB’s were #1).  Nine weeks into the season, with San Jose St. having played the likes of USC, Utah, Stanford, the surprising Idaho Vandals and Fresno St., they still rate highly against the pass with only 7 TD’s allowed and under 200 ypg.  Moore doesn’t typically throw up huge numbers anyway and Boise should have this game under control from the opening kickoff so I suspect that they will run the ball a lot; however, my pick for this week is fellow Canadian Dan LeFevour @ BC where he might not even survive the game let alone post good numbers! 

RB Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech (vs. UNC)
I’d say sit Victor Anderson versus the surprisingly stout rush D of Arkansas St., but he’s not a big time player yet.  I’ll go ahead and advise you to sit Ryan Williams versus North Carolina (2.8 average yards per rush, barely 100 yards per game and Butch Davis); although, be forewarned that I hate V Tech and this position was my only gaff last week.  Another guy I would warn you to temper your enthusiasm about this week is Daniel Porter.

WR Damian Williams, USC (vs. Oregon)
Sit Damian Williams @ Oregon this week for no other reason than I’m out of time and Oregon is playing very very well.  They have a lot of talent in the secondary and have only given up 5 passing TD’s versus 10 INT’s so far this year.  This site, College Football Geek, has both Oregon’s Total Defense Strength and Pass Defense Strength rated 15th in the nation so I’m not sure why they have Damien Williams rated as the 11th best play this week???  I can already see the e-mail I get, saying “that’s why”, after Damien Williams goes off this week.  LOL.

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QB Tim Hiller, Western Michigan (@ Kent State)
Has been amazingly consistent in 5 of last 6 and catches a porous group from Kent, looking for 30+ this week.

RB Montel Harris, BC (vs. Central Michigan)
From sky high to very pedestrian look for Harris to find middle ground this week with 20-30 points.

WR Tyron Carrier, Houston ( vs. Southern Miss)
Has had two very subpar weeks in a row, there won’t be a 3rd.

TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame (vs. Wash State)
Much better than his last two plus inferior D equals solid performance this week.
 

START ‘EM

QB “Joe"y “Elliott”, Purdue (@ Wisconsin)
Look for Purdue to be left ‘High N Dry’ in Badger land.

RB Daniel Thomas, Kansas St. (@ Oklahoma)
Will wish he was back in Kansas rather than Norman after facing Sooner D.

WR Demaryius Thomas, Georgia Tech (@ Vandy)
Run happy option team playing at tough pass D is a recipe for disaster when considering a WR.

TE Drake Dunsmore, Northwestern (vs. Penn St.)
Already meager stats vs a tough D, if you have another option look there.  

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QB Ryan Mallet, Arkansas (vs. Eastern Michigan)
Facing the #1 pass defense in Eastern Michican [for real] many but the brave would pass on this matchup.But this will not be a walzing into the endzone, attack.. but bombs away and Coach Pee would run the score up on his own mother.

Charles Scott, LSU (vs. Tulane)
Mustered out of the Horseman’s elite “Stud Stable” for unmeritorious production…Charlie meets a defense that better suits his running style…use him in a mercenary role this week then discard.

Mike Williams, Syracuse (vs. Cincinnati)
Stud Stable member and Bilietnikoff semifinalist gets the ok to play this week from the NY wise guys. No I’m not over last week’s scam.

TE Michael Palmer, Clemson (vs. Coastal Carolina)
The Chanticleers[male chicken that can cackle in six languages]invades Death Valley.There will be plenty fantasy points go around including those for impoving Palmer

SIT ‘EM

Russell Wilson, NC State (vs. Florida State)
Just have a bad vibe about this cattle drive.  Florida State is just to unpredictiable for me.

RB Bernard Pierce, Temple (vs. Navy)
Never heard of a Horseman RB named Bernard….well Bernie your playing the Midshipmen not the Rockets this week.

WR Keith Smith, Purdue (vs. Wisconsin)
If you can’t get off at Illinois then forget about it at Madison.  Go make a boiler.

TE Dennis Morris, Louisiana Tech (vs. Idaho)
Never heard of you Denny…just doing my journalistic duty.  I do know the Vandals are tough this year.

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QB Zach Collaros, Cincinnati (at Syracuse)
Bill Parcells once said, “You are what your record says you are.” Well if that’s the case, Cincinnati is a pretty darn good football team sitting with a pretty undefeated record at 7-0.  No matter who the QB is for Brian Kelly expect offensive production especially against Syracuse this week.

RB Montel Harris, Boston College (vs. Central Michigan)
Anybody that follows college fantasy football to any extent knows who Dan “the man” LeFevour is.  And if you have played someone that was fortunate enough to draft Dan the Man on their roster you probably crossed him off your holiday gift list.  The Central Michigan Chippewas are more than capable of playing ball with any BCS team (just ask the Spartans).  BC will run the football to keep the explosive CMU offense off the field and to gain an advantage in time of possession.  This game should be close well into the 2nd half which is good news for Montel Harris owners as he will most likely play the whole game.  Expect over 100 yds and at least 2 td’s.

WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma (vs. Kansas State)
There seems to be an ever growing connection between Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles.  In only 3 games that Mr. Jones has started this year, he’s the thrown the ball to Broyles for a whopping 31 times for over 400 yds and 6 td’s. 

TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame (vs. Washington State in San Antonio)
Just like every other team that has played Notre Dame since Michael Floyd’s injury,  expect Golden Tate to garner the most attention by opposing defenders.  Since WSU lacks the athleticism to keep up with Notre Dame, expect plenty of zone coverage by Washington State to keep everything in front of them.  Rudolph will exploit any type of cover 2 zone by running seam routes up the middle of the field.  Expect at least 1 td from Mr. Rudolph.

SIT ‘EM

QB Christian Ponder, Florida State (vs NC. State)
Ponder has played his best against his toughest competition this year (Miami, BYU, GT, UNC).  NC State has given up an average of 42 pts in the last 4 games.  Doesn’t make sense to bench Ponder this week.  I’m throwing out stats/matchups in this one and fully believe Tom O’Brien will have used his bye week to re-think, re-energize the struggling wolfpack.  The former Navy graduate will bring a totally new defensive team to FSU and should prevent Ponder from going buck wild on his team this week.  Expect below average #‘s for Ponder.

RB LaMichael James, Oregon (vs USC)
James has been instrumental in the turnaround at Oregon and give him a lot of the credit.  But they face the mighty Trojans on Halloween and Oregon can’t really throw the ball.  Expect USC to stop the run first and dare Masoli to throw.

WR Any Texas Tech WR (vs Kansas)
Mike Leach has never had a backup qb start for him in the last 10 years.  He has gone through 3 qb’s in the last 3 weeks.  The QB situation in Lubbock is precarious at best and it will be wise to bench any Texas Tech WR until there is some clarity to this situation.

TE Mike McNeil, Nebraska (vs Baylor)
Nebraska losing to Iowa State at home last week causes even more uncertainty at the QB position.  Is it Zac Lee or true frosh Cody Green?  McNeil has been a major disappointment this year and I don’t see that changing this week.

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QB Tim Hiller, Western Michigan (vs. Kent State)
A lock to throw for 300 yds 2 TDs. He’s been good for 25-30 pts all season.

RB Alfred Morris, Florida Atlantic (vs. MTSU)
2 straight weeks of 140+ yds, 2 TDs, seems to be heating up going into conference play.

WR DeVier Posey, Ohio State (vs. NM State)
Scored a TD in 4 straight games.  Pryor still out to prove he can throw and the Buckeyes get New Mexico State at home this week.

TE Virgil Green, Nevada (vs. Hawaii)
Doesn’t catch a ton of passes, but has scored in 4 straight games. Should reach the endzone against a horrible Hawaii defense this weekend.

SIT EM

QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas (vs. Eastern Michigan)
Completed just 12-of-34 passes last week. Arkansas will be running all over E. Michigan this weekend. The Eagles give up 275 rushing yds a game.

RB Bryce Beall. Houston (vs. Southern Miss)
Charles Sims had more carries, yards and TDs. Beall and Sims appeared to be alternating drives. I’d stay away from Beall if you want an RB with upside. His ceiling is around 18 pts.

WR Jeremy Williams, Tulane (vs. LSU)
Production has dropped off considerably the last 2 weeks and it may get worse playing at LSU this weekend.

TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame(vs. Washington State)
After starting the season red hot, Rudolph has 4 receptions for 20 yds in the past 2 games.
 

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START ‘EM

QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma (vs. Kansas State)
RB C.J. Spiller, Clemson (vs. Coastal Carolina)
WR Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati (vs. Syracuse)

DARK HORSES

QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas (vs. Eastern Michigan)
RB Brandon Minor, Michigan (vs. Illinois)
WR Danario Alexander, Missouri (vs. Colorado)