Can you believe it…the 2009 season is only days away!

While you are getting your satellite adjusted, your new HD TV installed, and your fixin’s together for your first tailgate of the season…oh, yes, and that fantasy team of yours….we have been busy slaving away on which QBs you should start or sit for opening week.

In the first few weeks of the season, many of the best programs are playing much weaker opponents.

In most cases, when Big Time BCS Program plays Goatlips State, for example….it means a lot of fifth-stringers, scout-team players, and “players with no name on jersey” are going to see some playing time.  This means your star fantasy player will see less production, as he will be pulled as early as the second quarter.

Goatlips State may mean an easy win for Big Time BCS Program….but could wreck your fantasy team in the process.

In this edition, we will discuss whether you should play QBs who face weak opposition in their openers….players like Florida QB Tim Tebow (photo, thanks IconSMI)

START THEM

Tim Tebow – Florida (vs Charleston Southern):  Tebow is an interesting case….because no one in the known galaxy thinks CSU will come within 1000 points of the Gators.  With Tebow, however, he still is a good play, because he runs for so many TDs, and his TD-to-total offense ratio is quite high.  Note that Tebow will not play for more than two quarters, but should produce as many TDs as normal…albeit he will not gain as many yards passing or rushing as he would in other games.  Remember, also, the Gators need to put a whooping on Division I-FCS CSU or they could lose ground in the polls….say, a 49-7 win, will not impress voters.

Taylor Potts – Texas Tech (vs North Dakota):  Potts takes over as the Red Raiders starter, and will want to make a name for himself early on.  The UND Fighting Sioux are relatively new to I-FCS, and may not have the depth to keep this game close after the coin-toss.  Potts will get a lot of yards and TDs before sitting down in the third quarter.  North Dakota, it must be noted, is a great hockey school….howver, this is football

Matt Grothe – South Florida (vs Wofford):  This is a game that matches a BCS school with a I-FCS, however, Wofford is usually one of the top teams in a very tough Southern Conference, and not such an easy out.  Grothe could see action deep into the fourth quarter in this one.  If there is an opening game like the Appalachian State-Michigan game in 2007…..this is the most likely 2009 candidate.

Sam Bradford – Oklahoma AND Max Hall – BYU:  This matchup at Arlington, Texas (new Cowboys Stadium) should find both QBs keeping pretty busy.  Bradford will play well into the fourth quarter in this one, as the Cougars and Hall have weapons on offense to move the ball.  Note at times last season, opponents put up numbers on the Sooner defense….of course, when the Sooners put 60 on everyone, every game….you kinda want your own offense to look like it was there.

Colin Kaepernick – Nevada AND Jimmy Clausen – Notre Dame:  Fun Game of the Week, as Kaepernick is arguably the best dual threat QB in the land, while Clausen should pad up the stats on Nevada’s usually porous defense.  This game will be on NBC on Saturday afternoon, and many not already familiar with the Wolf Pack’s Kaepernick will see why many fantasy players man-crush over him.  Oh, and man-crush on Nevada’s Pistol offense, too.

Juice Williams – Illinois AND Blaine Gabbert – Missouri:  The past two matchups have been shoot-outs, and, this meeting should be no different.  Although Mizzou replaces a number of key skill-position players, Gabbert is a young QB who comes in with much acclaim.  The Illini’s Williams was the top fantasy QB in the Big Ten last season.

Zac Robinson – Oklahoma State (vs Georgia):  This may be the safest pick, because the Cowboys host a steady SEC program in its opener.  This game is huge for OSU as their national championship hopes (yes they do have a legit shot) really ride on this game.  A big win over a name-SEC program will help the Cowboys in the eyes of the media and computers, and, for Robinson, a big lift in the Heisman race.  His legs, probably more than his arm, will be the key in this matchup.

OTHER QBs TO START:  Case Keenum- Houston; Dan LeFevour – Central Michigan; Bo Levi Mitchell – SMU; G.J. Kinne – Tulsa; Trevor Vittatoe – UTEP; Jevan Sneed – Ole Miss; Greg Alexander – Hawaii

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THINK ABOUT IT

Colt McCoy – Texas (vs UL-Monroe):  The Longhorns are such a decisive favorite in this one,  I do not see McCoy needing to do a lot in this game.  Unlike Florida’s Tebow, the ‘Horns do not need McCoy as much to dominate and clobber the Warhawks.   There will be many other weeks in which McCoy will be a top performer.  UL-Monroe has a little more prestige than, say, Charleston Southern….

Todd Reesing – Kansas (vs Northern Colorado):  They could play Bill Self’s basketball players in this one, and still beat the I-FCS Bears by 40.  Reesing will be sat early as possible….not only because KU will play their cheerleaders after their hoops players are pulled…but because the Jayhawks have a challenging matchup at UTEP the next week.  Lots of Rock Chalk for the Jayhawks, but maybe not so much for Reesing, this week.

Tim Hiller – Western Michigan (at Michigan):  Hiller has been one of the most consistent fantasy producers the past three seasons, but, probably will not have the gaudy stats vs. the Wolverines.  Although WMU is capable of winning at The Big House (yes, I said that), Hiller probably will not see the stat production as he will when he faces MAC opponents.

Russell Wilson – North Carolina State (at South Carolina):  The top ACC fantasy QB from last season will be facing a decent Gamecock defense, so look for his stats to be a little below normal.  Wilson will have better matchups as the season progresses.

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SIT THEM

Jeremiah Masoli – Oregon (at Boise State):  Somewhat bold pick here, as Masoli is a terror with his mobility.  However, Boise State tends to have a good defense, and is playing, arguably, their biggest home game ever (first ranked FBS team to play at Bronco Stadium).  Also, I am a little concerned with the Ducks having to replace most of their starting O-Line, which could be a problem playing a road opener at the toughest non-BCS venue (Boise State has one regular-season loss this decade at Bronco Stadium).

Ricky Dobbs – Navy (at Ohio State):  Dobbs (photo, right,thanks Scout.com) will struggle against a tough Buckeye defense, and, may not produce much this weekend.  He is one of the best option QBs in the nation, but Navy just does not have the talent to match up with Ohio State.

Robert Griffin – Baylor (at Wake Forest):  Although Wake will be replacing a number of starters on their defense for 2009, the Demon Deacons are usually strong in this area.  Griffin is an exciting young QB who will be a start in most weeks, but, this is not an easy opener for the Bears.  Griffin will get his big games later in 2009.

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NOTABLES OFF THIS WEEK

Andy Dalton – TCU

Missing your favorite QB?  Want to know more about a rivals QB?  For further discussion and start/sit advice….check out our Forums here at FCB.  Click the “Forums” button at the top of the page

Related posts:

1. FROM THE SHOTGUN…Week 4 QB Start/Sit
2. FROM THE SHOTGUN….Week Six QB Start/Sit
3. FROM THE SHOTGUN….Week Two QB Start-Sit
4. FROM THE SHOTGUN…Week Eight QB Start/Sit
5. FROM THE SHOTGUN…Week 3 QB Start/Sit

Tags: fantasy strategy, From the Shotgun, QBs, Start/Sit, Tim Tebow