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Power I: I’m Late…I’m Late
By Drew Smith | November 14, 2008
Sorry to get this to you late folks…I have many excuses but none matter at this point. Lets get to the meat of the details.
It is playoff time in the world of fantasy college football with some leagues actually moving onto the second round. There are some top backs that are on bye week, meaning owners who rode the likes of Javon Ringer, LeSean McCoy and even Collin Mooney are looking to their bench for starters. This article is going to focus more on players that should be started or sat for reasons that might not be as obvious.
Jahvid Best - California: Best has seen his rushing totals three weeks in a row since losing the coach’s confidence with some fumblitis. This week some owners might be tempted to start Best against an Oregon State team that a lot of people assume is a weak defensive team. However the Beavers have been solid and sport the 27th ranked rush defense. All this adds up to a player that I would avoid starting if you have a solid alternative.
Victor Anderson - Louisville: Anderson has been a pleasant surprise at times and really exploits weaker defenses. It still surprises me to the number of people that still hasn’t taken notice of the Bearcats defense. They are very good and with a defense ranked 25th against the run this is exactly the type of team Anderson has struggled against.
Nic Grigsby - Arizona: Grigsby started off the season great against some mid-majors but came crashing down to earth once the Wildcats started playing against tougher competition. However last week Grigsby came back to life with a 189 yard game against a Pac-10 opponent. But hold up there, that Pac-10 team was Washington State that ranks dead last against the rush. With the 28th ranked rush defense in Oregon on slate this week, I recommend sitting Grigsby this week and dismiss last weeks game.
Gartell Johnson - Colorado State: Johnson has been quite consistent this season but had his 3 lowest scoring games against TCU, Utah and California all of which have very solid run defenses. This week Johnson gets to face off against a New Mexico defense that ranks 38th against the run. He will get enough carries to muster up 10-15 points but if you have better options don’t be afraid to sit Johnson this week.
Keegan Herring - Arizona State: Anyone that has followed me knows that I have no faith in Dennis Erickson to produce consist fantasy backs and that I especially am not a big fan of Herring. However with that said I don’t care if Strawberry Shortcake was the running back, with the Sun Devils facing one of the worse rush defenses this decade in Washington State you have to start the running back they are facing. In this case that running back is Herring and is a must start for any team that isn’t loaded at RB.
Roy Helo Jr - Nebraska: Starting a running back from Nebraska this year with any amount of confidence is borderline insanity. However it appears that Helo is the flavor of the week and with the 110th ranked rush defense in Kansas State on the schedule this is too good of a matchup to not start him if you have some lineup questions.
Brandon Minor - Michigan: Minor would be a nice start this week against Northwestern but he is battling an array of injuries and has not practiced this week. Officially listed as doubtful, I would be shocked to see him playing this week. Leave Minor on your bench.
Stephen Simmons - Northwestern: Simmons is the starter by default and after mustering 34 yards on 14 carries last week against Ohio State you are probably asking why I am even writing about him? The answer is if you are desperate for a spot starter this week and can still pick up players then Simmons is someone that could bring you a 10-15 point week against a Michigan defense that ranks an average 56th against the rush.
Damion Fletcher - Southern Miss: Fletcher is facing an average rush defense in ECU, that is of course he plays. He is listed as doubtful and quite frankly there is just no way you can risk starting him in a playoff game with his status up in the air against one of the better CUSA defenses.
Brandon West - Western Michigan: West tweaked his ankle last week but all reports say he is expected to play this week against a Toledo team ranked 97th against the rush. No matter what the reports say I am always nervous starting a player in a playoff game who didn’t finish the previous game. However in this case the matchup is just too good to not roll the dice and start West.
Topics: College Football, Drew Smith, Power I, Running Back |
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