Power I: Week 5 Running Back Report
October 1st, 2009 by Drew Smith
RB Ryan Williams (thanks Icon SMI)
- PERMASTART
- Ryan Williams VaTech at Duke
- Jahvid Best Cal vs. USC (The last defense that has a chance of containing him)
- Dion Lewis Pitt at Louisville
- Jacquizz Rodgers Oreg ST at Ariz St
- Darius Marshall Marsh vs. ECU
- Ryan Matthews Fres vs. Idle
- Toby Gerhart vs. UCLA (a sneaky tough matchup)
PERMA – STAT: Ryan Matthews and Darius Marshall are the only running backs to break 100 yards in every game they have played this season.
Fave plays for Week Four
- Bryce Beall, Houston at UTEP – Beall is off to a slow start for a 1st round pick but at least he is healthy and playing. Look for Beall to final play like a top pick when he faces a UTEP defense that ranks 118th against the run.
- DaJuane Collins, Toledo at Ball St – Collins has played well this year when not playing Big Ten defenses. With Ball St on tap this week, I expect a big game from him.
- Noel Devine, West Virgina vs. Colorado – Jarrett Brown is banged-up, meaning the Mountaineers running game is going to have to rely on Devine. The Buffalos defense hasn’t been able to stop anyone this season.
- LaMichael James, Oregon vs. Wash St – The Ducks have found their running game and pounded a very solid Cal defense last week. This week they might not have to throw the ball more than a handful of times. Look for James to have a monster week.
- Brynn Harvey, UCF vs. Memphis – Harvey hasn’t a lot of running room this season but is averaging 21+ carries a game and has 5 TDs. Memphis has the 108th run defense, meaning we should see Harvey get plenty of chances with a 100 yards and 2 TDs type of game.
- Andre Anderson, Tulane at Army – Anderson showed last week why he was one of the top fantasy backs and will look to continue to this against Army. Army is improved this year but won’t be able to contain Anderson.
- John Clay, Wisc at Minn – It appears that the Badgers are off the Zach Brown bandwagon and ready to feed the rock to Clay as he got 32 carries last week. This week he faces off on a Gophers defense that hasn’t been able to keep opposing running backs out of the endzone.
- CJ Spiller, Clemson at Maryland – The Terps have been god-awful against the rush ranking 114th and this hasn’t even been against all power-house rushing teams. Spiller should have a break-out game this week and should be started in all formats.
Super sleeper
Bernard Pierce, Temple at EMU – Pierce is a true frosh who had a break-out game in the upset victory over Buffalo last week with 20 rushes for 116 yards and a TD. EMU is allowing opponents to avg. 6.4 ypc and have given up 12 rushing TDs in 3 games. If you are desperate for a spot starter this week, Pierce looks as good as they get for this week.
Vicious Pine
Delone Carter, Cuse vs USF – Carter is a nice low-end starter who scores TDs against average defenses but USF is not an average defense. It’s true that the Bulls tend to struggle on the road but this is a matchup I would avoid.
DeMaundray Woolridge, Idaho vs Colorado St – Woolridge has been a popular FA pickup as he has TDs in the last 3 games and his carries have increased each game. However, this is the week to leave him on the bench as The Rams have a solid rush defense as far as Mid-Major colleges go.
Add to watch list
Lamon Muldrow from San Jose St – Muldrow blew up last week with 184 yards and a TD against Cal Poly but wasn’t part of the offense in the three previous games against USC, Utah and Stanford. Heading into WAC conference play could make him useful later in the season.
Dmitri Nance from Arizona St – Nance was very busy last week in a near upset victory of Georgia with 25 carries and 4 receptions. This type of performance gains coaches confidence, so watch to what kind of role he has this week against Oregon St.
Alfred Morris from FAU – Watching Morris might be a bit too subtle. It might be time to roll the dice and just pick him up as he is averaging 20+ carries and running well. His overall stats are deflated as he faced Nebraska and South Carolina-he only played 3 games. If you feel like taking a gamble in deeper leagues then Morris is your guy.
Related posts:
Interesting… I’ve got D. Lewis, D. Marshall, B. Beall and A. Anderson. Who would you roll with this week? I can only start 2.
[...] Buckram. All three of these players were undrafted in just about every league out there. Both Pierce and Dunbar were players I highlighted early enough to pick up, whereas Buckram blew up before I [...]