PERMASTARTERS

1. Ryan Williams VaTech vs. North Carolina
2. Jahvid Best Cal at Arizona St (wish he got more carries is my only complaint)
3. Dion Lewis Pitt vs. idle
4. Jacquizz Rodgers Oreg St at UCLA
5. Darius Marshall Marsh at UCF (The Knights rush defense is the best in CUSA, tough matchup)
6. Ryan Matthews Fresno vs. Utah State
7. Toby Gerhart Stanford vs. Idle
8. Mark Ingram Alabama vs. Idle
9. Noel Devine WVU vs. South Florida (admittedly, long over due Perm-Starter)

Stat of the Week: Only two running backs have scored in every game this season and both backs are considered under-sized.  Jacquizz Rodgers has 14 TDs on the season and has scored multiple times in 4 out of 7 games.  Noel Devine (pictured right, thanks Icon SMI) who only scored 4 times last season is already up to 10 scores with four games to go.

Fave plays for Week Four

• Lance Dunbar, North Texas vs. Western Kentucky – Dunbar has vaulted up to the #5 ranked fantasy RB and will most likely be sitting #2 after this week as Gerhart, Ingram and Lewis are all off.  He was someone I highlighted earlier this season and if you were lucky enough to have picked him up then you are most likely drooling at the matchup this week against the Hilltoppers.  Expert a HUGE game this week.
• John Clay, Wisconsin vs. Purdue – Clay has had two difficult matchups with Ohio State and Iowa plus dealing with a sprained ankle (again) but after having a bye week to heal gets a nice opponent in Purdue.  Clay has gotten 20+ carries in 4 straight games and should make it 5 against Purdue who comes in ranked 82nd against the run.
• CJ Spiller, Clemson vs. Coastal Carolina – This is not a misprint, I have checked it versus 5 sources.  Coastal Carolina is the team Clemson is playing this week.  Yes, the 8th game of the season Clemson felt it necessary to play an exhibition game– just ridiculous.  Anyway, there is no way you can’t start Spiller even though I hate games like this where Spiller might only touch the ball 10-12 times.  Also, feel free to grab Clemson’s defense off the waiver wire and start them as well.
• Donald Buckram, UTEP vs. UAB – Have I mentioned how UTEP coach Mike Price can not be counted on to stick to the run?  He abandons the run sometimes before his team even hits the field.  Everything on paper says Buckram is in for a huge game against an UAB team that ranks 70th against the run.  Let’s just hope Price doesn’t out-think himself.
• Montel Harris, BC vs. Central Michigan – All I can say is that I hope you aren’t playing against Harris this week because he is going to blow up.  Central Michigan is good enough offensively to keep the game close but their defense will not be able to stop Harris.  I fully expect another huge week from the king of inconsistent running backs.
• Bernard Price, Temple at Navy – My favorite freshman find that I have been riding in all my leagues for weeks now, gets to face a Navy defense ranks 44th against the run.  The defense is not as good as the numbers say in talent but with an offense that chews up the time of possession, it keeps them off the field.  This is a concern but Price has been running so well that it shouldn’t matter.  Expect a lighter load but with strong results in the 120 yards and two scores range.
• Alfred Morris, FAU vs. Middle Tenn St – Morris has been on fire and gets a MTSU team that is just average against the run.  The key will be whether the FAU defense can slow down a strong Red Raider offense.  If they can avoid getting down early then they will be able to stick to the ground game that will result in Morris having a sold game.

Super sleeper

Brandon Wegher, Iowa vs. Indiana – The Hawkeyes have lost their starting running back to a season-ending injury now for the 2nd time this season.  This vaulted highly recruited true freshman Brandon Wegher to the starting position.  Wegher has had been playing backup all season and almost certainly on the free agent wire.  Iowa faces Indiana this week which should allow him to have a solid first career start.  If you need a spot starter, finding one in Week 9 is not always the easiest thing, so Wegher starting is a gift.

VICIOUS PINE

Delone Carter, Syracuse vs. Cincy – Carter is a nice back that plays on a terrible team so his games are going to be erratic depending on whether the game is close. In games that they lost by 10+ points he has averaged little more than 4points a game, while averaging over 25 points a game when the Syracuse played well in.  So the question is this, do you think Syracuse will play a close game at Cincy?  If you, like me, think the answer is no– then you have to sit Carter this week.

Ralph Bolden, Purdue at Wisconsin – Bolden got into the endzone last week against Illinois for the first time since second week.  However this was against a terrible Illinois team that was still able to hold him to 78 yards on 21 carries.  This week he faces a tough Wisconsin team on the road which I expect to see similar results that we saw over the previous 6 games before Illinois.  If you still have him on your team, don’t think he is back…leave him on your bench.

***If you have any questions feel free to post the question on the forums or you can always email me at drew@fantasycollegeblitz.com.

Related posts:

1. Power I: Week 10
2. Power I: Week 5 Running Back Report
3. Power I: Week 8
4. Power I Week 6
5. Power I: Specific Week One Strategies for Starting RBs