Now for a quick peek at my all-FBS Top 144 College Fantasy Football running backs of 2011. I have already heard that my Top 20 is a lot different than the other sites, so I like that. Projections and Customizer coming soon.

Rank Name Class Team Byes

Oregon RB LaMichael James makes neon green look GOOD...(Icon SMI)

1 LaMichael James Jr ORE 5, 14
2 Marcus Lattimore So SOCAR 8, 14
3 Ronnie Hillman So SDST 5, 8
4 Bobby Rainey Sr WKTY 4, 14
5 David Wilson Jr VATC 10, 14
6 Trent Richardson Jr ALA 9, 14
7 Montee Ball Jr WIS 6, 14
8 Lance Dunbar Sr NOTX 10, 13
9 Bryce Brown So KNST 2, 13
10 Doug Martin Sr BOST 2, 9

11 Orleans Darkwa So TUL 14
12 James White So WIS 6, 14
13 Brandon Bolden Sr MISS 6, 14
14 Zach Line Jr SMU 6, 14
15 Knile Davis Jr ARK 7, 14
16 Ray Graham Jr PITT 8, 12
17 Tauren Poole Sr TENN 4, 14
18 Lamar Miller So MIA 2, 14
19 Rex Burkhead Jr NEB 7, 14
20 Stepfan Taylor Jr STAN 4, 14

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Building upon my Minimalist theme for 2010 (in everything but quality), I introduce to you my early August look at the running back position for fantasy college football. Compared to the excellent project of our Cheatsheet Customizer from Drew Smith and Tim Dady, I list here some things you will NOT see in my Minimalist project:

One of Oregon State Jacquizz Rodgers 34 career TDs - can he do that in 2010 alone? (IconSMI)

RB by committee (RBBC) – I have long held that why should I draft an average-plus talent who shares carries above an average talent who will likely be the main guy. I will post my RBBC to watch later since there are some quality players and programs involved (e.g., Utah, Texas) that merit monitoring over the course of the next couple weeks.

“Achtung” list – Guys I just do not trust and should be handled with care (again, a future post).  I got close to 100 names here all of whom I would trust on my lineup, so I will just leave guys off here so as to focus on the valuable RBs.

Trust your preparation!

This was driven home to me a couple months back while golfing – I questioned my putt while in the stance, and of course I over-corrected and missed the par. I repeated the mantra as I approached the rest of the greens and performed much better. Very easy to apply this concept to many tasks, but focusing on fantasy college football here means to appreciate what is on the list, not what is absent.

After the jump, I will break out my RBs by tiers of expected performance (with rankings within the cohort less a concern) with important backups.

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Don’t get caught napping on these 14 players with nothing but upside…

How sleepy is this list? Damien Berry is the only one I could find on film (IconSMI)

Restorative sleepers

Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State - off redshirt/grayshirt, great offensive coaches and have seen his name in two different papers. There is a reason I have him listed first as a sleeper because I think he has a great opportunity, but i will temper my excitement by saying he went undrafted in the 24-team 16-round NCAA Project league that values youth moreso than others.

James Montgomery, Washington State - formerly of Cal, and Cougars can’t be that bad again. Can they? Weird injury last year kept him out, I expect him to contribute if healthy.

Derrick Hall, Tulsa – JUCO could be the #1 on the juggernaut, but lots of RB to fight with. Mr. Steele calls for Hall to be the starter ahead of Jamad Williams.

Damien Berry, Miami (FL) – (right) Schedule is brutal, but lots of talent and Berry put on good weight in expectation of the lead role. I know he had 8 TD last year but he has generated no excitement in mock drafts this 2010 pre-season. Health of RB/WR Graig Cooper will have inverse impact on Berry.

Pat Shed, UAB – an offense in need of new leader, a conference bereft of defense, we may have a deep fantasy sleeper.

Alex Green, Hawaii – more than a blocker in Mouse Davis’ run and shoot, Alex Green might be the next Nate Ilaoa. My wife just asked me why I was giggling with joy.

Al-Terek McBurse, Purdue – new #1 RB (given Ralph Bolden injury) with a new QB in Robert Marve.

Ronnie Wingo, Arkansas - a bit of a logjam in Fayetteville, but I feel Wingo is the top back in the Bobby Petrino offense. And Petrino commits to running more.

Deep-REM sleepers

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Pittsburgh Panthers RB Dion Lewis (Icon SMI)

1. Ryan Williams – VaTech at Maryland
2. Dion Lewis – Pitt vs. Notre Dame (ND defense is just average, don’t be scared off by the name)
3. Jacquizz Rodgers – Oreg St vs. Wash
4. Darius Marshall – Marsh vs. Southern Miss
5. Ryan Matthews – Fresno at Nevada (is now the #1 fantasy RB)
6. Toby Gerhart – Stanford vs. USC (tough matchup for Gerhart but still a starter)
7. Mark Ingram – Alabama vs. Miss St
8. Noel Devine – WVU at Cincy (questionable with ankle injury, risky start this week)
9. Lance Dunbar – North Texas at FIU
10. Bernard Pierce – Temple at Akron Read the rest of this entry →