CFB Start or Sit: Week 14

Every week in fantasy line-ups, there are perilous decisions that can win or lose a game. While no other person can ever tell a GM who to play — only he can make that call — a little advice couldn't hurt, right? Here, we look at some players that deserve consideration for a starting spot this weekend and a few that owners might want to think twice about playing due to tough match-ups or extenuating circumstances.

Quarterback Rankings

Deserves a Second Look
Adam DiMichele, Temple (Akron)
The Zips have not been able to stop the passing game this season. They have allowed 26 passing touchdowns thus for in 2008. DiMichele has been putting up some pretty gaudy numbers over the past few weeks: 992 yards and 12 touchdowns over his last three. He also added a rushing touchdown for good measure last week. I should know, I lost to DiMichele and his 46 points last week in the Athlon semis.

Tony Pike, Cincy (Syracuse)
The Cuse is ranked last in the Big East in total, rushing, scoring and passing defense. At least they are consistent. Pike has done a great job of running the high powered Brian Kelly offense. In a defacto Big East championship game last week, Pike had only six incompletions in 32 attempts, 309 yards, 3 TDs and added 33 yards rushing for good measure.

Greg Alexander, Hawaii (Washington State)
It took a while, but Colt Brennan's succesor has finally been figured out. Alexander has scored a rushing touchdown in three straight games in addition to his six passing touchdowns over the that same span. Has a BCS team ever been a bigger underdog on the road at a mid-major

Do Some '09 Scouting This Weekend:
Jevan Snead, Ole Miss (Miss. St)
At least two TD in four straight games.

Russell Wilson, N.C. State (Miami)
Seven straight games with at least 2 TD, 0 total INT over that span.

Jarrod Johnson, Texas A&M (@ Texas)
11th worst fantasy QB in Big 12 has 23 TD's this year.

Bo Levi Mitchell, SMU (So. Miss.)
Could be huge next fall. Possible first round pick.

Better Think Twice
Zac Robinson, Oklahoma St (Oklahoma)
THe Sooner defense - at least while the number ones were in and actually trying - shut down the very potent Texas Tech offense last week. The front four got pressure and disrupted Graham Harrel's rthymn keeping the Red Raiders to only 14 points - the last seven were garbage points. The Sooners are motivated and will play very well. Lower expectations.

Joseph Webb, UAB (@ UCF)
The UCF defense has allowed 21 points or less in four straight games - only one opponent scored more than 17. They also have not allowed a quarterback to reach 200 yards in any of those four games. Webb has thrown only two touchdowns total and seven interceptions in his last four.

Josh Nesbitt v. Matthew Stafford, Georgia Tech v. Georgia
Three of the last four games between these two teams have be decided by 7 points or less so expect a close affair. Both teams could take the air out of the ball and play a control game which would speed the game up and lower quarterback production. Last year, Stafford had only 214 yards and one touchdown. There is limited upside for either signal caller.

Running Back Rankings

Deserves a Second Look
Graig Cooper, Miami (@ N.C. State)
Cooper is the best big play threat that the Canes have on offense. At any given time during the game, he has the ability to go the distance. Against a surging N.C. State squad expect MIami to try to establish the run to deflate the Wolfpack sails. He is averaging nearly five yards per carry this season is remarkable for an offense that has lacked toughness up front along the line. And State has the worst defense (386 ypg) in the ACC.

The USC Trojan backfield (Notre Dame)
Stafon Johnson, C.J. Gable and Joe McKnight will all see plenty of carries. Each could reach the end zone and each could reach the 70-80 yard range. However, your guess is as good as mine as to who will end up with the most touches, even though all could get at least 15 touches. Notre Dame allows nearly 150 yards rushing per game so USC should have no trouble controlling the line of scrimmage.

Darius Marshall, Marshall (Tulsa)
The appropriately named tailback has gone over 100 yards rushing in four straight games for the Herd. Last week's 118 yards against Rice also put him over 1000 on the season. Upside is not huge, since they will likely be trailing for most of the game, but someone will score some garbage points against a defense that recently allowed 70 points in a game.

Jacob Ramsey, Cincinnati (Syracuse)
The Bearcat tailback had not scored a touchdown as of week 12 of the season. Ramsey has scored now in two straight games and Brian Kelly is seemling warming up to the ground game - particularly around the goalline. Ramsey has had at least 13 carries in four straight games. A bold statement for a Brian Kelly running back. Plus, Cuse'e defense is down right dreadfull (unless they play the Fighting Irish apparently).

Better Think Twice
Jonathan Dwyer v. Knowshon Moreno, Georgia Tech @ Georgia
UGA allows just over 100 yard rushing per game. They rank 15th nationally against the run. GT allows 120 yards rushing per game. They rank 29th nationally. This has 17-13 written all over it. One of Moreno's worst games as a starter was last year's match-up in Atlanta. He mustered only 45 yards rushing and no scores.

Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma St (Oklahoma)
The OU defense looked way to strong last week for Hunter owners to expect anything over 100-1. He may get some garbage points and maybe reach the endzone but fans can be sure that Bob Stoops will be prepared for the Big 12's top ranked rushing offense. They will not sneak up on a team that is playing for a national title bid.

Jake Sharp, Kansas (Missouri - Kansas City)
The Jayhawk tailback is battle an undisclosed injury and a match-up in a rivalry game with Missouri is not the way to get healthy. Kansas will have to throw plenty in order to keep pace with the Tigers so Sharp could do something in the passing game but his rushing totals should be low. Again, if he is healthy, Bench him is the advice here.

Wide Receiver Rankings

Deserves a Second Look
Bruce Francis, Temple (Akron)
See Adam DiMichele above.

Mardy Gilyard and Dominick Goodman, Cincy (Syracuse)
There seems to be a theme developing with the Bearcats.

T.Y. HIlton, FIU (FAU)
Keep your A's and your I's straight in this high scoring affair.

Marko Mitchell, Nevada (@ La. Tech)
Targeted a ton versus Boise and LT could stop run.

Better Think Twice
A.J. Green, Georgia (Georgia Tech)
Game could be very low scoring, ball possession type game.

Kenny McKinley, S. Carolina (@ Clemson)
Tiger secondary is active, talented and inspired at the moment.

Brandon LaFell, LSU (Arkansas - Little Rock)
True frosh at QB and successful ground game should limit production.

Tight End Rankings

Defensive Rankings

Top waiver wire spot starts:
1. Virginia (@ Va. Tech)
2. Ole Miss (Miss. St)
3. Clemson (South Carolina)
4. Maryland (@ Boston College)
5. UCF (UAB)

Del.icio.us | Digg it | Athlon Sports RSS Feeds