CFB: Week 2 Start Or Sit

Each week, Athlon will take a deeper look at the fantasy match-ups that effect your line-up. Some players will deserve a second look from managers while others could create some concern. Check out Athlon's College Fantasy Start or Sit for Week 2:
 
Follow fantasy editors Braden Gall and Steven Lassan on Twitter: @AthlonBraden, @AthlonSteven
 
QB — Deserves A Second Look
 
Dan Persa, Northwestern (Illinois State)
Look for Pat Fitzgerald to try to establish the ground game in this one. This does not, however, mean that Persa won't post some good numbers. The quarterback is always the biggest playmaker for the Wildcat offense and he should meet little resistance this weekend. A phenomenal debut by Persa on the road against an SEC defense has Fitz thinking bowl game once again in 2010.
 
Alex Carder, Western Michigan (Nicholls State)
The Broncos threw the ball 49 times last weekend against Michigan State. They were trailing early and were forced to due so, but this has been the M.O. for WMU for a few years now. Expect his completion percentage to jump this weekend (55%) and the yardage numbers should follow (220 yds). For good measure, Carder led the team in rushing in his first career start for Western Michigan.
 
Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois (Western Illinois)
There may be plenty of growing pains for Mr. Scheelhaase, but there will be plenty of excitement as well. The good from week one was that he rushed for 76 yards, threw a touchdown and kept his team in the game against an heavily favored opponent. The bad was that he completed only 39-percent of his passes and threw three INTs. Expect a lot more of the good this weekend against an over-matched Bulldog squad.
 
Jeff Tuel, Washington State (Montana State)
This might be the one and only appearance by Mr. Tuel in this column as fall long. (Okay, if he proves himself this week, I might throw him a bone against SMU next week as well. But that is as far as I will go.) Against a team that totally controlled the game, Tuel wasn't terrible. He threw for 212 yards, one score on no INTs. He also posted 10 carries as well. This might be the only win of the year for Wazzu, so Tuel will have to be good this weekend.
 
QB — Better Think Twice
 
B.J. Daniels vs. John Brantley (South Florida @ Florida)
What a tale of two weekends. Daniels posted an excellent fantasy showing in his 2010 debut while Brantley had quite an adventure trying to catch shotgun snaps all game long. Well, this weekend they aren't playing Stony Brook or Miami-Ohio anymore. Both defenses are fast and should slow the opposing offense. Daniels is a must-bench this week. Brantley, while much less so than Daniels, is also someone I would bench. The offense can only be better this week for Florida, but dropped passes, bad snaps, fumbles and other issues cause concern. Wait and see is how I would approach Mr. Brantley for the time being.
 
Jacory Harris, Miami (@ Ohio State)
I know it was only Marshall, but the OSU defense looked amazing last week. Three forced turnovers, a defensive touchdown and a total of 199 yards allowed says so. Chimdi Chekwa looked to be back to full strength and should lock down Leonard Hankerson. Cam Heyward, John Simon and company should be able to control the line of scrimmage as well. Harris could be running for his life all game long (See Champs Sports Bowl).
 
Darron Thomas, Oregon (@ Tennessee)
Thomas was not needed much last week against New Mexico, but still he posted adequate numbers in his first career start. He is in the line-up to make plays with his legs and one carries (for -4 yards) isn't getting the job done. Thomas claims he made all the right reads (certainly Kenjon Barner owners liked it) but his rushing numbers will not explode against the Vols and the 100,000 strong at Neyland. He also threw an INT and barely completed 50-percent of his passes (13 of 23). The Ducks should win, but Thomas isn't the play this week.
 
Christian Ponder vs. Landry Jones (Florida State @ Oklahoma)
Despite two wins and varying degrees of team success, these two quarterbacks combined for only 384 passing yards last week. Yes, the Sooners allowed plenty of fantasy points to Diondre Borel of Utah State. Yes, Ponder was incredibly efficient and tossed four scores. This is a different level of competition, however. Two Stoops brothers, national title implications and the almighty gut tells me this one will be played much tighter to the vest.
 
Other match-ups that concern:
 
Andrew Luck, Stanford (@ UCLA)
Austin Dantin, Toledo (@ Ohio)
Aaron Murray @ Stephen Garcia (Georgia @ South Carolina)
Austen Arnaud vs. Ricky Stanzi (Iowa State @ Iowa)
 
RB — Deserves A Second Look
 
Mikel LeShoure, Illinois (Southern Illinois)
There is a lot to like about this player. He is big, physical, runs hard, can catch the ball and has averaged nearly 6 yards-per-carry for his career. He already has a 100-yard game under his belt against a solid defense this season and the Salukis of Southern Illinois are not that. Expect Ron Zook and Coach Petrino to "feed the studs" this weekend — and that means good things for LeShoure.
 
Aaron Winchester, Western Michigan (Nicholls State)
The Broncos starting tailback got only 15 carries last week in a blowout loss to the Spartans. Not only should he get plenty more action this weekend but he should be much more effective as well. He adds some sneaky value in PPR (or 0.5 PPR) leagues as he caught five passes last week. He production across the board should be solid this week against Nicholls State.
 
De’Vion Moore, Missouri (McNeese State)
With Derrick Washington gone for the year, the carries for Mizzou were up for grabs last weekend. After week one in a close game, Moore posted 16 carries while Kendial Lawrence got only 7. This may not be totally indicative of what the rest of the year looked like, but those were meaningful carries in a game that was still in question. Against McNeese State, they are probably both good plays.
 
Bilal Powell, Louisville (Eastern Kentucky)
Powell posted 16 carries and was much more effective than former starter Victor Anderson — who got only 7. He rushed 153 yards to Anderson's 34. Powell also scored the only TD for the Cards offense. Against Eastern Kentucky, they are probably both good plays. (Anyone else have a mild case of deja vu?)
 
Duane Bennett, Minnesota (South Dakota)
If it wasn't for that speedy little quarterback in Ann Arbor, Bennett would currently be leading the Big Ten in rushing. His 187-yard season debut in Murfreesboro was outstanding. The only fantasy drawback was that he didn't reach paydirt. Touchdown vulture and short yardage specialist Jon Hoese was hit hard by tragedy this week when his father passed away and his status is unknown for this weekend. Bennett reaching the endzone this weekend is almost certain if Hoese is unable to play.
 
Other quality starts:
 
Ed Wesley and Matthew Tucker, TCU (Tennessee Tech)
Montee Ball, Wisconsin (San Jose State)
Phillip Tanner, MTSU (Austin Peay)
Willie Geter, Bowling Green (@ Tulsa)

RB — Better Think Twice

Alexander Robinson, Iowa State (@ Iowa)

The Cyclone tailback had an excellent fantasy debut to the season last week against Northern Illinois' defensive front. This is a totally different animal. The Hawkeyes boast one of the nation's elite defensive lines and will pose an formidable barrier against any real production this week from Robinson. They allowed a total of 157 yards of offense to Eastern Illinois. The Cy Hawk Trophy should be a good game — just not for fantasy owners.

Evan Royster, Penn State (@ Alabama)
This offensive line has not looked the same since Michael Robinson left the program. Something is just off about this group and a trip to Tuscaloosa is no way to work out the kinks. Sure, PSU wanted 18-year-old Robert Bolden to throw a lot last week — and the game got out of hand quickly — but Royster's 11 carries for 40 yards would be alarming against almost anyone. Against the national champs, he belongs on the bench.

Oregon Ducks vs. Tauren Poole (Oregon @ Tennessee)
The quarterbacks in this game will be hard pressed to get much accomplished through the air. And both defenses are probably a little bit better than their national reputation currently. The return of LaMichael James will have the Vols group focused, while Kenjon Barner owners are stuck in fantasy no man's land with a player who is a must-play when he starts. Yet, against an SEC team on the road as a back-up? I am putting Barner on the bench for better options like Armando Allen, Montee Ball and Mikel LeShoure.

Rodney Stewart, Colorado (@ Cal)
The Golden Bears and the nasty linebacking corps allowed a total of 14 rushing yards on 19 carries last week. Stewart, meanwhile, in a big 21-point win over an in-state rival, rushed for only 67 yards without a score. I would stay away from Stewart this weekend.

Other tough match-ups:

Delone Carter, Syracuse (@ Washington)
Washuan Ealey vs. Marcus Lattimore (Georgia @ South Carolina)
Bobby Rainey, Western Kentucky (@ Kentucky)

WR — Deserves A Second Look

Jeremy Kerley, TCU (Tennessee Tech)
All-purpose dynamo will be Dalton’s top target most weeks.

Jarrett Boykin, Virginia Tech (James Madison)
Was two drops away from a huge game last week and weak opponent.

Russell Shepard, LSU (@ Vanderbilt)
Dynamic playmaker should get more touches in this one.

Keenan Allen, Cal (Colorado)
Electric true frosh will be needed against future conference foe.

D.J. Woods, Cincinnati (Indiana State)
Hazelton injury open door for #3 to step up from now on.

WR — Better Think Twice

Leonard Hankerson, Miami (@ Ohio State)
Stellar OSU cornerman Chimdi Chekwa looks to be back to 100%.

Chris Owusu, Stanford (@ UCLA)
Great secondary and a return from injury would make me wait a week.

Kealoha Pilares, Hawaii (@ Army)
A long trip, an offense that will control the clock and a guy named Salas.

Bert Reed, Florida State (@ Oklahoma)
Bob Stoops better have lit a fire under Sooner secondary.

Ahmad Paige and Co., Louisiana Tech (@ Texas A&M)
Tough road test against Aggies.

Top 10 Waiver Wire DEF/ST Plays:
1. Cincinnati (Indiana State)
2. Arizona (Citadel)
3. Arizona State (Northern Arizona)
4. Wisconsin (San Jose State)
5. Purdue (Western Illinois)
6. MTSU (Austin Peay)
7. Boston College (Kent State)
8. Missouri (McNeese State)
9. West Virginia (@ Marshall)
10. Northwestern (Illinois State)

Make Sure You Know

Mark Ingram, Alabama (San Jose State)
The knee is still an issue and might not be back until the Duke game.

LaMichael James, Oregon
Will return to the field this weekend in Knoxville.

A.J. Green, Georgia
Has been suspended for three more games this year.

Dwight Dasher, MTSU
Is still suspended from play.

Donald Buckram, UTEP (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)
Status is unknown due to a preseason knee injury.

Frank Goodin, UL Monroe
Could be limited in his debut due to an undisclosed injury.

Vidal Hazelton, Cincinnati
Is out for the season with a torn ACL.

Dillon Baxter, USC
The talented freshman returns from suspension for his debut this weekend.

Jordan Reed, Florida1
The big tight end should suit up this weekend for the Gators.

Bernard Pierce, Temple
He left the CMU game with a hand injury in 3rd quarter and did not return.

Follow Braden Gall (@AthlonBraden) and Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven) on twitter.