Week 8 College Fantasy Start 'Em and Sit 'Em

Can Matt Barkley help the Trojans get back at Oregon State? Which options from the Notre Dame-Boston College game should you look to avoid? Our Michael Hurcomb touches on that and more in his Start 'Em and Sit 'Em.

Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is our weekly look at the best and worst matchups from around the NCAA and how they might affect your lineup decisions regarding your College Fantasy Football team. We are not in the business of stating the obvious, so this column doesn't highlight starting already established collegians like Tim Tebow or Colt McCoy.

We take into account all types of formats from 120-team to single-conference player pools. This information might not apply to you specifically, but with such a massive range of players, we are doing our best to cast a wide net.

ACC
Start of the Week: Duke QB Thaddeus Lewis (vs. Maryland)
Analysis: We went with Lewis as a start two weeks ago against N.C. State, and he didn't disappoint with 459 passing yards and six touchdowns (five passing). We figure we will stay with the hot hand since Lewis has another favorable matchup against Maryland. The Terps are allowing 33.7 points per game (106th) and 218.7 passing yards per contest (66th).
Other solid options: Boston College QB Dave Shinskie (at Notre Dame); Virginia RB Rashawn Jackson (vs. Georgia Tech)

Sit of the Week: Clemson TE Michael Palmer (at Miami, Fla.)
Analysis: Palmer has started to become a reliable option in the Clemson passing game, totaling nine catches for 114 yards and one touchdown in his last two games. Unfortunately, we feel his hot streak will end against the Hurricanes. Miami is 22nd in pass defense (172.2 ypg) and have pretty much shut down every tight end they have faced this season. Florida State tight end Caz Piurowski had the best numbers against Miami with three catches for 33 yards and one score.
Other potential sits: Miami (Fla.) WR Leonard Hankerson (vs. Clemson)

Big East
Start of the Week: Syracuse WR Mike Williams (vs. Akron)
Analysis: Akron has the nation's 36th ranked pass defense (195.7 ypg), but that's a little misleading since they have allowed 12 passing touchdowns in six games. Williams has emerged again as Syracuse's star receiver and has six touchdowns in six games. He has at least one touchdown in two straight and his streak should continue in Week 8.
Other solid options: Cincinnati RB Isaiah Pead (vs. Louisville); Cincinnati DST (vs. Louisville); South Florida WR Jessie Hester (at Pittsburgh)

Sit of the Week: Pittsburgh QB Bill Stull (vs. South Florida)
Analysis: A key matchup to watch this week is the South Florida defensive line against the Pittsburgh offensive line. The Bulls are one of the best defensive teams in the country and that's because they pressure the quarterback. They have 17 sacks and force turnovers (eight interceptions). Stull hasn't made a ton of mistakes in 2009, but we feel Pitt is going to have to run the ball with Dion Lewis and Ray Graham to be successful.
Other potential sits: Rutgers RB Joe Martinek (at Army); West Virginia WR Alric Arnett (vs. Connecticut); Connecticut RB Jordan Todman (at West Virginia)

Big 12
Start of the Week: Texas Tech WR Detron Lewis (vs. Texas A&M)
Analysis: Lewis has underachieved from a Fantasy standpoint in 2009. He was one of the most drafted wide receivers and expected to be the guy to pace the Tech receiving attack sans Michael Crabtree. While he does have a team-high 35 catches for 485 yards, his numbers have been quite modest until recently. Lewis has 13 catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games. His hot streak should continue in Week 8 against Texas A&M since the Aggies are one of the worst pass defenses in the country (226.7 ypg). Lewis had nine catches for 92 yards last season against A&M.
Other solid options: Nebraska RB Roy Helu (vs. Iowa State); Oklahoma State RB Keith Toston (at Baylor); Baylor WR Kendall Wright (vs. Oklahoma State); Oklahoma QB Landry Jones (at Kansas); Kansas State TE Jeron Mastrud (vs. Colorado); Texas A&M WR Uzoma Nwachukwu (at Texas Tech)

Sit of the Week: Missouri RB Derrick Washington (vs. Texas)
Analysis: No one -- we mean no one -- has been able to run on Texas this season. They rank first in rush defense (35.8 ypg) and dominated the Oklahoma tandem of DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown in Week 7. Even with Chase Daniel around in 2008, Washington managed just seven carries for 17 yards, although he did score a touchdown. Texas has allowed just one rushing touchdown in 2009, so we don't expect easy sledding for Washington.
Other potential sits: Kansas RB Jake Sharp (vs. Oklahoma); Iowa State QB Austen Arnaud (at Nebraska); Colorado RB Rodney Stewart (at Kansas State)

Big Ten
Start of the Week: Northwestern WR Zeke Markshausen (vs. Indiana)
Analysis: Markshausen has emerged as quarterback Mike Kafka's favorite target in 2009. He leads the team with 50 catches for 459 yards. He had a career game against Michigan State in Week 7 with 16 catches for 111 yards and one touchdown. Markshausen has managed 10-plus catches in two of his last three games and has at least 60 yards in five straight. He should have another nice week going up against a pass defense allowing 237.3 yards per game and 11 passing touchdowns.
Other solid options: Purdue RB Ralph Bolden (vs. Illinois); Iowa TE Tony Moeaki (at Michigan State); Ohio State RB Brandon Saine (vs. Minnesota); Penn State WR Derek Moye (at Michigan)

Sit of the Week: Michigan QB Tate Forcier (vs. Michigan)
Analysis: The game is in the Big House and Forcier has been a media darling in his freshman season, but even if he has some last-second heroics against the Nittany Lions, we don't expect his stat line to be pretty. Only one team has managed 20 points against Penn State this season and the Nittany Lions are 14th in pass defense (163.4 ypg).
Other potential sits: Minnesota RB Duane Bennett (at Ohio State); Indiana RB Darius Willis (at Northwestern); Michigan State RB Larry Caper (vs. Iowa); Iowa RB Adam Robinson (at Michigan State)

Conference USA
Start of the Week: SMU QB Bo Levi Mitchell (at Houston)
Analysis: We have been very impressed with Mitchell since his four-interception meltdown against Washington State earlier this season. He has thrown just two picks in his last three games and hasn't turned the ball over since the TCU game in Week 5. Interceptions have always been holding Mitchell back, but he could finally be turning the corner. Mitchell should have a good week against Houston, which is allowing 225.5 passing yards per game (70th). Mitchell passed for 365 yards and four touchdowns against Houston last season.
Other solid options: Marshall WR Antavious Wilson (vs. UAB); UCF RB Brynn Harvey (at Rice); Rice TE Taylor Wardlow (vs. UCF); Southern Miss WR DeAndre Brown (vs. Tulane)

Sit of the Week: Tulane WR Jeremy Williams (at Southern Miss)
Analysis: The Tulane passing game hasn't been very consistent in 2009 and that's why the team is handing the reigns over to redshirt freshman Ryan Griffin, who unfortunately has to make his first start of his career on the road against Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles are 49th in pass defense (209.7 ypg) and will likely key on Williams, who is Tulane's best receiver.
Other potential sits: UAB TE Jeffrey Anderson (at Marshall)

FBS Independents
Start of the Week: Navy RB Vince Murray (vs. Wake Forest)
Analysis: We went with Murray as a start in Week 7, and he didn't disappoint with 141 rushing yards and two scores against SMU. Like Thaddeus Lewis, we will ride the hot hand and stick with Murray in Week 8. Wake Forest is allowing 130.1 rushing yards per game (56th) and gave up 225 rushing yards to Navy's starting fullback -- Eric Kettani -- in two games last season (Wake and Navy met in a bowl game).
Other solid options: Notre Dame TE Kyle Rudolph (vs. Boston College)

Sit of the Week: Notre Dame RB Armando Allen (vs. Boston College)
Analysis: Allen has been in a real funk since injuring his ankle against Michigan State in Week 3. In his last two games, Allen has managed just 90 rushing yards on 24 carries and has failed to find the end zone. We don't think he will snap out of his funk in Week 8 against Boston College, which is 39th in run defense (117.1 ypg). In two career games against BC, Allen has just nine carries for 33 yards and no touchdowns.
Other potential sits: Army RB Kingsley Ehie (vs. Rutgers)

MAC
Start of the Week: Buffalo RB Mario Henry (at Western Michigan)
Analysis: The Bulls backfield is banged up. They are already down James Starks for the season (shoulder), but now Brandon Thermilus and Ike Nudka could miss Saturday's game against Western Michigan with ankle injuries. That should leave the rushing load to Henry, who will face the nation's 101st ranked run defense (182.8 ypg). The Broncos have also allowed nine rushing touchdowns this season.
Other solid options: Central Michigan RB Bryan Schroeder (at Bowling Green); Ball State RB MiQuale Lewis (at Eastern Michigan); Northern Illinois RB Me'co Brown (at Miami, Ohio); Ohio WR LaVon Brazill (vs. Kent State); Temple RB Kee-ayre Griffin (at Toledo)

Sit of the Week: Miami (Ohio) WR Armand Robinson (vs. Northern Illinois)
Analysis: Robinson has been one of the Redhawks most productive players. However, teams have finally figured that out and have minimized Robinson's impact as of late. In his last two games, he has just six catches for 78 yards. We don't expect him to snap his slump going up against the Huskies, who are 30th in scoring defense (18.8 ppg) and are one of the better defenses in the MAC.
Other potential sits: Bowling Green WR Adrian Hodges (vs. Central Michigan); Kent State WR Tyshon Goode (at Ohio); Akron RB Joe Tuzze (at Syracuse); Toledo RB DaJuane Collins (vs. Temple)

Mountain West
Start of the Week: UNLV WR Ryan Wolfe (at New Mexico)
Analysis: Wolfe has a pretty solid history against the Wolfpack. In three career games, he has 23 catches for 344 yards and two touchdowns. There is no reason he can't have another strong outing against New Mexico since the Wolfpack are allowing 258.8 passing yards per game (107th). New Mexico has also allowed 15 passing touchdowns this season.
Other solid options: San Diego State QB Ryan Lindley (at Colorado State); New Mexico QB Donovan Porterie (vs. UNLV)

Sit of the Week: BYU QB Max Hall (vs. TCU)
Analysis: Hall has continued to impress in 2009 and has added to his storied career. He is eighth in the nation in total offense (306.4 ypg), has managed at least two scores in all seven games and has five 100-yard passing games. Unfortunately, we feel he is going to run into a brick wall in Week 8. TCU is still one of the nation's premier defenses despite heavy losses from last season and rank ninth in pass defense (156.8 ypg). Hall doesn't have a great history against TCU either. He has one passing touchdown to three interceptions in two games versus the Horned Frogs.
Other potential sits: Utah WR David Reed (vs. Air Force); Colorado State QB Grant Stucker (vs. San Diego State)

Pac-10
Start of the Week: USC QB Matt Barkley (vs. Oregon State)
Analysis: We are witnessing the rise of another star quarterback at USC. Barkley has continually improved over the last few games and finally appears past his shoulder injury. He had a breakout game against Notre Dame on Saturday with 380 passing yards and two touchdowns. The good times should continue in Week 8 against Oregon State. The Beavers are one of the nation's worst pass defenses (275.3 ypg).
Other solid options: Oregon RB LaMichael James (at Washington); Cal WR Marvin Jones (vs. Washington State); Arizona State WR Chris McGaha (at Stanford)

Sit of the Week: Oregon State QB Sean Canfield (at Southern California)
Analysis: Canfield has been efficient under center for OSU in 2009 as Lyle Moevao has been slow to recover from shoulder surgery. He has passed for more than 200 yards in four straight games, but we see that streak coming to an end in Week 8. The Trojans are allowing just 192.3 passing yards per game (33rd) and have given up just two passing touchdowns. Even Moevao was held to 167 passing yards last season against USC.
Other potential sits: Washington WR Jermaine Kearse (vs. Oregon); Arizona WR Juron Criner (vs. UCLA); UCLA RB Jonathan Franklin (at Arizona)

SEC
Start of the Week: Auburn RB Ben Tate (at LSU)
Analysis: One area of weakness for LSU has been its run defense. Teams have been able to move the ball on the ground against the Tigers, and Auburn should continue that trend in Week 8 since its run game is about the only thing working on offense these days. Tate has rushed for 444 yards and four touchdowns in his last three outings.
Other solid options: Ole Miss WR Shay Hodge (vs. Arkansas); Kentucky WR Randall Cobb (vs. La.-Monroe); Florida WR Deonte Thompson (at Mississippi State)

Sit of the Week: Tennessee WR Gerald Jones (at Alabama)
Analysis: Jones finally seems past all his injury woes and is becoming an integral part of the Vols' passing game. He has 12 catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games. He posted 105 receiving yards and two scores two weeks ago against Georgia. However, that was the Bulldogs and not the Crimson Tide. Alabama has pretty much shut down every offense it has faced this season and have the nation's 12th best pass defense (163.3 ypg). In his lone game against Alabama, Jones had just two catches for 27 yards. He won't repeat his Georgia outing in Week 8.
Other potential sits: Alabama QB Greg McElroy (vs. Tennessee); Mississippi State RB Anthony Dixon (vs. Florida); Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett (at Ole Miss); South Carolina TE Weslye Saunders (vs. Vanderbilt)

Sun Belt
Start of the Week: Troy QB Levi Brown (vs. North Texas)
Analysis: Brown is finally settling into a rhythm after a rough start to the season. He has passed for at least 350 yards in three of his last four games and has eight touchdowns to one interception in that span. He totaled 405 yards (391 passing) and two touchdowns against North Texas last season. The Mean Green's defense isn't much improved, allowing 35.5 points per game (113th).
Other solid options: North Texas WR Jamaal Jackson (at Troy); Middle Tennessee State QB Dwight Dasher (vs. Western Kentucky); Western Kentucky RB Bobby Rainey (at Middle Tennessee State); Florida Atlantic QB Rusty Smith (vs. La.-Monroe); La.-Monroe TE Ladarius Green (at Florida Atlantic); Arkansas State RB Reggie Arnold (vs. FIU)

Sit of the Week: La.-Monroe QB Trey Revell (at Kentucky)
Analysis: Revell has done a nice job guiding the Warhawks in his first full season as a starter. They are 4-2 and Revell is averaging 219.7 yards per game (52nd). However, he has really struggled in out-of-conference losses to Texas and Arizona State. Revell has just 378 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in those two games. It won't be easy for Revell to take La.-Monroe into SEC country this weekend.
Other potential sits: FIU RB Darriet Perry (at Arkansas State)

WAC
Start of the Week: Utah State RB Robert Turbin (at Louisiana Tech)
Analysis: Turbin has really matured into a star running back in his first season under Gary Andersen. He is 14th in the nation in rushing (106.7 ypg) and has four 100-yard games in 2009. However, he was limited to just seven carries and 36 yards in Week 7 against Nevada. Andersen took full responsibility for Turbin's lack of touches and is looking forward to establishing the run game against Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs are a perfect opponent since they are 107th in rush defense (194.5 ypg).
Other solid options: Louisiana Tech RB Daniel Porter (vs. Utah State); Idaho QB Nathan Enderle (at Nevada); Boise State RB Doug Martin (at Hawaii)

Sit of the Week: Hawaii WR Greg Salas (vs. Boise State)
Analysis: The Warriors receiving corps is really banged up. They just lost Rodney Bradley for the year with a broken leg and Royce Pollard is also out with a stress fracture in his leg. Salas is the team's top receiver and Boise State is likely going to focus on stopping Salas by putting lockdown corner Kyle Wilson on him. Boise State is 26th in pass defense (177.7 ypg).
Other potential sits: Utah State WR Stanley Morrison (at Louisiana Tech); Fresno State WR Seyi Ajirotutu (at New Mexico State)