Week 3 College Fantasy Start 'Em and Sit 'Em

This week's schedule features a few interesting conference battles and a slew of intriguing non-conference matchups. Our Michael Hurcomb helps you exploit the right matchups in his Week 3 edition of 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, Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy or any other top-tier players.

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: Maryland RB Da'Rel Scott (vs. Middle Tennessee State)
Analysis: The Terps have been unimpressive in their first two games, but Week 3 against Middle Tennessee State provides them with an opportunity to make a statement. Scott only needed 11 carries in 2008 against the Blue Raiders to rack up 123 yards and one score. He is averaging 5.3 yards per carry in 2009, so the wheels are already churning.
Other solid options: Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor (vs. Nebraska); North Carolina QB T.J. Yates (vs. East Carolina)

Sit of the Week: Florida State QB Christian Ponder (at BYU)
Analysis: Ponder has pretty much been the Seminoles' offense this season, as he is 10th in the nation in total offense (326.5 ypg). However, BYU did a pretty good job bottling up Sam Bradford in Week 1 before knocking him out with a shoulder injury and have looked excellent on defense. They rank 12th in scoring (8.0 ppg) and 17th in total defense (213.5 ypg).
Other potential sits: Clemson RB C.J. Spiller (vs. Boston College); Duke QB Thaddeus Lewis (at Kansas); Miami RB Graig Cooper (vs. Georgia Tech)

Big East
Start of the Week: Pittsburgh RB Dion Lewis (vs. Navy)
Analysis: Lewis has been the hottest Fantasy addition and rightfully so. The true freshman back has exploded on the scene with 319 rushing yards and four touchdowns in his first two games. He is also a quality pass-catching back, with eight receptions for 56 yards and one score. Navy does have the 34th ranked run defense (82.0 ypg), however, former Pitt RB LeSean McCoy ran all over the Middies in 2008 to the tune of 156 yards and three scores. Now that you have the freshman on your team, don't be afraid to use him right away.
Other solid options: Connecticut RB Jordan Todman (at Baylor); Rutgers QB Tom Savage (vs. Florida International); Cincinnati QB Tony Pike (at Oregon State)

Sit of the Week: Louisville RB Victor Anderson (at Kentucky)
Analysis: Anderson was bottled up by Kentucky in 2008. He gained just 31 yards on 12 carries in a 27-2 loss. Both teams are coming off byes and wins in Week 1, when Anderson rushed for 93 yards and two scores. However, Kentucky is one of the best defenses in the country and allowed just 62 rushing yards in Week 1. Add the fact that Bilal Powell is also emerging as another threat in the UL backfield; it could be a rough week for Anderson.
Other potential sits: West Virginia QB Jarrett Brown (at Auburn)

Big 12
Start of the Week: Oklahoma State QB Zac Robinson (vs. Rice)
Analysis: The Cowboys, reeling from a shocking loss to Houston, will likely have to face Rice without RB Kendall Hunter (leg), but they won't need him to get back on track. Rice has been awful the first two weeks, ranking dead last in scoring defense (49.5 ppg). UAB QB Joe Webb totaled four touchdowns in Week 1 against the Owls, and Texas Tech QB Taylor Potts followed that in Week 2 with seven passing touchdowns.
Other solid options: Kansas QB Todd Reesing (vs. Duke); Colorado TE Riar Geer (vs. Wyoming); Nebraska TE Mike McNeill (at Virginia Tech); Texas A&M WR Jeff Fuller (vs. Utah State)

Sit of the Week: Kansas State WR Brandon Banks (at UCLA)
Analysis: Banks has been one of Fantasy's biggest disappointments to date. He has just 10 catches for 100 yards through two games and has yet to find the end zone. We figure his troubles will continue in Week 3 against the Bruins, who held Tennessee to just 93 passing yards on Saturday.
Other potential sits: Baylor RB Jay Finley (vs. Connecticut); Texas Tech RB Baron Batch (at Texas)

Big Ten
Start of the Week: Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor (at Toledo)
Analysis: The Rockets haven't played a lot defense in their first two games. They have allowed 85 points, as well as 493 yards per game (110th). Ohio State might not have a very appealing offense, but this is a week where Pryor will definitely be motivated to make a big statement after last week's loss to USC. Also, Toledo has allowed seven passing touchdowns in their first two games.
Other solid options: Penn State WR Graham Zug (vs. Temple); Michigan State RB Caulton Ray (at Notre Dame); Purdue QB Joey Elliott (vs. Northern Illinois)

Sit of the Week: Northwestern RB Stephen Simmons (at Syracuse)
Analysis: While Syracuse hasn't been impressive in many facets of the game in 2009, they have been pretty solid against the run. No player has broken 100 yards against the Orange and even Penn State's Evan Royster could manage just 3.4 yards per carry. Simmons has broken 70 yards in each of his first two games and scored twice last week against Eastern Michigan, but it won't be easy sledding on the ground in Week 3.
Other potential sits: Minnesota QB Adam Weber (vs. California); Iowa TE Tony Moeaki (vs. Arizona)

Conference USA
Start of the Week: SMU QB Bo Levi Mitchell (at Washington State)
Analysis: Mitchell continues to be plagued by a high interception rate and that is preventing him from being a must-start Fantasy QB. However, Week 3 should provide the opportunity for Fantasy owners to start Mitchell. He goes up against a Washington State team that has struggled to stop everyone since Paul Wulff took over as head coach last season. The Cougars rank 117th in pass defense (341.0 ypg), and the good news for Mitchell is that they have yet to record an interception in two games.
Other solid options: UCF RB Brynn Harvey (vs. Buffalo); UAB TE Jeffery Anderson (at Troy)

Sit of the Week: Tulsa RB Charles Clay (at Oklahoma)
Analysis: The Sooners will be the Golden Hurricanes' third straight road game but by far their toughest competition. Clay leads Tulsa with two rushing touchdowns, but he had just two carries for seven yards the last time he faced the Sooners in 2007. Also, the Oklahoma front seven might be one of the most impressive units in the country. They are allowing just three rushing yards per game.
Other potential sits: East Carolina QB Patrick Pinkney (at North Carolina); Southern Miss QB Austin Davis (vs. Virginia)

FBS Independents
Start of the Week: Army RB Patrick Mealy (vs. Ball State)
Analysis: The Cardinals have had trouble stopping the run this season (203.0 ypg) and now face a team that does nothing but run out of the triple option. Mealy has been the team's best back in two games. He has a team-high 208 yards and is averaging 13.9 yards per carry.
Other solid options: Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd (vs. Michigan State)

Sit of the Week: Navy RB Alexander Teich (at Pittsburgh)
Analysis: The Panthers did a good job of stopping the triple option in 2008, holding the Midshipmen to 194 rushing yards. Fullback Eric Kettani was held to eight carries for 13 yards, so Teich has his work cut out for him against the nation's 18th ranked run defense (56.5 ypg).
Other potential sits: Notre Dame TE Kyle Rudolph (vs. Michigan State)

MAC
Start of the Week: Bowling Green RB Willie Geter (at Marshall)
Analysis: Geter is a bit of an unknown in Fantasy circles, but after Week 3 he could definitely pop on the radar. Geter leads the Falcons with 148 rushing yards. He had a 203-yard performance in 2007 against Kent State but has pretty much disappeared ever since. He is starting to find his rhythm again under first-year coach Dave Clawson. Geter had 123 total yards (99 rushing) and one touchdown last week against Missouri and now faces the nation's 116th rushing defense (274.5 ypg).
Other solid options: Akron WR Deryn Bowser (vs. Indiana); Western Michigan WR Juan Nunez (vs. Miami [Ohio]); Northern Illinois RB Me'co Brown (at Purdue)

Sit of the Week: Ball State RB MiQuale Lewis (at Army)
Analysis: Ball State has been absolutely embarrassing through the first two games of the season and there is a chance they are going to open the season 0-3. Army is allowing just 55 rushing yards per game (17th) and Lewis is still running behind a pretty inexperienced offensive line.
Other potential sits: Buffalo RB Brandon Thermilus (at UCF); Temple DST (at Penn State)

Mountain West
Start of the Week: Colorado State WR Rashaun Greer (vs. Nevada)
Analysis: The Wolfpack were pretty poor against the pass in 2008 and they didn't really look improved in a Week 1 loss to Notre Dame (allowed 332 passing yards). Colorado State is averaging 225.5 passing yards per game and will be ready to throw the ball. Greer leads the team with 212 yards on eight catches and is coming off a 162-yard outing against Weber State.
Other solid options: Utah WR David Reed (at Oregon); BYU WR McKay Jacobson (vs. Florida State); Wyoming RB Darius Terry (at Colorado); San Diego State QB Ryan Lindley (at Idaho)

Sit of the Week: UNLV WR Ryan Wolfe (vs. Hawaii)
Analysis: Wolfe has faced the Warriors twice in his illustrious career but really hasn't had a standout game. He has 12 catches in two games, but no touchdowns and just 127 yards. Hawaii is allowing just 206.5 passing yards per game, so the Rebels might need to rely on Phillip Payne and Rodelin Anthony to open up the field.
Other potential sits: New Mexico QB Donovan Porterie (vs. Air Force)

Pac-10
Start of the Week: Washington State RB James Montgomery (vs. SMU)
Analysis: This is one of the few times we might get a chance to highlight the Cougars in a positive light, so we are going to take it. Montgomery, a Cal transfer, had his breakout game last week against Hawaii. He rushed for 118 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries. Montgomery seems to be emerging as Wazzu's top back and he could be in line for another 100-yard game in Week 2. The Mustangs rank 76th against the run, yielding 145.5 yards per game.
Other solid options: USC WR Damian Williams (at Washington); Stanford RB Toby Gerhart (vs. San Jose State)

Sit of the Week: Oregon State DST (vs. Cincinnati)
Analysis: The Beavers are about to face one of the best offenses in the nation. Cincinnati and QB Tony Pike come to town in this top 25 matchup. The Bearcats are second in scoring offense (58.5 ppg) and fifth in total offense (571.0 ypg). The Beavers might be 2-0 and have the 29th best scoring defense (14.0 ppg), but they have yet to face a team like Cincy.
Other potential sits: Arizona WR Terrell Turner (at Iowa); UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin (vs. Kansas State); Oregon State QB Sean Canfield (vs. Cincinnati)

SEC
Start of the Week: LSU RB Charles Scott (vs. La.-Lafayette)
Analysis: Scott has been one of the most disappointing Fantasy options thus far. He has just 101 rushing yards and one touchdown through two games. He is not even the leading rusher on his own squad -- that would be Keiland Williams. However, this is the game Scott should get on track since LSU needs to make a statement after two so-so performances. Scott did very well in two games against non-BCS schools in 2008. He racked up 262 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Other solid options: Alabama QB Greg McElroy (vs. North Texas); South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia (vs. Florida Atlantic); Mississippi State RB Anthony Dixon (at Vanderbilt)

Sit of the Week: Tennessee QB Jonathan Crompton (at Florida)
Analysis: Crompton scored Tennessee's only touchdown against the Gators in 2008 but it was on a QB sneak. He passed for just 162 yards and is facing pretty much the same defense. Oh yeah, let's not forget Florida will also be extra motivated after Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin threw a few ill-advised jabs toward the Gators in the offseason. Crompton thought UCLA was a tough opponent last week (93 passing yards). Wait until he gets to The Swamp.
Other potential sits: Georgia DST (at Arkansas); Kentucky QB Mike Hartline (vs. Louisville)

Sun Belt
Start of the Week: Middle Tennessee State QB Dwight Dasher (at Maryland)
Analysis: Dasher has looked good thus far running offensive coordinator Tony Franklin's spread offense. Aside from a three-interception performance in the opener against Clemson, Dasher is 20th in the nation in total offense (292.5 ypg). The Maryland defense has been pretty pathetic under first-year coordinator Don Brown. They rank 108th in total (479.5 ypg) and 113th in scoring defense (43.5 ppg).
Other solid options: Troy WR Jerrell Jernigan (vs. UAB); Florida International WR Greg Ellingson (at Rutgers)

Sit of the Week: Florida Atlantic QB Rusty Smith (at South Carolina)
Analysis: Despite South Carolina losing three starters from one of the best pass defenses in the nation in 2008, the Gamecocks have still remained strong in the secondary in 2009. They rank 16th against the pass (137.5 ypg) and have allowed just two passing touchdowns in two games. Smith is coming off a two-interception performance against Nebraska in Week 1, so he could be in for another rough week. It doesn't help he lost WR Cortez Gent to a team-imposed suspension.
Other potential sits: North Texas RB Cam Montgomery (vs. North Texas); Troy DST (vs. UAB)

WAC
Start of the Week: San Jose State WR Kevin Jurovich (at Stanford)
Analysis: Jurovich has faced two pretty good defenses -- USC and Utah -- and has come away with 12 catches for 177 yards. He hasn't broken the goal line yet, but that could come in Week 3 against Stanford. The Cardinal rank 80th in pass defense, allowing 227 yards per game.
Other solid options: Boise State WR Austin Pettis (at Fresno State); Hawaii QB Greg Alexander (at UNLV)

Sit of the Week: Fresno State QB Ryan Colburn (vs. Boise State)
Analysis: It's time to give Colburn credit. After beating out Ebahn Feathers and Derek Carr for the starting quarterback job, Colburn has actually kept Fresno State competitive and almost led them to a big win over Wisconsin last week. Fresno State also has the 37th best pass offense (245.0 ypg). Unfortunately, Colburn already has four interceptions in two games and Boise State will certainly force him into tough situations. The Broncos do have the 18th best pass defense (138.5 ypg).
Other potential sits: Utah State RB Robert Turbin (at Texas A&M); Idaho WR Max Komar (vs. San Diego State)