Start vs. Sit: Players to Start, Players to Bench Week 8

Welcome back! With the Big Ten and the Mountain West beginning play this week, we're unveiling the Start/Sit column for the 2020 college football season. It's all very exciting, especially because this is my first year taking on the column. Obviously, this is an oftentimes confounding season of college football. Games get postponed after you've already gotten all ready and raring to go on the fantasy front. We will be seeing some of these teams for the first time this week. Nevertheless, I'm feeling pretty good about my calls on starts and sits. Hopefully, when the weekend is over I still feel that way.

AAC

START

Jadan Blue, WR Temple at Memphis

Your initial thought when you saw the Tigers on the schedule may have been, "Ah, you'll recommend a player from the team that just dropped 50 on UCF." Instead, I'm looking at the Memphis defense and seeing that they've allowed 590.3 yards per game. That's highest in the FBS. This includes a staggering 458 yards per game through the air. Blue was a target monster in 2019, ending up with 95 receptions for 1,067 yards and four touchdowns. Through two games this season he already has 14 catches for 100 yards and two scores.

SIT

Shane Buechele, SMU vs. Cincinnati

The Bearcats had their game last week postponed, but when they take the field they are one of the top teams in college football. Cincy's defense under Luke Fickell has only allowed 12.3 points and 306.7 yards per contest. Buechele is off to a fine start to the season, but the best defense he's faced so far is…Tulane maybe? Also, the Texas transfer has unfortunately lost Reggie Roberson due to injury, making his job more difficult than it was when the season began.

ACC

START

Frank Ladson, Clemson vs. Syracuse

It does you no good if I say, "Hey, maybe consider starting Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne." In fact, even recommending Amari Rodgers is probably a bit facile. That's why I've dug into the Clemson depth chart a bit to go with Ladson. There's plenty to go around offensively for the Tigers, which is how Ladson has been able to secure 15 catches for 243 yards and three touchdowns Syracuse, meanwhile, has just allowed 38 points to Duke and Liberty. Clemson just scored 73 on Georgia Tech. This could be ugly for the Orange.

SIT

Kyren Williams, Notre Dame at Pittsburgh

Williams has been a workhorse for the Fighting Irish so far, with 73 carries for 486 yards and four touchdowns. Notre Dame has needed that, given how many problems it has in the passing game. Defenses know now they can focus on stopping the run and try and make Ian Book and company beat them. The Panthers also happen to have perhaps the top run defense in the FBS, as they've allowed a mere 61.5 rushing yards per contest.

Big 12

START

Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State vs. Kansas

Admittedly, the second I saw the Jayhawks I knew I would target this matchup. That just feels right. Indeed, Kansas has given up 227.3 yards per game on the ground. Naturally, I'm looking to the Wildcats' running game, which is led by Darren Sproles incarnate Deuce Vaughn. He's been a little streaky on the ground but he's also a valuable contributor in the passing game. Vaughn has nine catches for 279 yards.

SIT

Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech vs. West Virginia

You may still think of the Red Raiders offense being a pass-happy machine, but Mike Leach and Kliff Kingsbury have both moved on. The team still passes the ball plenty, it's 2020 after all, but the passing game is no longer racking up video game numbers. Texas Tech is also having to swap quarterbacks, with Alan Bowman being replaced by Henry Colombi. Also, West Virginia has quietly had one of the best defenses in college football, as it ranks second in yards allowed per game.

Big Ten

START

Elijah Collins, RB Michigan State vs. Rutgers

The Big Ten is opening its season, which means we have zero stats this year so far. Traditionally speaking, though, it's never a bad idea to look at a team facing Rutgers. Michigan State has a new quarterback, so I can imagine it turning to top running back Collins. He rushed for 988 yards and five touchdowns last season. I think this year he could see his yards per game increase, and this should be a good matchup to ease into.

SIT

Adrian Martinez, QB Nebraska at Ohio State

Martinez is still riding on the positivity he inspired as a true freshman in 2018. While his rushing output was just as strong in 2019 (626 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games) he struggled passing the ball (10 touchdowns, nine interceptions). 

Is Martinez one of those "post-hype sleepers" you hear about? I'm not so sure. I feel much more confident in the defense at Ohio State, even sans Chase Young and Jeff Okudah. They had the best defense in college football in 2019. The drop-off, if there is any, won't be too stark.

Conference USA

START

Sincere McCormick, RB UTSA vs. Louisiana Tech

Fair warning: Conference USA has been hit hard by postponements, so this is treacherous territory. Both of these teams have largely been able to actually play, which is honestly a big part of why I'm recommending McCormick. As a true freshman, he rushed for 983 yards and eight touchdowns on 177 carries. This year he has 708 yards and four touchdowns through six games, with only BYU keeping him in check. I'm betting on his talent, and the fact I expect the Roadrunners to actually play.

SIT

Nick Tronti, QB FAU at Marshall

The Owls have played one game this season, so there's a good chance they won't be playing once again. Tronti took over as the starting quarterback, and he threw two touchdowns and rushed for 94 yards and a score the one time he took the field. Marshall has had one of the best defenses in college football, though, and have only allowed 9.5 points per game. If this game happens, the Owls should be shut down by the Thundering Herd.

MAC

The MAC shall return November 4. See you then!

Mountain West

START

Patrick O'Brien, QB Colorado State vs. New Mexico

I wanted to recommend at least one quarterback, and I think there is some potential in O'Brien. It's not so much about his performance last season, as he only threw 13 touchdowns against seven interceptions. However, there is a new head coach at Colorado State, so it could be a whole new offense. Also, New Mexico gave up 479.4 yards and 37.2 points per game in 2019. If O'Brien is going to turn over a new leaf, this is where to start.

SIT

Charles Williams RB UNLV at San Diego State

If you don't pay attention to UNLV football, and I wouldn't blame you, then you may not be aware of the fact Williams rushed for 1,257 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2019. Of course, he's starting this year on the road against San Diego State, a team that won on the strength of its defense last season. The Aztecs ranked eighth in yards allowed per game. Save Williams for another week.

Pac-12

The Pac-12 will be back November 7. Mark your calendars!

SEC

START

Shi Smith, WR South Carolina at LSU

Is LSU going to fix its defense? Perhaps, but so far the Tigers have been thrown all over. Smith has been the primary target in the Gamecocks passing game. He already has 34 catches in four games and has at least eight receptions in three of his four outings. The senior also has a touchdown in three of his four games as well. Unless Coach O and Bo Pelini have pulled off a miraculous turnaround in a couple of weeks, Smith should have plenty of opportunities.

SIT

Connor Bazelak, QB Missouri vs. Kentucky

Speaking of LSU, it basically turned Missouri's Bazelak into a household name. He stepped in to start for the Tigers and threw for 406 yards and four touchdowns. However, let's not overreact to one game, especially with a freshman. Kentucky did give up 42 points in overtime to Ole Miss, but lots of teams have had issues with Lane Kiffin's offense. Over its last two games, Mark Stoops' team has allowed two and seven points respectively.

Sun Belt

START

Zac Thomas, QB Appalachian State vs. Arkansas State

This game is on Thursday, so you can start your fantasy week off right if you go with Thomas. He's off to a slow start to the season, but last year Thomas threw for 28 touchdowns against six interceptions while also rushing for 440 yards and seven scores. The senior is a true dual-threat quarterback, and so far Arkansas State has been a zero-threat defense. The Red Wolves have allowed 39.8 points per game, and even Central Arkansas scored 27 points of them.

SIT

Levi Lewis, QB Louisiana at UAB

Last season, Lewis threw 26 touchdowns and a mere four interceptions all season. This year, he already has four picks through a mere four games. That may not continue, but it is concerning. As for the Blazers, since Bill Clark and company brought the program back they've made defense a calling card. This season is no different, as UAB has allowed a mere 154.2 passing yards per contest.