It's that time of the week folks. Let’s take a look at who you should put in your starting lineup and who you should bench, based on their matchups.

Top 5 Start Em

1. Pat White, QB, and Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia. Not that you wouldn't start these guys anyways, but they are playing a weak East Carolina defense that gave up 34 points to North Carolina in Week 2.

2. Marlon Lucky (pic left), RB, Nebraska. Lucky struggled last week against USC after two big weeks to start the season, but he should bounce back nicely against Ball State.

3. Colt McCoy, QB, and Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas. This duo gets a free pass this week against Rice, which has given up 101 points the last 2 weeks.

4. Brian Brohm, QB, Anthony Allen, RB, Harry Douglass, WR, Louisville. All three of these guys could have a huge day against a terrible Syracuse team that has given up at least 35 points in every game this year.

5. Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State. Northwestern lost to Duke, who had the nation's longest losing streak. Not in basketball, but football! Imagine what Wells can do to do the Wildcats on Saturday.

Top 5 Sit Em

1. Cory Boyd (pic left), RB, South Carolina. Boyd has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners with at least 1 TD in each of his first three games, but that streak will probably stop against LSU.

2. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, Mississippi. Green-Ellis has only had one big so far this year. Too bad he gets the stifling Gators defense this week.

3. Terry Grant, RB, Alabama. After starting the season with 5 RUTDs in his first two games, Grant was held out of the endzone last week. Look for that trend to continue against Georgia, which hasn't given up more than 16 points in a game this year.

4. Brandon Cox, QB, Auburn. If you're starting Cox you must be desperate to begin with, but it has been announced that Kodi Burns will be sharing snaps this week against a weak New Mexico State team.

5. Tashard Choice, RB Georgia Tech. Choice will be a risky play because he'll probably be a game-time decision. If he can't go, the Yellow Jacket backfield will be a mess with Jonathan Dwyer, Rashaun Grant and Jamaal Evans all splitting carries.

Image via > News Net Nebraska
Image via > ViewImages

Well, Week 3 is in the books and we learned a lot about the college landscape. USC is worthy of the #1 Ranking…..LSU could be #1 as well. Notre Dame looks like a high school team (PrepFantasyFootball anyone?); and Florida is making a case for being the USC of the East Coast - they have the quickest, fastest athletes around.

Here's a look at some of the top newsmakers from last weekend:

Fantasy Studs

Graham Harrell (pic left), QB, Texas Tech (414 PaYd 6 PaTD)

Blake Szymanski, QB, Baylor (411 PaYd 5 PaTD)

Tim Tebow, QB, Florida (299 PaYd 2 PaTD 61 RuYd 2 RuTD)

Kellen Lewis, QB, Indiana (137 PaYd 3 PaTD 199 RuYd 2 RuTD)

Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky (275 PaYd 4 PaTD)

P.J. Hill, RB, Wisconsin (168 RuYd 4 RuTD 20 ReYd 1 ReTD)

Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia (137 RuYd 3 RuTD)

Mike Hart, RB, Michigan (187 RuYd 2 RuTD 14 ReYd)

DJ Hall, WR, Alabama (172 ReYd 2 ReTD)

Rashard Mendenhall (pic left), RB, Illinois (150 RuYd 3 RuTD 20 ReYd)

Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas State (209 ReYd 1 ReTD)

Chris Williams, WR, New Mexico State (221 ReYd 2 ReTD)






Fantasy Duds

CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson (-1 RuYd 21 ReYd)

Keiland Williams, RB LSU (30 RuYd 14 ReYd)

Jimmy Clausen (Pic Left), QB, Notre Dame (74 PaYd 0 PaTD 1 PaINT)

Brandon Cox, QB, Auburn (41 PaYd 0 PaTD 2 PaINT)

Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma State (57 ReYd 0 ReTD)

Ben Olson, QB, UCLA (290 PaYd 0 PaTD 3 PaINT)

Drew Weatherford, QB, Florida State (126 PaYd 0 PaTD)

Marlon Lucky, RB, Nebraska (33 RuYd 41 ReYd)

Photo via > AthlonSports
Photo via > FansOnly.com
Photo via > BeefThoughts.com

It's that time of the week folks. Let’s take a look at who you should put in your starting lineup and who you should bench.


START’EM


Zac Robinson, QB, Oklahoma State
YTD Stats: 255 PaYD, 3 PaTD
Robinson filled very nicely once QB Bobby Reid went down with a twisted ankle. Robinson tossed three TDs while leading the Cowboys on TD drives of 77, 78, 77 and 67 yards. Reid’s ankle should stay a problem b/c Robinson will tear up Troy this weekend.



Brandon Roberson, RB, Northwestern
YTD Stats: 172 RuYd, 1 RuTd
The wildcats are 2-0 and will be playing Duke this weekend. It should be a good weekend for Roberson as he tries to continue upon his success last weekend against Nevada.



Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
YTD Stats: 174 RuYd, 0 RuTd
Moreno has come out of nowhere to lead the Bulldogs in rushing this season. Western Kentucky will be an easy foe for the Dawgs in Athens this weekend. Look for Moreno to steal the show once again and hopefully get a few TDs along the way.


SIT’EM

Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech
YTD Stats: 62 PaYd, 44 RuYd, 1 RuTD
Taylor might be the new starter for the Hokies, but that does not mean he belongs on your starting roster. Taylor will turn into a good versatile QB, reminiscent of past Hokie QBs, but it is too soon for him to be starting for you



Javon Ringer, RB, Michigan State
YTD Stats: 163 RuYd, 1 RuTD
Ringer might be the team leader in rushing but that is only by a few yards. Plus his counter-part Jehuu Caulcrick has 5 TDs. Sit Ringer, Caulcrick is getting all the good looks.



ALL MIAMI QBS
Last week we mentioned that Kirby Freeman won the starting job for the Hurricanes. Freeman did not perform well against Oklahoma and has been replaced by Kyle Wright. Wright began the season as the starting QB. Neither Wright, nor Freeman, deserve to be on your starting roster.


Images via > ViewImages

Unless you are living under a rock, you know the headlines from the opening weekend in college football. We will put a fantasy spin on those headlines for you with upsets, injuries, and impacts.

BIGGEST UPSET EVER

APP STATE BLOCKS MICHIGAN'S TITLE HOPES: Michigan 32 v. App State 34 (via Detriot Free Press)
News: The Michigan Wolverines embarrassed themselves in stunning fashion with a loss to Appalachian State. It has to hurt to be a UM fan this week....err, year.

Fantasy College Impact:
Surprisingly, not that much. You can't pick up any of the "studs" from App State and you will be hard pressed to find anyone at Michigan who wants to bench their Fantasy Football Trifecta of Henne (QB), Hart (RB), and Manningham (WR). It was just a bad week for Michigan football on the field -- the stats still looked good.

AVENGING LAST YEAR’S LOSS:

BEARS GET REDEMPTION OVER VOLS: California 45 v. Tennessee 31 (via ESPN)
News: The Cal Bears used big plays to beat the Tennessee Volunteers handily. After losing to the Vols last year, the Bears must be feeling good.

Fantasy College Impact:
CAL – DeSean Jackson made a great impression with 143 all-purpose yards, including a 77-yard punt return for a TD. Freshman RB Jahvid Best showed his skills. He should get more looks as the offense could move to using two RBs for a change-of-pace running game.

TENN – Eric Ainge is having problems with his broken pinky finger. It seemed as though he could not throw the deep route when needed. Keep an eye on Ainge as the team preps for Southern Mississippi. Lucas Taylor showed his speed and ability to stretch the field. When Ainge is healthy, Taylor will be his deep weapon.

GA TECH DOMINATES THE IRISH: Notre Dame 3 v. Georgia Tech 33 (via Atlanta Journal Constitution)
News: Notre Dame played opossum this past weekend as the Yellow Jackets got revenge for a loss last year. GT capitalized on three ND fumbles and rolled over the Irish.

Fantasy College Impact:
ND – Notre Dame played musical QBs as Coach Charlie Weis tried anything and everything to jumpstart a stagnate ND offense. Look for Weis to name a QB early this week and give him all the snaps in practice. With games against #17 Penn State and #5? Michigan coming up, ND needs to make some changes and stick with them. Watch for news coming out of ND, changes forthcoming.

GT – The position with the biggest question mark for Tech is QB. Taylor Bennett did not answer any of those questions throwing for only 121 PaYds. He will need to make vast improvements if Tech plans a return trip to the ACC Champ game. RB Tashard Choice (pic above left) blasted out of the gates to the tune of 218 all-purpose yards and two TDs. Needless to say, Choice was a fantasy stud on Saturday.

It's officially game week and there are still a lot of players who have just claimed starting jobs for those positions battles that began in the summer. Here's a list of recent verdicts on some of these battles. See if you can snatch these guys off the waiver wire if they are available.

Kirby Freeman (pic left), QB, Miami (via Sun-Sentinel)
"The Hurricanes' long battle for starting quarterback ended Tuesday morning when coach Randy Shannon announced junior Kirby Freeman as starter, beating out senior Kyle Wright."

Todd Boeckman, QB, Ohio State (via Sports Illustrated)
"Todd Boeckman will start at quarterback when No. 11 Ohio State hosts Youngstown State on Saturday in its 118th season-opener."

Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon (via The Register-Guard)
"Dennis Dixon was the starter going into spring, was the starter coming out of spring, was the starter going into fall camp, is the starter coming out of fall camp," UO coach Mike Bellotti said Monday."

Nick Graziano, QB, Nevada (via Sports Illustrated)
"Nick Graziano will take the lead as starting quarterback when the Nevada football team opens its season Saturday at Nebraska."

Mark Dell (pic left), WR, Michigan State (via The Detroit News)
"Two true freshmen -- receiver Mark Dell and punter Aaron Bates -- have won starting jobs for Michigan State's opener Saturday against Alabama-Birmingham."

Jake Sharp, RB, Kansas (via KUsports)
"Sophomore Jake Sharp is listed as the starting running back as expected. His backups are Brandon McAnderson (also the starting fullback) and true freshman Carmon Boyd-Anderson."

James Johnson, RB, Kansas State (via RotoWorld)
"James Johnson is listed as the first team RB at Kansas State."

Cameron Newton, QB, Florida (via Associated Press)
"Freshman Cameron Newton was named Florida’s backup quarterback Saturday, reclaiming the job he earned in the spring and putting himself in position to play this season."

Photo via USA Today
Photo via Scout

Here is the first list of the 2007 Fantasy College Football Early Slackers Part II (Preseason). These players are in the doghouse for one reason or another. Some players may have the ability to turn things around and have great seasons; others are suspended or kicked off the team. When participating in your college fantasy football draft, don't take these guys too high if their "situations" have not been resolved.

Rashaad Norwood, TE, Kansas State (via CBSSPortsLine.com)
"Norwood was arrested twice early Sunday at the same location and charged with domestic battery, criminal damage to property, criminal trespassing and obstruction of the legal process, according to Riley County Police Lt. Kurt Moldrup. Norwood was released after posting bond."

Jamere Holland, WR, SC Trojans (via latimes.com)
"USC receiver Jamere Holland was dismissed from the team....He reinjured his collarbone during spring practice and was counseled several times by coaches about a seeming lack of commitment to football."

Injuries:
Brad Cottam, TE, Tennessee (via College Fantasy Football Insider) "Tennessee tight end Brad Cottam injuried his left wrist in practice on Tuesday (8/21/07) and is expected to miss 2-3 months. With Cottam out for an extended period of time, the value of fellow tight end Chris Brown increases. Brown is already expected to be Eric Anige's top target this fall and the news of Cottam's injury should only solidify Brown's role. Brad's brother Jeff Cottam will take over as the Vols number two tight end."

Matt Grothe, QB, U of South Florida (pic left) "We will work with Matt and be cautious," Leavitt said in a statement released by USF's sports information department. "(Linebacker) Chris (Robinson, also day-to-day) was back out there today. He has been out for a while and will just have to work his way back into form."

Andrew Quarless, TE, Penn State
"Two players -- starting tight end Andrew Quarless and backup cornerback Willie Harriott -- were cited by university police for underage drinking Friday around 3 a.m. at Nittany Apartments in State College. Quarless, a sophomore expected to play a key role in the passing game this season, is 18. Harriott, a redshirt sophomore, is 20. The citations come in the middle of preseason practice and add to the Nittany Lions' growing list of legal woes."

Photo via > Register Guard

Photo via > Frat Boys News

Here is the 2007 Fantasy College Football Damaged Goods, Part III (Preseason). A player getting injured is simply part of the game. Knowing this info is pivotal to the success of your fantasy football team so that you don't sink your squad with a wounded duck or become the joke of your league for picking a dude that got hurt yesterday. Below are a few of the injuries or suspensions that could have an impact this season, a few games, or just a few practices.



Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin (via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
(pic left) "Beckum was out with neck / back spasms and Bielema was watching Garrett Graham fill in admirably for his injured starter."

Dominique Douglas, WR, Iowa & Anthony Bowman (via ESPN)
"A year after the lack of a respectable passing game saw the Iowa Hawkeyes drop out of Big Ten title contention, the school announced that sophomore wide receivers Dominique Douglas and Anthony Bowman have been suspended indefinitely by the team following an arrest on Sunday."

Fui Vakapuna, RB, Brigham Young (via Desert News)
"Running back Fui Vakapuna didn't participate in Saturday's scrimmage. Vakapuna underwent foot surgery during the off-season and is trying to lose some weight. Mendenhall is taking a cautious approach."

Vidal Hazelton, WR, Southern Cal (via College Fantasy Football Insider)
"Vidal Hazelton, the starter along side Patrick Turner at the start of fall camp, has been sidelined with a groin injury. Opening the door for David Ausberry to slide into the starting spot. Ausberry had been pressing Hazelton since the start of camp and this could be permanent."

Sammie Stroughter, WR, Oregon State (via Gazette Times)
(pic left) "Stroughter briefly stopped by practice and remained at a distance from teammates and coaches. He spoke briefly with Coach Riley before leaving. It appears Stroughter is still working through his difficulties and no closer to a return. "

With only 1 1/2 weeks until opening kickoff, a lot of players have claimed starting jobs for those positions battles that began in the summer. Here's a list of recent verdicts on some of these battles. Keep these in mind for your upcoming fantasy draft, or see if you can snatch these guys off the waiver wire if they are available.

Todd Boeckman (pic left), QB, Ohio State (via The Plain Dealer)
"Ohio State's quarterback competition isn't quite over, but junior Todd Boeckman is already the winner."

Cody Hawkins, QB, Colorado (via MSNBC)
"Colorado quarterback Cody Hawkins, son of coach Dan Hawkins, has moved to the top of the team’s depth chart."

T.J. Yates, QB, North Carolina (via Sports Illustrated)
"T.J. Yates has earned the starting quarterback job at North Carolina, coach Butch Davis said Thursday."

Tyler Lorenzen, QB, Connecticut (via Sports Illustrated)
"Junior college transfer Tyler Lorenzen won quarterback competition for Connecticut and is slated to start the opener at Duke."

Todd Reesing (pic left), QB, Kansas (via KUsports.com)
"If common sense told any of the 100 or so onlookers at Kansas University’s open football practice anything on Monday, it’s that Todd Reesing is in line to be the Jayhawks’ starting quarterback when Kansas plays Central Michigan on Sept. 1 in the season opener."

Ryan Torain, RB, Arizona State (via AZCentral.com)
"Ryan is clearly our guy," Erickson said. "Keegan looks good at times. We've got three guys (including Dimitri Nance) who have proven themselves, and we're going to try to use them in the right situations. It comes down to who understands pass protection."

Photo via buckeye xtra
Photo via lake travis