(Note: Unfortunately, for Week 1 ONLY, "Sit Em', Bench Em' will only preview players playing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.)
Neal was a solid, yet unspectacular performer once he took over as Ball State's starting QB last season, throwing for 2,276 yards and 16 touchdowns, while also rushing for 399 yards and 2 scores, including a huge, 393 yard, 4 passing TD game against NIU. Georgia State was much improved defensively last season, allowing 28.3 points per game (compared to 2014's 43.3), but still allowed 181 yards a game on the ground. With the potent 1-2 RB combo of Darian Green (730 yards, 5 TD in 2015) and James Gilbert (608 yards, 8 TD) keeping the Panthers honest on the ground, Neal should be freed up to do his thing. Expect a fairly high-scoring game, with Neal throwing for around 250 yards and a least 2 scores.
Kenny Potter (San Jose State) vs. Tulsa
Tulsa really didn't show any interest on stopping other teams defensively last season, allowing a whopping 39.8 points per game along with 536.6 yards of offense. The defense isn't expected to be much better in 2016, which bodes well for Potter, who took over as the Spartan's signal-caller part way through the 2015 season. Potter improved as the season progressed, finishing with 1,984 yards and 15 touchdowns through the air, while rushing for 415 yards and 7 scores on the ground. With the Golden Hurricanes' tendency to hemorrhage points, and Potter having weapons like TE Billy Freeman and RB Thomas Tucker at his disposal, expect big numbers for the San Jose State QB this weekend.
RB
Ito Smith (Southern Miss.) vs. Kentucky
Southern Miss. was known more for their Air Raid-style offense last season with QB Nick Mullens leading the way, but Smith found more than enough touches to become one of the most underrated backs in the nation, finishing the season with 1,128 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also catching 49 balls for 515 yards and 3 more scores. While Kentucky has continually improved during Mark Stoops' tenure as head coach, they gave up 27.4 points per game last season, including 27 to FCS squad Eastern Kentucky. Kentucky also gave up 198 yards a game on the ground last year, a stat that bodes well for Smith's owners.
Joel Bouagnon (Northern Illinois) vs. Wyoming
Bouagnon was an absolute workhorse for the Huskies last season, taking 283 carries for 1,285 yards and 18 touchdowns. As good as Bouagnon was on the ground, Wyoming by contrast was absolutely horrendous at stopping the run, allowing over 225 yards per game, Expect NIU's coaching staff to give Bouagnon a steady diet of carries against a team that struggles to stop the run.
Jeffrey Wilson (North Texas) vs. SMU
IF there was a bright spot for North Texas last year (and that's a mighty big IF, see how awful North Texas was last season), it was Wilson, who was far and away the Mean Green's best player, recording 830 yards and a TD on 155 carries, a healthy 5.4 yard per carry average. With a new offensive-minded head coach, former Arizona and Indiana offensive coordinator Seth Littrell, expect the Mean Green's offensive game to be much better in 2016. Wilson should be a huge part of the rebuild, which should start with a strong game on Saturday against an SMU squad that allowed an ungodly 261.2 yards per game on the ground a season ago.
WR
Corey Davis (Western Michigan) vs. Northwestern
Northwestern was one of the nation's surprise teams last year, finishing 2015 with a 10-3 record. Pat Fitzgerald's squad hung their hats squarely on their defense, allowing only 18.6 points per game. The Wildcats were slightly less effective against the pass, allowing 192.8 yards per game (as opposed to just slightly more than 126 on the ground). However, only 5 starters return on defense, so look for QB Zach Terrell to sling the ball in Davis' direction often. Davis is an absolute stud, and with the Wildcats potentially shutting down the Western Michigan's run game, look for Davis to get as many touches as Terrell can throw his way.
Courtland Sutton (SMU) vs. North Texas
As atrocious as SMU was on the defensive side of the ball in 2015, they weren't nearly as terrible on offensive, averaging a healthy 27.8 points per game under new head coach Chad Morris. One of the Mustang's breakout performers on offense was then-freshman wideout Courtland Sutton, who recorded 49 catching for 862 yards and 9 touchdowns, a whopping 17.6 yard-per-catch average. Though North Texas may have a new head coach, don't expect their sieve-like defense (which allowed 41 points per game last year, by the way) to improve too much, which all but guarantees a huge game from Sutton. Anything less than 100 receiving yards and score would be a massive disappointment.
Jordan Westerkamp (Nebraska) vs. Fresno State
Westerkamp was far and away QB Tommy Armstrong, Jr.'s favorite receiver last season, recording 918 yards and 7 touchdowns on the year. A tasty matchup with a defensively-challenged Fresno State squad that gave up 38 points a game in 2015 looms in Week 1, and with Brandon Reilly suspended for the game, and De'Mornay Pierson-El working his way back from injury, look for Westerkamp to get a steady diet of passes fed his way by Armstrong, resulting in a huge game for the senior wideout.
TE
Billy Freeman (San Jose State) vs. Tulsa
For the same reason Kenny Potter was recommended as a start against the Golden Hurricanes this week, Freeman is a must-start as well. Last season, Freeman was one of the best tight ends in the nation, recording 586 yards and 6 touchdowns through the air. With WR Tyler Winston declared academically ineligible for 2016, Freeman is the sole proven pass-catcher for the Spartans, and should see plenty of targets against a Tulsa squad who allowed nearly 300 yards per game through the air last season.
Jake Butt (Michigan) vs. Hawaii
After getting lit up for 51 points in their season-opener last week versus Cal in Australia, expect Hawaii to receive a similar shellacking this week at the hands of the Wolverines. New starting QB John O'Korn hasn't played a game since 2014 after transferring from Houston, and while inconsistent in the past, did throw for 34 touchdowns in 19 games for the Cougars. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has had success with transfer QBs while at Michigan (Jake Rudock throwing for 3,017 yards and 20 TDs last season after transferring from Iowa), and Butt has been one of the passing game's biggest weapons, pulling in 51 catches for 654 yards and 3 touchdowns last season. With a new QB being broken in, expect O'Korn to look for the reliable Butt against a shaky Hawaii defense.
Bench Em'
QB
James Knapke (Bowling Green) vs. Ohio State
Knapke might be the next in a long line of productive QBs at Bowling Green, but a brutal Week 1 matchup with Ohio State definitely won't help add to his stats. Even though the Buckeyes lost several key pieces on defense after last season, they're still a team that only allowed 15.1 points per game, and only 184.5 yards from opposing quarterbacks. New head coach Mike Jinks has pledged to keep the high-powered air attack put in place by previous coach Dino Babers, but the Buckeyes are simply too good against the pass to risk starting Knapke this week.
Skyler Howard (West Virginia) vs. Missouri
Missouri may have been terrible offensively last season, but the same definitely can't be said about their defense, which was one of the nation's top units last season, allowing only 16.2 points per game to their opposition last season. They were quite stingy against the pass, allowing only 169 yards a game through the air. Howard had a few big games last season, including 532 yards and 5 touchdowns in the Mountaineers' bowl game victory against Arizona State. However, he was also careless with the ball at times, throwing for 14 interceptions in 2015. Save yourself the aggravation, and keep Howard stapled to the bench this week.
Tyler Jones (Texas State) vs. Ohio
Jones regressed statistically last season, dropping from 22 touchdowns in 2014 to just 14 last season, and increased his interception total from 7 to 10. This doesn't bode well for his Week 1 matchup against an Ohio Bobcats squad that allowed less than 210 passing yards/game last season. Ohio successfully shut down fairly productive teams like Northern Illinois and Marshall; against a lesser team like the Bobcats they should be equally tough, resulting in paltry numbers from Jones.
RB
Elijah McGuire (Louisiana-Lafayette) vs. Boise State
Is Elijah McGuire a stud running back? Absolutely; he's topped 1,000 yards and 10 scores in each of the past 2 seasons, and is poised to do the same again this season. However, a Week 1 matchup against a phenomenal Boise State run defense should do absolutely nothing for the confidence of McGuire's owners; the Broncos allowed 108 yards per game on the ground last season, shutting down studs like NIU's Joel Bouagnon (16 yards), Wyoming's Brian Hill (76 yards) and Hawaii's Paul Harris (13 yards). Without a proven passing game, the Broncos will be able to key in on McGuire. McGuire will have a fantastic season; this game will not be one of his better ones, however.
Corey Clement (Wisconsin) vs. LSU
Would you start a running back who missed most of last season against an LSU defense who only allowed 122.9 yards per game on the ground next season? I sure wouldn't, and this is the unenviable position Wisconsin finds themselves in for Week 1, as Corey Clement tries to find running room against a stout Tigers' run defense. Clement is a heck of a back when healthy, but even if he is at 100%, he's going to have a devil of a time trying to find running room against the Tigers.
Jamaal Williams (BYU) vs. Arizona
Williams hasn't played a down since the 2014 season, and after missing part of the 2014 due to injury, and all of 2015 after withdrawing from BYU, Williams will have to re-earn his touches in Provo. Algernon Brown served as a more-than-capable back last season, rushing for 709 yards and 11 scores. With Brown and Taysom Hill poaching carries from Williams, he's probably best being left on the bench this week.
WR
Ronnie Moore (Bowling Green) vs. Ohio State
Much like his teammate James Knapke, Moore is definitely a player to avoid this weekend against a tough, tough Ohio State pass defense. With the defection of standout receivers Roger Lewis and Gehrig Dieter to the NFL and Alabama, respectively, Moore is the lone proven pass-catcher on the Falcons' roster. Expect the Buckeyes secondary to key in Moore while Knapke is put under constant pressure - neither of which bodes well for Moore's fantasy value this week.
Fred Ross (Mississippi State) vs. South Alabama
South Alabama isn't exactly a frightening opponent for an strong SEC team like Mississippi State, but their quarterback situation should scare off at least a few of Ross' fantasy owners this weekend. Ross was a huge volume receiver last year, pulling in 88 catches for 1,007 yards for the Bulldogs. However, with stud QB Dak Prescott off to the NFL, the Bulldogs will rely Nick Fitzgerald and/or Damian Williams, who will likely need a few games to get comfortable. Combine that with the fact that Ross is recovering from offseason groin surgery, and that's a recipe that merits keeping Ross on the bench, at least for this week.
Shelton Gibson (West Virginia) vs. Missouri
Missouri absolutely shut down opposing passing games last season, allowing fewer than 170 yards per game through the air last season. Big plays will be hard to come by for the Mountaineers, and that's what Gibson brought to the table last season, averaging a ridiculous 24 yards per catch. Missouri's passing D is absolutely too good to allow such gaudy numbers, and should effectively shut down Gibson in this one. Keep him on your bench this week.
TE
Gerald Everett (South Alabama) vs. Mississippi State
Normally, Everett is a must-start at the TE position. However, the Jags are tangling with a formidable SEC team on this one, one that allowed less than 220 passing yards per game last season. Couple that with the fact that South Alabama is breaking in a new quarterback, and that situation all adds up to a dud of a game for Everett. Even with limited fantasy options at tight ends, it's better to take a flyer on an option with a better matchup this week.
Jordan Leggett (Clemson) vs. Auburn
Why on Earth would you keep one of the most productive tight ends in the country on the bench? Well, as good as Jordan Leggett is (525 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns last season), the Clemson receiving corps becomes much more crowded this season with the return of Mike Williams from a serious neck injury sustained last season. In addition to Williams, the Tigers also have wideouts Artavis Scott (901 yards, 6 TDs in 2015), Deon Cain (582 yards, 5 TDs) and Hunter Renfrow (492 yards, 5 TDs) on the roster, all who will receive targets. Leggett will still get touches, but in Week 1 against an Auburn team that allowed only 222.6 passing yards per game in 2015, he's best left on the bench, until fantasy owners figure out who will receive the lion's share of targets in Clemson's offense.
Start Em'
QB
Taysom Hill (BYU) vs. Arizona
This pick obviously comes with some risk, given Hill's inability to stay healthy over the last few seasons. However, he is healthy now, and when healthy, Hill is one of the best fantasy quarterbacks in the nation. In his one game of 2015, he passed for a touchdown, and ran for 2 more scores on 9 carries against Nebraska. Arizona's defense allowed an average of 35.8 points per game last season (including over 40 points five times), and unless they have made significant improvements on that side of the ball, Hill should have a field day against the Wildcats on Sunday.
Riley Neal (Ball State) vs. Georgia State
Riley Neal (Ball State) vs. Georgia State
Neal was a solid, yet unspectacular performer once he took over as Ball State's starting QB last season, throwing for 2,276 yards and 16 touchdowns, while also rushing for 399 yards and 2 scores, including a huge, 393 yard, 4 passing TD game against NIU. Georgia State was much improved defensively last season, allowing 28.3 points per game (compared to 2014's 43.3), but still allowed 181 yards a game on the ground. With the potent 1-2 RB combo of Darian Green (730 yards, 5 TD in 2015) and James Gilbert (608 yards, 8 TD) keeping the Panthers honest on the ground, Neal should be freed up to do his thing. Expect a fairly high-scoring game, with Neal throwing for around 250 yards and a least 2 scores.
Kenny Potter (San Jose State) vs. Tulsa
Tulsa really didn't show any interest on stopping other teams defensively last season, allowing a whopping 39.8 points per game along with 536.6 yards of offense. The defense isn't expected to be much better in 2016, which bodes well for Potter, who took over as the Spartan's signal-caller part way through the 2015 season. Potter improved as the season progressed, finishing with 1,984 yards and 15 touchdowns through the air, while rushing for 415 yards and 7 scores on the ground. With the Golden Hurricanes' tendency to hemorrhage points, and Potter having weapons like TE Billy Freeman and RB Thomas Tucker at his disposal, expect big numbers for the San Jose State QB this weekend.
RB
Ito Smith (Southern Miss.) vs. Kentucky
Southern Miss. was known more for their Air Raid-style offense last season with QB Nick Mullens leading the way, but Smith found more than enough touches to become one of the most underrated backs in the nation, finishing the season with 1,128 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also catching 49 balls for 515 yards and 3 more scores. While Kentucky has continually improved during Mark Stoops' tenure as head coach, they gave up 27.4 points per game last season, including 27 to FCS squad Eastern Kentucky. Kentucky also gave up 198 yards a game on the ground last year, a stat that bodes well for Smith's owners.
Joel Bouagnon (Northern Illinois) vs. Wyoming
Bouagnon was an absolute workhorse for the Huskies last season, taking 283 carries for 1,285 yards and 18 touchdowns. As good as Bouagnon was on the ground, Wyoming by contrast was absolutely horrendous at stopping the run, allowing over 225 yards per game, Expect NIU's coaching staff to give Bouagnon a steady diet of carries against a team that struggles to stop the run.
Jeffrey Wilson (North Texas) vs. SMU
IF there was a bright spot for North Texas last year (and that's a mighty big IF, see how awful North Texas was last season), it was Wilson, who was far and away the Mean Green's best player, recording 830 yards and a TD on 155 carries, a healthy 5.4 yard per carry average. With a new offensive-minded head coach, former Arizona and Indiana offensive coordinator Seth Littrell, expect the Mean Green's offensive game to be much better in 2016. Wilson should be a huge part of the rebuild, which should start with a strong game on Saturday against an SMU squad that allowed an ungodly 261.2 yards per game on the ground a season ago.
WR
Corey Davis (Western Michigan) vs. Northwestern
Northwestern was one of the nation's surprise teams last year, finishing 2015 with a 10-3 record. Pat Fitzgerald's squad hung their hats squarely on their defense, allowing only 18.6 points per game. The Wildcats were slightly less effective against the pass, allowing 192.8 yards per game (as opposed to just slightly more than 126 on the ground). However, only 5 starters return on defense, so look for QB Zach Terrell to sling the ball in Davis' direction often. Davis is an absolute stud, and with the Wildcats potentially shutting down the Western Michigan's run game, look for Davis to get as many touches as Terrell can throw his way.
Courtland Sutton (SMU) vs. North Texas
As atrocious as SMU was on the defensive side of the ball in 2015, they weren't nearly as terrible on offensive, averaging a healthy 27.8 points per game under new head coach Chad Morris. One of the Mustang's breakout performers on offense was then-freshman wideout Courtland Sutton, who recorded 49 catching for 862 yards and 9 touchdowns, a whopping 17.6 yard-per-catch average. Though North Texas may have a new head coach, don't expect their sieve-like defense (which allowed 41 points per game last year, by the way) to improve too much, which all but guarantees a huge game from Sutton. Anything less than 100 receiving yards and score would be a massive disappointment.
Jordan Westerkamp (Nebraska) vs. Fresno State
Westerkamp was far and away QB Tommy Armstrong, Jr.'s favorite receiver last season, recording 918 yards and 7 touchdowns on the year. A tasty matchup with a defensively-challenged Fresno State squad that gave up 38 points a game in 2015 looms in Week 1, and with Brandon Reilly suspended for the game, and De'Mornay Pierson-El working his way back from injury, look for Westerkamp to get a steady diet of passes fed his way by Armstrong, resulting in a huge game for the senior wideout.
TE
Billy Freeman (San Jose State) vs. Tulsa
For the same reason Kenny Potter was recommended as a start against the Golden Hurricanes this week, Freeman is a must-start as well. Last season, Freeman was one of the best tight ends in the nation, recording 586 yards and 6 touchdowns through the air. With WR Tyler Winston declared academically ineligible for 2016, Freeman is the sole proven pass-catcher for the Spartans, and should see plenty of targets against a Tulsa squad who allowed nearly 300 yards per game through the air last season.
Jake Butt (Michigan) vs. Hawaii
After getting lit up for 51 points in their season-opener last week versus Cal in Australia, expect Hawaii to receive a similar shellacking this week at the hands of the Wolverines. New starting QB John O'Korn hasn't played a game since 2014 after transferring from Houston, and while inconsistent in the past, did throw for 34 touchdowns in 19 games for the Cougars. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has had success with transfer QBs while at Michigan (Jake Rudock throwing for 3,017 yards and 20 TDs last season after transferring from Iowa), and Butt has been one of the passing game's biggest weapons, pulling in 51 catches for 654 yards and 3 touchdowns last season. With a new QB being broken in, expect O'Korn to look for the reliable Butt against a shaky Hawaii defense.
Bench Em'
QB
James Knapke (Bowling Green) vs. Ohio State
Knapke might be the next in a long line of productive QBs at Bowling Green, but a brutal Week 1 matchup with Ohio State definitely won't help add to his stats. Even though the Buckeyes lost several key pieces on defense after last season, they're still a team that only allowed 15.1 points per game, and only 184.5 yards from opposing quarterbacks. New head coach Mike Jinks has pledged to keep the high-powered air attack put in place by previous coach Dino Babers, but the Buckeyes are simply too good against the pass to risk starting Knapke this week.
Skyler Howard (West Virginia) vs. Missouri
Missouri may have been terrible offensively last season, but the same definitely can't be said about their defense, which was one of the nation's top units last season, allowing only 16.2 points per game to their opposition last season. They were quite stingy against the pass, allowing only 169 yards a game through the air. Howard had a few big games last season, including 532 yards and 5 touchdowns in the Mountaineers' bowl game victory against Arizona State. However, he was also careless with the ball at times, throwing for 14 interceptions in 2015. Save yourself the aggravation, and keep Howard stapled to the bench this week.
Tyler Jones (Texas State) vs. Ohio
Jones regressed statistically last season, dropping from 22 touchdowns in 2014 to just 14 last season, and increased his interception total from 7 to 10. This doesn't bode well for his Week 1 matchup against an Ohio Bobcats squad that allowed less than 210 passing yards/game last season. Ohio successfully shut down fairly productive teams like Northern Illinois and Marshall; against a lesser team like the Bobcats they should be equally tough, resulting in paltry numbers from Jones.
RB
Elijah McGuire (Louisiana-Lafayette) vs. Boise State
Is Elijah McGuire a stud running back? Absolutely; he's topped 1,000 yards and 10 scores in each of the past 2 seasons, and is poised to do the same again this season. However, a Week 1 matchup against a phenomenal Boise State run defense should do absolutely nothing for the confidence of McGuire's owners; the Broncos allowed 108 yards per game on the ground last season, shutting down studs like NIU's Joel Bouagnon (16 yards), Wyoming's Brian Hill (76 yards) and Hawaii's Paul Harris (13 yards). Without a proven passing game, the Broncos will be able to key in on McGuire. McGuire will have a fantastic season; this game will not be one of his better ones, however.
Corey Clement (Wisconsin) vs. LSU
Would you start a running back who missed most of last season against an LSU defense who only allowed 122.9 yards per game on the ground next season? I sure wouldn't, and this is the unenviable position Wisconsin finds themselves in for Week 1, as Corey Clement tries to find running room against a stout Tigers' run defense. Clement is a heck of a back when healthy, but even if he is at 100%, he's going to have a devil of a time trying to find running room against the Tigers.
Jamaal Williams (BYU) vs. Arizona
Williams hasn't played a down since the 2014 season, and after missing part of the 2014 due to injury, and all of 2015 after withdrawing from BYU, Williams will have to re-earn his touches in Provo. Algernon Brown served as a more-than-capable back last season, rushing for 709 yards and 11 scores. With Brown and Taysom Hill poaching carries from Williams, he's probably best being left on the bench this week.
WR
Ronnie Moore (Bowling Green) vs. Ohio State
Much like his teammate James Knapke, Moore is definitely a player to avoid this weekend against a tough, tough Ohio State pass defense. With the defection of standout receivers Roger Lewis and Gehrig Dieter to the NFL and Alabama, respectively, Moore is the lone proven pass-catcher on the Falcons' roster. Expect the Buckeyes secondary to key in Moore while Knapke is put under constant pressure - neither of which bodes well for Moore's fantasy value this week.
Fred Ross (Mississippi State) vs. South Alabama
South Alabama isn't exactly a frightening opponent for an strong SEC team like Mississippi State, but their quarterback situation should scare off at least a few of Ross' fantasy owners this weekend. Ross was a huge volume receiver last year, pulling in 88 catches for 1,007 yards for the Bulldogs. However, with stud QB Dak Prescott off to the NFL, the Bulldogs will rely Nick Fitzgerald and/or Damian Williams, who will likely need a few games to get comfortable. Combine that with the fact that Ross is recovering from offseason groin surgery, and that's a recipe that merits keeping Ross on the bench, at least for this week.
Shelton Gibson (West Virginia) vs. Missouri
Missouri absolutely shut down opposing passing games last season, allowing fewer than 170 yards per game through the air last season. Big plays will be hard to come by for the Mountaineers, and that's what Gibson brought to the table last season, averaging a ridiculous 24 yards per catch. Missouri's passing D is absolutely too good to allow such gaudy numbers, and should effectively shut down Gibson in this one. Keep him on your bench this week.
TE
Gerald Everett (South Alabama) vs. Mississippi State
Normally, Everett is a must-start at the TE position. However, the Jags are tangling with a formidable SEC team on this one, one that allowed less than 220 passing yards per game last season. Couple that with the fact that South Alabama is breaking in a new quarterback, and that situation all adds up to a dud of a game for Everett. Even with limited fantasy options at tight ends, it's better to take a flyer on an option with a better matchup this week.
Jordan Leggett (Clemson) vs. Auburn
Why on Earth would you keep one of the most productive tight ends in the country on the bench? Well, as good as Jordan Leggett is (525 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns last season), the Clemson receiving corps becomes much more crowded this season with the return of Mike Williams from a serious neck injury sustained last season. In addition to Williams, the Tigers also have wideouts Artavis Scott (901 yards, 6 TDs in 2015), Deon Cain (582 yards, 5 TDs) and Hunter Renfrow (492 yards, 5 TDs) on the roster, all who will receive targets. Leggett will still get touches, but in Week 1 against an Auburn team that allowed only 222.6 passing yards per game in 2015, he's best left on the bench, until fantasy owners figure out who will receive the lion's share of targets in Clemson's offense.
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