Start vs. Sit: Players to Start, Players to Bench Week 14

You know that dude Sisyphus? He was always pushing a giant boulder up a hill, and when he got to the top it would always fall back down. Writing this article this season has felt like that at times. It's been chaotic, and I have watched recommendations become rendered irrelevant by cancellations and postponements. However, I am keeping at it, because games are happening, and when they do, you should have start vs. sit recommendations at your disposal. Let's dive into Week 14!

AAC

START

Kyle Porter, RB, HOU at SMU

We just saw SMU allow 52 points to East Carolina – and it could have been worse than that – which has me looking for Cougars players going against the SMU crew. Houston has only been able to play in five games, but Porter has scored in four of those contests. While he hasn't rushed for over 100 yards yet, he has two games with over 100 total yards. The Mustangs have allowed 180.3 rushing yards per game, so maybe Porter will get over 100 yards here. I should note he's questionable with an undisclosed issue, but Dana Holgersen expressed optimism about his return.

SIT

Brady White, QB, Memphis at Tulane

It was surprising that Memphis held Navy to seven points last week, but it was equally surprising that Memphis only scored 10 points. In fact, White has thrown only one passing touchdown in three of his last four games. By the standards of AAC defenses, Tulane is actually quite good, and it has only allowed 21 points or fewer in regulation in its last four games.

ACC

START

Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina vs. Western Carolina

The Tar Heels get a chance to rebound from a tough loss to Notre Dame by facing an FCS team. This should be a romp, which means a few players will get their numbers. Javonte Williams is the lead back for North Carolina, but Carter is no slouch. Carter has rushed for 864 yards and four touchdowns and racked up 252 yards and two touchdowns in the receiving game as well.

SIT

Khalil Herbert, RB, Virginia Tech vs. Clemson

With 924 yards on the season, Herbert is closing in on 1,000 rushing yards, even though he's missed time. And yet, I could easily see him remaining short of that number after this game. Clemson's defense has generated some murmurs of concern in some areas, especially after allowing 47 points to Notre Dame. Despite that, the Tigers have allowed only 19.2 points and 102.6 rushing yards per game. This is still one of the best defenses in college football, and I could see them shutting Herbert down.

Big 12

START

Kwamie Lassiter, WR, Kansas at Texas Tech

Usually, I'm targeting the Kansas defense with my recommendations. In the spirit of glad tidings, I am turning the tables around. After all, Texas Tech has allowed 39.3 points per game itself. Despite not always getting the best quarterback play, Lassiter has 38 catches for 440 yards and two touchdowns. Last week, he had seven catches for 116 yards and a score against TCU. An encore performance could be in the offing.

SIT

Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State vs. West Virginia

Last week, Breece Hall was held under 100 yards for the first time this season, and while I could see that happening again a guy who has 91 yards and a touchdown in his worst game of the year is never a sit candidate. However, West Virginia has the best defense in the Big 12. The Mountaineers have allowed 17.8 points per game, and 161.5 passing yards per game as well. As such, I'm turning my attention to Hutchinson, who has 42 catches for 523 yards and four touchdowns, but was held to one catch for five yards last week.

Big Ten

START

Tyler Goodson, RB, Iowa at Illinois

Iowa likes to run the ball. Illinois has allowed 194.6 rushing yards per game. That's some math I can get behind. Goodson is sharing carries with Mekhi Sargent, but Goodson is clearly the lead back of the two, and the one with the higher upside. The sophomore has rushed for 564 yards and six touchdowns, and he hasn't fumbled since the season opener either.

SIT

Ty Fryfogle, WR, Indiana at Wisconsin

Fryfogle is enjoying a breakout campaign in his senior season, as he has 652 yards and seven touchdowns on only 33 receptions. That's some big-play performances coming out of Fryfogle. Unfortunately, I think those games may be behind him. Michael Penix is out for the rest of the season, so Fryfogle will be dealing with backup Jack Tuttle under center. The ceiling has definitely been lowered.

Conference USA

START

Smoke Harris, WR, Louisiana Tech at North Texas

Conference USA has been hit especially hard by COVID-19, so these recommendations are particularly fraught. That being said, when North Texas has taken the field it's allowed 41.0 points and 535.3 yards per game. The Mean Green defense isn't, looking so mean. Louisiana Tech has had offensive issues, and lead receiver Adrian Hardy has opted out for the rest of the season. That leaves an opening for Harris to step into. He may only have 23 catches for 223 yards and three touchdowns, but this matchup is too good to resist.

SIT

Austin Trammell, WR, Rice at Marshall

It's been a couple of weeks since Marshall has played, so you may have forgotten how good its defense has been. The Thundering Herd have only given up 10.1 points per game, and that's in seven contests. Trammell has only been able to play in three games, but he has 16 catches for 335 yards and six touchdowns. That's a level of production that is going to drop down, perhaps significantly.

MAC

START

Teon Dollard, RB, Akron vs. Bowling Green

I know Bowling Green had to face the unstoppable machine that is Buffalo's Jaret Patterson earlier in the season, but the fact remains they have given up a staggering 339.0 rushing yards per game. Dollard has to be happy to see this matchup on the schedule. Not that Dollard has been a slouch so far. He's rushed for 456 yards and four touchdowns through four contests.

SIT

Tyrice Richie, WR, Northern Illinois vs. Toledo

The Huskies are off to an 0-4 start, somehow it feels like half the teams in the MAC are winless, but Richie has come up big for the team. He's caught 39 passes for 415 yards and four scores. However, by the lax standards of MAC defenses, Toledo has been good. The Rockets have allowed 24.8 points and 240.0 passing yards per game. Richie will get his targets, but he may not have the same production.

Mountain West

START

Andrew Van Buren, RB, Boise State at UNLV

George Holani has missed the bulk of the season, but Van Buren has not let the Boise State running game slip at all. The back has rushed 77 times for 277 yards and most notably seven touchdowns. Van Buren has scored two touchdowns in each of his last two games. UNLV has allowed at least 34 points in every game, as well as 250.4 rushing yards per contest.

SIT

Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State at San Diego State

The Rams have managed to play all of three games, and they last played November 12, but if they play this week it's going to be a real splash of cold water. The Aztecs have only allowed 270.3 total yards per game against FBS teams, and only the Wisconsin Badgers have been better. McBride has 268 yards and four touchdowns, but San Diego State can shut down basically any offense.

Pac-12

START

Jarek Broussard, RB, Colorado at Arizona

While Arizona State is last in the FBS in yards allowed per game, I am really concerned about the team taking the field, so I won't go there. Fortunately, the Sun Devils' in-state rivals aren't much better defensively. The Wildcats have ceded 35.0 points and 229.0 rushing yards per game. Broussard has been a real workhorse for the Buffaloes. He's carried the ball 90 times through three games and has rushed for at least 121 yards in every contest.

SIT

Austin Jones, RB, Stanford at Washington

Jones has rushed for five touchdowns already through three games, though that's not likely to continue. It's also hard to overlook the fact he was held to nine yards on nine carries by Colorado. Jimmy Lake sticking around to become head coach for the Huskies seems to have kept the defense steady. Through three games they've given up 23.0 points and 314.0 yards per game.

SEC

START

JT Daniels, QB, Georgia vs. Vanderbilt

Since finally taking over at quarterback for Georgia, Daniels has shown what we've been waiting for. Through two starts, the former USC signal-caller has thrown for 540 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception. Being at home against Vanderbilt is about as easy as a matchup as Daniels is going to get. The Commodores have allowed 36.8 points per game and just fired Derek Mason.

SIT

Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas at Missouri

Speaking of Vanderbilt, it was just blanked by Missouri last week. In fact, the Tigers have held their opponents to 10 points or fewer in three of their last four games (a road contest with Florida was forgivably less impressive). Burks has been Feleipe Franks's top target and has six receiving touchdowns, but all due respect to the Razorbacks they aren't the Florida Gators. I think Missouri can keep them, including Burks, in check.

Sun Belt

START

Jamal Jones, RB, Arkansas State vs. Louisiana-Monroe

There are three games this season where Jones had single-digit carries, but in each of his last three games, he's had at least 16 touches. It seems like Arkansas State has realized the senior is its best option. Indeed, he's had over 100 total yards in each of his last two contests. Louisiana-Monroe has allowed a whopping 41.8 points and 268.3 rushing yards per game, so if Jones gets his 16 or so touches once again he should be just fine.

SIT

Levi Lewis, Louisiana at Appalachian State

Lewis has taken a step back as a passer, particularly in the fact that he's thrown seven interceptions through nine games after only throwing four in 14 last year. On the other hand, he's improved as a rusher, as he already has 233 yards and five rushing scores. That being said, Appalachian State has a defense that can shut you down through the air and on the ground. The Mountaineers have only allowed 18.0 points per game to go with 180.2 passing yards and 139.0 rushing yards per contest.