The first week of college football is in the books and there is a lot to consider after watching and following those matchups. Here are some players to start and to avoid in the Big 10 heading into Week 2:
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LOVE 'EM
1. Michigan running back Zach Charbonnet
This could be the steal of the year in fantasy leagues this year because Zach Charbonnet looks to be Michigan’s No. 1 running back and his workload should only increase throughout the season. The former high four-star prospect was listed atop the Michigan RB depth chart and he delivered in the season opener against Middle Tennessee State with eight carries for 90 yards (more than 11 yards per touch). Army gave up six yards per attempt to Rice - Rice! - last weekend so Charbonnet, who’s owned in only 19 percent of leagues, could run wild in Ann Arbor this weekend.
2. Iowa RB Mehki Sargent
I like this matchup so much because Rutgers is coming off a rare win over UMass and the Scarlet Knights might be feeling pretty good this week. Iowa is here to crush those dreams into oblivion and Mehki Sargent is perfect for it. Not only did Sargent rush 14 times for 91 yards and a touchdown against Miami (Ohio) but he also led the Hawkeyes with four catches for 65 yards. It looks like he’s going to be used all over the offense and Rutgers allowed 5.4 yards per carry to lowly UMass last weekend. Back to reality Scarlet Knights. Owned in only 18 percent of leagues, Sargent could be a steal this week.
3. Indiana RB Stevie Scott
There are some things that concern me here, namely that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. led Indiana in rushing last game, but Stevie Scott is going to be leaned on heavily - and Eastern Illinois is just out of its league. EIU actually did a nice job against Tennessee-Chattanooga in the opener but the Hoosiers should be sharper and Scott, who had 19 carries for 48 yards and two touchdowns in the opener, could go off. Indiana just outclasses its opponent this weekend and Scott gets even more touches.
LEAVE 'EM
1. Maryland RB Anthony McFarland
Maryland scored 79 points against Howard last weekend, but the Terrapins are not exactly an offensive juggernaut and a really challenging matchup awaits. What I also didn’t like is that Anthony McFarland didn’t get a lot of work against Howard with only six carries for 18 yards but he did score twice. I’m sure the Terrapins weren’t showing much on offense against such an outmatched opponent, but Syracuse gave up -4 rushing yards on 34 attempts to Liberty this past weekend. McFarland will get more carries, but will he have any room to run?
2. Penn State running backs
The Nittany Lions rushed for 331 yards and seven touchdowns in a 79-7 win over Idaho this past weekend so it’s hard not to start their running backs in a fantasy setting, but a lot of things should be different this weekend. First, Buffalo isn’t a bunch of potatoes with absolutely no chance. The Bulls have a lot of new faces on defense but they’re really well-coached and come in with a pulse. Secondly, this is fantasy and last weekend no Penn State running back had more than nine carries and seven players had five or more including QB Sean Clifford. There’s still too much of a by-committee approach to get behind one guy.
3 Minnesota RB Rodney Smith
Rodney Smith, who’s owned in nearly 70 percent of leagues, should head to the bench this weekend. Minnesota was not overly impressive in a 28-21 win over South Dakota State to start the season and now the Golden Gophers head to Fresno State, which has a tough, hard-nosed defense and played USC tough on Saturday night. Believe it or not, Fresno State could be a tough place to play, the team is filled with guys who want to fly around and hit and the opening line for the over/under is in the 40s. There are better options out there for your fantasy purposes.
