College Fantasy Football championships are won and lost on the waiver wire. You don’t want to chase a “fool’s gold” player, so instead focus on guys that will hold their fantasy value week after week. Purple Reign has identified the players you need to target on this week’s waiver wire to ensure that “Your CFF Reign Starts Here.”
QUARTERBACKS:
Sawyer Robertson (Bayl)
Fantrax Ownership 11%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 30.3 PPG
Season Stats: 174 Att, 105 Comp, 1319 P-Yds, 14 P-TD, 3 INT, 31 Ru-Att, 156 Ru-Yds, 3 Ru-TD
This is the fourth straight week I’ve been singing the praises of Robertson here in the Waiver Wire Targets articles and surprisingly his ownership rate is still sitting at just 11%. He is scoring at least 25+ fantasy points over his last four games and three of those games have had 3+ passing TDs. He does provide minimal rushing production but not enough to think of him as a true dual-threat QB. TCU is the toughest fantasy match-up left on the schedule and he has two nice match-ups during the playoffs with West Virginia and Kansas.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): OkSt (81), TCU (40), BYE
Kevin Jennings (SMU)
Fantrax Ownership 14%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 29.62 PPG
Season Stats: 147 Att, 97 Comp, 1336 P-Yds, 9 P-TD, 2 INT, 54 Ru-Att, 280 Ru-Yds, 2 Ru-TD
Earlier in the season I felt like the SMU passing game was lost, and boy was I wrong. Jennings took over the starting QB job and over the last three games is averaging 25.7 attempts for 285.7 yards, 2 TDs and 0.3 INTs per game in the air. He’s also averaging 9.7 rushing attempts for 47.7 yards and 0.3 TDs per game on the ground. There’s just two good fantasy match-ups remaining on the schedule though with Pitt in Week 10 and Virginia in Week 13.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Duke (11), Pitt (110), BYE
Colton Joseph (OD)
Fantrax Ownership 2%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 28.78 PPG
Season Stats: 106 Att, 58 Comp, 571 P-Yds, 4 P-TD, 2 INT, 51 Ru-Att, 343 Ru-Yds, 5 Ru-TD
Starting QB Grant Wilson has missed time with an undisclosed injury and freshman Joseph has stepped in and showed what he can do. He has three games under his belt and has shown he is more of a running threat than a pocket passer. He’s averaging 13 rushing attempts for 92.3 yards and 1.3 rushing TDs per game. This helps make up for a passing workload that should be in the 20 attempts/game range (ignoring the 40 attempt game he had against Coastal Carolina). Its too early to tell if he’ll hold onto the starting job once Wilson returns but he has two good games coming up where you could start him right away in your fantasy line-ups.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): GaSo (107), App (117), BYE
Gevani McCoy (OreSt)
Fantrax Ownership 6%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 27.77 PPG
Season Stats: 194 Att, 120 Comp, 1276 P-Yds, 2 P-TD, 5 INT, 53 Ru-Att, 312 Ru-Yds, 5 Ru-TD
McCoy found his stride in October as the offense has let him become more fully involved. Leaving out the loss to Nevada, McCoy has scored 33+ fantasy points in those games. He is a player that has fantasy value through his legs, and in his two games with UNLV and Colorado State is averaging 13 carries for 86 yards and 2.5 TDs per game on the ground. He needs to be viewed more like a RB who can give you a little fantasy value through the air. He follows the San Jose State game with match-ups against Air Force and Washington State who have rush defenses ranked #124 and #82 for fantasy points allowed.
(defensive rankings below are based on rush defense due to the nature of McCoy’s game)
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): Cal (36), BYE, SJSU (91)
Ben Wooldridge (ULLaf)
Fantrax Ownership 26%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 25.35 PPG
Season Stats: 203 Att, 141 Comp, 1785 P-Yds, 15 P-TD, 4 INT, 46 Ru-Att, 132 Ru-Yds, 5 Ru-TD
Wooldridge has been featured in the Waiver Wire Targets articles for four of the last five weeks now. In four of his last five games (leaving out the Southern Miss game) he is averaging 30.5 pass attempts for 266.5 yards with 2.5 TDs and 0.75 INTs per game in the air along with 6.75 carries for 24 yards and 1.25 TDs per game on the ground. His upcoming schedule isn’t great though, with only two good fantasy match-ups remaining against Arkansas State in Week 11 and South Alabama in Week 12.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): BYE, TxSt (34), ArkSt (80)
Jake Retzlaff (BYU)
Fantrax Ownership 18%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 25.35 PPG
Season Stats: 205 Att, 121 Comp, 1644 P-Yds, 16 P-TD, 7 INT, 49 Ru-Att, 265 Ru-Yds, 2 Ru-TD
The junior has been a bit inconsistent with his performances this season but Retzlaff has shown he can be a decent spot-start fantasy QB in good match-ups. He’s only scored 30+ fantasy points twice this season so you’re more likely to get a 26 fantasy performance out of him if you are going to use him as a spot-starter. This week’s match-up with UCF is the best match-up remaining on his schedule so he could be an excellent choice to plug a weak spot on your roster this week.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): UCF (105), BYE, Utah (28)
Honorable Mentions:
Jacolby Criswell (UNC)
Fantrax Ownership 5%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 25.3 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): UVA (111), FlaSt (59), BYE
Jacurri Brown (UCF)
Fantrax Ownership 8%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 24.62 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): BYU (15), Ariz (92), AzSt (78)
Michael Van Buren (MissSt)
Fantrax Ownership 7%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 24.4 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Ark (51), UMass (55), Tenn (9)
Katin Houser (ECU)
Fantrax Ownership 5%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 17.35 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Tem (54), BYE, FlAtl (77)
Tommy Ulatowski (Kent)
Fantrax Ownership 5%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 15.3 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): WestMi (116), BYE, Ohio (67)
RUNNING BACKS:
AJ Turner (Marsh)
Fantrax Ownership 16%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 25.53 PPG
Season Stats: 71 Att, 717 Ru-Yds, 5 Ru-TD, 7 Tgt, 6 Rec, 67 Rc-Yds, 2 Rc-TD
Turner has started to make a name for himself over the last three games. He’s carried the ball 41 times for 339 yards and 4 TDs, and even provided 2 receiving TDs. I’m not reviewing his statistical averages since they are skewed by last week’s 177 yard and 4 total TD performance against Georgia State. It looks like a typical game production that you could count on moving forward for Turner would be around 14 carries for 100 yards and 0.67 TDs per game. Every game remaining on the schedule with the exception of James Madison in Week 14 is a fantasy starting worthy match-up, and a possibility he could have another “pop off” game sprinkled in.
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): BYE, ULMon (83), SMiss (128)
Elijah Gilliam (Fres)
Fantrax Ownership 7%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 25.4 PPG
Season Stats: 88 Att, 361 Ru-Yds, 5 Ru-TD, 16 Tgt, 15 Rec, 126 Rc-Yds, 0 Rc-TD
Starting RB Malik Sherrod has now missed two games with an undisclosed injury, and remains listed as doubtful this week. Gilliam has stepped into the RB1 role in Sherrod’s absence and has run the ball 40 times for 186 yards and 3 TDs. Gilliam only has fantasy value while Sherrod is out so you’ll need to keep an eye on injury reports. All of next three games are good fantasy match-ups for Gilliam and he should be started this week against San Jose State.
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): SJSU (91), Haw (70), AF (124)
Ahmad Hardy (ULMon)
Fantrax Ownership 20%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 22.8 PPG
Season Stats: 100 Att, 501 Ru-Yds, 6 Ru-TD, 4 Tgt, 3 Rec, 60 Rc-Yds, 0 Rc-TD
Hardy is a talented freshman who has now been featured in these Waiver Wire target articles for four weeks in a row. Over the last three games he is averaging 19 carries for 103.3 yards and 1.3 TDs per game. I’m a big believer in this offensive system as it has a history of feeding their RB1 with a plethora of carries. There are four upcoming fantasy match-ups left on the schedule where Hardy will face off against rush defenses that rank #82 or worse in fantasy points allowed.
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): SoAl (59), Marsh (107), TxSt (85)
Ja’Quez Cross (ArkSt)
Fantrax Ownership 19%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 22.77 PPG
Season Stats: 55 Att, 334 Ru-Yds, 1 Ru-TD, 31 Tgt, 22 Rec, 160 Rc-Yds, 1 Rc-TD
Cross is you prototypical PPR scoring RB, with 30% of his total yardage production coming from receptions. What has made Cross fantasy relevant lately is that he has rushed for over 100 yards in his last two games. He has averaged only 13.5 carries/game over those last two contests so there’s always a chance for yardage regression moving forward. You still can’t ignore his receiving role in the offense where Cross has averaged 6.67 targets/game over the last three games. All of the remaining games on his schedule are good rushing fantasy match-ups.
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): Troy (105), BYE, ULLaf (87)
Braydon Bennett (CoCar)
Fantrax Ownership 16%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 22.1 PPG
Season Stats: 50 Att, 322 Ru-Yds, 6 Ru-TD, 11 Tgt, 8 Rec, 73 Rc-Yds, 2 Rc-TD
Bennett logged his first 100 yard game of the season last week against Louisiana. The Coastal coaching staff has been splitting up carries between multiple RBs this season but Bennet has stood out as the most productive of the group. The coaches appear to like him in the red zone as he has a nose for the end zone. He is not receiving a good carry/game workload so he will live and die by scoring TDs. Troy is the best rush defense for fantasy points allowed left on his schedule and all other opponents rank #107 or worse.
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): BYE, Troy (105), App (125)
Rahsul Faison (UtSt)
Fantrax Ownership 27%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 20.43 PPG
Season Stats: 132 Att, 666 Ru-Yds, 5 Ru-TD, 18 Tgt, 14 Rec, 33 Rc-Yds, 0 Rc-TD
In three of the last four games Faison has received 24+ carries/game and he has scored a TD in each of his last four games. Now that the passing game is clicking defenses have to keep an extra safety back which creates lighter boxes for Faison to run into. All of the rush defenses remaining on his schedule rank between #70-#92 in fantasy points allowed. Look for him to keep his momentum going through the rest of the season.
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): Wyo (92), BYE, WaSt (82)
Honorable Mentions:
Ty Son Lawton (Ind)
Fantrax Ownership 10%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 16.35 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): Wash (39), MSU (54), Mich (12)
Jadan Baugh (Fla)
Fantrax Ownership 19%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 15.53 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): BYE, UGA (16), Tex (15)
Delbert Mimms III
Fantrax Ownership 11%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 15.35 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): Akr (121), Toled (25), BYE
Floyd Chalk (SJSU)
Fantrax Ownership 25%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 15.3 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): Fres (44), BYE, OreSt (115)
Jaivian Thomas (Cal)
Fantrax Ownership 5%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 14.77 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): OreSt (115), BYE, Wake (89)
Gavin Williams (NIU)
Fantrax Ownership 4%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 13.43 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (rush def rank): Ball (112), BYE, WestMi (119)
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Tru Edwards (LT)
Fantrax Ownership 8%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 28.35 PPG
Season Stats: 43 Tgt, 32 Rec, 445 Rc-Yds, 4 Rc-TD
Edwards has been on fire over the last two weeks. He’s had a total of 19 targets for 15 receptions, 237 yards and 3 TDs. His workload over the last four games is good too, averaging 8.75 targets/game. His remaining schedule is a mixed bag with three good fantasy match-ups and three moderately-okay fantasy match-ups. He looks in line for a great run in the playoffs facing off against Western Kentucky, Arkansas, and Kennesaw State.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): UTEP (83), SamHu (73), JacSt (68)
Jackson Meeks (Syr)
Fantrax Ownership 25%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 24.65 PPG
Season Stats: 50 Tgt, 38 Rec, 459 Rc-Yds, 4 Rc-TD
Meeks has been on a nice run lately, posting fantasy point scores of 32, 20 and 28 over the last three weeks. What has been most pleasing is that his workload has increased from an average of 4.3 targets/game from games 1-3, to 12.3 targets/game over the last three games. He has also scored in his last four games. The upcoming Pittsburgh game should have a continuation of this high fantasy output by Meeks.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Pitt (110), VaTec (52), BC (21)
Chase Sowell (ECU)
Fantrax Ownership 15%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 20.5 PPG
Season Stats: 44 Tgt, 26 Rec, 436 Rc-Yds, 1 Rc-TD
Last week Sowell had his best game of the season recording 10 targets for 7 receptions, 138 yards and his only TD of the season. The three games prior to that have been average in fantasy points scored but good in workload. He scored between 10-12 fantasy points in those games but averaged 7.67 targets/game. What changed last week? Katin Houser took over the starting QB duties and the passing game found new life. With a new QB under center and a good target share in the offense that was already established, Sowell could exceed expectations moving forward.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Tem (54), BYE, FlAtl (77)
Josh Cameron (Bayl)
Fantrax Ownership 4%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 20.25 PPG
Season Stats: 36 Tgt, 24 Rec, 352 Rc-Yds, 7 Rc-TD
Somebody flipped the switch for Cameron three weeks ago and his play has taken flight. In those three games he has averaged 7.67 targets for 5 receptions, 70 yards and 2 TDs per game. His touch down production has the looks of something that should regress at some point though. TCU is the toughest fantasy match-up left on the schedule and he has two nice match-ups during the playoffs with West Virginia and Kansas.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): OkSt (81), TCU (40), BYE
Jordan Tyson (AzSt)
Fantrax Ownership 18%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 19.93 PPG
Season Stats: 51 Tgt, 31 Rec, 477 Rc-Yds, 4 Rc-TD, 1 Ru-Att, 1 Ru-Yds, 0 Ru-TD
Tyson has been inconsistent with his fantasy production but there is a correlation between his fantasy production and the amount of targets he receives. When he gets 7 or more targets in a game, he is averaging 5.4 receptions for 87.4 yards and 0.6 TDs per game. The two games he did not receive that many targets were fantasy match-ups that you would have bet on him doing so, with games against Texas Tech and Mississippi State. His last three games have seen him score 16, 19, and 23 fantasy points. The rest of his schedule is loaded with good fantasy match-ups, and only one bad match-up against BYU.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): BYE, OkSt (84), UCF (105)
Darius Lassiter (BYU)
Fantrax Ownership 5%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 19.25 PPG
Season Stats: 52 Tgt, 27 Rec, 450 Rc-Yds, 4 Rc-TD
This is the third week in a row that I have featured Lassiter as a Waiver Wire target. Over the last three games his target share has jumped up dramatically to 11 targets/game and his yardage has increased to 111.7 yards/game. He’s scored twice in the last three games, and has scored in four of his last five games. What I really like is the remaining Big XII schedule, with only Utah and Houston serving as non-favorable fantasy match-ups.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): OkSt (84), UCF (107), BYE
Honorable Mentions:
Kyle Prather (MD)
Fantrax Ownership 20%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 19.1 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): MIN (2), BYE, Oreg (6)
Kris Hutson (WaSt)
Fantrax Ownership 19%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 18.45 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): SDSU (71), BYE, UtSt (130)
Trent Walker (OreSt)
Fantrax Ownership 4%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 17.63 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Cal (31), BYE, SJSU (49)
Cam Camper (Boise)
Fantrax Ownership 23%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 17.5 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): UNLV (94), SDSU (71), Nev (76)
Eric Rivers (FLInt)
Fantrax Ownership 11%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 17.3 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): SamHu (73), NMS (61), BYE
Jayce Brown (K St)
Fantrax Ownership 23%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 17.15 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Kan (74), Hou (65), BYE
Matt Sykes (Rice)
Fantrax Ownership 5%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 16.95 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): UConn (37), Navy (46), Mem (35)
Jaden Smith (Nev)
Fantrax Ownership 10%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 16.43 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Haw (79), ColSt (120), Boise (121)
Justin Lockhart (SJSU)
Fantrax Ownership 10%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 15.53 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Fres (70), BYE, OreSt (30)
Luke Floriea (Kent)
Fantrax Ownership 16%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 15.25 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): WestMi (116), BYE, Ohio (67)
Tony Johnson (Cin)
Fantrax Ownership 1%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 14.55 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Colo (57), BYE, WVU (122)
Kenny Opom (UTEP)
Fantrax Ownership 14%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 13.03 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): LT (48), MidTn (133), KennSt (95)
TJ Moore (Clem)
Fantrax Ownership 22%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 12.77 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): BYE, Lou (84), VaTec (52)
Dalton Carnes (NorTx)
Fantrax Ownership 0%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 12.15 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Tul (20), BYE, Army (43)
Jakobie James (UMass)
Fantrax Ownership 17%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 11.3 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): FCS (150), MissSt (119), BYE
TIGHT ENDS:
Jack Endries (Cal)
Fantrax Ownership 26%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 20.6 PPG
Season Stats: 31 Tgt, 28 Rec, 366 Rc-Yds, 2 Rc-TD
Endries spent the month of September sleepwalking his way through 5 point fantasy performances. Just in time for Halloween, he has risen from the dead in October with three big time performances. In those games he is averaging 7.3 targets for 99.3 yards and 0.67 TD per game. The upcoming schedule has 4 teams with pass defenses ranking #100 or worse in fantasy points allowed.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): OreSt (30), BYE, Wake (131)
Terrance Carter (ULLaf)
Fantrax Ownership 25%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 20.33 PPG
Season Stats: 36 Tgt, 28 Rec, 465 Rc-Yds, 4 Rc-TD
This is Carter’s third straight week making the Waiver Wire Targets articles. He is the primary fantasy weapons in the Louisiana receiving core. He has scored a TD and gone for over 100 yards in his last two games. He has also recorded 6+ targets in four of his last five games. He has both good and bad fantasy match-ups remaining on the schedule, but bad match-ups are also a bad thing when it comes to fantasy TE production.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): BYE, TxSt (34), ArkSt (80)
Blake Bosma (WestMi)
Fantrax Ownership 5%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 18.9 PPG
Season Stats: 26 Tgt, 24 Rec, 270 Rc-Yds, 5 Rc-TD
Bosma has quietly scored 12+ fantasy points in three of his last four games and scored 5 TDs in the four game span. You can say that MAC-tion has been kind to him. The upcoming schedule look to keep being nice to Bosma as well.
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Kent (132), BYE, NIU (19)
Honorable Mentions:
John Michael Gyllenborg (Wyo)
Fantrax Ownership 21%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 16.75 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): UtSt (130), NM (126), BYE
Dorian Fleming (GaSt)
Fantrax Ownership 24%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 10.85 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): App (117), UConn (37), JMU (38)
Jermaine Terry (OreSt)
Fantrax Ownership 2%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 10.8 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Cal (31), BYE, SJSU (49)
Keleki Latu (Wash)
Fantrax Ownership 1%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 10.5 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Ind (23), USC (41), PSU (18)
Taylor Thompson (JMU)
Fantrax Ownership 27%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 10.43 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): SMiss (87), BYE, GaSt (75)
Kole Taylor (WVU)
Fantrax Ownership 19%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 9.03 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): Ariz (92), BYE, Cin (88)
Anthony Torres (Toled)
Fantrax Ownership 22%
Fantasy Scoring Over Last 3 Weeks: 5.4 PPG
Next three weeks opponent (pass def rank): BGSU (25), E Mi (113), BYE