CFB Waiver Wire: Players to Pick Up for Championship Week

Welcome to another installment of the waiver wire watch. It's time for the fantasy championship! As I've done for all of the fantasy regular season and playoffs, I'll pick two players from every conference who either caught my eye in the previous week or who have a favorable matchup in the championship week. As always, I'll get to any questions or comments you have in the comments section below.

AAC

Tyler Snead, WR, East Carolina
Sorry about the Demetrius Mauney recommendation last week —  that was clearly the wrong direction in the backfield. I didn't see Darius Pinnix Jr. getting 27 carries as he hadn't recorded a carry since early September. I'll go with a much safer option this week in Tyler Snead, who has managed an eye-popping 35 catches for 366 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games. East Carolina seems very content on dropping off check-down passes to Snead, which results in monster PPR performances for the freshman.

Jadan Blue, WR, Temple
I'm not sure if the Owls even know if they have any other receivers as Blue garnered 19 targets in their recent loss at Cincinnati. Blue has three straight 100-yard receiving performances and is averaging more than 16 targets per game in that stretch. That's far too much volume to ignore. Quarterback Anthony Russo should also be a strong start against a weak UConn defense this week.

Last Week; East Carolina RB Demetrius Mauney (2 carries for negative 5 yards), SMU TE Kylen Granson (1 catch for 30 yards)

ACC

Kendall Hinton, WR, Wake Forest
I have no idea how Hinton is still available in a ton of leagues as he's basically the last man standing in the Wake Forest receiving corps. He showed that by turning six catches in to 180 yards and a touchdown in a 39-27 win over Duke on Saturday. The Demon Deacons could easily put up 50-plus points at Syracuse this week, so he should be picked up in almost all leagues.

Noah Gray, TE, Duke
Gray returned to paydirt Saturday with a touchdown against Wake Forest. He has at least four catches in each of his last three games and should be good for at least that versus Miami. The Hurricanes somehow dropped a game to Florida International, so Gray should get some opportunity as I don't think there's any way the Blue Devils will be shut down.

Last Week; Miami QB Jarren Williams (19/36, 249 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT), UNC WR Dazz Newsome (DNP – suspension)

BIG 12

R.J. Turner, WR, Texas Tech
Turner has effectively taken over the No. 1 receiving spot with T.J. Vasher absent from the offense in the last month. Turner is coming off consecutive 100-yard receiving games with three total touchdowns versus TCU and Kansas State. Against Texas' suspect secondary, the sky is the limit for the senior receiver in the Red Raiders' final game of 2019.

Kennedy Brooks, RB, Oklahoma
Going back to Brooks who had an astonishing 25 carries for 149 yards in the Sooners' close victory over TCU. Oklahoma is clearly content with running the ball behind their amazing offensive line as he and quarterback Jalen Hurts combined for 53 carries in their last game. While his touchdown potential is limited due to Hurts running the ball a ton, he should be a big part of the gameplan when Oklahoma takes on Oklahoma State in an important game for playoff implications.

Last Week; Kansas State RB James Gilbert (12 rushes for 61 yards), Oklahoma State WR Dillon Stoner (8 catches for 62 yards, 1 TD)

BIG TEN

Cody White, WR, Michigan State
Since I already recommended QB Brian Lewerke and RB Elijah Collins, I'll go with White this week. He was Lewerke's right-hand man against Rutgers with 11 grabs for 136 yards and three touchdowns. White has at least six catches in each of his last three games, which means he's likely in for another big outing against a Maryland team that can't stop anyone.

Journey Brown, RB, Penn State
Brown extended his recent streak of double-digit fantasy performances to three with 11 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown against an impossible Ohio State defensive front. Even with Noah Cain back in the lineup, the sophomore has done enough to get a bunch of carries against an awful Rutgers defense. I like this play because there's huge upside here if he continues to garner more carries than Cain.

Last Week; Michigan State QB Brian Lewerke (21/30, 239 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT), Michigan State RB Elijah Collins (31 rushes for 109 yards), Nebraska RB Dedrick Mills (12 rushes for 65 yards, 1 TD, 2 catches for 19 yards)

CONFERENCE USA

Chris Reynolds, QB, Charlotte
Reynolds continues to play well and utilize his legs as he notched his second 100-yard rushing performance in his last three games against a good Marshall team last weekend. He'll be going for this third straight game with more than 30 fantasy points, which seems inevitable when the 49ers take on a struggling Old Dominion squad to close out the regular season.

Ty Storey, QB, Western Kentucky
The Hilltoppers' signal-caller has been one of the best kept secrets this season as Storey has reeled off six straight performances with more than 20 fantasy points. You typically can't find that kind of consistency on the waiver wire this late in the season. It's a bonus that he's also added rushing scores in four of his last six games. Expect him to be a difference maker against Middle Tennessee if you need a QB for your championship game this weekend.

Last Week; Florida Atlantic RB Malcolm Davidson (7 rushes for 53 yards, 1 TD), UTSA WR Zakhari Franklin (7 catches for 98 yards, 1 TD)

MAC

O'Shaan Allison, RB, Ohio
In the MAC's weekly spotlight against Akron, I'll go with the Bobcats lead running back this week. Allison is coming off a big performance that included 12 rushes for 175 yards and three touchdowns at Bowling Green, which could easily be repeated against the Zips. I fully expect quarterback Nathan Rourke to also have a big game, so be aware that there's a chance this one gets out of hand and many of the reserves play.

Mike Glass III, QB, Eastern Michigan
Glass isn't new to this column as he has been known to show up against lessor opponents. That's exactly what he did against Northern Illinois and Akron while completing more than 80 percent of his passes and racking up five total touchdowns. His floor should be pretty high this week against a Kent State team who likes to go up and down the field.

Last Week; Miami of Ohio RB Jaylon Bester (21 carries for 128 yards, 1 TD, 1 catch for 8 yards), Ball State QB Drew Plitt (16/24, 208 yards, 1 TD, 1 rushing TD)

MOUTAIN WEST

George Holani, RB, Boise State
Holani led the Broncos backfield in a 56-21 rout of Utah State by averaging 11.1 yards per carry on 16 totes en route to 178 yards and two touchdowns. He'll have another opportunity to run wild against a Colorado State defense that allows more than 200 rushing yards per game. Holani has serious upside as he eclipsed 20 carries in road matchups against BYU and San Jose State in Weeks 10 and 11.

Siaosi Mariner, WR, Utah State
Mariner was a recommendation a few weeks ago and continues to be the top target in the Aggies offense. Utah State faces New Mexico, which has the worst pass defense in the nation, meaning Mariner has the potential for a huge game. While he only has three 100-yard receiving performances this season, he does have at least one touchdown in six games.

Last Week; Colorado State QB Patrick O'Brien (17/29, 217 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT), Wyoming RB Xazavian Valladay (27 carries for 154 yards)

PAC-12

Jayden Daniels, QB, Arizona State
The Sun Devils pulled off the unthinkable and shocked the Oregon Ducks on Saturday as Daniels was unbelievable while completing 68.8 percent of his passes for 408 yards and three touchdowns. In fact, he's thrown three touchdown passes in three consecutive games and has a rising star in wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Daniels and Aiyuk should have a field day against Arizona, which sports one of the worst pass defenses in the nation.

Brant Kuithe, TE, Utah
Here's a repeat recommendation for Kuithe as he was added in just 6.9 percent of Fantrax leagues, which is a shame as he racked up 21 fantasy points at Arizona. Believe it or not, Kuithe had two rushing scores against the Wildcats to go with four catches for 81 yards. He should be active once against when Utah attempts to put a cherry on top of a successful Pac-12 season against Colorado.

Last Week; USC QB Kedon Slovis (37/47, 515 yards, 4 TD), Utah TE Brant Kuithe (4 catches for 81 yards, two rushing TDs)

SEC

Tommy Stevens, QB, Mississippi State
I'm sticking with Stevens, who came through with more than 30 fantasy points in his three-touchdown performance against Abilene Christian. Ole Miss has one of the worst pass defenses in the nation, which means that the battle of in-state rivals has a good chance of being one of the highest scoring games in the SEC this week.

Jarrett Guarantano, QB, Tennessee
Guarantano  threw for a season-high 415 yards at Missouri as the Vols have won four straight games. They should keep the momentum going when they play a horrible Vanderbilt team, which means that Guarantano could easily duplicate another high volume passing performance as the Commodores allow more than 250 passing yards per game.

Last Week; Alabama RB Brian Robinson Jr. (4 carries for 11 yards, 1 TD), Mississippi State QB Tommy Stevens (13/27, 165 yards, 2 TD, 88 yards rushing, 1 TD)

SUN BELT

Shai Werts, QB, Georgia Southern
Werts racked up four total touchdowns and 158 yards on the ground in a 38-33 loss to Arkansas State last week. After an inconsistent start to the season, he's had more than 20 fantasy points in his last three games. Expect him to do that again as the Eagles face in-state rival Georgia State, which has one of the worst defenses in college football.

Corey Sutton, WR, Appalachian State
Sutton has six touchdowns in his last four games and has elite receiver upside. That upside should be useful when the Mountaineers take on Troy who has one of the worst pass defenses in the nation. While the possibility that Zac Thomas and Darrynton Evans just dominate in the ground game exists, Sutton has still been pretty good in games where they have low passing volume.

Last Week; Appalachian State QB Zac Thomas (8/16, 174 yards, 2 TD, 28 yards rushing), Troy WR Kaylon Geiger (6 catches for 44 yards)

INDEPENDENTS

Frankie Hickson, RB, Liberty
Hickson has double-digit carries in each of his last three games and eight touchdowns on the season. He should have plenty of room to run against New Mexico State, which allows more than 250 rushing yards per game. While Josh Mack is likely to receive a decent amount of carries as well, Hickson has averaged more carries per week on the season.

Last Week; BYU QB Zach Wilson (17/20, 293 yards, 4 TD, 13 yards rushing)

DEFENSE RECOMMENDATIONS

Illinois (vs Northwestern) – The Fighting Illini have been good on defense and are averaging about 10 fantasy points per week.

Buffalo (vs. Bowling Green) – Buffalo's defense is fierce and has at least four sacks and a turnover in six consecutive games.

Temple (vs. UConn) – The Huskies have been experimenting with freshman and should struggle to move the ball versus the Owls.

Last Week; BYU (at UMass – 24 PA, 2 TA), Mississippi State (vs Abilene Christian – 7 PA, 4 Sacks, 2 TA), Miami of Ohio (vs. Akron– 17 PA, 12 Sacks)

SUMMARY & TOP RECOMMENDATIONS

Utilizing the two players for each conference, I'll list out who my top recommendations are on a weekly basis by position:

QB: Arizona State Jayden Daniels, Charlotte Chris Reynolds, Western Kentucky Ty Storey
RB: Ohio O'Shaan Allison, Boise State George Holani, Liberty Frankie Hickson
WR: Temple Jadan Blue, Wake Forest Kendall Hinton, Michigan State Cody White
TE: Utah Brant Kuithe, Duke Noah Gray
D/ST: Illinois (vs. Northwestern)