CFB Waiver Wire: Players to Pick Up Week 13

Waiver Wire Watch: Players to Pick Up Week 13

Its championship week and time to take home the crown! As I did throughout the rest of the college football season, I'll pick two guys from every conference who either caught my eye in the previous week or who have a favorable match-up in the near future. As always, I'll get to any questions or comments you have in the comments section below.

AAC

Patrick Carr, RB, Houston

Carr logged his first 100-yard rushing performance this season in most part due to starting quarterback D'Eriq King going down with a serious knee injury. The injury to King is a big bummer because Vegas wouldn't have been able to make the over/under large enough for their upcoming game with Memphis. Nonetheless, Carr should have an ample chance to make it consecutive games rushing over the century mark.

Anthony Russo, QB, Temple

I fully expect RB Ryquell Armstead to name his rushing yardage number versus the Huskies, but I also think Russo can have success against the worst defense in college football. East Carolina's QB Holton Ahlers threw four passing touchdowns against Connecticut, so I'm expecting something like that for Russo.

ACC

Ryan Finley, QB, NC State

As anticipated, Finley has been great over the past month with at least 24 fantasy points in each of his last four games. In those games, he's averaging 350 passing yards per game and has a total of 12 touchdowns. The Wolfpack's game with North Carolina should produce a lot of points which means Finley's trend of strong play will continue. RB Reggie Gallaspy, WR Kelvin Harmon and WR Jakobi Meyers are also worth starting this week.

Daniel Jones, QB, Duke

Sure, Jones didn't have the greatest game versus Clemson, but not many signal callers do. Rewind to previous week and he threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 186 yards and a score versus North Carolina. He can match that type of production versus Wake Forest in the Blue Devils' regular season finale.

BIG 12

Kennedy McKoy, RB, West Virginia: Despite the loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday, McKoy racked up a season-high total of 202 yards and two touchdowns. More importantly he outpaced teammate Martell Pettaway who saw just five carries for 28 yards. McKoy entered the season as the back with the most experience, but it was Pettaway who had flashed of late. With Oklahoma being vulnerable to opposing running backs in recent games, I like McKoy to have sneaky value on Friday Night.

Kennedy Brooks, RB, Oklahoma

From one Kennedy to another, we've been down this road before as Brooks replaced an injured Trey Sermon and ran wild with 171 yards and two touchdowns. Even if Sermon comes back, the Sooners' offense is so elite that Brooks will still provide value in a reserve role versus West Virginia on Friday Night.

BIG TEN

Anthony McFarland, RB, Maryland

It would be criminally wrong for me to not recommend McFarland after he's rushed for 210 yards and 298 yards versus Indiana and Ohio State. I'm not sure he can make it three weeks in a row versus Penn State, but it does appear interim coach Matt Canada likes the young speedster and he'll certainly have the opportunity for another big game. Be aware that McFarland did temporarily leave the Ohio State game with a shoulder injury. At the very least, keep this guy on your radar for next season!

Isaiah Bowser, RB, Northwestern

Northwestern has won six of their last seven games with Bowser garnering at least 23 carries in five straight games. He has three 100-yard rushing performances and six touchdowns over that span. The Wildcats are flying high as the champions of the Big Ten West and will want to run all over Illinois on their way to the Big Ten Championship Game.

C-USA

DeAndre Torrey, RB, North Texas

The Mean Green have perhaps the best offense in the conference and Torrey has been on fire with eight touchdowns in his last three games. There's no way the Roadrunners of UTSA will be able to slow down the surprising sophomore. I also like QB Mason Fine and WR Rico Bussey Jr. quite a bit this week if they're somehow available.

Travis Fulgham, WR, Old Dominion

The Monarchs put up a crisp 77 points versus VMI which tied a conference record for the most points scored in a single game. Not that they needed to throw the ball much, evident from seven rushing scores, they made sure to get a touchdown for Fulgham who has a score in eight straight games. I'm sure he can make it nine games in Old Dominion's last game of the season.

MAC

A.J. Ouellette, RB, Ohio: The Bobcats are the safest bet in the MAC Conference each week and Ouellette has been a testament to that with at least 130 rushing yards in three of his last four games. Moreover, he has 12 touchdowns in his past nine games. Expect Ohio to blow the doors off Akron which should set up well for Ouellette and the rest of the Bobcats stars like QB Nathan Rourke and WR Papi White.

Blake Banham, WR/RB, Eastern Michigan

Banham has some nice versatility as he's classified as either a WR or RB in most fantasy leagues. The senior has been impressive as a receiver this year with 53 catches for 709 yards and five touchdowns. This week's opponent in Kent State has arguably the worst defense in the conference which means that Banham should put forth a productive regular season finale.

MOUNTAIN WEST

Tyler Vander Waal, QB, Wyoming

Vander Waal made his return after Sean Chambers broke his ankle in the first quarter of the game versus Air Force. The freshman stepped up in a big way with two touchdowns through the air to go along with two rushing scores. This week, he'll get a start against a New Mexico team that has a ton of trouble stopping opposing quarterbacks.

Sean Modster, WR, Boise State

Modster recorded his third game of the season with multiple touchdowns as the senior had three scores in a 45-14 win over New Mexico. Modster has at least five catches in three of his last four games. The Broncos have a huge conference showdown with Utah State and they're going to need to look Modster's way if they want to have a chance to win that game.

PAC-12

CJ Verdell, RB, Oregon

Verdell is part of a crowded backfield for the Ducks, but it's been his work in the passing game which has impressed me of late. He has at least two catches in five straight games and even recorded a touchdown reception versus Arizona State this past weekend. Oregon's opponent this week is Oregon State who has been one of the conference's punching bags this year.

Davontavean Martin, WR, Washington State

I don't even care if they're playing an underrated Washington team this week because Mike Leach and the Cougars are doing everything they can to try to crash the College Football Playoff. They're slinging the ball around so much that you could realistically take a chance on any of their receivers. I'm taking a stab at Martin who has seen quite a bit of volume. The only downside is how much quarterback Gardner Minshew spreads the ball around. Running back Max Borghi is another option as he has at least one touchdown in six straight games.

SEC

Feleipe Franks, QB, Florida

Since disappointing in a Week 11 bout with just 84 passing yards versus Missouri, Franks has bounced back in a big way with at least 27 fantasy points in each of his last two games against South Carolina and Idaho. He has at least one rushing score in four straight games and Florida should have no problems moving the ball versus in-state rival Florida State this week.

Larry Rountree III, RB, Missouri

There's so much media hype around Missouri and their passing game with QB Drew Lock, but Rountree has been fantastic this season while averaging over five yards per carry and racking up 10 rushing scores. He has at least 14 carries in four straight games and three 100-yard rushing performances this year. He's likely to have yet another big game versus Arkansas on Friday Night.

SUN BELT

Kawaan Baker, WR, South Alabama

Against the Ragin' Cajuns, the Jaguars showed once again that they will find numerous ways to get the talented Baker the ball. He had seven carries for 44 yards and two touchdowns as well as four catches for 80 yards and a score. On the season, the sophomore has four touchdowns receptions and eight rushing scores. With just two wins, they should follow a similar game plan against Coastal Carolina to end the regular season.

Kirk Merritt, WR, Arkansas State

Let's try this one again as Merritt has been on a roll of late with at least one touchdown in three of his last four games. He's been unstoppable in the Sun Belt over the last month with 27 catches for 454 yards and the four touchdowns. The junior should be able to keep it rolling versus Texas State this week.

INDEPENDENTS

Darnell Woolfolk, RB, Army

I'm keeping my recommendation on the West Point cadet who has a touchdown in seven straight games, including three scores versus Colgate this past weekend. He's good for double digit carries if not at least 20 carries this upcoming week against Navy. I say this because he has at least 20 carries in four of his last five games and is a pivotal piece in Army's wishbone offense.

DEFENSE RECOMMENDATIONS

Florida (at Florida State) – Somehow still available in far too many leagues and could be the difference maker in a fantasy championship.

Kentucky (at Louisville) – The Cardinals are playing some uninspired football right now.

Mississippi State (at Ole Miss) – Ole Miss is riddled with injuries on the offensive end which will make it hard to score on an already solid Mississippi State defense

Cal (vs. Colorado) – Colorado has scored just 7 points in each of their last two games