CFB Waiver Wire: Players to Pick Up Week 3

If it wasn't clear already, last week made it known this is going to be a strange season. Just look at the performances of the Big 12 teams. Kansas State and Iowa State both got upset by non-Power Five teams. Things are all just a bit off, but the games are happening and interesting performances are happening on the field. And if teams like Louisiana can pull off upsets it may not be a bad year for picking up Group of Five players off the waiver wire even when they are matched up with a "bigger" team.

Slate Background: There are some conference games, but we aren't in the full-on conference matchups part of the schedule yet. That means a fair amount of FCS teams on the schedule. Not showing up yet? That would be the SEC, who aren't kicking things off just yet.

Editor's note: Chris is pinch-hitting for Nick Grays this week. Grays will be back next week.

AAC

Gerrid Doaks, RB, Cincinnati : Doaks and the Bearcats are making their season debut against Austin Peay this week. This will be Doaks' chance to ease himself into being the lead back for Cincy. Last year, he was backing up Mike Warren, a workhorse who rushed 261 times for 1,265 yards and 14 touchdowns. Doaks got 100 carries, but he averaged 5.3 yards per rushing attempt. An FCS team is a way for Doaks to show up out of the gate and hit the ground running.

Rashee Rice, WR, SMU : This may be your last chance to pick Rice up off a waiver wire. He started the season with five catches for 101 yards against Texas State in SMU's opener. With James Proche now in the NFL, Reggie Roberson has risen to being the top receiver for the Mustangs, making Rice the guy stepping into Roberson's volume from last season. North Texas won its opener, but it also allowed 31 points to Houston Baptist.

ACC

Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina : Williams showed a real nose for the end zone in North Carolina's opener, scoring three touchdowns on only 14 carries. That won't happen most days, of course, especially since he's sharing the load with Michael Carter, who was the lead back for the Tar Heels in 2019. Both guys get their touches, though, and Williams is facing Charlotte, who allowed 512 yards to Appalachian State in its opener.

Braden Galloway, TE, Clemson : Galloway, a junior, came into this season with seven career receptions to his name. Against Wake Forest in Clemson's opener, the tight end had five catches for 60 yards. Will he suddenly find himself a weapon in the Tigers' offense? He's their top tight end now it would seem. Galloway will be looking for his first-career collegiate touchdown against The Citadel. I wouldn't bet against it.

Big 12

R.J. Sneed, WR, Baylor : There are only two Big 12 teams in action in Week 3, so my options are limited. Not that I'm down on Sneed against Houston, a team that, like Baylor, hasn't made its 2020 debut yet. Sneed had 42 catches for 467 yards and three touchdowns last season, and now Denzel Mims has graduated. He'll move up the depth chart and likely get more targets.

Dillon Stoner, WR, Oklahoma State : You know Oklahoma State's big two weapons Chuba Hubbard and Tylan Wallace. They aren't going to be available for you. Stoner, though, could be free to grab. The senior has been consistent in his college career. He's always had between 44 and 52 receptions and between 576 and 603 yards. Even if he doesn't take his game to a new level in 2020, he could have a fine day against Tulsa.

Big Ten

Currently Postponed

C-USA

Frank Harris, QB, UTSA : Harris showed a little potential for the Roadrunners in 2019 before a shoulder injury ended his campaign after only four games. When the 2020 season started he was back in as UTSA's starting quarterback. While his first game of the year went into double overtime, it's still notable that Harris threw for 169 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 51 yards and three scores. He gets to try and follow that up against FCS team Stephen F. Austin.

Jacob Cowing, WR, UTEP : There hasn't really been a fantasy-relevant player for UTEP since…Aaron Jones? I think Cowing could be the next one. As a true freshman last year he basically didn't play until the end of the season, notching at least four catches and 56 yards in each of his last four games. To start this campaign he has 11 catches for 165 yards through two outings. I like Cowing as a player, and I definitely like him against Abilene Christian.

MAC

Currently Postponed

MWC

Currently Postponed

Pac-12

Currently Postponed

SEC

No Games Schedule to Week 4

Sun Belt

Gunnar Watson, QB, Troy: Watson will be making his debut as Troy's starting quarterback, so I understand if you're hesitant. However, last season Troy's starter Kaleb Barker threw the ball 460 times. The Trojans like to air the ball out, and I don't expect that to change just because there's a new quarterback under center. Watson should have the opportunity to show what he can do, and he'll be doing it against Middle Tennessee State, who were trounced 42-0 in its opener.

Brock Sturges, RB, Texas State : With uncertainty at quarterback, Sturges is powering Texas State's offense so far. He's rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns, and he also has four catches for 87 yards and a score. While Louisiana-Monroe played Army last week, a team that has a particularly affinity for running the ball, it still was notable that it allowed 436 yards on the ground. Sturges could run all over the Warhawks.

Independents

Kevin Shaa, WR, Liberty : Liberty is the only independent in action this week, so my choices were limited. Shaa is listed atop Liberty's depth chart. Last season's top receiver for the Flames, Antonio Gandy-Golden, had 79 catches for 1,396 yards and 10 touchdowns. Shaa will be getting more targets, so even if he doesn't have Gandy-Golden's talent, he may have the same amount of opportunity, starting against Western Kentucky.

*New Mexico State, UConn & UMass are not playing in Fall 2020

Defense Recommendations

Pittsburgh (vs. Syracuse): Yes, it was against Austin Peay, but in its opener Pittsburgh pitched a shutout and only allowed 135 yards. This is a defense that was expected to be good under Pat Narduzzi, so it's not like that was completely out of left field. Syracuse's offense was kept in check by North Carolina last week, being held to six points, and I think its ACC journey is going to stay rough in Week 3.

North Carolina (vs. Charlotte): Speaking of North Carolina, Mack Brown is doing some impressive recruiting down in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels will be at home facing another team from the state in the 49ers. Charlotte scored 20 points in its opener against Appalachian State, which isn't terrible, but I'm concerned about quarterback Chris Reynolds' performance in that game. He went 11-for-30 for 140 yards with two interceptions. Now he has to try and find his footing against North Carolina?

Louisiana Tech (at Southern Miss): Louisiana Tech's defense impressed at times last year, including blanking Miami in its bowl game. Sure, defensive coordinator Bob Diaco left the Bulldogs, but I don't think that will completely throw this defense into disarray. Meanwhile, after Southern Mississippi's opener head coach Jay Hopson resigned. That doesn't tend to bode well for a team's immediate future.

Summary & Top Recommendations

QB: UTSA Frank Harris

RB: UNC Javonte Williams, Texas State Brock Sturges

WR: SMU Rashee Rice, Oklahoma State Dillon Stoner, UTEP Jacob Cowing

TE: Clemson Braden Galloway

DEF: North Carolina (vs. Charlotte)