CFB Waiver Wire: Players to Pick Up Week 11

Throughout the college football season, I'll pick two guys from every active 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.

First though, here are the guys who made me look good last week;

Houston WR Nathaniel Dell (33.4 points)
Baylor WR Tyquan Thornton (32.1 points)
Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke (31.5 points)
Utah State QB Logan Bonner (31.5 points)
Houston QB Clayton Tune (30.4 points)
Penn State QB Sean Clifford (28.3 points)
Ball State QB Drew Plitt (23.9 points)
Wisconsin D/ST (21.0 points)
Wyoming WR Isaiah Neyor (20.0 points)
Florida Atlantic RB Johnny Ford (17.6 points)
Nevada D/ST (15.0 points)

Slate Background: Plenty of weekday college football coming up, so hopefully you're not too excited about the college basketball season starting. The full MAC slate is on full display on Tuesday/Wednesday and if it's anything like it was this past week, we're in for a treat. We then get a fantasy explosion with North Carolina at Pittsburgh on Thursday. Cincinnati at South Florida and Wyoming at Boise State on Friday Night isn't too exciting, but another chance to see if the Bearcats can impress the selection committee. Saturday has some HUGE games including Purdue at Ohio State, Michigan at Penn State, Oklahoma at Baylor, NC State at Wake Forest and Texas A&M at Ole Miss. For some reason, Alabama is playing New Mexico State which could be one of the most lopsided match-ups of the entire season.

*Fantasy Points referenced in article are DK format.
**To qualify for recommendations, players must be rostered in less than 50 percent of Fantrax Leagues

AAC

Alton McCaskill, RB, Houston (41 percent rostered)

If QB Clayton Tune (34 percent rostered) and WR Nathaniel Dell (54 percent rostered) are not available in your league, McCaskill is a fantastic secondary plan for an extremely hot Houston offense. The Cougars lead back played just eight snaps against SMU in Week 9 due to a leg injury which has him available in over 50 percent of leagues. He was back to full speed at USF this past weekend with 22 carries for 125 yards and three touchdowns. Houston has scored 40 or more points in four of their last five games. I expect them to do much of the same against Temple, Memphis and Connecticut to end the season.

Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati (8 percent rostered)

If the Bearcats want to be considered for the College Football Playoff, they're going to need to turn up the offensive intensity against their remaining American foes. That's where Pierce comes in as he serves as the team's number one option in the passing game with 34 catches for 603 yards and four touchdowns on 54 targets. He's coming off his best fantasy performance of the year at 25.3 points on five of eight targets for 113 yards and a touchdown. With Desmond Ridder (93 percent rostered) at quarterback, Pierce should have a solid finish to the season over the next few weeks.

Week 10 Rewind; Houston QB Clayton Tune (30.4 points - 21/26, 385 YDS, 3 TD), Houston WR Nathaniel Dell (33.4 points - 8 REC, 164 YDS, 1 TD), & UCF RB Isaiah Bowser (8.8 points - 14 ATT, 54 YDS, 1 REC, 24 YDS)

ACC

Garrett Shrader, QB, Syracuse (36 percent rostered)

Shrader has been one of the best scrambling quarterbacks in the nation with at least one rushing score in each of his last seven games and 13 total on the season. Over that seven-game span, he's averaging 31.5 fantasy points on 16.4 rushing attempts for 95.4 yards and 1.9 rushing touchdowns per game. Although Louisville's defense has been better of late against the run, Shrader is far too involved in the identity of what the Orangemen do, so I expect him to have a respectable day from a fantasy perspective.

Will Shipley, RB, Clemson (31 percent rostered)

While Shipley did not exactly deliver on my recommendation last week with just 5.7 fantasy points against Louisville, he'll have an excellent chance to redeem himself against Connecticut who has one of the worst defenses in the nation. He should receive a slight uptick in carries since Kobe Pace (13 percent rostered) is in the concussion protocol. Moreover, we know Shipley has big-play potential which means he can do his damage before resting for the afternoon once Clemson is ahead by a ton of points. 

Week 10 Rewind; Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke (31.5 points - 22/34, 389 YDS, 3 TD, 4 ATT, 9 YDS) & Clemson RB Will Shipley (5.7 points - 14 ATT, 47 YDS, 1 REC)

BIG 12

Chandler Morris, QB, TCU (1 percent rostered)

I don't necessarily love Morris' upcoming match-up against Oklahoma State, but I do condone stashing Morris for the fantasy playoffs if you can pick him up. He played inspired football in an upset of the Baylor Bears with 44.1 fantasy points, including 461 passing yards and three total touchdowns. The Oklahoma transfer was particularly attractive in the run-game where he had 11 carries for 70 yards and a score. After the tough Cowboys game, he plays Kansas which is an intriguing play to start the fantasy playoffs. This is assuming the Horned Frogs stick with Morris over Max Duggan (47 percent rostered) the rest of the way.

Tyquan Thornton, WR, Baylor (31 percent rostered)

Not getting off Thornton until he shows us a reason to or is rostered in over 50 percent of leagues. He's Baylor's top option in the passing game and has 23 grabs for 446 yards and four touchdowns over his last four games. Baylor finishes the season with Oklahoma, Kansas State and Texas Tech, so it couldn't get much better for a finishing stretch from a match-up perspective. Thornton should have a huge week against the Sooners as I expect that game to have quite a bit of scoring.

Week 10 Rewind; Kansas State QB Skylar Thompson (11.9 points - 19/24, 244 YDS, 1 TD) & Baylor WR Tyquan Thornton (32.1 points - 5 REC, 121 YDS, 2 TD)

BIG TEN

Aidan O'Connell, QB, Purdue (1 percent rostered)

When this Boilermakers team has their offense working, it's fun to watch. That's exactly what happened in the upset of Michigan State as O'Connell completed a season-high 40-of-54 passes for 536 yards and three touchdowns. He's going to need that type of volume once again if Purdue thinks they can stick with the potent Ohio State offense in Week 11. They've knocked off the mighty Buckeyes before and I have a feeling it's going to be a competitive game, which bodes well for O'Connell's fantasy outlook. 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State (30 percent rostered)

The wide receiver room at Ohio State is nuts as Garrett Wilson (98 percent rostered) and Chris Olave (99 percent rostered) are two of the best in the nation. The only question with Smith-Njigba is whether three receivers on the same team can receive enough production to be considered for fantasy line-ups each and every week. Smith-Njigba has proven that you can do that as he blew up with 48.0 fantasy points at Nebraska with a school-record 15 catches for 240 yards and a touchdown. Even before that breakout performance, he had consistent production at 15.5 fantasy points on 5.9 targets for 81.0 yards per game.

Week 10 Rewind; Indiana TE Peyton Hendershot (6.4 points - 3 REC, 34 YDS) & Penn State QB Sean Clifford (28.3 points - 27/47, 363 YDS, 3 TD)

C-USA

Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion (26 percent rostered)

Not too often do I dig into the Monarchs' box scores, but it's warranted with Kuntz who has been one of the nation's top tight ends in his last three games. He's averaging 23.4 fantasy points on a combined 25 catches for 283 yards and two touchdowns in games against Western Kentucky, Louisiana Tech and FIU. His services will be needed down the stretch in conference games against Florida Atlantic, Middle Tennessee and Charlotte which makes him a prime target on the waiver wire this week.

Frank Harris, QB, UTSA (37 percent rostered)

As I've mentioned in previous weeks, I'm all-in on the 9-0 Roadrunners who continue to roll through their conference competition. Harris compiled 39.0 fantasy points with four total touchdowns, including two on the ground in a road win at UTEP. Southern Miss has not won a game against FBS competition in 2021 and is yielding 30 points and 364 yards per game. This is a prime spot for undefeated UTSA to run up the score, so they can gain the respect they deserve. Beep beep! 

Week 10 Rewind; UAB TE Gerrit Prince (0.0 points - 0/2 TAR) & Florida Atlantic RB Johnny Ford (17.6 points - 13 ATT, 138 YDS, 1 REC, 8 YDS)

MAC

Trayvon Rudolph, WR, Northern Illinois (2 percent rostered)

Not only have the Huskies found an adequate replacement for injured WR Tyrice Richie (42 percent rostered), they've found a stud in Rudolph. He broke a school record with 309 yards with three touchdowns on 14 catches at Kent State this past week and had an unfathomable 21 targets. There's no way that many catches and targets can be a fluke. Moreover, he showed early signs of this type of explosive play with six catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns at Central Michigan in Week 8. Rudolph is a must-add in all leagues and should be startable for the rest of the year.

Dequan Finn, QB, Toledo (3 percent rostered)

Finn broke 30 fantasy points for the first time this season when he threw for 461 yards and three touchdowns in a thrilling 52-49 loss to Eastern Michigan. He'll have yet another chance to put up ridiculous stats when the Rockets play Bowling Green this week. What I like about Finn is that he does provide dual-threat upside with 9.8 rushing attempts and 38.7 rushing yards per game. On the season, he has eight passing touchdowns and six rushing scores compared to just one interception.

Week 10 Rewind; Ball State QB Drew Plitt (23.9 points - 18/31, 185 YDS, 3 TD, 6 ATT, 45 YDS) & Central Michigan WR JaCorey Sullivan (0.0 points - 0/3 TAR)

MOUNTAIN WEST

Dedrick Parson, RB, Hawaii (8 percent rostered)

Parson remains the lead back for Hawaii while Dae Dae Hunter (10 percent rostered) is out with a shoulder injury. Parson has taken full advantage of his opportunity while averaging 31.0 fantasy points over those last three games. His floor is relatively high as he does a ton of work in the pass-game with a combined 18 catches for 207 yards and a touchdown to go along with three rushing scores over the last three contests. Hawaii will play UNLV this week who is giving up 34 points and 430 yards per game.

Logan Bonner, QB, Utah State (14 percent rostered)

Bonner delivered last week with 31.5 fantasy points and the Aggies have won four straight games behind the quarterback's strong play. Number one receiver Deven Thompkins (85 percent rostered) is an absolute stud and refuses to be stopped while averaging 30.6 fantasy points per game. With that in mind, Bonners should be rostered in just as many leagues as they finish the season against San Jose State, Wyoming and New Mexico.

Week 10 Rewind; Utah State QB Logan Bonner (31.5 points - 23/32, 359 YDS, 4 TD, 1 INT) & Wyoming WR Isaiah Neyor (20.0 points - 3 REC, 45 YDS, 2 TD, 1 ATT, 5 YDS)

PAC-12

Tavion Thomas, RB, Utah (28 percent rostered)

It's not always easy to watch Pac-12 games with them being on so late, but most of the nation has been missing out on Thomas who has been on fire over the last couple of months. Over his last five games, he's averaging 28.7 fantasy points on 20.2 attempts for 121.6 yards and 2.4 touchdowns per game. That's elite production over a significant set of games. He's added four touchdowns in each of last two games. He should be able to run all over Arizona this week as well.

Anthony Brown, QB, Oregon (35 percent rostered)

With the Ducks currently in the College Football Playoff hunt, it's not time for them to slow down. That means Brown is going to need to continue the strong play he's shown over the last month or so with 24.5 fantasy points over his last four games. As we've discussed in this article a few times, he's a dual-threat quarterback with 11 passing scores and seven rushing touchdowns on the season. If Oregon wants to secure a playoff berth, they'll need all the points they can get against Washington State, Utah and Oregon State in the finishing stretch.

Week 10 Rewind; Cal QB Chase Garbers (*DNP - COVID-19) & Oregon State WR Trevon Bradford (2.9 points - 1/4 TAR, 19 YDS)

SEC

Will Levis, QB, Kentucky (16 percent rostered)

Levis showed up in a big way in the hard-fought 45-42 loss to Tennessee with 372 passing yards and five total touchdowns on his way to a season-high 48.1 fantasy points. He should be able to continue that type of production at Vanderbilt as they are giving up 36 points and 464 yards per game. The Commodores have been slashed through the air and on the ground in recent weeks, thus Levis is the best bet on this Kentucky squad to have a big day.

Jack Bech, WR/TE, LSU (8 percent rostered)

Bech is having a consistent true freshman season and is worth considering for starting line-ups with a TE designation on fantasy websites. On the season, he's averaging 9.1 fantasy points on 6.2 targets for 40.7 yards per game. Although he has just two touchdowns in his debut season, the youngster is gaining confidence and has at least seven targets in four of his last five games. This is a signal that he could likely have a breakout game against Arkansas, Louisiana-Monroe or Texas A&M in the coming weeks. 

Week 10 Rewind; Texas A&M RB Devon Achane (9.7 points - 10 ATT, 98 YDS, 1 REC, -1 YDS, 1 FL) & Florida RB Dameon Pierce (5.4 points - 6 ATT, 39 YDS, 1 REC, 5 YDS)

SUN BELT

Bryce Carpenter, QB, Coastal Carolina (1 percent rostered)

With the news of Grayson McCall (86 percent rostered) being out indefinitely with an upper-body injury, Carpenter is worth considering for fantasy line-ups. He tallied 17.8 fantasy points in his first start with two touchdowns at Georgia Southern. If McCall's injury ends up being serious, the Chanticleers are too talented which makes Carpenter fantasy-viable against Georgia State, Texas State and South Alabama. It was more than encouraging to see the new starter rack up 44 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries as he also ran the ball at a consistent clip when seeing game action in blowout wins earlier in the season.

Andrew Henry, RB, ULM (1 percent rostered)

The Sun Belt has been tough to tackle this year, so I'm going with a deep dive to the Warhawks' best offensive player in 2021 as they go up against college football's worst defense in Arkansas State. The Red Wolves cannot stop anyone while giving up 548 yards per game and 43 points per game. They've been particularly bad against the run where they give up 275 yards per game. Enter Henry who has three games over 20 fantasy points this year. He's fresh off one of those performances where he racked up 107 total yards and a touchdown at Texas State.

Week 10 Rewind; Appalachian State QB Chase Brice (10.9 points - 15/26, 163 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT, 7 ATT, 14 YDS) & Coastal Carolina RB Shermari Jones (15.6 points - 20 ATT, 96 YDS, 1 TD)

INDEPENDENTS

Jack Coan, QB, Notre Dame (10 percent rostered)

New Mexico State and Connecticut were off the table this week as they go up against Alabama and Clemson respectively. I'm not too interested in projecting UMass against Maine or Army against Bucknell, so that leaves us with Notre Dame at Virginia. Virginia is giving up 31 points and 466 yards per game, so this will be just fine. In fact, Virginia has given up at least 300 yards passing in each of their last two games against Georgia Tech and BYU. That brings us to Coan who should be able to have a big game and is available in a ton of leagues.

Week 10 Rewind; New Mexico State QB Jonah Johnson (12.9 points - 30/44, 298 YDS, 23 ATT, 10 YDS)

DEFENSE RECOMMENDATIONS

UTSA (vs. Southern Miss) - Believe it or not, but the Roadrunners have the fourth best fantasy defense in the nation at 12.22 fantasy points per game. Rostered in just 48 percent of leagues.

Kansas State (vs. West Virginia) - These two teams are moving in opposite directions and the Mountaineers are coming off a game where they had three points and 133 total yards of offense at home against Oklahoma State. Wildcats rostered in 10 percent of leagues.

Oklahoma State (vs. TCU) - The Cowboys easily have the best defense in the Big 12 and are rostered in just 25 percent of leagues. TCU shocked the Bears this past week, but Oklahoma State will be a much tougher test.

Week 10 Rewind; Wisconsin at Rutgers (21 points - 3 PA, 2 Sacks, 4 TAs, 1 TD), Nevada vs. San Jose State (15 points - 24 PA, 0 Sacks, 3 TAs, 2 TD) & Kansas State at Kansas (10.5 points - 10 PA, 1 Sack)

SUMMARY & TOP RECOMMENDATIONS

Utilizing the two players for each conference above, here are my top recommendations for the week by position:

QB: UTSA Frank Harris, Syracuse Garrett Shrader, Oregon Anthony Brown 

RB: Utah Tavion Thomas, Houston Alton McCaskill, Clemson Will Shipley

WR: Northern Illinois Trayvon Rudolph, Ohio State Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Baylor Tyquan Thornton

TE: Old Dominion Zack Kuntz, LSU Jack Bech

D/ST: UTSA (vs. Southern Miss), Kansas State (vs. West Virginia), Oklahoma State (vs. TCU)