CFB Waiver Wire: Players to Pick Up Week 9

Waiver Wire Watch: Players to Pick Up Week 9

Throughout 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

Kevin Mensah, RB, Connecticut

In an attempt to avoid recommending quarterback David Pindell all the time, I'll also suggest using Mensah in a soft matchup against Massachusetts. The Minutemen were the guys who gave up 302 rushing yards to USF's Jordan Cronkrite in Week 6. While I would prefer Pindell if available, you can also take advantage of this game with their running back who garners double-digit carries each and every week.

Ben Hicks, QB, SMU

If Temple's Anthony Russo can have success against Cincinnati, I'm thinking Hicks can have a decent game versus the Bearcats. Moreover, the Mustangs have a little momentum after rallying with a go-ahead 67-yard touchdown from Hicks to James Proche versus Tulane in Week 8. SMU has the offensive weapons for Hicks to be productive and he likely will be versus even softer opponents in the future.

ACC

Jawon Pass, QB, Louisville

I wouldn't recommend Pass in most weeks, but the Cardinals play Wake Forest and the Demon Deacons seem to be the cure for opposing quarterbacks who have been struggling. Florida State's Deondre Francois was 29 of 40 for 353 yards and two touchdowns versus the Deamon Deacons in Week 8. Pass has shown flashes in the past and this could be a great spot for the sophomore.

Jakobi Meyers, WR, NC State

The Wolfpack were never in the game versus Clemson; however, Meyers still showed his consistent floor of eight catches for 61 yards. With few fantasy owners feeling good about NC State at the moment, I think it's a great time to buy low on guys such as Meyers, quarterback Ryan Finley, wide receiver Kelvin Harmon and running back Reggie Gallaspy. If you look slightly ahead, NC State will play Florida State, Wake Forest, Louisville, North Carolina, and even East Carolina during the last week of the regular season.

BIG 12

Alan Bowman, QB, Texas Tech

Bowman made his return from a partially collapsed lung and didn't wait long to get back to the prototypical Texas Tech quarterback performance with 46 passing attempts, 408 passing yards, and three touchdowns through the air. While the opponents won't be as easy as Kansas, there's no doubt that the Red Raiders will want to zip the ball around as much as possible. Bowman should be owned in every league for the rest of the season.

Keaontay Ingram, RB, Texas

I've been one of Ingram's biggest fanboys and I think this is the week for him to breakout. He nearly did it versus Baylor in Week 7 with 19 carries for 110 yards and has been getting progressively better with each week. Texas will play an Oklahoma State team who was absolutely shredded in the run game by Kansas State in Week 7. The Longhorns are coming off a bye this week, so they should be healthy and ready to go in Stillwater.

BIG TEN

Adrian Martinez, QB, Nebraska

It only took eight weeks, but the Cornhuskers pulled off the first win of the season with a 53-28 drubbing of Minnesota. Martinez was fantastic with three touchdowns through the air to go along with 125 yards and a score on the ground. The freshman quarterback is the key to Nebraska's future and he could also be a boost to your fantasy team as the Cornhuskers get Bethune-Cookman this weekend.

Devine Ozigbo & Maurice Washington, RB, Nebraska

No that wasn't a typo, the Cornhuskers have Bethune-Cookman next weekend which means that all of their players should be considered for fantasy purposes. But even beyond that, Nebraska has Illinois in Week 11 which bodes well for their running game. Ozigbo has been a force to be reckoned with over his last two contests with 311 rushing yards and four touchdowns. I also like Washington against Bethune-Cookman as Nebraska should roll easy.

D.J. Knox, RB, Purdue

Knox is my bonus recommendation as he's still not owned in nearly enough leagues with double-digit fantasy performances in four straight weeks. He was awesome with 128 yards and three touchdowns in the upset of Ohio State.

CONFERENCE USA

Kesean Strong, RB, Old Dominion

Strong has been the top back for the Monarchs in each of the last three weeks with 61 carries for 276 yards and five touchdowns. He's also added a pair of touchdown catches in that span for some huge fantasy performances. With as bad as Old Dominion's defense is, they will continue to lean on their better than average offense.

DeAndre Torrey, RB, North Texas

In the weekly installment of who's playing Rice, Torrey is the focus this week as quarterback Mason Fine and wide receiver Rico Bussey Jr. are already owned in most leagues. The sophomore running back isn't overly explosive, but he has received the bulk of the carries when the team gets near the end-zone with seven rushing scores on the year. There's a really good chance Torrey has a score or two in Week 9.

MAC

Kato Nelson, QB, Akron

If you're in need of a filler quarterback, Nelson has nice upside in Week 9 against a porous Central Michigan defense. Nelson put forth a solid fantasy performance last week while completing 19 of 35 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown with 90 yards and a score on the ground. He's not a guy that will be dependable long-term, but he's worth a start this week.

Papi White, WR, Ohio

White has been a familiar name in my recommendation article as he's available in over 50 percent of leagues and is a top performer in Ohio's elite offense. Versus Bowling Green, White was fantastic with a 17-yard rushing score and two catches for 92 yards and two more touchdowns. He should have another score versus Ball State on Thursday Night.

MOUNTAIN WEST

Darrynton Evans, RB, App State

Not enough people followed my advice from last week as Evans is still available in over 60 percent of fantasy leagues. In his first start in the place of the injured Jalin Moore, Evans racked up a career-best 183 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. He also added a 20-yard touchdown reception for a truly impressive starting debut. App State remains one of the best teams in the conference and will typically be heavily favored in most of their games. That means Evans should be owned in pretty much all leagues.

A.J. Richardson, WR, Boise State

Teammate Sean Modster isn't the only reliable target in the Broncos' offense as Richardson was a monster versus Colorado State with six catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Brett Rypien will continue to zip the ball around I can see both Modster and Richardson having fantasy relevance for the rest of the year. Moreover, I think Richardson can have another strong game versus Air Force in Week 9.

PAC-12

Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah: Huntly and the Utes are rolling as the experienced quarterback has eclipsed 40 fantasy points in each of his last two games. He was extremely efficient versus USC while completing 22 of 29 passes for 341 yards and five total touchdowns. Available in over 50 percent of leagues, there's reason to believe he can be just as productive versus UCLA and Arizona State in the near future.

Jacob Breeland, TE, Oregon

Breeland entered the season as one of the top tight end targets, but has had an underwhelming season with just 13 catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Oregon's schedule is about to get a lot easier and I think Breeland is the type of player who will be more productive in non-competitive games. For some reason, Oregon hasn't shown a need to use him in leveraged situations.

SEC

Larry Rountree III, RB, Missouri

A repeat recommendation from last week, Rountree came through in the clutch versus Memphis with nine carries for 118 yards and three touchdowns. This week's opponent, Kentucky, is no Memphis, yet I still think Rountree can find some room to run in a game that should have one of the higher over/unders for the SEC slate.

Jauan Jennings, WR, Tennessee

Jennings has gained some traction over his last two games with 11 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown. More surprising was his six catches for 102 yards against Alabama's top-ranked defense. If he can have that type of performance against Alabama, he should be able to produce against South Carolina, Charlotte (!!!!) and Kentucky in the near future.

SUN BELT

Justin McInnis, WR, Arkansas State

I recommended both McInnis and Kirk Merritt last week, but McInnis is the guy you want. He has a higher upside and is Justice Hansen's favorite target when he does decide to throw the ball. The senior is still available in most leagues and will be heavily targeted throughout the rest of the season.

Marcus Outlow, RB, Coastal Carolina

Outlow is still available in most fantasy leagues and is good for at least one touchdown each and every week. The senior is averaging 5.3 yards per carry and should have a huge day versus Georgia State in Week 9.

INDEPENDENTS

Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame

With the Fighting Irish on a bye week during Week 8, Book is surprisingly available in over 60 percent of fantasy leagues. Book has been solid in his short tenure with Notre Dame while accumulating 11 passing touchdowns compared to just three interceptions and three more scores on the ground. With upcoming matchups against Navy, Northwestern, Florida State and Syracuse, Book could be quite productive over the next month.

DEFENSE RECOMMENDATIONS

Fresno State (vs. Hawaii) – The Bulldogs are the Mountain West team no one is talking about and it's because they lean on their defense which is very good.

Akron (vs. Central Michigan) – CMU's offense is no good and Akron's defense has been sneaky good.

Pittsburgh (vs. Duke) – Pitt is coming off a bye and should be prepared to stop the Blue Devils who have struggled of late.

Virginia (vs. UNC) – This one is tempered by UNC playing better of late, however, Virginia has shut down better teams in the last couple of weeks.