This article is part of our CFB Waiver Wire series.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC
Matt Davis, QB, SMU
Davis was finally given a chance to lead the Mustangs offense, and he provided a spark for the still winless Mustangs. The Former Texas A&M Aggie threw for 212 yards and a score while adding 181 yards rushing and two touchdowns. He's likely to continue making mistakes (Davis threw two interceptions Saturday) and the rest of the Mustangs' schedule isn't favorable, with UCF, Houston and Connecticut still remaining after this weekend's game with South Florida, but Davis clearly has the tools for fantasy success.
Dontrell Hilliard, RB, Tulane
It takes a special performance to find yourself in this column on consecutive weeks, but that's just what Hilliard turned in. After opening eyes on Halloween against Cincinnati by rushing for 123 yards on 11 carries, Hilliard churned out 85 yards on the ground and added 107 yards receiving at Houston last Saturday. The Green Wave have used a variety of backs this season, but the freshman Hilliard is the hot hand at the moment, and needs to be deployed until he slows down.
ATLANTIC COAST
Matt James, WR, Wake Forest
James played for the first time since Sept. 27 on Thursday night, catching a modest three passes for 28 yards. And it is impossible to overlook the fact that he plays on one of the worst offenses in the country. Games against Virginia Tech and Duke after this week aren't ideal either, but with the Deacons facing North Carolina State on Saturday, James has a chance to flash some ability. And at 6-foot-5, a few jump balls and red-zone targets should be in order. James would see a boost in opportunity as well if tight end Cam Serigne is unable to play after being knocked out of the Clemson game with an apparent head injury.
Darius Jennings, WR, Virginia
Jennings has only two games remaining, one of which isn't this Saturday, so you'll have to be patient if you're willing to gamble. And Jennings has only three or four catches in each of the last four games, thus owners are banking on him making one or two big plays weekly to provide value. But the fact remains is he is making those one or two plays weekly, and with Miles Gooch out for the remainder of the season, Jennings will be called on to continue stretching defenses regularly over the final two games.
BIG 12
Aaron Green, RB, TCU
Green filled in admirably for B.J. Catalon over the weekend with Catalon sitting with a shoulder injury. There's little reason to rush Catalon back for this Saturday's game against Kansas, so Green seems to have a chance to make his second straight start in a high-powered offense.
Michiah Quick, WR, Oklahoma
Quick isn't Sterling Shephard, at least not yet, but he's seen his role grow the last three weeks and filled in as the Sooners' go-to receiver last Saturday against Baylor, catching six passes for a career-high 94 yards and his first career touchdown. Shepard's status for Week 12 is in doubt due to a groin injury, and though the Sooners' quarterback situation is also murky after Trevor Knight's perceived head or neck injury, Quick figures to have ample opportunities against a bad Texas Tech defense.
BIG TEN
Deon Long, WR, Maryland
Long has not looked anything close to the receiver he was a season ago before breaking two bones in his right leg. But as the Terps' second-leading receiver, he has little choice but to step up following the loss of Stefon Diggs due to a lacerated kidney. Long is worth a speculative add.
Jalin Marshall, RB, Ohio State
Marshall has only 31 touches on the year, five of those coming last Saturday against Michigan State. But with Dontre Wilson breaking his foot, it seems likely that Marshall's role will grow over the season's final three weeks. The Buckeyes spread the ball around a tremendous amount, so predicting touchdowns is a fruitless exercise, but Marshall could flirt with 7-to-10 touches, giving him some value in Big Ten leagues.
CONFERENCE USA
Remi Watson, RB, Marshall
There has been no clear indication that Devin Johnson's knee injury is anything serious, but his sudden DNP last Saturday has certainly caused his owners to lose sleep. Watson doesn't have the yardage upside to match Johnson's production, but he scored three times Saturday and the Herd will continue to use him near the goal line over Steward Butler as long as Johnson is sidelined. He's a near must add for Johnson owners until there is some update on Johnson's health.
Anthon Samuel, RB, Florida International
Another week, and another new name shines in the Panthers backfield. While last week's hot pickup, Napolean Maxwell, showed well for a second straight week, it was Samuel who did the heavy lifting. Samuel ran 25 times for 137 yards and a score after entering the game with 74 carries and 236 yards on the season. Fans of MACtion on Tuesday and Wednesday are likely familiar with Samuel, who ran for 1,842 yards and 16 touchdowns in two seasons at Bowling Green before transferring to FIU. It's possible he's just getting his confidence and legs back after sitting out last season.
MID-AMERICAN
Fred Coppet, RB, Bowling Green
Coppet, and teammate Andre Givens, both topped 100 yards following the departure of Travis Greene due to a foot injury. Greene was seen with his foot in a walking boot, and it is unknown if he will play Wednesday against Kent State. Given the inferior opponent, it would not be a surprise if Greene sat things out, and Coppet would appear the most likely choice to take his spot. He's a solid one-week plug-in.
Cameron Stingily, RB, Northern Illinois
Stingily has used his 235-pound frame to score six times in the last three weeks. He's topped 100 yards in two of those outings and seems like a decent option for at least six points weekly. One caveat, NIU's offense, which ranks 12th nationally in rushing yards per game, faces a Toledo defense Tuesday night that ranks 13th nationally against the run, despite being gashed by Kent St. for 171 yards over the weekend.
MOUNTAIN WEST
Devante Davis, WR, UNLV
Davis returned from a six-week absence due to a wrist injury and promptly caught six passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. Given that he only has 382 yards on the year, it's easy to forget this was a receiver who totaled 1,290 yards and 14 scores a year ago. He has a chance to have a big impact down the stretch.
Teriyon Gipson, RB, New Mexico
Gipson may still be the second option in his backfield behind Jhurell Pressley, but the team appears to be gaining confidence in the 5-6, 176-pounder's ability to shoulder more work. Gipson has at least 12 carries in five straight games and has scored in four straight. He's coming off of an impressive 24-rush, 205-yard, three-touchdown game against Boise State, and while he'll continue to share carries, he's getting enough work to be an option in most formats.
PAC-12
Tyler Baker, WR, Washington State
Baker has seemingly come from nowhere to catch 18 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown in the last two weeks. Baker had only five grabs and 65 yards on the season prior to this outburst, but has clear chemistry with new starting quarterback Luke Falk. Baker's emergence has come during River Cracraft's two-game absence, but he's played well enough to earn a role if and when Cracraft returns, and in an offense that throws more than 50 times weekly, there are enough balls to go around.
Kaelin Clay, WR, Utah
Clay broke out in the team's second game without Dres Anderson, and even if you take away his 78-yard catch Saturday against Oregon, he still turned in 74 yards on four other grabs. Point being, he did his work throughout the contest and wasn't a big-play wonder. He'll be remembered for his fumble at the goal line when he was walking in for a touchdown, but Clay has some upside in an offense that needs a receiving threat to take the heat off of its running game.
SEC
Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
Coates is not going to come close to the 902 yards and seven scores he put up last season, but following the season-ending injury to teammate Duke Williams, Coates figures to re-emerge as the team's top receiver. He'll be needed to loosen up defenses keying on the run, and has catches of 52 and 57 yards over the last two weeks. Coates is in position to finish strong.
Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
Henry has a chance to enter Saturday's showdown with Mississippi State as the team's only healthy running back after T.J. Yeldon's ankle injury. The team believes Yeldon will be fine, but he also fumbled on the play where he was injured, and it would not be surprised if Henry saw an increase in touches even if Yeldon plays. It's an insurance addition more than anything else, but Henry needs to be added where available just in case.
SUN BELT
James Butler, WR, Louisiana-Lafayette
Although the Ragin' Cajuns have gone with a run-heavy offense following the season ending injury to receiver Jamal Robinson, Butler has emerged as a reliable fill-in. At 6-3, his red-zone looks figure to increase as the team gains more comfort in his abilities, but he's managed 91 and 95 yards in the last two games and offers steady back-end receiver production.
Tyler Jones, QB, Texas State
Jones' inclusion has more to do with his schedule than his recent play, but Jones is coming off of his second 300-yard game of the season. He has also run 16 times or more six times this season. The selling point for Jones is he still has three conference games remaining, including a game with defenseless Georgia State to conclude the year Nov. 29. Jones can return value for the very low cost it will take to acquire him.
