CFB Waiver Wire: Players to pick up Week 12

Waiver Wire Watch: Players to Pick Up Week 12

Are you ready for the playoffs? 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

Holton Ahlers, QB, East Carolina

In his last three starts for East Carolina, Ahlers has thrown for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns compared to just two interceptions. Better yet, he has 60 rushing attempts which will prove to be opportunistic versus a horrible Connecticut defense in Week 12. Connecticut gave up an astounding 62 points and over 500 yards of total offense to SMU last week.

Darnell Mooney, WR, Tulane

Mooney was a beast for the Green Wave with six catches for 217 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-18 win over East Carolina on Saturday. While he's shown to be boom or bust on the season, Mooney should be targeted early and often against Houston who has had all kinds of trouble stopping opposing offenses lately. The Cougars have given up at least 31 points in each of their games over the last four weeks.

ACC

Qadree Ollison, RB, Pittsburgh

Pitt is playing so well that both Ollison and Darrin Hall are worth deploying for fantasy each and every week. Ollison was the better back in Week 11 with 235 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries versus Virginia Tech. In fact, Ollison has been the more consistent back all year long with at least one touchdown in seven games this year. With Wake Forest up next, expect both Ollison and Hall to find the end zone.

Ryan Finley, QB, NC State

Still available in the majority of fantasy leagues, Finley has a favorable finish to the season with road tilts against Louisville and North Carolina. The senior is completing 67.7 percent of his passes and has over 300 passing yards in six different games this season. Considering impressive receivers like Kelvin Harmon and Jakobi Meyers, Finley should have satisfying fantasy performances over the next two weeks.

BIG 12

Jett Duffey, QB, Texas Tech

Alan Bowman's collapsed lung has been brutal for the Red Raiders because the freshman has a lot of talent. However, the silver lining is that it's allowed Duffey to see some time and he had a spectacular game with 444 passing yards and four touchdowns while nearly rallying the Red Raiders to a comeback win versus the Longhorns. He also served as the team's leading rusher with 80 yards. It's very possible he gets the start versus Kansas State this week and he should be deployed in all fantasy leagues.

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State

Starting running back Justice Hill left the game against Oklahoma with an injury to his ribs which allowed Hubbard to rush for 104 yards and three touchdown on 22 carries. While he also had a critical fumble in the fourth quarter, he also caught five passes for an additional 49 yards to round out an impressive performance in relief. If Hill remains banged up, Hubbard could be a sneaky playoff play versus West Virginia.

BIG TEN

KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State

Everyone knows RB Miles Sanders and QB Trace McSorley are good, but another Nittany Lion I have been impressed by is freshman receiver KJ Hamler. The small speedster has six total touchdowns on the season and at least four catches in four of his last five games. With Penn State expected to blow out Rutgers, I can see Penn State seeing what they have with their young receiver.

Cody White, WR, Michigan State

White recently returned from a broken hand injury and reminded the Spartans what they were missing versus Ohio State with eight catches for 115 yards. With Nebraska's soft defense this week, White should have a good shot at his third 100-yard receiving performance in just his seventh game of the season. And oh yeah, Michigan State has Rutgers in Week 13 which sets up well for a possible fantasy championship run.

C-USA

DeAndre Torrey, RB, North Texas

I'm not sure what Torrey has to do to gain the attention of more fantasy leagues as he recorded his second straight 100-yard rushing performance and fourth game of the season with multiple scores in a loss to Old Dominion. Torrey has been a true workhorse over his last two games with 40 carries for 275 yards and five touchdowns to go along with seven catches for 38 yards and another score. North Texas will finish the year with Florida Atlantic and UTSA.

James Morgan, QB, FIU

Morgan has quietly put together an impressive season while completing over 63 percent of his passes for 2,282 yards and 24 touchdowns compared to just five interceptions. Even more intriguing has been his current streak of nine games with at least two touchdown passes. Look for the junior to make it eleven games with upcoming matchups with Charlotte and Marshall.

MAC

Jaret Patterson, RB, Buffalo

A repeat recommendation from last week, Patterson extended his scoring streak to five games with 187 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries versus Kent State. The freshman sets up well with upcoming games versus Ohio and Bowling Green. He could be a difference maker for your fantasy team in the playoffs.

Alonzo Smith, RB, Miami (OH)

The RedHawks offense has come alive over the past two weeks and Smith's work near the goal line has been a big reason why with four touchdowns. The senior is having his best year while averaging 4.8 yards per carry and should receive a healthy amount of work when they play Northern Illinois this week.

MOUNTAIN WEST

Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

Love eclipsed 40 fantasy points for the third time in the last five weeks as he threw for 491 yards and five touchdowns to go along with a rushing score versus San Jose State. At 9-1 on the year, the Aggies will also be extra-motivated to end the season on a high note versus Colorado State and Boise State. I expect Utah State to keep averaging near 60 points per game as they have over their last three games.

Tre Walker, WR, San Jose State

Walker could be a sneaky playoff play as the sophomore has four touchdowns on 14 catches in his last three games. Despite playing a tough Utah State defense in Week 11, Walker flashed with seven catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns. This week's opponent in Nevada has improved on defense of late, but the Spartans should still be able to desperately throw the ball to Walker.

PAC-12

Kaden Smith or Colby Parkinson, TE, Stanford

Predicting whether Smith or Parkinson will have a big game can be tough, so I'll recommend both of them since streaming at the tight end position is a real strategy in the college game. Parkinson was a monster versus Oregon State with six catches for 166 yards and four touchdowns which followed a game of five catches for 79 yards versus Washington. Smith had been a monster in Week 9 and Week 10 with a combined 17 catches for 219 yards and two touchdowns in those two games. Each should have respectable production versus Cal and UCLA to end the regular season.

Aaron Fuller, WR, Washington

There were very few teams off in Week 11, so Fuller will most likely be available on the waiver wire. The junior has been the Huskies top receiver with 48 catches for 737 yards and three touchdowns. Assuming Myles Gaskin doesn't hog all of the scores versus Oregon State, Fuller should have a chance or two at a score. Quarterback Jake Browning should also be considered in most leagues this week.

SEC

Ke'Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt

My Vaughn recommendation came through in the clutch as Vaughn rushed for 182 yards and scored two touchdowns versus Missouri in Week 11. The reason I love him once again this week is because Vandy is one of the only teams in the SEC playing a competitive game versus Ole Miss. That likely means that Vaughn will play the bulk of the game opposed to the starters in all of the cupcake games across the conference.

DaMarkus Lodge, WR, Ole Miss

Staying in that same game, I also like Lodge who has at least five catches in each of his last five games, including a touchdown in three of those contests. Not all of the passing attempts can go to A.J. Brown and Lodge is virtually available in most fantasy leagues. As mentioned above, it's hard to rely on other SEC teams who play far inferior teams and will likely sit their starters after a single half of football.

SUN BELT

Zac Thomas, QB, Appalachian State

Thomas made his return from a concussion this past week and looked like his typical self while completing 25 of 36 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns with 76 yards rushing. Prior to the injury, Thomas was quite the fantasy force with six rushing scores to go along with 11 touchdowns through the air. App State should run all over Georgia State this week which means Thomas should get back to notching rushing scores.

Shai Werts, QB, Georgia Southern

In a losing effort to Troy, Werts had his best game through the air while going 14-for-23 for 190 yards and two touchdowns. However, most of his fantasy appeal comes from his work with his legs as Werts has a rushing score in eight different games this year. He should at the very least have a rushing score versus Coastal Carolina and Georgia State to end the season.

INDEPENDENTS

Darnell Woolfolk, RB, Army

I'm pivoting off QB Kelvin Hopkins Jr. to recommend Woolfolk who has a rushing score in six straight games. There's also plenty of volume with Woolfolk as he has at least 21 carries in four of his last seven games. With upcoming games versus Colgate and Navy, that type of performance is within reason.

DEFENSE RECOMMENDATIONS

Auburn (vs. Liberty) – Pretty much all of the SEC teams at home will be defensive pick-ups this week.
Florida (vs. Idaho) – See above.
South Carolina (vs. Chattanooga) – See above.
Penn State (at Rutgers) – The Nittany Lions held the Badgers in check, so they should have no problems with Rutgers.