This article is part of our CFB Waiver Wire series.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC
Philip Nelson, QB, East Carolina: The Pirates' defense had no answer for Virginia Tech while giving up 54 points in a loss Saturday. The crazy part is that Nelson wasn't that bad while racking up 362 yards and two touchdowns on 17-of-34 passing. Nelson has thrown for nearly 300 yards in all four games this season and has nine touchdowns and only three interceptions. With Central Florida on the schedule this week, Nelson could throw for another two or three scores.
Mike Boone and Tion Green, RB, Cincinnati: This is purely a volume play as Boone and Green have combined for 20 to 40 touches per game this season. With uncertainty at the quarterback position, the two running backs should remain the safest bets on the team for fantasy production. The Bearcats will play USF this week who are fresh off getting shredded by Dalvin Cook and Florida State to the tune of 55 points and a total of 478 rushing yards. If I had to choose between the two Cincinnati running backs, I would roll with the starter Boone this week. If Boone is already owned, go with Green.
ACC
Jonathan Hilliman, RB, Boston College: Hilliman has been a big part of the Eagles' offense with at least 17 carries and a touchdown in three of Boston College's four games. At only 3.5 yards per carry, he's not going to run a team over by any means. The reason he should be considered on
AMERICAN ATHLETIC
Philip Nelson, QB, East Carolina: The Pirates' defense had no answer for Virginia Tech while giving up 54 points in a loss Saturday. The crazy part is that Nelson wasn't that bad while racking up 362 yards and two touchdowns on 17-of-34 passing. Nelson has thrown for nearly 300 yards in all four games this season and has nine touchdowns and only three interceptions. With Central Florida on the schedule this week, Nelson could throw for another two or three scores.
Mike Boone and Tion Green, RB, Cincinnati: This is purely a volume play as Boone and Green have combined for 20 to 40 touches per game this season. With uncertainty at the quarterback position, the two running backs should remain the safest bets on the team for fantasy production. The Bearcats will play USF this week who are fresh off getting shredded by Dalvin Cook and Florida State to the tune of 55 points and a total of 478 rushing yards. If I had to choose between the two Cincinnati running backs, I would roll with the starter Boone this week. If Boone is already owned, go with Green.
ACC
Jonathan Hilliman, RB, Boston College: Hilliman has been a big part of the Eagles' offense with at least 17 carries and a touchdown in three of Boston College's four games. At only 3.5 yards per carry, he's not going to run a team over by any means. The reason he should be considered on the wire is because Boston College will be huge favorites against a mediocre MAC team in Buffalo. The Bulls are one of the least experienced teams in the nation and they're currently giving up 30 points per game. Boston College is going to put up some points and Hilliman is likely to be the guy doing the scoring.
Steve Ishmael, WR, Syracuse: For week two, I recommended Amba Etta-Tawo and now look like a genius after he reeled off 40 catches for 706 yards and five touchdowns. Well, now I'm back on Syracuse and going with Ishmael this time. As defenses look to stop Etta-Tawo who broke a school record with 270 yards against Connecticut on Saturday, the other side of the field will be opened up for Ishmael against a Notre Dame team who has been torched this season. Ishmael has been dropped in a lot of leagues due to not reaching lofty expectations, so go get him before he closes the gap with teammate Etta-Tawo going forward.
BIG 12
Ishmael Zamora, WR, Baylor: From one Ishmael to another, Zamora was unbelievable against Oklahoma State on Saturday night while catching eight passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Zamora can be had on the waiver wire because of the issue he had with disciplining his dog before the start of the season which led to a three-game suspension. With teammate KD Cannon nursing an injury, Zamora becomes the undisputed No. 1 target for a Baylor team who could put up 60 or 70 points against a vulnerable Iowa State defense this week.
Jonathan Giles, WR, Texas Tech: Giles has emerged as the top receiving target in the Red Raiders' highly potent offense which is a surprise with Devin Lauderdale, Reginald Davis, Ian Sadler and Cameron Batson on the roster. Nonetheless, after three games, Giles leads the team with 19 receptions for 346 and five touchdowns, so it's hard to consider it a fluke. The Red Raiders play the worst team in the Big 12 in Kansas this week, so if Giles really is the top threat, it should be another huge game for the sophomore breakout receiver.
BIG TEN
Alex Hornibrook, QB, Wisconsin: The Badgers knocked off their second top-ten ranked opponent of the year behind Hornibrook's 16-of-26 passing for 195 yards and a touchdown with an interception versus a tough Michigan State defense on the road Saturday. It was the freshman's first-ever start and he didn't disappoint while accurately pinpointing deep throws and threading passes between defenders. Hornibrook brings an entirely new dimension to the Badgers' offense which also boosts the fantasy value of pass-catchers Troy Fumagalli, Jazz Peavy and Robert Wheelwright. Wisconsin's next two opponents are Michigan and Ohio State which are both well equipped to defend Wisconsin's potent run game, meaning Hornibrook should get his chance to zip the ball.
Donnie Corley, WR, Michigan State: The Spartans managed zero touchdowns in a 30-6 loss to Wisconsin at home Saturday. However, Corley was a focal point of the offensive game plan, as the talented freshman receiver led the team with 84 receiving yards on four catches and also had a couple of rushing attempts. It would have been even better if quarterback Tyler O'Connor didn't throw three interceptions and was more accurate on Corley's double-digit targets. This week, the Spartans will play angry at Indiana against a defense that should be easier to navigate.
CONFERENCE USA
Mike White, QB, Western Kentucky: After playing three tough defensive opponents in Alabama, Miami (OH) and Vanderbilt, White could be available for pick up. Fantasy owners were salivating after White opened the season with 517 yards passing and three touchdowns and he's ready to go back to those kind of numbers this week when the Hilltoppers play Houston Baptist of the FCS. The following week against Louisiana Tech should also be a high-scoring affair. With a senior receiver as talented as Taywan Taylor, White will have no problem tossing multiple touchdowns this week and beyond.
Jeremy Cox, RB, Old Dominion: Ray Lawry remains the starting running back, but a lingering hamstring injury has kept the junior's workload to only nine carries in each of the Monarchs' last two games. Meanwhile, Cox has taken advantage of his opportunity with 31 carries for 194 yards and three touchdowns. With soft opponents in Charlotte and Massachusetts the next two weeks, Cox could be a sneaky pick-up in deeper fantasy leagues.
MAC
JoJo Natson, WR, Akron: Quarterback Tommy Woodson and receiver Jerome Lane are already on the fantasy radar for the Zips, but Natson has been just as good with 24 catches for 355 yards and five touchdowns so far this season. The Utah State transfer is in line for another big game this week when Akron takes on Kent State.
Tyler Conklin, TE, Central Michigan: Tight end is one of those positions that is hard to fill for fantasy, so whenever one emerges, they should be snatched up immediately. Over the last three games, Conklin has been one of the Chippewas' top targets with 16 catches for 248 yards and two touchdowns. Central Michigan has a pivotal conference game with Western Michigan this week and if they're going to have a chance, Conklin will need his fair share of targets.
MOUNTAIN WEST
Teriyon Gipson, RB, New Mexico: Coming off a bye week and some drama surrounding an offseason arrest, Gipson is a waiver wire candidate. Smart fantasy owners may have stashed the senior running back after he rushed for 243 yards and four touchdowns on only 20 carries for a healthy 12.2 yards per carry in his first two games. If he wasn't stashed in your fantasy league, pick him up because Gipson should shred a San Jose State defense that allowed Iowa State to turn around their offensive woes Saturday.
Jake Roh, TE, Boise State: Roh suited up for the first time this season against Oregon State on Saturday, but did not catch a pass. The junior tight end is returning from a leg injury and sported a knee brace in the 38-24 win over the Beavers. With the underwhelming debut, take advantage on the waiver wire and get one of the top targets in one of the better offenses in the nation. The Broncos should roll through the Mountain West conference and Roh will only get stronger as the season goes on.
PAC-12
Troy Williams, QB, Utah: Williams has been up and down so far in 2016, yet the Utes are 4-0 and feeling good after a last minute 31-27 win over USC. Williams was the leader in the comeback win over the Trojans with 272 yards passing and two touchdowns. Expect his numbers to jump this week when Utah travels to play California who is giving up over 500 yards of total offense each and every week. Following the Cal game, Williams has manageable matchups with Arizona and Oregon State, as well.
Devin Ross, WR, Colorado: Whether it's Sefo Liufau or Steven Montez at quarterback, Ross is a surefire start in every fantasy league this week. Ross paired with Montez to catch seven passes for 153 yards and a score in a stunning victory at Oregon on Saturday. Ross has caught at least seven passes in three of the Buffaloes' four games and has a total of five touchdowns. Look for Ross to make it five consecutive games with a touchdown versus Oregon State this week.
SEC
Akeem Judd, RB, Mississippi: Ole Miss dominated Georgia in a 45-14 win on Saturday. Judd wasn't particularly special with seven carries for 41 yards. The logic behind this recommendation is the change in competition from Alabama and Georgia the past two weeks to Memphis this week. Memphis is one of the better teams in the American Conference, but they do not have SEC-level linebackers to contain Judd. It's expected that Chad Kelly will still sling the ball around, but look for Judd to sneak in a touchdown or two on Saturday.
Austin Allen, QB, Arkansas: If you enjoy streaming different SEC quarterbacks each week, here's another recommendation with the Razorbacks' Allen. He's been one of the more consistent signal-callers in the conference with at least two touchdowns passes in each of the first four games. He was particularly sharp in a 45-24 loss to Texas Tech while completing 66.7 percent of his passes for 371 yards and two scores. Arkansas has a cupcake in Alcorn State this week, so expect a big game from the junior.
SUN BELT
Jalin Moore, RB, Appalachian State: Star running back Marcus Cox was on crutches to watch Moore run for 257 yards and two touchdowns on an astounding 39 carries against Akron on Saturday. Moore's production isn't much of a surprise as he had 99 carries for 731 yards and five touchdowns last season. With an easier matchup against Georgia State this week, Moore should get the bulk of the carries once again.
Jordan Chunn, RB, Troy: Chunn has two 100-yard games and a touchdown in three of four games this season. The Trojans' opponent this week, Idaho, is giving up over 40 points a game. Troy has been quietly dominant this year while beating their opponents in three wins by the aggregate score of 146 to 54. The one game they lost was to Clemson by the close score of 30-24. This Troy team is for real and they won't be stopped by the lowly Vandals.
