CFB Waiver Wire: Players to Pick Up Week 6

AMERICAN ATHLETIC

Arkeel Newsome, RB, UConn: Newsome's next opponent, Central Florida, is a shell of its former self. Newsome, meanwhile, has been the best runner in the Huskies' backfield and has also emerged as a threat in the passing game, too, with nine receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games.

Joshua Atkinson, WR, Tulsa: Atkinson has now turned in 100-yard performances in three consecutive games, despite the presence of two other talented receivers in the lineup. With Tulsa's top receiver, Keevan Lucas, uncertain to play next week, Atkinson could see his role expand in what has become a prolific passing offense.

ACC

Thomas Sirk, QB, Duke: Sirk had a tough game against Boston College, but the dual-threat quarterback faces an easier matchup this week against Army. In his first four games this season, Sirk ran for 267 yards. He's not an ideal long-term solution, but if you need a quarterback with a higher floor, or are in an ACC-specific league, Sirk could be the one to turn to.

Qadree Ollison, RB, Pitt: Ollison has ran for at least 80 yards and one touchdown in three of the first four games of his college career. As the workhorse back, Pitt should lean on him to get by a Virginia team that allows 159.8 yards per game on the ground. Ollison could be either a bye-week fill-in or a possible option for the lineup the rest of the season in deeper leagues.

BIG 12

Terence Williams, RB, Baylor: Williams might be the backup to Shock Linwood, but he's already recorded more than 100 rushing yards on two occasions this season. In a game that is likely to turn lopsided fast, Williams could see the field earlier than usual, as Baylor is set to take on an overmatched Kansas defense not equipped to stop this talented of an offense.

Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma: Westbrook has caught 10 passes for 188 yards in his last two games. This week, he faces a Texas defense that has little resemblance to the daunting Longhorn defenses of a few years ago, as it allows 296.6 passing yards per game.

BIG TEN

L.J. Scott, RB, MSU: Scott is technically the second-string Spartans running back, but the freshman was the back Michigan State turned to when it needed to survive an upset scare against Purdue last week. He averages 6.2 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns in the Spartans' two biggest games of the year. His matchup this week against Rutgers' 27th-ranked defense might seem daunting on paper, but Rutgers hasn't faced a team of Michigan State's caliber this season. And looking long term, Scott should see his number called increasingly as his team pushes for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Markell Jones, RB, Purdue: Jones broke out with his 157-yard, two-touchdown performance in his team's near upset of Michigan State last week. While he isn't likely to reach that total every game, it is worth noting that he has out produced fellow back D.J. Knox by 150 yards on seven fewer carries and has five touchdowns this year compared to just one for Knox. The Boilermakers run a pretty balanced offense, so Jones should continue to increase his role in the offense.

CONFERENCE USA:

Ito Smith, RB, Southern Miss: Smith may be the second on the depth chart, but despite seeing 21 fewer carries, he has matched the yardage output of starter Jalen Richard. Smith's receiving skills make him an intriguing look, as he's now tied for second in a high-powered offense in receptions and facing another nice match-up against Marshall this week.

Michael Thomas, WR, Southern Miss: Clearly, I'm a believer in the Southern Miss offense, and I realize last week's numbers might seem gaudy due to the clearly inferior North Texas defense they went up against, but the Eagles have at least 49 points in each game against a non-Power 5 conference foe this year. Thomas isn't likely to repeat his three-touchdown performance again next week, but he has caught 12 passes for 276 yards in his last two games. Thomas should continue to thrive as the No. 2 receiver in the offense now that C-USA play has begun.

MAC

Conor Hundley, RB, Akron: Hundley is the primary running back in Akron's offense and has scored four touchdowns through his team's first five games. While he struggled to a 3.7 yards per carry average last game, he should bounce back this week against an Eastern Michigan defense that's allowed the most rushing yards per game in FBS this season.

Marken Michel, WR, UMass: In a game featuring a pair of suspect defenses, the Minutemen will be forced to throw to keep pace with Bowling Green. Michel is the clear No. 2 receiver on the team, well behind Tajae Sharpe in receptions and yards, but he does lead UMass with three touchdown receptions this year.

MOUNTAIN WEST

D.J. Johnson, RB, Air Force: Johnson has struggled the last two games against tougher defenses, but he has scored five touchdowns this season. This week, he gets to go up against a Wyoming defense that allows 215 yards per game on the ground.

Kent Myers, QB, Utah State: In his first start of the season under center, Myers ran for 193 yards and one touchdown leading the Aggies to their second win of the season. As a reward, he gets to face Fresno State this week, a team that allows 213 yards per game on the ground. Myers is a short-term fill-in who will hold down the job until Chuckie Keeton returns from a sprained knee in two to four weeks.

PAC-12

Seth Collins, QB, Oregon State: Collins might just have thrown for more than 200 yards for the first time this season against Stanford, but he has rushed for more than 100 yards twice this season and faces an Arizona defense that's 106th in the nation in points allowed.

Bralon Addison, WR, Oregon: Addison comes with considerable risk, as he hasn't recorded more than three catches since his team's week two loss to Michigan State. But Addison will get a chance to end his rut when he goes up against a Washington State defense ranked 83rd in the nation in passing yards allowed.

SEC

Jacob Coker, QB, Alabama: Coker hasn't been eye-popping this season for Alabama, but there really hasn't been a standout quarterback for the Crimson Tide during their recent run of success, so it's no surprise that this year's squad is once again based on a strong run game and defense. Coker, though, should be asked to make more plays this week against an Arkansas team that's been good against the run but had issues defending the pass this season. Also, after turning in a solid performance in a torrential downpour in a hostile environment, Coker should thrive in better conditions and the home environment.

Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama: I'm buying the Alabama passing game at home against Arkansas this week. Ridley is a talented player who was a top receiving prospect in the nation last year. After a slow start, he finally emerged as a deep threat against Georgia last week, accounting for 120 of his team's 190 receiving yards.

SUN BELT

Jafus Gaines, WR, Texas State: Gaines is the top target for the Bobcats and has hauled in 14 passes in his last two games. This week, he'll likely find himself in another shootout, as neither Texas State nor its opponent, Louisiana-Lafayette, has slowed opposing offenses this season.

Ajalen Holley, WR, UL-Monroe: Holley has recorded at least eight receptions in each of his last three games and has more receiving yards than the entire UL-Monroe offense has on the ground. UL-Monroe relies heavily on its top two receivers, and this week will go up against a Tulsa team that allows 297.3 passing yards per game. Tulsa's weak defense combined with it's strong offense could turn the game into a high-scoring affair, which makes Holley a strong play.