CFB Waiver Wire: Players to Pick Up Week 8

Waiver Wire Watch: Players to Pick Up Week 8

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

Tyre McCants, WR, USF

Since QB Blake Barnett and RB Jordan Cronkrite are off the board as earlier waiver wire recommendations, I'll slide down the depth chart to McCants who had 12 targets versus Tulsa in Week 7. The Bulls get to go up against the Connecticut Huskies who have one of the worst defenses in the country. There's definitely a scenario where McCants can get double digit targets for the second week in a row.

Tre Nixon, WR, UCF

I'm going out on a limb with Nixon as he has double-digit fantasy points in just two games this year. I believe the Knights will be able to name their score versus East Carolina and Nixon is one of only a few UCF players left on the waiver wire. Plus, he has a quarterback in McKenzie Milton who has an underrated arm.

ACC

Cam Akers, RB, Florida State

With most fantasy owners giving up Florida State's offense, Akers is available in over 50 percent of leagues. This is the week to play the talented sophomore against a Wake Forest defense who hasn't been able to stop anyone. Last time we saw the Demon Deacons, they gave up 471 rushing yards to Clemson. Look for Akers to have his best performance of the season this week.

Daniel Jones, QB, Duke

Jones is working his way back from a broken collarbone which has caused him to work more from the pocket than he has historically. This resulted in three touchdowns passes against Georgia Tech and a decent fantasy performance. With future games against Virginia, Pittsburgh and Wake Forest, Jones could have some value in deeper fantasy leagues.

BIG 12

Ja'Deion High, WR, Texas Tech

It's a light schedule in the Big 12 this week with just two games; Oklahoma at TCU and Kansas at Texas Tech. With Antoine Wesley drawing the best corner and T.J. Vasher dealing with injuries, High has emerged as the next best option in Texas Tech's passing game. On the season, High has 32 catches for 484 yards and three touchdowns. Considering that he's part of the Red Raiders pass-happy offense, he's worthy of being owned in more fantasy leagues.

Trey Sermon, RB, Oklahoma

Owned in under 50 percent of fantasy leagues, not enough people have nabbed the Sooners' top running back. He hasn't had a Rodney Anderson like performance yet, but he did have 117 total yards and a touchdown in Week 6. Marcelias Sutton and Kennedy Brooks are just not good enough to surpass Sermon on the depth chart yet.

BIG TEN

Nate Stanley, QB, Iowa

Stanley and the Hawkeyes' passing game has found their groove with 634 yards and 10 touchdowns in two lopsided wins over Minnesota and Indiana. When evaluating Iowa's remaining schedule, Stanley could have a huge second half to his season considering their remaining Big Ten West opponents which include Northwestern, Purdue, Illinois and Nebraska. I also wouldn't mind starting Stanley versus Maryland in Week 8.

Flynn Nagel, WR, Northwestern

Nagel had a career day in the Wildcats' comeback win over Nebraska with 12 catches for 220 yards and two touchdowns. While the two touchdowns can be considered a bit of a fluke, the catches are not as the senior already had 36 catches for 402 yards entering the game. Without a dependable running game at the moment, Clayton Thorson and Northwestern should throw the ball all over the place against Rutgers.

CONFERENCE USA

Tyler King, RB, Marshall

I'm recommending King as long as Keion Davis remains out with an undisclosed injury. I'm thinking King could see another couple of starts as Davis did not even make the trip to Old Dominion this past weekend. In his absence, King was impactful with 22 carries for 195 yards and two touchdowns.

James Morgan, QB, FIU

As is the case with most seasons, time to target Rice every week. Morgan has the pleasure to take on the Owls with an impressive touchdown to interception ratio of 14:4. He was also an efficient 27-for-36 for 311 yards versus Middle Tennessee in Week 7. He's not owned in many fantasy leagues, so pick him up and plug him in this week.

MAC

Scott Miller, WR, Bowling Green

Due to the Falcons defense being an absolute mess, Miller has been beyond busy with 42 catches for 640 yards and six touchdowns. In a wild game against Western Michigan, Miller was the best player on the field with eight catches for 206 yards and two scores. He'll have a shot at being the most productive receiver in the MAC this season.

Mike Glass, QB, Eastern Michigan

Glass has at least 20 fantasy points in each of his last four contests, despite splitting reps with Tyler Wigers. The reason Glass has been so productive is due to multiple 100-yard rushing performances and six touchdowns on the ground. With Ball State, Central Michigan and Kent State over the next month and a half, I'm willing to take a chance on the dual-threat quarterback.

MOUNtAIN WEST

Chase Jasmin, RB, San Diego State

Jasmin has been dealing with a hamstring injury which has scared off some fantasy owners as he's owned in under 50 percent of leagues. I'm predicting a breakout performance for the sophomore back as the Aztecs take on a San Jose State team which was shredded by Army last week.

Sean Modster, WR, Boise State

I'm also going back to the Boise State well for a soft matchup versus Colorado State. The senior and quarterback Brett Rypien should connect often on a primetime game on the blue turf on Friday night. The reason I'm going with Modster is because I think Colorado State has a chance to make this game a back and forth affair.

PAC-12

Joshua Kelley, RB, UCLA

Kelley's life as a feature back is going well with three straight 100-yard rushing performances. Cal had no answer for the senior back as he rumbled for three touchdowns in the Bruins first win of the season. With UCLA stumbling through the beginning of the year, Kelley is available in almost all fantasy leagues and has a decent matchup versus Arizona in Week 8.

Artavis Pierce, RB, Oregon State

Recent reports have Pierce at 100% with upcoming games versus Cal and Colorado who don't have the Pac-12's best defenses. While Jermar Jefferson is not going anywhere, I expect the Beavers to use a two-headed rushing attack with both Pierce and Jefferson. There are plenty of fantasy owners who gave up on Pierce, so pick him up and enjoy his production for the rest of the year.

SEC

Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn

The Tigers were shocked at home by Tennessee and should enter a game at Ole Miss with a ton to prove. Luckily they get to play an Ole Miss defense who gave up 33 points to Arkansas and have been pretty dreadful all season. Stidham has been rather mediocre this year and is available in most leagues. This will be one of his better performances as Auburn should roll.

Larry Rountree, RB, Missouri

The SEC's other Tigers get to play Memphis in a game which will have one of the higher over/unders on the week. Fresh off a beating from Alabama, Rountree won't be on many fantasy radars with just 61 total yards against the Tide. While he does split carries with Damarea Crockett, Rountree has been more consistent and is my pick for a big game in Week 8.

SUN BELT

Kirk Merritt and Justin McInnis, WR, Arkansas State

I'm double-dipping with a pair of Red Wolves receivers this week as most people are down on Arkansas State after they failed to compete with App State in a Tuesday Night primetime game. They get a bad Georgia State team this week and I generally avoid their run game because of dual-threat quarterback Justice Hansen. Both Merritt and McInnish should be candidates for productive weeks for the rest of the year.

Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian State

This recommendation comes with the unfortunate news that Jalin Moore's career ended with a broken ankle. Enter Evans who impressed with 115 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in Tuesday's dominant win over Arkansas State. The sophomore's upside is tempered by quarterback Zac Thomas who will take off and run in touchdowns from time to time.

INDEPENDENTS

Kelvin Hopkins Jr., QB, Army

I'm a week late on this one as Hopkins scored four touchdowns in Saturday's 52-3 drubbing of San Jose St. Better late than never though as he'll likely have more rushing scores versus Miami of Ohio in Week 8. Evidenced by their overtime loss at Oklahoma, the Black Knights are fairly good and should dominate a few of their remaining opponents in the final stretch of the season.

DEFENSE RECOMMENDATIONS

App State (vs. Louisiana-Lafayette) – If the Mountaineers can hold Arkansas State to just nine points, they can obliterate most of the Sun Belt Conference.

Utah State (at Wyoming) – The Aggies came through in Week 7 with a punt block for a TD. Moreover, Wyoming hasn't been able to score on bad defenses.

Air Force (at UNLV) – The Falcons have averaged double-digit fantasy output this season.

Syracuse (vs. UNC) – The Orange are coming off a bye and are much better than the Tar Heels.