It is the most exciting time of the year in college fantasy football. All of the research, analysis and dedication to capturing a CFF Championship is on the line. If you are reading this column, your team is likely in the semifinals of the CFF playoffs, and some postseason coaches might be seeking a player to solidify their starting lineups. Luke Probasco and Volume Pigs join me in selecting players who are likely available on waiver wires…Good luck to all of our readers in the playoffs this week.
Week 13: College Fantasy Football Sleepers
Quarterbacks
Colton Joseph, Old Dominion vs. Marshall (Laub)
FPPG: 27.3
O/U 51.5, Old Dominion -2.0
Fantrax Rostership: 27%
Opponent Passing Defense: 202 P-YDS/G & 12 P-TDs
PFF Grade: 81.6
Since October 12, Colton Joseph ranks among the elite college fantasy football quarterbacks. In five games, he has produced 163.3 Fantasy Points (FPs), scoring over 29 FPs in the last four games. A dual-threat, Joseph has rushed for seven scores and passed for six touchdowns in the past month. If a CFF diehard needs a signal caller, the Monarchs’ playmaker is a nifty choice on the waiver wire.
Notebook: “Colton is really gritty, very gutsy. He’s not always perfect, but he continues to grow, he continues to make plays when you need him to. I mean, he’s made some unbelievably clutch plays for us,” coach Ricky Rahne stated (odusports.com).
Kevin Jennings, SMU at Virginia (Probasco)
FPPG: 22.7
O/U 58.5, SMU -9.5
Fantrax Rostership: 21%
Opponent Passing Defense: 258 P-YDS/G & 17 P-TDs
PFF Grade: 77.9
Kevin Jennings has not had a fantasy output under 23.8 points in his last five outings. He is averaging 18 completions on 27 attempts for 293 yards and a touchdown over that stretch. He is not a non-zero on the ground. The passing stats plus his work running are good for 28.22 fantasy points per game.
SMU has a date with Virginia this weekend. Over their last five games, the Cavaliers’ defense has allowed 249 passing yards, two touchdowns and forced one interception per game. Week 13 is setting up to be just another productive week for Jennings. Hop on the Mustang Express and lasso the SMU signal caller from the waiver wire. Plug and play starter and ride off into the sunset…aka your fantasy championship game.
Goin' Deeeeeeeeeep 💨✌️#PonyUpDallas pic.twitter.com/SoakKauPe6
— SMU Football (@SMUFB) November 16, 2024
CJ Ogbonna, Buffalo at Eastern Michigan (Volume Pigs)
FPPG: 20.8
O/U 53.5, Buffalo +2.5
Fantrax Rostership: 3%
Opponent Passing Defense: 227 P-YDS/G & 18 P-TDs
PFF Grade: 64.0
CJ Ogbonna gets two very appetizing matchups to close the year in Eastern Michigan and Kent State. The Bulls’ signal caller has demonstrated high upside with his legs, and given the strength of the opponents that he’ll be playing, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him hit 25-plus points in each to close out the campaign.
CFF Twitterverse on Fire!
Do you need a sleeper CFF quarterback? Who Ya Got to help lead your team to a CFF Championship Game?
- Kevin Jennings, SMU: 23%
- Colton Joseph, Old Dominion: 9%
- Owen McCown, UTSA: 38%
- LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina: 30%
Scholar’s Selection: Colton Joseph is CFF QB4 since October 18: I’m going with the hot hand and acquiring the Old Dominion quarterback.
“Colton Joseph for me. He has been hot for a month and has two tasty matchups (Marshall and Arkansas State) in the playoffs. The Monarchs’ quarterback will roll during the playoffs.” @aceholesrule
“Owen McCown of the quartet above. He has been throwing a ton and Temple is a very soft match up. I would also look at Jayden Maiava.” @DonaldGiebel
Running Backs
Al-Jay Henderson, Buffalo at Eastern Michigan (Probasco)
FPPG: 13.3
O/U 53.5, Buffalo +2.5
Fantrax Rostership: 10%
Opponent Rushing Defense: 160 R-YDS/G & 16 R-TDs
PFF Grade: 75.5
Over Al-Jay Henderson’s last five contests, he has seen, on average, 19 opportunities per game. With those touches, he has averaged 20.8 fantasy points. Buffalo has a date with Eastern Michigan, which is allowing 205 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground over their last five contests. Henderson is averaging 45% of the rushing attempts for the Bulls during the recent stretch. Henderson’s usage over the last five weeks plus Eastern Michigan’s rush defense over the last five weeks equals stock up for Henderson.
Rahjai Harris, East Carolina at North Texas (Laub)
FPPG: 13.5
O/U 73.5, East Carolina +3.0
Fantrax Rostership: 18%
Opponent Rushing Defense: 201 R-YDS/G & 21 R-TDs
PFF Grade: 71.7
Against Tulsa last week, Pirates’ quarterback Katin Houser threw three interceptions, including a pick-six. Early in the fourth quarter, East Carolina trailed the Golden Hurricanes 31-24 and turned to the ground game to win. Rahjai Harris scored twice and finished the evening with 26.5 FPs. For the season, Harris has exceeded 100 yards rushing three times and twice in the past two games. He has already established career-bests with 730 rushing yards and seven scores. The ECU ground game will blast open holes versus the Mean Green defense, and Harris easily exceeds 13 FPs for the fourth consecutive contest.
Notebook: “What a night! We’ve been through so much adversity. Just seeing us going down in the fourth and bouncing back and getting this win, it means everything for the program, not just the football team but the program,” Harris stated after the victory over Tulsa (ecupirates.com).
Dylan Carson, Air Force at Nevada (Volume Pigs)
FPPG: 6.1
O/U 44.5, Air Force +4.0
Fantrax Rostership: 22%
Opponent Rushing Defense: 167 R-YDS/G & 26 R-TDs
PFF Grade: 58.4
Dylan Carson came back to life two weeks ago with a 33-carry performance vs. Fresno, and then followed that up with a 26-carry outing this past weekend. He now has over 200 yards and two scores in his last two outings. As it happens, he gets two weak defenses in Nevada and San Diego to end the year.
CFF Twitterverse on Fire!
With a CFF championship berth on the line, who is your top running back sleeper this week?
- Rahjai Harris, East Carolina: 10%
- Al-Jay Henderson, Buffalo: 19%
- Bryson Washington, Baylor: 58%
- Kelley Joiner, South Florida: 13%
Scholar’s Selection: I watched the entire East Carolina-Tulsa game, and Rahjai Harris carried the Pirates to victory in the second half with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. In the last three games, the bruising back has scored four times. I love the matchup versus North Texas on Saturday.
“Al-Jay Henderson: I am always a sucker for the hot Buffalo running back de jour!” @aceholesrule
Wide Receivers
Ian Strong, Rutgers vs. Illinois (Volume Pigs)
FPPG: 9.9
O/U 48.5, Rutgers -1.5
Fantrax Rostership: 1%
Opponent Passing Defense: 216 P-YDS/G & 14 P-TDs
PFF Grade: 75.2
Ian Strong is one of the Rutgers’ pass catchers who has benefited from improved quarterback play over the past two weeks. He now has 21 targets in his last two outings, and the Scarlet Knights get Illinois and Michigan State to finish the year. Both teams have been susceptible to the pass this season.
Justin Lockhart, San Jose vs. UNLV (Laub)
FPPG: 16.4
O/U 62.5, San Jose +7.0
Fantrax Rostership: 19%
Opponent Passing Defense: 261 P-YDS/G & 16 P-TDs
PFF Grade: 73.4
I went to a fantastic watering hole on Saturday night with my two best friends and wanted to keep a close eye on Heisman candidate Ashton Jeanty. While WR Nick Nash garners the attention of CFF diehards, Justin Lockhart has largely gone under the radar despite being productive. For the season, he is CFF WR38 with 48 receptions for 925 yards and four touchdowns. He has scored double-digit FPs in eight straight games, including a season-best 33.2 versus Boise State. I am more than happy to place Lockhart in my playoff lineups in the upcoming game against UNLV with an O/U of 62.5.
Justin Lockhart elevates, and comes down with the catch!
Watch Live on@CBSSportsNet #AllSpartans pic.twitter.com/VYpPw9uoDA
— San José State Football (@SanJoseStateFB) November 17, 2024
Josh Dallas, Georgia Southern at Coastal Carolina (Probasco)
FPPG: 11.5
O/U 56.5, Georgia Southern -2.0
Fantrax Rostership: 1%
Opponent Passing Defense: 219 P-YDS/G & 21 P-TDs
PFF Grade: 72.2
In each of his last three games, Josh Dallas has seen a touchdown. Over the same period, he is averaging four receptions on four targets for 85 yards and a touchdown via the air. He has also seen two rush attempts and had a touchdown on the ground.
Georgia Southern has a match-up with Coastal Carolina. Over the last three games, the Chanticleers have allowed 204 yards through the air and two touchdowns per game. The four receptions are worrisome; however, Dallas provides some upside in the matchup. The Eagles’ playmaker could help CFF diehards soar into championship week!
Winston Wright, Jr., East Carolina at North Texas (Probasco)
FPPG: 14.5
O/U 73.5, East Carolina +3.0
Fantrax Rostership: 14%
Opponent Passing Defense: 257 P-YDS/G & 20 P-TDs
PFF Grade: 70.8
Winston Wright Jr. has been on a heater. Over his last three games, he has logged five receptions on five targets for 51 yards receiving and one touchdown. He is also averaging one rush attempt for 15 yards per rush over that same span. Those stats have equated to 19.2 FPs per game.
The Pirates have North Texas next on the schedule. The Mean Green have allowed 291 yards passing and two touchdowns via the air over their last three games, who are not service academy teams. Chase Sowell exited the Pirates game in Week 12 with a hamstring injury. I love Wright’s floor, but if Sowell misses…CFF opponents will be walking the plank!
CFF Twitterverse on Fire!
In a must-win to advance position, Who Ya Got as a sleeper at wide receiver in the CFF semifinals?
- Dymere Miller, Rutgers: 27%
- Winston Wright, Jr., East Carolina: 17%
- Justin Lockhart, San Jose: 46%
- Matt Sykes, Rice: 10%
Scholar’s Selection: I featured Dymere Miller in last week’s CFF waiver wire column, and he registered his third straight game with over 22 FPs. In the three outings, he has 44 targets and 24 catches with three scores. Give me Miller (or Justin Lockhart) this week against the Illini at home.
“Justin Lockhart: He is firmly in all my playoff lineups!” @aceholesrule
CFF All-Americans: Week 12
QB John Mateer, Washington State: 51.5 points
QB Devon Dampier, New Mexico: 50.3
RB Bryson Washington, Baylor: 47.2
RB Shane Porter, North Texas: 39.1
WR Emmett Mosley, Stanford: 48.5
WR Kyle Williams, Washington State: 45.1
WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State: 41.6
TE Tyler Warren, Penn State: 39
Flex Antonio Williams, Clemson: 39.9
CFF Player of the Week: John Mateer, Washington State
A VISION 🫨 @John_Mateer4 ➡️ @k_mmoneyyyy pic.twitter.com/wVAyA1F8CB
— Washington State Football (@WSUCougarFB) November 17, 2024