It is my favorite two weeks of the college football season: The CFF playoffs are in full swing and many historical rivalries are upcoming: USC-UCLA, Michigan-Ohio State, Auburn-Alabama and Yale-Harvard to name a few. I am fired up, and it is time to bring home a few CFF championships.
I have pinpointed players who are likely available in season-long CFF leagues (less than 50% rostership), to consider in lineups. CFF fanatics in the Twitterverse provide insight and analysis for potential starters.
Enjoy my fellow CFF diehards!
CFF Waiver Wire
Quarterback
Brady Cook, Missouri
Fantrax Ownership: 16%
Yards Per Attempt: 7.2
P-TD%: 2.8%
Total Fantasy Points: 196.1
When looking at potential signal callers to pick up, I did not expect to identify the leader of the Tigers. Yet, here I am. While watching Luther Burden and Dominic Lovett, I noticed Brady Cook and decided to take a closer look at his numbers. A dual threat, the sophomore has completed 65% of his passes, rushed for 338 yards and scored five times on the ground. Not great but piqued my interest after scoring over 30 points last week against Tennessee.
On the surface, New Mexico State, the Tigers’ opponent, appears to be a formidable defense, allowing only 25.6 PPG and 347.6 total YPG. Nevertheless, I looked deeper and noticed that the Aggies lost to Minnesota 38-0 and Wisconsin 66-7 on the road. New Mexico State travels again this week to a P5 program. Cook and the Tigers are in a smash spot at home, and if you desperately need a signal caller, the Tigers’ sophomore provides a nice floor with his rushing ability.
Running Back
Nakia Watson, Washington State
Fantrax Ownership: 14%
Scrimmage Yards: 826
Touchdowns: 8
Total Fantasy Points: 147.6
If CFF diehards have not watched PAC-12 games, they might not realize that the Cougars have transitioned from a high-flying passing attack to a more balanced offense in 2022. In three of the past five games, Nakia Watson has surpassed 24 fantasy points, and in eight games, has averaged 18.4 fantasy points.
Last week, the former Wisconsin Badger scored 35.8 versus Arizona State. On Saturday, Washington State travels to Arizona: The Wildcats surrender over 200 rushing yards per game and have allowed 29 rushing touchdowns. Watson is a great starter in Flex positions this week.
Wide Receiver
Alex Adams, Akron
Fantrax Ownership: 9%
Targets: 70
Team Target Share: 16.5%
Total Fantasy Points: 153.7
There is one matchup from the MAC—Akron at Buffalo—on Saturday this week. Receiver Alex Adams has quietly become one of the better fantasy producers over the past three weeks, scoring 22.2, 27.5, and 34.9 points.
Adams has earned 35 targets for 25 catches and three scores. He has also surpassed 100 receiving in each contest. After the Bulls game, the Zips travel to Northern Illinois, and Adams should continue his ascent up the CFF rankings.
Twitterverse on Fire!
Waiver Wire Battles: Who Ya Got?
- RB Nakia Watson, Washington: 33%
- WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia: 24%
- RB Stacy Sneed, Houston: 24%
- WR Tyler Hudson, Louisville: 19%
“Stacy SNEEEEEEED for me. Picked him up a few weeks back and he hasn’t disappointed.” @aceholesrule
“Going with Tyler Hudson here! Two straight weeks of over 140 yards receiving, and went for 11 catches, for 160 yards versus a stout Clemson defense! Gets a North Carolina State defense that just got torched by freshman QB Morehead for 300-plus and three touchdowns. Hudson will go for another 140-plus ann a score!” @NinoBrown_T2T
Scholar’s CFF Serendipitous Starters: Week 12
QB Holton Ahlers, East Carolina vs. Houston
O/U 67, East Carolina -6.0
Opponent Defense: 291.5 PYPG and 28 P-TDs
@Fantrax Ownership: 42%
In the CFF postseason, I want a starting signal caller with a high floor and an enticing ceiling with the potential to bust the slate. Holton Ahlers is one of the few remaining quarterbacks who fulfills the requirements that I seek on the waiver wire.
In every game this year, Ahlers has exceeded 20 fantasy points, averaging 25.5. He has surpassed 35 points twice including a season-best 60 versus South Florida. In the past two weeks, Houston has surrendered over 120 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks: Tanner Mordecai, SMU (84.3), and E.J. Warner, Temple (41.4). If I needed to win a playoff game, Ahlers is one of the few quarterbacks who I trust placing in my lineup.
QB Riley Leonard, Duke at Pittsburgh
O/U 52.5, Duke +7.5
Opponent Defense: 212.1 PYPG and 16 P-TDs
@Fantrax Ownership: 27%
It is difficult to have confidence in Riley Leonard and the Blue Devils’ offense. Nevertheless, the dual-threat playmaker continues to improve and produce an abundance of fantasy points. He has passed for over 2,000 yards with 13 aerial strikes. His fantasy production comes from his legs with 625 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
In 2022, Leonard has scored 284 fantasy points and averages 28.5 FPPG. He is the CFF QB20 and has totaled over 30 points in three of the past four games. The Duke quarterback is one of the few players who I feel comfortable starting in CFF lineups on the waiver wire this week.
RB Devin Mockobee, Purdue vs. Northwestern
O/U 49, Purdue -20.0
Opponent Defense: 200 RYPG and 21 R-TDs
@Fantrax Ownership: 16%
Northwestern has won only one game and has been bludgeoned on the ground. In the past two weeks, Minnesota’s Mohamed Ibrahim rambled for 178 yards and three touchdowns and Ohio State’s Miyan Williams scampered for 111 yards and two scores. For the season, the Wildcats are among the bottom 15 teams in the nation against the run.
Devin Mockabee is running the football well and should find success against Northwestern. In three of his last four games, the Boilermakers’ ball carrier has posted 100-yard outings and scored 23.2, 7.8, 16.8, and 28.6 fantasy points. For the year, Mockabee has produced 148.1 points, averaging 16.3 PPG. There is little reason to believe that the Wildcats can slow down Mockabee this weekend.
RB Trey Benson, Florida State vs. Louisiana
O/U 52.5, Florida State -23.5
Opponent Defense: 123.3 RYPG and 12 R-TDs
@Fantrax Ownership: 43%
The game script by Vegas indicates a strong ground game by the Seminoles against the Ragin’ Cajuns. As a huge home favorite, Florida State will surely run the ball over 40 times on Saturday. In the last three games, the Seminoles have logged 40, 49, and 43 carries in all the victories. In each game, Trey Benson has surpassed the century mark, averaging 7.8 YPC and 134 YPG. At 6’1” and 215-pounds, the sophomore pounds opponents and should garner nearly 20 carries against Louisiana.
WR Xavier Weaver, South Florida at Tulsa
O/U 59, South Florida +13
Opponent Defense: 185.0 PYPG and 16 P-TDs
@Fantrax Ownership: 20%
The numbers do not indicate a Bulls’ wide receiver in this matchup to start. Nonetheless, Xavier Wearer is one of the underrated playmakers in college football this season. He is the No. 22 receiver in targets with 95 and has logged 53 catches for 718 yards and six touchdowns in nine games, averaging 17.8 FPPG.
With 47 fewer attempts, QB Katravis Marsh has thrown one more touchdown pass than the opening day starter Gerry Bohanon. In the last three games with Marsh calling signals, South Florida averages 26 points per game, and Weaver has 33 targets, seven receptions for 263 yards, and three scores. If you need a Flex starter, the 6’1” and 185-pounder is a viable option this week.
WR Elijhah Badger, Arizona State vs. Oregon State
O/U 54, Arizona State +7.5
Opponent Defense: 229 PYPG and 9 P-TDs
@Fantrax Ownership: 25%
Since October 8, Elijhah Badger has been the CFF WR16 in PPR formats. He was one of the most consistent receivers in the nation, scoring 109.3 fantasy points and averaging 21.8 points. In his last five games, Badger averaged 10 targets and 5.5 catches per game. He also eclipsed the century mark twice and scored five times during the hot streak. Why is the CFF community ignoring the Sun Devils’ playmaker? Arizona State hosts Oregon State, and Badger will continue to soar in the Sun Devils’ aerial assault.
Twitterverse on Fire!
Heisman Temperature Time…Who Ya Got after 11 Weeks?
- Blake, Corum, Michigan: 26%
- Drake Maye, North Carolina: 46%
- Caleb Williams, USC: 6%
- C.J. Stroud, Ohio State: 22%
“Blake Corum, Drake Maye or C.J. Stroud? What a great season when the Heisman is up for grabs. The victor of the Michigan-Ohio State game might be crowned the winner.” @aceholesrule
“Black Corum is having an incredible season but it’s time we start to put the freshman in the conversation with some validity. 3,412 passing yards (3rd in FBS), 34 touchdowns (1st FBS), 88.5 QBR (4th FBS). Drake Maye better be invited to the Heisman party or he will be crashing it for sure…ACC Champ?” @NinoBrown_T2T
“Drake Maye certainly should be in attendance. He’s been incredible, but the Heisman will go to the winner of the Ohio State-Michigan game at this point.” @RealestChrisKay
“Until C.J. Stroud loses, he is the favorite in my book.” @cusumano_sal
Who Ya Got at Quarterback?
- Riley Leonard, Duke: 40%
- Brady Cook, Missouri: 6%
- Drew Pyne, Notre Dame: 10%
- Holton Ahlers, East Carolina: 44%
“Holton Ahlers for me! In the preseason, I posted about the value of ’old’ quarterbacks, and Holton Ahlers has not, and will not, disappoint.” @aceholesrule
“There could be more to gain with Drew Pyne playing a truly sorry Boston College team this weekend, but Riley Leonard and Holton Ahlers are your safest bets if you’re looking for a reliable floor.” @AirRaidTruther
Who Ya Got at Running Back?
- Montrell Johnson, Florida: 21%
- Edward Saydee, Temple: 9%
- Elijah Green, North Carolina: 49%
- Tyler Lavine, SMU: 21%
“Tyler Lavine for me! A true RBBC this late in the season worries me a bit, but Lavine has back-to-back 100-yard games with scores in each. I expect a bunch of points in the Tulane matchup so Lavine will get his yards and points.” @aceholesrule
“High risk but high reward, give me Elijah Green.” @JackCDCTT
Who Ya Got at Wide Receiver?
- Xavier Weaver, South Florida: 14%
- Alex Adams, Akron: 21%
- Elijhah Badger, Arizona State: 52%
- Nate McCollum, Georgia Tech: 13%
“Give Double A! Alex Adams is currently on a three-game, 100-yard touchdown streak, and I don’t see that slowing down. QB DJ Irons and Double A have a legit connection, and it will be on display this week vs. Buffalo. Akron is about to get a nice charge from AA!” @NinoBrown_T2T
“Alex Adams for me! Three straight games with 100-plus yards and a touchdown facing Buffalo?!?! SIGN ME UP!” @aceholesrule
CFF All-Americans: Week 11
- QB Bert Emanuel, Jr., Central Michigan: 48.1 points
- QB Drake Maye, North Carolina: 43.1 points
- RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA: 48.9 points
- RB Carson Steele, Ball State: 40.6 points
- WR Josh Downs, North Carolina: 44.4 points
- WR Mac Hippenhammer, Ohio: 36.7 points
- WR Jalen Cropper, Fresno State: 36.4 points
- TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas State: 27.9 points
- Flex Cam Wiley, Akron: 39.8 points
CFF Player of the Week: Zach Charbonnet, UCLA