As the college fantasy football playoffs commence, Luke Probasco, Volume Pigs and I dig deep into the free agent pool to uncover waiver wire gemstones for those teams in need of assistance.
One of the most challenging aspects of managing a college fantasy football roster is assessing opportunity cost. Unfortunately, I did not do well managing opportunity cost early in the campaign and must analyze my strategy over the offseason.
As an example, I drafted quarterbacks Kaidon Salter, Liberty, and Byrum Brown, South Florida on five teams over the summer. I assumed that I did not have to acquire any early risers at the position, bypassing free agents Bryson Daily, Cade Klubnik, Devon Dampier, and John Mateer.
I never envisioned that Salter and Brown would fail so miserably and waited far too long—the opportunity cost not only prevented me from gaining better production at the position but put losses on my balance sheet. Enough of a tangential college fantasy football discussion, let’s take a look at the players who can help CFF diehards the final week of the regular season.
Week 10 College Fantasy Football Waiver Wire
Quarterbacks
Owen McCown, UTSA (Probasco)
Fantrax Rostership: 25%
Total Fantasy Points: 229.7
FPPG: 25.5
PFF Grade: 80
Owen McCown is on a heater! We listed him as an honorable mention candidate in the waiver wire column last week, and he outperformed our expectations against Memphis on Saturday. He registered 38 Fantasy Points (FPs) in the Roadrunners 44-36 victory. He completed 20-of-37 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns, which is now back-to-back outings with four aerial strikes.
Over his last four contests, McCown has averaged 37.9 FPs, averaging 43 pass attempts, 327 passing yards, and three touchdowns per game in the recent hot stretch. The UTSA signal-caller has a bye in Week 11, but CFF coaches can stash him now for a playoff run. In Week 12, the Roadrunners have a date with North Texas, and in Week 13, UTSA squares off against Temple. Unfortunately, to conclude the campaign, the Roadrunners have a tough matchup as they take on Army.
Notebook: After the victory, McCown discussed the team’s toughness despite a disappointing record: “I just think it shows our resilience. It starts from the top with the seniors. For them to have the losses the way they happen, and every day to come back and have energy and leadership every practice, it shows the program and the courage each one of us has, for sure.” (tylerpaper.com).
Jalen Kitna, UAB (Laub)
Fantrax Rostership: 1%
Total Fantasy Points: 111.7
FPPG: 27.9
PFF Grade: 60.4
In 2003, I captured an NFL fantasy championship with Bengals’ QB Jon Kitna on the team. Two decades later, his son Jalen is the starter for the Blazers and has posted consecutive eye-opening performances. I’m not convinced that Jalen can lead a CFF coach to the promised land, but he just might be one of those late-season difference-makers.
On Saturday against Tulsa, Kitna posted a career-best 404 passing yards with six touchdowns, producing 53.6 FPs. In school history, the passing yards rank eleventh and the touchdown throws are tied for first. The 6’5” and 220-pound redshirt junior scored 29.3 FPs the game before on 384 passing yards and two aerial strikes. For the season, he has completed over 60% of his passes for more than 1,200 yards and posted a 10-6 TD:INT ratio.
Kitna originally enrolled at Florida and backed up Anthony Richardson in 2022. A legal incident resulted in six month’s probation, and he was dismissed from the program in Gainesville. After he served his plea deal, UAB coach Trent Dilfer provided Kitna with a second chance. On the field, Kitna is embracing the opportunity to succeed and the Blazers host UConn this weekend followed by Memphis and Rice—attractive matchups for CFF managers.
Notebook: “I know with the continued love and support of those close to me—and hopefully some understanding by others—I’ll have a chance at the life that I dreamed of and worked so hard for. I am determined to use my story to help others avoid the pitfalls of naïve technology use,” Kitna stated earlier this fall (gainesville.com).
WE ARE HAVING FUN! pic.twitter.com/y29h8XNprY
— UAB Football (@UAB_FB) November 2, 2024
CFF Twitterverse on Fire!
Need a starter at quarterback? Who Ya Got on the waiver wire this week?
- Maddox Madsen, Boise State: 9%
- Jalen Kitna, UAB: 14%
- Owen McCown, UTSA: 52%
- Sam Leavitt, Arizona State: 25%
Scholar’s Selection: It might go against the grain, but I do like Jalen Kitna down the stretch. He has been impressive, and the schedule could provide a feast of fantasy production.
“Owen McCown has been slinging the ball around the yard! UTSA hasn’t scored less than 27 points during that stretch.” @ProbascoLuke
“Owen McCown for me. He has been strong for a month and with games versus Temple and North Texas coming up, he will certainly help teams in the playoffs.” @aceholesrule
Running Backs
George Pettaway James Madison (Probasco)
Fantrax Rostership: 22%
Total Fantasy Points: 117.5
FPPG: 14.7
PFF Grade: 75.4
George Pettaway and James Madison are coming off a bye week. Prior to the break, Pettaway had a 23.3-point performance against Southern Mississippi. Over the last four games, he has not had an afternoon under 60 yards rushing or under three targets. He is averaging 17 opportunities (rushing and receiving) and 104 yards per game.
Pettaway offers a nice floor in Week 11 against Georgia State. The Panthers allowed 156 total yards to Mel Brown (UConn), 115 total yards to Marshall Ahmani (Appalachian State) and 207 total yards to A.J. Turner (Marshall) during their last three games. All of those runners also found paydirt. Sign me up for a big George Pettaway game on Saturday.
Michael Benefield, Kennesaw State (Volume Pigs)
Fantrax Rostership: 3%
Total Fantasy Points: 62.7
FPPG: 7.8
PFF Grade: 73.9
Michael Benefield keeps getting the touches, but is limited due to the overall limitations of the offense. Look at that three game stretch they have in weeks 11-13 (UTEP, Sam Houston and Florida International) to potentially extract some value from this lemon.
Bryson Washington, Baylor (Laub)
Fantrax Rostership: 19%
Total Fantasy Points: 128.9
FPPG: 18.4
PFF Grade: 78.1
I waited all Saturday to watch the TCU-Baylor game: I had so many players in CFF lineups and started QB Sawyer Robertson on three teams. I was blown away as the Bears mashed the Horned Frogs and ran the ball down their throats for 257 yards and five scores on the ground. Redshirt freshman Bryson Washington led the team with 26 carries for a career-best 196 yards and four touchdowns. The Baylor back is the first player in the Big 12 this season with four rushing touchdowns and only the tenth player in the FBS.
At 6’0” and 203 pounds, Washington was a two-way player in high school and semifinalist for the 2022 Mr. Texas Football. A four-year starter, he played running back and safety and earned three stars as a recruit. As a senior, he scampered for over 2,000 yards and more than 30 touchdowns. He also competed in basketball and track and field. He enrolled at Baylor over Arkansas, Houston, and SMU.
This season, Washington has rushed for 576 yards and seven scores, adding 15 catches for 143 yards. Three times he has rambled for over 100 yards and has produced over 29 FPs in two of the past three games. Since October 19, the Bears runner is CFF RB5 with 84.6 FPs. In the CFF playoffs, Baylor travels to West Virginia and Houston before concluding the campaign at home versus Kansas.
Notebook: “I really think it was the O-line. They were working hard today, and everything just opened up. I saw the end zone, and I was like, I gotta get to it every time,” Washington pronounced after the win over TCU (baylorlariat.com).
Honorable Mention Running Backs
Jovantae Barnes, Oklahoma
Fantrax Rostership: 10%
Total Fantasy Points: 123
FPPG: 13.7
PFF Grade: 67.1
Lucky No. 2️⃣
2️⃣2️⃣2️⃣ all-purpose yards for @vontaeeb, including 18 carries for a career-high 203 rushing yards and three touchdowns. pic.twitter.com/ilRQp4Gyhc
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) November 2, 2024
Eli Sanders, New Mexico
Fantrax Rostership: 12%
Total Fantasy Points: 121.7
FPPG: 13.5
PFF Grade: 69.1
CFF Twitterverse on Fire!
Among the talented group of freshmen runners, who has impressed you the most in 2024?
- Fluff Bothwell, South Alabama: 7%
- Caden Durham, LSU: 21%
- Isaac Brown, Louisville: 70%
- Bryson Washington, Baylor: 2%
Scholar’s Selection: While freshmen receivers Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams dominate the headlines, some of their backfield classmates are playing extremely well also. I concur with the results of the poll above and selected Isaac Brown. On a side note, I wonder if a P4 program will try to persuade Fluff Bothwell with a NIL offer.
“Isaac Brown for me. Will get a little bigger as he ages, but reminds me of Tyler Badie. I expect 10-12 more pounds of muscle over the next couple of years, and he will make a nice NFL back.” @aceholesrule
“I went with Isaac Brown. Over 800 yards and seven scores on the ground and 26 receptions for 131 yards and a score. On the ground or through the air…What can Brown do for you?” @ProbascoLuke
“My vote was definitely for Isaac Brown. I think he’s special.” @CFFNate
151 yards & a TD 🤯
Just another day in the office for @IsaacBrown305 #GoCards pic.twitter.com/XU06ZXRE2u
— Louisville Football (@LouisvilleFB) November 4, 2024
Wide Receivers
Omari Hayes, Florida Atlantic (Probasco)
Fantrax Rostership: 12%
Targets: 42
Fantasy Points: 87.4
FPPG: 12.5
PFF Grade: 82.8
Omari Hayes has seen 25 targets over his last three contests—it is a robust 25.8% target share. I may need to remind readers that he missed their matchup with UTSA due to injury. In those three games, Hayes has no outing under five receptions or 70 yards receiving. He is averaging six receptions for 99 yards.
Florida Atlantic has a date with East Carolina on Thursday. The Pirates had a bye last week. Beforehand, the Owls permitted two Temple receivers to record over 80 yards and a touchdown each: Ashton Allen and Landon Morris combined for nine receptions, 190 yards receiving, and three touchdowns. While the Owls are finding touchdown success on the ground and not the air, I believe Hayes will be able to put up respectable receiving stats for CFF managers.
Eric Rivers, Florida International (Laub)
Fantrax Rostership: 27%
Targets: 73
Fantasy Points: 178.6
FPPG: 19.8
PFF Grade: 79.4
I have appreciated the stand-alone C-USA matchups on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this fall. Watching the New Mexico State-Florida International contest, Eric Rivers popped off the screen, posting a historical evening for the Panthers. He set a FIU single-game record with 295 receiving yards on 11 catches, logging three receptions over 50 yards. The receiving yards surpassed the previous school mark (201) established by both Kris Mitchell (2023) and Tyrese Chambers (2022). He also scored three times in the victory.
In the past five games, Rivers has been targeted 55 times and corralled 31 passes for 620 yards and six scores, averaging 25.8 FPPG. For the season, the sleek home run hitter has averaged 20.4 ypc. on 43 receptions and scored eight times. He is CFF WR15. After a bye week, FIU concludes the season at Jacksonville State and Kennesaw State and hosts Middle Tennessee—nice matchups for the CFF playoffs. If Rivers is available, grab him for the final stretch run in 2024.
Notebook: New Mexico State predominantly played the same zone coverage all night and Rivers took advantage: “(I) can exploit a bunch of different defenses—it’s the way I go at it. I have to prepare for all defenses, but (New Mexico State) really didn’t make too many adjustments,” Rivers reflected after the game (miamiherald.com).
Corey Rucker, Arkansas State
Fantrax Rostership: 52%
Targets: 85
Fantasy Points: 135.3
FPPG: 16.9
PFF Grade: 79.1
Arkansas State has had an up-and-down schedule but when the Red Wolves play similarly talented opponents, Rucker and the pass offense have been pretty solid. His duds came against Michigan, Iowa State, Texas State, and Southern Mississippi. The four-week stretch after their bye should provide some good matchups for Rucker to get over 100 yards.
Nick Marsh, Michigan State (Laub)
Fantrax Rostership: 27%
Targets: 42
Fantasy Points: 106.5
FPPG: 13.3
PFF Grade: 77.2
While freshman receivers Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams continue to crush the spirits of opponents, fellow freshman Nick Marsh has quietly become a clandestine assassin, who deserves more recognition by the CFF community. The Spartans’ playmaker averages 16.8 yards per catch on 33 receptions. He has scored three times, exceeded 100 yards receiving twice, and logged eight receptions two times.
Against Indiana, Marsh had five catches for 78 yards and now has 558 yards, breaking Michigan State’s receiving mark by a true freshman, and topping Cody White’s 490 yards in 2017. He is within seven catches of the true freshman standard by Sedrick Irvin, who recorded 40 in 1996.
A consensus four-star recruit last year, Marsh was ranked as the No. 107 overall player and No. 22 wide receiver in the country. He earned an invite to the U.S. Army Bowl and was named first-team all-state in Michigan. At 6’3” and 209 pounds, he also played on the hardwood and competed in track and field in high school. The Spartans close the campaign with matchups versus Illinois, Purdue and Rutgers after a week off.
Notebook: “Nick being Nick. Recruiting him, I expect it. Maybe not the numbers that he put up, but he’s a talented kid, man. That won’t be just a flash-in-the-bucket type of deal,” wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins stated earlier in the season (freep.com).
TE Houston Thomas, UTSA (Volume Pigs)
Fantrax Rostership: 5%
Targets: 44
Fantasy Points: 83.1
FPPG: 9.2
PFF Grade: 68.3
Two weeks ago, Houston Thomas posted a 10-target, 100-yard performance as QB Owen McCown torched the Tulsa secondary. He followed that up with a six-catch, two-score outing against Memphis on Saturday. Beyond that, Thomas has 22 targets in his last three appearances and accumulated 50.9 FPs.
CFF Twitterverse on Fire!
After big performances in Week 10, potential playmakers popped up on the waiver wire this week: Who Ya Got?
- RB Bryson Washington, Baylor: 21%
- WR Eric Rivers, Florida International: 25%
- RB Jovantae Barnes, Oklahoma: 25%
- WR Jordan Watkins, Mississippi: 29%
Scholar’s Selection: With the little FAB remaining in my budget, I will seek to acquire Eric Rivers, who I featured above. If I can’t get the Panthers’ wideout, I hope that Bryson Washington remains available to me.
“Jovantae Barnes for me. Seems like he is the last man standing in the Oklahoma backfield. Don’t like the schedule down the stretch much though.” @aceholesrule
“Give me Eric Rivers. Despite the bye in Week 11, he will be a key cog in your playoff run.” @ProbascoLuke
CFF All-Americans: Week 10
QB Jaxson Dart, Mississippi: 61.3 points
QB Jalen Kitna, UAB: 53.6
RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina: 59.5
RB Cameron Skattebo, Arizona State: 49.4
WR Jordan Watkins, Mississippi: 63.4
WR Eric Rivers, Florida International: 58.5
WR Xavier Restrepo, Miami: 40.6
TE Daequan Wright, Mississippi: 30.9
Flex Tre Stewart, Jacksonville State: 47.2
CFF Player of the Week: Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
3⃣ TDs for the 3⃣rd time this season.@OmarionHampton is different. #UNCommon
📺https://t.co/NYjmoI2Fpv https://t.co/n5I6AeymQc pic.twitter.com/ROuknvy4tB
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) November 2, 2024