CFB Waiver Wire: Players to Pick Up Week 4

AMERICAN ATHLETIC

Braeden West, RB, SMU: West and fellow freshman Xavier Jones supplanted Prescott Line in the running game last week against TCU, and West impressed averaging 4.9 yards per carry against a tough defensive front. With opponents likely to sell out to stop dual-threat quarterback Matt Davis, West could see running lanes open up, especially this week against James Madison.

Doroland Dorceus, RB, Memphis: Normally it's tough to recommend a Memphis back given how well the Tigers split carries, but with Cincinnati likely missing its quarterback Gunner Kiel (head) on a short week, the Tigers offense could generate a big lead early, which would mean more action for the Memphis running game. Dorceus is also a good bet to find the end zone, leading his team with four rushing touchdowns.

ACC

Brenden Motley, QB, Virginia Tech: Motley's been solid filling in for the injured Michael Brewer (shoulder), throwing for more than 200 yards and two touchdowns in each game he's started. But where he's really been clutch is adding one rushing touchdown in each of those games. This week Motley takes on an East Carolina defense that allowed six touchdowns to Navy last week.

Elijah Hood, RB, UNC: Hood has rushed for more than 100 yards in two of his three games this season, including a 138-yard performance against South Carolina in the season opener on just 13 carries. While he does split the backfield duties with Marquise Williams, Hood sees nearly two carries for every one by Williams. Hood not only looks like a good bet this week against Delaware, but also will be relied upon when the Tar Heels enter ACC play.

BIG 12

Reginald Davis, WR, Texas Tech: Davis has caught three touchdowns in his last two games, becoming more involved in the offense every week. His opponent this week, TCU, would normally scare off potential suitors, but the Horned Frogs are not as invincible as they once seemed, they allowed SMU to pass for 330 yards last week.

Chris Carson, RB, Oklahoma State: Carson topped 100 yards for the first time this season against UTSA and also found the end zone twice. In the past, a matchup with Texas would cause hesitation, but this Longhorns rush defense doesn't invoke the same fear as it once did, allowing 240 yards per game on the ground, which should help Carson start Big 12 play on the right foot.

BIG TEN

Jordan Canzeri, RB Iowa: Despite totaling just 49 yards last week against Pitt, Canzeri managed to find the end zone twice. This week, he faces a North Texas defense that has been gouged for 231 yards per game on the ground this season.

C.J. Beathard, QB Iowa: The Hawkeyes present a big mismatch for a North Texas defense that is ranked near the bottom of the nation in both passing and rushing yards allowed. Beathard has three rushing touchdowns on the season and is averaging 8.6 rushes per game, which provides a nice boost to his passing totals.

CONFERENCE USA

Trent Taylor WR, La Tech: Taylor has recorded 21 receptions for 267 yards in has last two games and has twice as many receptions as any other receiver on the Bulldogs' roster.

Dennis Parks, WR, Rice: Parks went off for eight receptions, 163 yards and two touchdowns against North Texas last week. The Owls will be forced to throw if they want to keep pace with Baylor this week.

MAC

Drew Kummer, QB, Miami (OH): Hacker is coming off three-touchdown game in a near-upset of in-state rival Cincinnati. While he's only thrown for more than 250 yards once this season, he faces a leaky Western Kentucky defense that's been torched for 309.7 yards per game this season.

Joe Licata, QB, Buffalo: Licata has yet to throw for more than 250 yards in a game this season, but the senior has a favorable matchup against a Nevada team ranked near the bottom of FBS in both passing yards allowed and passer rating. He could be a capable one-week fill-in if you're in dire need of a competent signal caller. Licata threw for at least three touchdowns in six games last season.

MOUNTAIN WEST

Dalyn Dawkins, RB, CSU: Dawkins totaled 177 yards and a touchdown against Colorado before leaving the game with a hamstring injury, which is concerning. After the game, though, he insisted he would be fine for this week's game against a UT-San Antonio team that allows 185 yards per game on the ground.

Brett Rypien/Thomas Stuart QB, Boise State: The Broncos lost starting quarterback Ryan Findley for eight weeks with an ankle injury against Idaho. Boise State has yet to name a starter, but both played well in relief, with Rypien completing 8-of-9 passes for 124 yards and Stuart throwing for 69 yards and one touchdown while adding 46 yards on the ground. Boise State's quarterbacks get to ease into things with a matchup against a Virginia team tied for 99th in the nation in pass defense.

PAC-12

Christian Powell, RB, Colorado: Powell replaced Michael Adkins II after he left the game with a hamstring injury against Colorado State. Powell wasn't spectacular last week against Colorado State with just 58 yards on 15 carries, but if Adkins misses time, Powell will be the one to carry the rushing load. He ran for 105 yards earlier this season on just eight carries against UMass and has a good matchup against FCS Nicholls State this week.

SEC

Sony Michel, WR Georgia: Despite being the No. 2 running back on the Georgia roster, Michel left his mark on the South Carolina defense with two touchdowns, one of which came on a play where he put his shoulder into a defender in the open field at the goal line and sent the defender onto his back. Michel will still continue to see work despite playing behind Nick Chubb, especially in the passing game where he leads all Bulldogs with three touchdowns.

Cody Core, WR, Ole Miss: Core was mentioned in last week's article and didn't disappoint with 123 receiving yards and a touchdown despite playing his toughest foe to date in Alabama, yet the senior is still only owned in two percent of Fantrax leagues. Core has a good matchup this week against Vanderbilt team that allowed 41 points to Ole Miss when the teams met last year.

SUN BELT

Matt Breida, RB, Georgia Southern: Breida has rushed for more than 150 yards in each of his last two games and scored six touchdowns on the ground this season. His opponent this week, Idaho, ranks 125th in the nation in run defense, allowing 271.7 points per game on the ground.

Brooks Haack, QB, UL-Lafayette: There's not a lot of available players who are in great matchups this week in the Sun Belt as most of the studs will be owned and the ones that aren't are playing well above their competition level. Haack, however, might be forced to throw the ball playing against an Akron defense that has been stringent against the run but susceptible through the air. He's still embroiled in a quarterback competition, but his fellow quarterback, Jalen Nixon, has been hampered by a shoulder injury.