POWER CONFERENCES
Oklahoma State RB Rodney Fields ran for 113 yards on 17 carries against Tulsa Friday night, but given the state of the Cowboys’ program, I would not prioritize Fields on the waiver wire.
Rutgers RB Antwan Raymond has scored a rushing touchdown in all four games this season, including two touchdowns in each of the last three. WR Ian Strong has caught at least seven passes for over 100 yards in all three games he has played.
One of the Louisville beat reporters posted on X that running backs Isaac Brown and Duke Watson were expected to have light workloads against Bowling Green. Unfortunately, that post came 15 minutes after kickoff instead of beforehand, when it would have been helpful.
TCU WR Eric McAlister punished fantasy owners who lost patience after two quiet games by exploding for eight catches, 254 yards, and three touchdowns in the Horned Frogs’ 35–24 win over SMU. QB Josh Hoover has now thrown nine touchdown passes in his last two games.
Maryland WR Shaleak Knotts has caught at least one touchdown in each of the Terrapins’ first four games.
Forget about Clemson being a CFP contender this year, but through a fantasy lens, their top players still carry value. RB Adam Randall has scored a touchdown in each of the Tigers’ first four games.
Syracuse WR Justus Ross-Simmons has caught a touchdown pass in three straight games, totaling five scores in that span. The injury to QB Steve Angeli looked significant, so expect Rickie Collins to get a lot of waiver attention this week.
Texas Tech QB Behren Morton will get a week off before the Red Raiders’ next game at Houston. Will Hammond impressed in the win over Utah, and Morton’s injury issues could impact the long-term outlook of this backfield.
Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell has caught a touchdown in three straight games, totaling six touchdowns during that stretch.
The Oregon offense will be worth watching next week at Penn State. WR Dakorien Moore and TE Kenyon Sadiq should see steady targets against the Nittany Lions.
Purdue WR Nitro Tuggle has caught a touchdown pass in three straight games, but he remains a deep-league option only in Power Conference formats.
Michigan RB Justice Haynes has rushed for over 100 yards and scored at least one touchdown in each of the Wolverines’ first four games, with a run of at least 50 yards in all four contests.
After another strong performance in Week 4, it’s hard to see how Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss doesn’t remain the Rebels’ starter against LSU. RB Kewan Lacy has scored a rushing touchdown in each of the Rebels’ first four games, though WR Harrison Wallace disappointed with just one catch for four yards in the win over Tulane.
Those waiting for freshman RB Ousmane Kromah to take over as Florida State’s RB1 will need more patience, as Gavin Sawchuk continues to solidify that role under OC Gus Malzahn.
West Virginia RB Tye Edwards was badly missed in Saturday’s game at Kansas. Edwards finished the Week 3 game against Pitt, so I believed he would play, but his questionable status was truly questionable.
Kansas RB Leshon Williams ran for 129 yards and a touchdown in the win over West Virginia, while teammate Daniel Hishaw had just two carries for nine yards. Williams looks like the more favorable fantasy option, but we’ll need consistency before going all-in.
South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers rushed for 655 yards last year, but through four games this season he has just 17 rushing yards.
Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy has opened the year with four consecutive 100-yard games, logging at least 22 carries in each of the last three.
BYU RB LJ Martin has started the season with three straight 100-yard rushing performances.
Arizona State RB Kyson Brown returned against Baylor, but as expected, Raleek Brown remains in the RB1 role and should stay there after another win.
Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson has thrown at least three touchdowns in each of the Bears’ first four games.
After four weeks, Washington RB Jonah Coleman leads the FBS in scoring with 10 touchdowns in three games. WR Denzel Boston also produced solid numbers in the win over Washington State, posting six catches for 107 yards and two scores.
With Lee Beebe out for the year, Indiana freshman RB Khobie Martin has stepped up with consecutive 100-yard games and four touchdowns over the last two weeks. QB Fernando Mendoza has thrown at least four touchdown passes in each of the Hoosiers’ last three games.
For those holding Ryan Wingo, this week may have been pivotal in deciding whether to hold or move on. If you capitalized on the matchup against Sam Houston, congrats.
NON-POWER CONFERENCES
Tulsa RB Dominic Richardson carried the ball 31 times for 146 yards in Friday’s win over Oklahoma State, marking his third game this season with at least 20 carries.
Memphis RB Greg Desrosiers returned on Saturday against Arkansas, but it looks like Sutton Smith has locked down the RB1 role after back-to-back 100-yard games, capped by a game-winning 64-yard touchdown run.
It had to be disappointing for fantasy managers who started North Texas QB Drew Mestemaker, as the Mean Green scored six offensive touchdowns and he accounted for only one.
I would not trust starting an Army quarterback anytime soon after Cale Hellums was benched for Dewayne Coleman in Saturday’s game against North Texas.
Buffalo RB Al-Jay Henderson has yet to reach 100 rushing yards in a game, but he has totaled over 100 scrimmage yards and scored at least once in three straight weeks.
Ball State RB Qua Ashley has posted back-to-back games with more than 100 scrimmage yards. Now that the Cardinals are two weeks removed from their matchup with Auburn, Ashley could have some fantasy appeal in MAC play.
UConn RB Cam Edwards remains an attractive fantasy option, rushing for 100-plus yards in three of four games. He has logged at least 21 carries in three straight contests.
Western Michigan RB Jalen Buckley has been held under 25 rushing yards in three of four games, but with Rhode Island, UMass, and Ball State up next, better days may be ahead.
I expected San Jose State’s offense to support two fantasy-relevant receivers, but after four weeks, Danny Scudero appears to be the only reliable option.
Arkansas State WR Corey Rucker is a concern for fantasy owners. Four catches for 46 yards against Arkansas and Iowa State was understandable, but two catches for just four yards against Kennesaw State is alarming. How can you trust him next week at Louisiana Monroe?
Coastal Carolina’s win over South Alabama was surprising, especially given how poor the Chanticleers’ offense looked in the previous three games. South Alabama RB Kentrel Bullock had a season-low 13 carries in the 38–20 loss.
Jacksonville State RB Cam Cook has topped 20 carries in three straight games, averaging 154 rushing yards during that stretch.
After a big opener, Western Kentucky WR Matthew Henry has cooled off. He scored a touchdown in each of the first three games but has totaled just five receptions in the last three. With upcoming matchups at Missouri State and Delaware, the Hilltoppers’ offense should rebound.
Georgia Southern RB OJ Arnold has come alive after a slow start, posting 213 rushing yards and three touchdowns over the last two games.
Marshall QB Carlos Del Rio-Wilson has accounted for eight touchdowns over the last two games, but I’m not ready to consider him a fantasy starter yet.
Middle Tennessee WR Nahzae Cox has caught a touchdown in three of four games, with the lone miss coming at Wisconsin in Week 2.
Coming out of the bye week, the Boise State backfield looks different, as Dylan Riley led the way against Air Force with 171 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries, plus 84 receiving yards and a score. Sir Gaines was reportedly limited going in, but Riley looks like the best back when on the field.
Texas State RB Lincoln Pare has scored a rushing touchdown in three of four games this season.
Utah State QB Bryson Barnes has accounted for five touchdowns in back-to-back games, but with Vanderbilt and a bye week next, he may not be a popular starter until the October 11 matchup at Hawaii.
UTSA RB Robert Henry Jr. scored twice in the Roadrunners’ 17–16 win at Colorado State and now has two touchdowns in each of the team’s first four games. The offense runs through Henry, which limits the fantasy appeal of WRs Devin McCuin and David Amador.
Wyoming WR Chris Durr Jr. has caught a touchdown in three of the Cowboys’ first four games.
San Diego State’s 34–0 win over Cal was one of the bigger surprises in Week 4, but it reassured fantasy managers of RB Lucky Sutton and WR Jordan Napier.
Many fantasy owners were excited to get Hawaii QB Micah Alejado back in Week 4, but after his poor showing against Fresno State, there is reason for concern heading into next week’s matchup at Air Force.
One of the craziest stat lines of Week 4 came from Fresno State RB Bryson Donelson, who had 15 carries for just one yard but still managed to score a touchdown.
If you stream DST, here are some Week 5 options to consider:
- Houston at Oregon State
- Vanderbilt v Utah State
- Miami (OH) v Lindenwood
- Louisiana Tech at UTEP
