The good news is that we are through most of the bye weeks, and just four teams (Carolina, Detroit, Jacksonville, and Minnesota) are off in Week Nine.  While most of those teams haven’t racked up many wins, there are some big fantasy names on those rosters for which owners may need a replacement.

As always, players listed here are owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Fantasy Football Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups: Quarterback

Kevin Kolb (46%), Arizona

I’m not putting Kolb on here because he played well on Sunday, because, well, he didn’t.  However, the Cardinals face a St. Louis pass defense that has given up multiple touchdown passes in five of seven games.  In fact, the Rams have allowed seven passing scores in their three road games, making Kolb a decent bye week fill-in based solely on the matchup.

Matt Cassel (37%), Kansas City

Since I’m writing this on Sunday night, I can’t speak to Cassel’s Week Eight performance, but I can speak for the quality of his next few matchups.  The Chiefs face Miami, Denver, and New England during weeks 9, 10, and 11, and those just so happen to be the three defenses who allow the most points to opposing fantasy quarterbacks.

Andy Dalton (37%), Cincinnati

The Red Rifle now has two total touchdowns in three of his past four games, and my belief in him is undeterred by his two picks on Sunday, as they were made while he was being aggressive down the field.  His matchup against Tennessee next week is decent, given that the Titans have allowed at least 250 passing yards and/or multiple TD passes in five straight games.  What looks even better than that are Dalton’s fantasy playoff dates with St. Louis and Arizona.

Sam Bradford (29%), St. Louis

As I have mentioned the last couple weeks, Bradford still has some great matchups remaining on the schedule, starting with this week’s game against Arizona who has routinely been torched by opposing signal callers.  Keep an eye on his injury status this week to see if his ankle will allow him to take advantage of the deficiencies in the Cardinal secondary.

Carson Palmer (27%), Oakland

Like Kevin Kolb, let’s file this one under the “I know he played like Ryan Leaf the last time you saw him, but look at the matchup!” category.  Palmer used the bye week to develop timing with his new teammates, and he’ll face a Broncos defense allowing the most points to fantasy quarterbacks this year.  He’s worth a gamble if you’re looking for a one week fill-in for the likes of Matthew Stafford or Cam Newton.

Fantasy Football Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups: Running Back

Bernard Scott (42%), Cincinnati

Obviously Cedric Benson will be back next week, but Scott had some decent runs against a stout Seattle run defense and finished with 76 yards on the ground.  That isn’t enough to take the starting job from Benson, but it should be enough to get him a few more touches.  As is the case with Dalton, there are some great matchups to round out the year, making Scott a decent option to stash on your bench in the interim.

Maurice Morris (35%), Detroit (bye)

With Jahvid Best still out with a concussion, Morris had another solid game with 65 total yards and a short rushing TD.  He outplayed Keiland Williams by a fairly wide margin this week and would again be the starter if Best still isn’t recovered following Detroit’s bye.  As I have mentioned before, Best is far from the picture of health, which makes Morris a valuable handcuff.

Roy Helu (32%), Washington

After the last couple weeks Ryan Torain is dead to me, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Mike Shanahan shared that sentiment.  That said, you never really know what’s going through Shanahan’s head, so the fact that Helu didn’t receive a single carry in Sunday’s loss to Buffalo means virtually nothing.  Consequently, it isn’t beyond the realm of possibility that Helu gets a shot as the starter sometime between now and the end of the season.

Javon Ringer (6%), Tennessee

It was Ringer, and not well-paid mega bust Chris Johnson, who was taking fourth quarter handoffs against the Colts.  Johnson remained woefully ineffective, and while the offensive line didn’t do either back any favors, Ringer clearly looked like the better runner.  After the game Mike Munchak alluded to a committee approach going forward, which makes Ringer among the top waiver wire targets.  It’s worth noting he has 12 receptions in the last three games, so he’s an even better option in PPR leagues.  Next week’s matchup against the Bengals isn’t particularly enticing, but there are a number of games looming against teams who struggle to stop the run, starting with Carolina in Week Ten.

Kregg Lumpkin (5%), Tampa Bay

It sounds as though LeGarrette Blount will be back this week, but the Bucs will turn to Lumpkin if he experiences any setbacks.  Even if he doesn’t, Lumpkin is expected to serve as the third-down back, giving him some value in deep PPR leagues.

Lance Ball (1%), Denver

Both Ball and Knowshon Moreno rushed for over 60 yards against the Lions on Sunday, with Ball reaching that mark on just six carries.  If Willis McGahee misses another game next week, Ball is potentially worth a flier given the matchup against an Oakland defense that has given up some big games to running backs earlier this year.

Chris Ogbonnaya (1%), Cleveland

Healthy running backs are pretty tough to come by in Cleveland right now.  Peyton Hillis has missed the last two weeks with a hamstring injury, and backup Montario Hardesty is headed for a MRI on his calf after leaving Sunday’s game.  Ogbonnaya was just signed a couple weeks ago, but he has five receptions in each of his two games with the Browns and ran for 37 yards on 11 carries against the 49ers.  The Cleveland running game hasn’t been too impressive so far this year, but assuming Hillis and/or Hardesty are limited or out, Ogbonnaya stands to be a potential flex option this week, particularly in PPR leagues.

Fantasy Football Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups: Wide Receiver

Torrey Smith (48%), Baltimore

Smith still hasn’t shown great hands and will continue to be inconsistent, but if Joe Flacco could actually hit him in stride more than once a game, the big play ability is there.  That said, I don’t love the matchup with Pittsburgh this week, but given Baltimore’s remaining schedule, there will be some weeks when you’ll want to roll the dice and get him in your lineup.

Steve Breaston (40%), Kansas City

Similar to Cassel, there’s a lot to like about his upcoming schedule, particularly given his consistency in recent weeks.

Michael Crabtree (40%), San Francisco

I’ve been hyping Crabtree for a few weeks now, and on Sunday he came through with his first touchdown of the season to go with five receptions and 54 yards.  His foot continues to look healthy, and his rapport with Alex Smith is growing.  Crabtree now has at least five receptions in three of the last four weeks and has a number of favorable matchups over the latter half of the season.

Doug Baldwin (28%), Seattle

Like anyone who watched or attended it, Baldwin just wanted to forget about his week seven game against Cleveland.  He bounced back this week after being shutout against the Browns, catching five passes for 73 yards in a loss to Cincinnati.  Baldwin has at least five catches in three of the last four games and will continue to factor prominently in the Seattle passing game (yes, that actually exists) given what seems to be solid chemistry with Tarvaris Jackson.

Early Doucet (24%), Arizona

For the most part, the yardage hasn’t been there for Doucet, but he does have a TD grab in each of the last two games.  As I mentioned with Kolb, the matchup against St. Louis is enticing, which makes Doucet a possible one week fill-in if you are in a bind.

Damian Williams (2%), Tennessee

Williams has shown decent chemistry with Matt Hasselbeck after Kenny Britt went down, catching TD passes in weeks four and five and posting 60 yards against the Colts on Sunday.  Hasselbeck is really spreading the ball around, so no one player is going to assume Britt’s role as the go-to guy.  Still, Williams is a decent red zone target and has a few good matchups left on the slate.

Greg Salas (1%), St. Louis

After a less than inspiring start to his NFL career, Salas continues to play well out of the slot in St. Louis.  He caught five passes for 47 yards and seems to have put his early drops behind him.  As I mentioned with Bradford, the schedule gets much easier, making Salas an intriguing option in PPR leagues.

Fantasy Football Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups: Tight End

Jake Ballard (30%), New York Giants

Ballard is now averaging 60 receiving yards with a pair of touchdowns over the past four weeks.  The Patriots have shown vulnerability against the pass, and tight ends have done some damage against them in their last two games.  At this point, Ballard doesn’t look like a flash in the pan and is firmly entrenched as a TE2 going forward.

Scott Chandler (26%), Buffalo

After posting four catches for nine yards over the last three games, it seemed that the honeymoon was over for Chandler owners.  He caught just two passes on Sunday, but both went for touchdowns in Buffalo’s win over the Redskins.  Despite his gaudy TD total, Chandler has more than two receptions just once this season, making him a risky play against a Jets defense that has allowed only one score to opposing tight ends.

Marcedes Lewis (22%), Jacksonville (bye)

Even after his four-catch, 45-yard performance on Sunday, he’s not a guy to run out and grab.  However, the Jags made a concerted effort to get him the ball with nine targets, which is a good sign for one of last season’s breakout performers at the position.

Brent Celek (10%), Philadelphia

After a disappointing 2010 season and a painfully slow start to this one, Celek caught seven passes for 94 yards and a score against Dallas Sunday night.  He now has a touchdown in two straight games and faces a Bears defense that has been vulnerable to opposing tight ends this season, allowing an average of over six receptions and 70 yards per game with six touchdowns.

Streaming Defense(s) of the Week

Atlanta (20%) at Indianapolis

At this point of the season, I think it goes without saying that you want to grab the defense facing Indy.

Kansas City (19%) vs. Miami

The Chiefs showed against Oakland that they can take advantage of poor offensive line and quarterback play against an inferior team.  That formula should work again versus the Dolphins, who almost forgot to suck for Luck on Sunday.

Update: The Week 9 Start/Sit column is posted. Check it out.

**********

Have any questions or feedback?  Leave them in the comments below or hit me up on Twitter (@andybottoms).

With first place in the Big Ten within striking distance, the heat is high. We are halfway through the year and fans are waiting for this thing to really shake out. Something will certainly shake out this weekend, who it is will likely determine the winner because despite all the high stakes anxiety, it won’t be a high flying shootout. It’s going to be a slugfest won on the ground. The battle between the two best running backs in the Big Ten, Beanie Wells and Javon Ringer. Who shakes out into open space more often, will likely determine the winner. The two are huge leaders on their team. They want the ball and are consistent.

Beanie has not gotten the action and touches people expected due to a foot injury he suffered in week one and a Freshman QB who runs the ball as much as he does. He has only seen the ball 71 times but that has brought his team 479 yards and 2 TDs. While the numbers won’t win him a Heisman, he is clearly the go-to man this week with Pryor’s passing game struggling. He could break it open on Michigan State’s defense, they are ninth in total offense allowed in the Big Ten. He may have to, though, if Dantonio’s defensive fundamentals prove strong enough to shake up Pryor. If the Spartans can prevent any bleeding on 1^st and 2^nd down and force Tressel to drop Pryor back on 3^rd, then they will be where they want come the 4^th quarter.

The MSU secondary must step up, though, and contain any clear lanes for Pryor. As a freshman, who knows he’s on the ropes, he will only take the chances he knows he can get down the field. The biggest wins State has seen are ND and Northwestern, in both of those the Spartans grabbed two picks. Those were game changers, despite giving up yards on paper, they made plays to get the offense back on the field. And, frankly, if you are a Spartan that’s who you want on the field.

Javon Ringer is getting Heisman press with his 1112 yards and 14 TDs and rightfully so, his shifty feet, lateral capability and insane durability have brought his team this far. They will need him to bring them any farther, too. The Spartans will see a very stingy Ohio State defense on Saturday. While Tressel’s offense was not convincing against Purdue, the defense was called to prove themselves and stepped up big only allowing 3 points for the Boilermakers. The news of Ringer’s Heisman run have certainly reached this defense’s ears. They will be looking for him and with Ringer as Michigan State’s only real back, he won’t be hard to find. When Javon is in the game, he is getting the ball. The biggest problem with the State’s offense is that they have no other looks. When the red and white see number 23 in the backfield, safeties will start cheating, linebackers finding gaps to line up in and defensive linemen know they just have to stop any holes.

If the Buckeyes defense does step up, then we will see how good the Michigan State quarterback, Brian Hoyer, really is. He’s not bad so far, but with no one able to stop Javon, his job is easy – handoffs, fake handoffs, then throw to a tight end and the occasional 3^rd down. He looked better as of late, though. Against Northwestern, he threw two TDs and connected 70 percent of his passes. The Cats tried to stack the box and stop Ringer. Dantonio adjusted his gameplan and Hoyer found some openings. When those openings come for Hoyer, the running game comes back. Ringer finished with 124 and 2 TDs in the win (I’m fairly sure this writer called that…roughly.)

The game really just waits to be played. It’s tough to call it either way, it’s too close. I mean it’s almost family, seriously, Tressel actually referred to Dantonio as family this week. Each team has something to prove, but Ohio State has more to lose and Michigan State much more to gain. I say it’s adrenaline that wins. Whoever tries harder. (There’s some crack journalism, huh?)

“Hustle wins? C’mon, Kaner, there’s more to college football than a good ready position and grit.” I respond with a single word….Rudy. I digress, and Notre Dame sucks.

I think it’s true, though. If the Michigan State defense gets aggressive enough for Buckeye fans to start chanting “Boeckmen”, than Dantonio’s offense will get enough chances to outscore Ohio State. Ringer and Hoyer want it, too. Ringer was supposed to go to the Ohio State University after growing up in Dayton, but they said his grades wouldn’t cut it. Now, he’s got his chance to prove this nation’s true colors and remind us that college isn’t about school, it’s about wining huge home games on Saturday.

I can’t deny the home team in this one, and I love to see Tressel frown. (It clashes with the tie and vest that make him appear so put together.) Spartans win a squeaker 30-28.

Don’t buy it? Did I mention that Javon Ringer is a black belt? Now you see my point.

Being the ACC man that I am, I ensure that I will maintain a fair and balanced approach to the game (because I don’t believe in the Big-Ten that much. We will discuss that come bowl season.)

The Cats show up 5-0 but let’s run down the opponent list – Syracuse, Duke, Southern Illinois, Ohio and Iowa. Had the Cats dropped any of those games no one would have been shocked, but they haven’t. They won all of those games. They have proved to be a consistently higher caliber but those aren’t great teams.

The Iowa win was big, but the Hawkeyes coughed the ball up 5 times, giving up their 14 point lead. One of those came on a Wildcat punt, right before the first half. Iowa mishandled the punt on the 33 yard line with a minute to go. Northwestern managed to get 7 on the board right before the half, and cut the deficit in half. You can’t underestimate that momentum change going into a locker room. If Iowa could have kept NW on the ropes until halftime, the home team may have had the confidence to finish the game. They didn’t. Iowa needs to put in a call to Rich Rodriguez for the memo he already received: you can’t win games when you don’t have the ball.

The Cats are certainly an opportunistic team, a balanced team with a quality quarterback in CJ Bacher and a running game that averages almost 5 yards per carry. Really, they can manage to win games. This isn’t Oklahoma we’re talking about. So the defense is the real question for the Cats. Can they hope to stop, or even slow Javon Ringer?

Off the top of your head you would say, “Have you seen Ringer? There’s no way.” That’s not an unreasonable claim. He is a horse, he has three 200 yard games. Those came, though, on an average of 40 plus carries and against ND, Florida Atlantic and Indiana.

The reality is the Wildcats could slow him down. Iowa did it last week. Ringer touched the ball 25 times and only went for 91 yards. The Spartans came away with the W, but if the Cats can limit the time of possession for MSU and play with a lead this week, then State will be forced to give the ball to QB Brian Hoyer rather than Ringer.

Then again, the Wildcats secondary has to stop Brian Hoyer, who, while he has only found the end zone 4 times this year, has thrown for almost 1200 yards this year. He can move the ball. He’s not Juice Williams or Terrelle Pryor but he’s a quality QB. If the Spartans can convert first downs and get in the red-zone you can be sure Ringer will do his best to find the end zone, he has 12 times this year.

On the other side of the ball, defense has had quite a bit to do with the 5-0 record of Northwestern. They haven’t given up more than 20 points this year and on average give up on 12 points a game. They did however allow 400 plus yards of offense for Iowa and I’m sure Hawkeyes fans agree, if Iowa held on to the football like they should have, the Wildcats would be sitting at 4-1.

Let’s cut to the chase. Northwestern has been tough to this point but if the Northwestern defense slips and Hoyer and Ringer get a lead then Dantonio’s Spartans won’t fall in Evanston. On the other hand, if Fitzgerald’s boys get on the board early, and scrap for some turnovers than the Wildcats could come out 6-0. It will be a battle, but I say look for mistakes, letting up big plays or turnovers are what will decide the game.

Personally, I’m siding with Ringer, any dude that is 5’9” and can carry a workload like his, has my respect. I say he brings his lunch pail to work gets 130 on almost 30 touches and breaks one for at least 40 yards. That breakout is the difference maker.  21-13, Spartans win.