ESPN

November is the time to monitor fading teams and tired defenses for signs of collapse. Attrition and lack of depth on the defensive side of the ball account for plenty of surprise performances this time of year, and perhaps no league is a better place to look for these opportunities than the Western Athletic Conference.

The WAC is full of thin, undertalented defenses and emerging offensive stars, the perfect November combination. Fresno State's Ryan Mathews leads the NCAA in rushing, Boise State triggerman Kellen Moore tops the nation in passing efficiency, and Hawaii's Greg Salas is the country's second-leading receiver despite losing his quarterback weeks ago. Those three WAC standouts are well-known to fantasy owners, but there's another trio that shouldn't be overlooked, especially considering the league schedule's soft slate of opposing stop units.

Diondre Borel, QB, Utah State: Borel is the second-leading passer in the WAC behind Idaho's Nathan Enderle. Boise State is still on the slate, but the rest of Borel's schedule is Hawaii (103rd in total defense), San Jose State (113th) and Idaho (101st).

DeMaundray Woolridge, RB, Idaho: Woolridge is averaging barely 60 yards per game, but the Washington State transfer is the team's big-play man, ranking second in the nation … with 14 touchdowns! Idaho must also face Boise State, but it still has games remaining with Fresno State (110th in rushing yards per carry) and Utah State (103rd).

Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State: Pettis is just fifth in the WAC in receiving yards per game, but he has scored at least once in every game this season and can close strong against a weak November schedule. The Broncos face Louisiana Tech (73rd in total defense), Idaho (101st), Utah State (102nd), Nevada (105th) and New Mexico State (89th).

Cream of the Crop

John Clay, RB, Wisconsin: The only Big Ten back averaging more than 100 yards per game, Clay is also the league's touchdown leader. Last week, Clay and the Badgers demolished Purdue, 37-0, and this week they draw an Indiana defense that ranks just 92nd in the NCAA and is worn down from tough losses to Northwestern and Iowa.

Nick Foles, QB, Arizona: Foles is having an outstanding rookie campaign, ranking second in the Pac Ten in passing efficiency and fourth in yards per game. He has completely kicked a lingering respiratory infection during the Wildcats' bye week and is poised for a monster day against woeful Washington State, especially with the Cats' top two running backs potentially on the shelf.

Marshwan Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati: Whether injured starter Tony Pike or able backup Zach Collaros will be under center is a game-time decision, but Gilyard will get his touches regardless against a Connecticut team that's solid against the run but has some holes in the secondary.

Team kicking, Texas: Hunter Lawrence has made 16 of 18 field goals this season, and his 36 extra points in support of the potent Texas offense ranks fourth in the nation. He'll get some chances against Central Florida, a team the Longhorns generally have outmatched but one that plays good run defense and has stiffened in the red zone all season.

Levi Brown, QB, Troy: There's no truth to the rumor that the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week Award has been renamed the Levi Brown Trophy, but the Troy signal-caller has earned the distinction five times already and enters November a virtual lock to earn conference player of the year honors. Brown has been unstoppable, completing 65 percent of his passes while rolling up 318 yards per game, and this week draws the league's softest defense (Western Kentucky's).

Joe Webb, QB, UAB: Webb hasn't had much support from the other UAB skill players, but against poor defenses, it hasn't mattered. Webb did it all himself in the win at UTEP, accounting for more than 300 yards and four scores. The task gets even easier this week against Sun Belt entrant Florida Atlantic. The Owls sport one of the NCAA's worst rush defenses and are reeling from the sudden loss of star quarterback Rusty Smith.

Team defense, Florida: Vanderbilt plays SEC-caliber defense, but the Commodores are simply outmanned on offense, especially following the loss of quarterback Larry Smith for the season. Expect a shutout, or something close to it, and a handful of turnovers.

Opportunity Knocks

Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri: Neither Gabbert nor the Tigers' offense has been healthy since the quarterback suffered an ankle sprain in the loss to Nebraska. Coach Gary Pinkel has been impressed with Gabbert's toughness in playing through the injury, and now it appears Gabbert is finally close to 100 percent. The Missouri offense got back on track last week in a rout of Colorado, and should continue that momentum at home this Saturday against a soft Baylor pass defense.

Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland: Smith has been one of the only consistent performers on the Terps' offense, and this week he has a great opportunity against a North Carolina State secondary that hasn't stopped anyone all year.

Frank Goodin, RB, Louisiana-Monroe: Goodin is the Sun Belt's third-leading rusher and already has 10 touchdowns to his credit. This week he gets a North Texas defense that ranks 118th in scoring and 103rd against the run.

Jacquise Terry, RB, Kent: The third-leading rusher in the MAC with just more than 81 yards per game, Terry has led the Flashes on a three-game winning streak. He'll likely make it four straight versus an Akron defense that ranks just 100th in the nation against the run and loses another starter to injury seemingly every week.

Andre Anderson, RB, Tulane: He's not on pace for a 1,500-yard campaign like he was when he went down to injury at about this time last year, but Anderson should have a field day against UTEP. The Miners' rush defense ranks just 113th nationally, and Anderson dented them for 255 yards in last year's meeting.

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame: Floyd has healed faster than expected from a broken collarbone and will be ready to go Saturday when the Irish take on Navy. He'll get plenty of chances in what should shape up to be a shootout.

Eddie Wide, RB, Utah: Wide was impressive again last week against Wyoming, rushing for 134 yards and a score despite being less than 100 percent, healthwise. The junior has averaged more than 100 yards per game since taking over for injured starter Matt Asiata last month, and will again be the Utes' bell cow against a weak New Mexico team.

McKay Jacobson, WR, BYU: The Cougars' only true deep threat hasn't played since September because of a hamstring injury. He's returning to face Wyoming after an open date, and will give Max Hall and the BYU offense the field-stretching speed it has lacked in recent weeks.

On the Shelf

Mike Williams, WR, Syracuse: The leading receiver in the Big East at 106 yards per game, Williams unexpectedly quit the team this week. Williams was the offense's only NFL prospect, and his loss renders Orange quarterback Greg Paulus unrosterable, even in Big East leagues.

Derrick Locke, RB, Kentucky: Locke's surgically repaired knee flared up during the loss to Mississippi State. While the versatile junior topped 100 yards in that game, he likely will be held out of Saturday's tilt with Eastern Kentucky, a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) team.

Rusty Smith, QB, Florida Atlantic: A shoulder injury suffered against Middle Tennessee State last week has ended the career of one of the Sun Belt's most prolific passers. Smith will give way to junior Jeff Van Camp for the rest of the season.

A.J. Green, WR, Georgia: The Bulldogs have a juicy matchup with Tennessee Tech (another FCS team), but Green is slated to sit out because of a bruised lung suffered against Florida.

Vincent Brown, WR, San Diego State: The Mountain West's leading receiver will miss the remainder of the season following thumb surgery. No San Diego State players are good options this week against TCU, but look for DeMarco Sampson to pick up Brown's slack and be a productive target for Ryan Lindley down the stretch.

Will Harris is a fantasy college football analyst for ESPN.com.