Here is a look at the key injuries leading into Week 8 of the college football season. Whether these players play or not will significantly impact their team.
Week 8 of the college football season is upon us, and there are certainly some incredible games on the schedule this week. No. 1 Alabama takes on No. 6 Texas A&M in a huge SEC matchup, though a key figure may be out for the Aggies. Over in the Big Ten, second-ranked Ohio State will look to stay perfect against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the annual White-Out game at Beaver Stadium.
Each week is so important in college football, where one loss could knock a program out of contention for the College Football Playoff. Being at full strength is so important this time a year, and it is nearly impossible for teams to go into a game with all their weapons this late in the season.
With that in mind, lets take a look at those players who may not be ready to go this weekend.
Quarterbacks
Manny Wilkins, Arizona State: The Arizona Sun Devils are having issues keeping their quarterbacks on the field, though they should be getting their starter back on Saturday. Manny Wilkins is expected to be ready for their Pac-12 matchup against Washington State, after battling back from an ankle injury. Wilkins and the Sun Devils will need to put points on the board if they hope to keep up with the Cougars high-octane offense.
Davis Webb, Cal: Davis Webb has filled in nicely for the departed Jared Goff this season, leading Cal to some impressive victories this year. On Friday, the Golden Bears will take on Oregon, and Webb should be under center. He was injured last week and did not throw a touchdown for the first time all season.
Tommy Armstrong Jr., Nebraska: Tommy Armstrong Jr. has been dealing with an ankle injury, but he is expected to be ready when Nebraska takes on Purdue this Saturday. Armstrong has led the Cornhuskers to a perfect 6-0 record this season, and should roll against the Boilermakers this weekend. Armstrong has ten touchdowns against four interceptions this season.
Patrick Mahomes II, Texas Tech: The Texas Tech Red Raiders have a huge matchup on deck against Oklahoma this weekend, and they should have their star quarterback ready to go. Patrick Mahomes II has a bit of a nagging shoulder injury, but is probable to face the Sooners on Saturday. Texas Tech loves to sling it, and Mahomes is one of the more prolific quarterbacks in the FBS.
Josh Rosen, UCLA: The UCLA Bruins are not having the kind of season they would have liked to have, and recently, they have been playing without their star quarterback. Josh Rosen missed last week’s game against Washington State, where the Bruins lost 27-21. Rosen is uncertain to play again this week, as UCLA travels to Utah to take on the 19th-ranked Utes.
Running Backs
Samaje Perine, Oklahoma: The Oklahoma Sooners will take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders this week, and once again, they will be without their star running back. Samaje Perine is expected to miss another couple of weeks with a leg injury, leaving the Sooners very light at the position. Texas Tech can put points on the board, so being without Perine could be troublesome for Oklahoma this week.
Royce Freeman, Oregon: The Oregon Ducks are in the midst of a horrible season, and changes at the top may come at the end of the year. This weekend, the Ducks take on Cal in a Pac-12 matchup, and should have their running back ready to go. Royce Freeman has been banged up lately but is probable to start for Oregon against the Golden Bears this weekend.
Leonard Fournette, LSU: Good news for LSU fans. Leonard Fournette, who is considered by many to be the best running back in college football, should make his return this week against Ole Miss. Fournette has missed the last three games for the Tigers, in what has turned out to be a disappointing year for both parties.
Ryan Nall, Oregon State: Ryan Nall is one of the best running backs in the Pac-12, but he will not be ready to go this week. The Beavers have a very tough matchup against fifth-ranked Washington on Saturday, and after exiting last game with a foot injury, Nall will not go. Oregon State is also without their quarterback, Darrel Garretson this week, making them extremely short-handed.
Christian McCaffrey, Stanford: The 2016 season was supposed to be a Heisman Trophy-winning season for Christian McCaffrey, who dominated the college football landscape last season. However, that has not been the case, and he is likely to miss his second straight game on Saturday. He is dealing with a leg injury, and is listed as uncertain to play against Colorado.
Wide Receivers
Chad Hansen, Cal: Chad Hansen has been one of the more dominant wide receivers in the Pac-12 this season, and his emergence has helped Davis Webb dominate in his first year under center. However, Hansen left last week’s game with a foot injury, and his status was up in the air this week. Cal got some good news on Thursday, and he is expected to be ready to go against a bad Oregon secondary on Friday.
Jay MacIntyre, Colorado: Jay MacIntyre is one of the main reasons why Colorado has had a surprisingly good season in 2016, as he has helped along freshman quarterback Steven Montez when starter Sefo Liufau was out. However, MacIntyre is likely to miss this week’s game against Stanford, and he is still dealing with concussion symptoms.
Corey Smith, Ohio State: Corey Smith missed the Buckeyes last game with a wrist injury, leaving Ohio State short-handed against Wisconsin. OSU has a huge matchup against Penn State this week, and Smith is uncertain to play in that one as well. He is a great offensive weapon, and missing him has proved to be a tough loss so far.
Ricky Seals, Texas A&M: The Texas A&M Aggies have their toughest test of the season this week, as they look to knock off undefeated Alabama on Saturday. Unfortunately for Aggies fans, the team is likely to be without wide receiver Ricky Seals, who is dealing with a leg injury. The Aggies need all the help they can get against Alabama’s incredible defense, so hopefully Seals will be able to go.
Tim Patrick, Utah: The Utah Utes had to turn to a retired running back last week to get the job done against Oregon State, as they were missing some key pieces on the offensive side of the ball. Star wide receiver Tim Patrick has missed the last two games for the Utes, and is still uncertain to play against UCLA. Utah is one of two Pac-12 teams in the top-25, but they need to get healthy if they hope to continue their winning ways.
Tight Ends
Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas: Arkansas has a huge SEC game against Auburn this week, and they are likely to have their tight end back. Jeremy Sprinkle has been battling an ankle injury, but he is probable for the Razorbacks matchup against the Tigers. Sprinkle is sure to be all over the gameplan if he can go on Saturday.
Sean Irwin, Colorado: Sean Irwin and the Colorado Buffaloes have a big Pac-12 matchup against Stanford on deck this weekend, and it is still unclear as to whether he will play. Irwin is dealing with an unspecified injury, and the redshirt senior could miss his sixth game already this season.
Ricky Ortiz, Oregon State: Oregon State is dealing with so many injuries on the offensive side of the ball, and you can add their tight end to that list. The team already will go into the game against Washington without their starting quarterback and running back, and now it looks like Ricky Ortiz will not play either. It could be a long day for the Beavers on Saturday.
Next: 25 best small school CFB players of all time
Defensive Stars
Myles Garrett, Texas A&M: Myles Garrett is widely considered the best defensive player in college football, and will likely go in the first five picks of the 2017 NFL Draft. This weekend, his Texas A&M Aggies have their toughest mark on the schedule, as they play No. 1 Alabama. Unfortunately, Garrett is uncertain to play, which would be a death knell for the Aggies on Saturday.
Fadol Brown, Ole Miss: Fadol Brown’s injury is turning into a long-term one, which is exactly what Ole Miss did not want to happen. His foot injury has kept him out the last three games, and he is uncertain to go against LSU this week. The Tigers are getting Leonard Fournette back, so not having Brown could loom large this weekend.
Dante Booker, Ohio State: Dante Booker has missed the last four games for Ohio State, but the team got good news this week. Booker is likely to be back at linebacker this week against Penn State in a huge Big Ten rivalry game. Ohio State is ranked second in the nation, and getting a healthy Booker back instantly makes them better on defense.
Kahlil Haughton, Oklahoma: The Texas Tech Red Raiders love to throw the ball, and that will certainly be the game plan against Oklahoma this season. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury is likely to attack the secondary, as safety Kahlil Haughton is unclear to play. Haughton is a leader in the Oklahoma secondary, and if he is out, the Red Raiders may actually have a chance.
Vince Biegel, Wisconsin: It has been quite a road back for Vince Biegel, who plays a huge role on a very good Wisconsin defense. After having surgery for a cracked foot, Biegel is expected to be back in the lineup for the Badgers this week. Wisconsin will look to get back on the winning track against Iowa on Saturday.
Aaron Crawford, UNC: The North Carolina Tarheels are having a great season in 2016, and will face a weak Virginia team this week. Aaron Crawford is expected to be back in the middle of their defensive line, and is emerging as one of the best players on their defense. He began the year third on the team’s depth chart, but is now one of the team’s leaders.