Here is a look at the key injuries leading into Week 9 of the college football season. Whether these players play or not will significantly impact their team.
Week 9 of the college football season is upon us, and as we saw during Penn State’s upset win against No. 2 Ohio State this past Saturday, anything can happen. There are three huge games on the schedule this week, including another Big Ten matchup between top-25 teams — No. 7 Nebraska will travel to Wisconsin to take on the 11th-ranked Badgers, as they put their undefeated record on the line.
Over in the Pac-12, No. 4 Washington will take their high-octane offense to Utah, where the 17th-ranked Utes will be waiting. In the ACC, third-ranked Clemson will make the trek south to take on 12th-ranked Florida State, in a game that has upset alert written all over it.
Here is a look at some key players who may miss time this week due to injury.
Quarterbacks
Brandon Dawkins/ Anu Solomon, Arizona
The Arizona Wildcats should have both their quarterbacks back on Saturday, as Brandon Dawkins and Anu Solomon appear ready for action. Solomon, the team’s opening week starter, has been battling a knee injury the past few weeks. Dawkins has cleared concussion protocol, giving the Wildcats two healthy starting quarterbacks against Stanford.
Luke Falk, Washington State
The Washington State Cougars love to throw the ball, and that would be hard to do without Luke Falk in the lineup. One of the best passers in college football, Falk is battling an arm injury, but he should be ready to go this week. The Cougars will unleashed their Air Raid system against Oregon State on Saturday.
Patrick Towles, Boston College
Boston College is in the middle of a tough season, and now they may be heading into a tough NC State game without their starting quarterback. Patrick Towles injured himself on a 75-yard run this past week against Syracuse, and it is uncertain whether he will play this week. If he cannot go, Darius Wade would make the start for the Eagles.
Montell Cozart, Kansas
It has been an up and down year for Montell Cozart, who was benched after being the starting quarterback at the beginning of the season for Kansas. He was given a start last week, and played well, but came out of the game banged up with a knee injury. He is expected to play this week against Oklahoma State.
Manny Wilkins, Arizona State
Manny Wilkins does a little bit of everything for Arizona State, so if he cannot go, it will be a big loss for the Sun Devils. He is listed as uncertain for the team’s matchup against Oregon this week, after suffering a stinger in last week’s loss to Washington State. He will be a game-time decision.
Runnings Backs
Wayne Gallman, Clemson
The Clemson Tigers have a huge matchup against Florida State on deck this weekend, and luckily for them, they should have Wayne Gallman in the lineup. Gallman suffered a concussion on a cheap shot during the Tigers’ win against NC State, and had to clear concussion protocol. Gallman is one of the best backs in college football, and will be needed if the Tigers wish to continue their undefeated season.
Kerryon Johnson, Auburn
Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson will make his way back into the lineup this week, after missing last week’s game with a right ankle injury. Johnson missed the team’s 56-3 blowout win against Arkansas, but will definitely be needed against a tough Ole Miss defense. Despite missing two games this season, Johnson has six touchdowns for the Tigers.
Justin Crawford, West Virginia
The West Virginia Mountaineers have a nice two-headed monster at running back this season, as Justin Crawford has teamed nicely with Rushel Shell. Crawford has been battling an ankle injury, but is expected to be ready to go against Oklahoma State this weekend. The Mountaineers love to jam the ball down their opponent’s throat, and having Crawford back will enable them to do that.
Zack Moss, Utah
Utah has a huge matchup this weekend against No. 4 Washington, and their starting running back is uncertain to go. Zack Moss has an unspecified injury, but has been held out the past few weeks. Formerly retired running back Joe Williams has been dominant in his absence, rushing for a school-record 332 yards last week.
Chris Evans, Michigan
Michigan takes on Michigan State this weekend, as the Wolverines look to stay perfect on the season. Running back Chris Evans took a hard hit towards the end of the first quarter against Illinois, and has had to clear concussion protocol. He has practiced this week, and should be ready to go on Saturday.
Wide Receivers
Jordan Westerkamp, Nebraska
Nebraska wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp has missed the last two games with a back injury, but the team should have him back this week. Seventh-ranked Nebraska has a perfect record, and will need all their weapons against a tough Wisconsin team this week. He had four touchdowns in the team’s first five games, and should give quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. a nice safety blanket on Saturday.
KaVontae Turpin, TCU
KaVontae Turpin has missed a month of action dealing with a knee injury, but should be back this week. Turpin caught seven balls in each of the first two games, after a breakout season as a freshman last year. TCU will be in a shootout against Texas Tech this week, so Turpin’s return could not have come at a better time.
Randrecous Davis, South Carolina
A true freshman, Randrecous Davis has been a main cog in the South Carolina offense this season. However, he is battling a hamstring injury, and has been ruled out for this week’s game. The Gamecocks have a tough SEC battle against Tennessee this week, so the loss of Davis will loom large on Saturday.
Corey Smith, Ohio State
This past Saturday, Ohio State was upset by Penn State, possibly ending their dream of a College Football Playoff berth. Wide receiver Corey Smith did not play in that game, missing his second consecutive contest. He is uncertain to go once again this week, as the Buckeyes will look to get back to their winning ways against Northwestern.
Chane Allen, Houston
Chance Allen will be back in the lineup for Houston this week, after being cleared to go on Thursday. Allen has been battling a neck injury, but he returned to practice early in the week. He and his Cougar teammates should find easy sledding against an overmatched UCF team this weekend.
Tight Ends
Alec Dhaenens, Boise State
The Boise State Broncos are undefeated this season, and will be looking to continue that trend against Wyoming this weekend. Tight End Alec Dhaenens has played a big role for the team, though not so much in the passing game as of late. Still, he has been a beast on special teams, and actually saved a touchdown against BYU last week. The Broncos will be looking to get him more involved in the passing game this week.
Ricky Ortiz, Oregon State
Oregon State has a tough matchup ahead of them against Washington State on Sunday, and may be without their H-Back, Ricky Ortiz. He has been dealing with an undisclosed injury, though he is expected to play against the Cougars in some capacity. It is going to be a tall order for the Beavers this week regardless, but no Ortiz would be a tough blow to the offense.
DeAndre Goolsby, Florida
DeAndre Goolsby has established himself as one of the best tight ends in the country, and is now listed as a finalist for the John Mackey Award. However, he is dealing with a hand injury, and may not be ready to go this week against Georgia. The Florida-Georgia rivalry is one of the more unpredictable matchups in college football, so a healthy Goolsby will be key for the Gators.
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Defensive Stars
T. J. Watt, Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Badgers have a tough matchup this week against Nebraska, who has yet to lose a game this season. Linebacker T.J. Watt has been dealing with an unspecified injury, but he is expected to be ready to go on Saturday. Expect him to try to get after Tommy Armstrong Jr. all game long.
Armani Watts, Texas A&M
Armani Watts did not get much love during the preseason, but he has made his presence felt since. Watts has put himself in the discussion for a possible spot on the All-SEC team, and has become one of the better defensive backs in the country. He is battling an ankle injury, and is uncertain to play this week against New Mexico State.
Darrin Kirkland Jr., Tennessee
The Tennessee Volunteers will get a big piece of their defense back this week, as Darrin Kirkland Jr. is expected to be ready to go against South Carolina. Kirkland has missed the past five games with a high ankle sprain, leaving the Volunteers thin at the linebacker position. His return should go a long way in improving the Vols run defense.
Jordan Parker, Oklahoma
Jordan Parker has been an impact performer for the Oklahoma Sooners this season, as the true freshman has established himself as a leader in the Sooners secondary. Parker, however, had to leave last week’s game against Texas Tech, and it is uncertain if he will be ready to go this week. The Sooners play lowly Kansas on Saturday, so they may want to keep him out.
Dante Booker, Ohio State
Ohio State has been without Dante Booker for sometime now, and though he was supposed to be ready to go last week, he did not play in the team’s loss to Penn State. He appears to be getting closer, but still has not been cleared to play this week. His knee injury has robbed him of five games already, and Saturday could be number six.
Rayshawn Jenkins, U. of Miami
Rayshawn Jenkins is the Miami Hurricanes leading tackler this season, but he may not be ready to go against Notre Dame this week. Jenkins left the Hurricanes game against Virginia Tech with a leg injury, leaving his status for this week very cloudy. He did practice on Wednesday, which is a good sign, so keep an eye out prior to game time.