The college football season is incredibly entering Week 6, and there are some big named players who may have to sit out their games this weekend.
College football will be in full swing this weekend, including a huge Big 12 matchup between West Virginia and TCU. So far this season, it looks like there may be an Alabama-Clemson national title game for the third straight season, though Alabama could be threatened by Georgia in the SEC. Penn State has been dominant this season as well and may have the talent on both sides of the ball to make a run.
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Here is a look at some key players who may miss time this week due to injury.
Quarterbacks
Justin Herbert, Oregon
The Oregon Ducks have played much better football under Willie Taggart this season, but they suffered a major blow last weekend. Star quarterback Justin Herbert broke his collarbone in their win against Cal and will be forced to miss the rest of the season. The Ducks will have to roll with a two-man rotation at the position this weekend against Washington State.
Wilton Speight, Michigan
The Michigan Wolverines are kind of a forgotten team in the Big Ten this season, but they keep on winning. The Wolverines will take on rival Michigan State this weekend, and they will be without their starting quarterback. Wilton Speight is dealing with a back injury, and the team plans to roll with John O’Korn under center against the Spartans.
David Blough, Purdue
Purdue will take on Minnesota in a Big Ten matchup this weekend, and they should have their quarterback back in action. David Blough is listed as probable for the team’s game against the Golden Gophers, giving them an advantage at the position. Blough hurt his shoulder during the Michigan game on September 23, so the bye week definitely played in the Boilermakers favor.
Brandon Wimbush, Notre Dame
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have looked a lot better this season, and some of that has to do with the play of their quarterback. However, Brandon Wimbush is questionable for this weekend’s matchup against the University of North Carolina. Wimbush is currently dealing with a foot injury, so a decision may not be made until kickoff.
Running Backs
Royce Freeman, Oregon
The Oregon Ducks will already be without starting quarterback Justin Herbert this weekend against Washington State, and now they are hoping to have their star running back. Royce Freeman is dealing with an arm injury, though he was available at practice this week. Freeman is one of the best running backs in the Pac-12, and without Herbert, the Ducks need him at 100 percent if they want to topple the undefeated Cougars.
Justin Jackson, Northwestern
The Northwestern Wildcats will take on the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday, in a huge Big Ten matchup. Northwestern running back Justin Jackson is dealing with a leg injury, but he is listed as probable for the game against the Nittany Lions. Jackson is one of the veteran backs in the Big Ten, and the Wildcats certainly need him if they are going to pull off the upset this weekend.
Derrius Guice, LSU
Last weekend, the LSU Tigers suffered an embarrassing loss on Homecoming, as they lost to Troy. This weekend, the Tigers will take on Florida, in a huge SEC matchup. Luckily for them, they should have their star running back in the fold, as Derrius Guice was upgraded to probable for the matchup this week. Guice led the SEC in rushing last season.
Mark Walton, Miami (FL)
In one of the biggest games on the slate this weekend, the Miami Hurricanes will take on the Florida State Seminoles. These two teams were expected to be the opposite of what they are this season, as the Hurricanes are a top-15 team, and the Seminoles are struggling to find wins. Miami should have running back Mark Walton active for the game on Saturday, as he is currently listed as probable with an ankle injury.
Wide Receivers
Jerrod Heard, Texas
With Shane Buechele back healthy, the Texas Longhorns should be able to put up a good fight against Kansas State this weekend. Jerrod Heard is currently questionable for the game, however, which could prove to be a big blow to the passing game. Heard is dealing with a hand issue, so keep an eye on this one as we get closer to kickoff.
Keke Coutee, Texas Tech
The Texas Tech Red Raiders love to throw the ball, and they should be able to take care of business against Kansas this weekend. However, the team is likely to be without wide receiver Keke Coutee, who is dealing with a leg injury. The Red Raiders should be able to win without him, but this injury is one to look at in the upcoming weeks for Texas Tech.
Jalen Greene, USC
The USC Trojans are looking to get back on the right track, and will likely do so against the Oregon State Beavers this weekend. Quarterback Sam Darnold may be without one of his weapons in the passing game, as Jalen Greene is questionable for the game. Greene is dealing with a concussion and all signs to him being out of this one on Saturday.
Jalen Brown, Northwestern
Jalen Brown is one of the top wideouts for the Northwestern Wildcats, and the team needs him if they hope to topple Penn State on Saturday. However, he is dealing with a lower-body injury and is officially listed as questionable for the game. Northwestern needs all hands on deck against the Nittany Lions, and the injuries have certainly mounted in recent weeks.
Tight Ends
Alex Marshall, Florida State
The Florida State Seminoles are looking to get on the right track against Miami this weekend and may have to do it without their tight end. Alex Marshall has been battling a hand injury all season and is currently listed as questionable for the ACC matchup. Florida State barely beat Wake Forest last weekend, and are in serious trouble against the Hurricanes on Saturday.
Mike Gesicki, Penn State
For the Penn State Nittany Lions, they are hoping to get a chance to participate in the College Football Playoff this season. However, they must first navigate their Big Ten schedule, which includes Northwestern this weekend. Tight end Mike Gesicki is one of the best in the country at his position, and luckily for the Nittany Lions, he is listed as probable for this week’s battle.
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Jaire Alexander, Louisville
The Louisville Cardinals have been without one of their top defensive players for a few weeks now, and they will likely be without him on Saturday. Jaire Alexander is still dealing with a leg injury and is questionable for the NC State game. Alexander is expected to be a top pick in next April’s NFL Draft.
Da’Shawn Hand, Alabama
The Alabama Crimson Tide have a test this weekend in their SEC battle against Texas A&M, and they will be without one of their star defensive linemen. Da’Shawn Hand is dealing with a knee injury and is expected to be out 2-3 weeks. Hand and the Crimson Tide are destined for another national title game, so getting him back healthy for the run is the most important thing right now.
Brandon Facyson, Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech has one of the best defenses in college football, though they may be a bit short-handed this weekend. The Hokies will take on Boston College on Saturday, and cornerback Brandon Facyson is dealing with an ankle injury. He is listed as probable, but you never know with ankles, so this is an injury to watch closer to kickoff.
Marcus Edmond, Clemson
The Clemson Tigers have proven to be one of the best teams in the country once again this season, and have run through quite a tough schedule early on. This weekend, the Tigers will take on Wake Forest, and they may be without one of their top cornerbacks. Marcus Edmond is dealing with a foot injury and is listed as questionable for this week’s game against the Demon Deacons.
David Long, West Virginia
West Virginia has a huge Big 12 battle on their hands this weekend, as they take on TCU. The Mountaineers may be without one of their top defensive players, as David Long is currently listed as questionable. TCU has a dominant offensive attack, so having all of their key defensive players in the fold will prove to be huge for West Virginia in this one.