The college football season is incredibly exciting entering Week 11, and there are some big-name players who may have to sit out this weekend.
College football is back in full force this weekend, and with the College Football Playoff rankings on everybody’s mind, except Nick Saban, the games are going to be even more intense. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will take on the Miami Hurricanes with playoff implications on the line, and Michigan State will take on Ohio State in Big Ten play. In the SEC, Georgia will look to stay undefeated against Auburn, while Alabama will hit the road to take on Mississippi State.
Here is a look at some key players who may miss time this week due to injury.
Quarterbacks
Brandon Wimbush, Notre Dame
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will take on the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday, and for the first time in a long time, this game has major implications. Both teams are College Football Playoff contenders, and a loss by either team could end those dreams. Brandon Wimbush is dealing with a hand injury, but he is listed as probable against the Hurricanes.
Sam Ehlinger, Texas
The University of Texas might get Sam Ehlinger back this weekend, as they take on Kansas. Ehlinger is currently dealing with a concussion and is officially listed as questionable. The Longhorns can likely beat the Jayhawks without him, but head coach Tom Herman definitely wants to see more of him this season.
Eric Dungey, Syracuse
The Syracuse Orange have played the role of spoiler this season and will have their hands full again on Saturday. Syracuse did get good news this week, as quarterback Eric Dungey is listed as probable for their game against Wake Forest. Dungey is one of the more exciting players on Syracuse, so having him back will prove huge for the Orange.
Josh Rosen, UCLA
Josh Rosen did not play last Friday against Utah, as he was dealing with a concussion. Rosen is one of the better quarterbacks in the country when he is healthy, and the hope is he will be back this Saturday against Arizona State. UCLA was blown out by Utah on Friday, and without Rosen, they may be in for the same fate against the Sun Devils.
Running Backs
Jacques Patrick, Florida State
The Florida State Seminoles will take on the Clemson Tigers this weekend, and for the first time in a long time, they will be in the role of spoiler. Luckily for the Seminoles, they will likely have running back Jacques Patrick in the fold, as he is listed as probable. Patrick is dealing with a knee injury, but all signs point to him being on the field Saturday.
Josh Adams, Notre Dame
If Notre Dame is going to beat the University of Miami, they are going to need a big day from Josh Adams. The star running back is currently listed as probable for the game, which has major College Football Playoff implications. Adams is running his way towards a possible Heisman Trophy and will be a difference maker on Saturday.
Gerard Wicks, Washington State
The Washington State Cougars kept their Pac-12 title hopes alive last weekend, as they beat the Stanford Cardinal. This weekend, the Cougars will take on Utah, and they may be without one of their running backs. Gerard Wicks is dealing with a knee injury and is officially listed as questionable.
Chris James, Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Badgers are the only undefeated team in the Big Ten, and they should walk into the Big Ten title game. However, they will have to get past the Iowa Hawkeyes this weekend, and Iowa is fresh off a blowout win against Ohio State. Wisconsin may be without running back Chris James for the game, as he is listed as questionable with a leg injury.
Wide Receivers
Janarion Grant, Rutgers
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are one of the worst teams in the Big Ten, and now they may be without their best player. Janarion Grant is listed as questionable this weekend with an ankle injury, so Rutgers will likely be without him against Penn State. Grant is explosive on offense, and special teams, so being without him will prove huge for Rutgers.
James Washington, Oklahoma State
James Washington is one of the best wideouts in the country and has helped Oklahoma State to a top-25 ranking. However, he is listed as questionable this weekend, with his Cowboys going up against a tough Iowa State team. Washington is a potential first round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, so being without him may prove to be too much for Mason Rudolph and company.
Jalen Brown, Northwestern
The Northwestern Wildcats are currently ranked in the top-15, and for good reason, as they have been a surprisingly good team this season. On Saturday, the Wildcats will take on Purdue, and may have to do it without one of their star wideouts. Jalen Brown is dealing with a lower-body injury and is officially listed as questionable.
Donald Gray, Mississippi State
The Mississippi State Bulldogs will try to defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide this weekend, and they might be shorthanded in the passing game. Donald Gray is listed as questionable against the Tide, who have one of the better defenses in the country. Gray is dealing with a groin injury, so even if he does go, he may be limited.
Tight Ends
Alize Mack, Notre Dame
As stated earlier, the Fighting Irish have a huge game against Miami this weekend and may be without their star tight end. Alize Mack is dealing with a concussion and is still listed as questionable. If he cannot go, he will be missed, as he gives the Irish another wrinkle in their passing game.
Hunter Bryant, Washington
The Washington Huskies are on the fast track to the Pac-12 title game, though they will have to go the rest of the way without their tight end. Hunter Bryant is out indefinitely with a leg injury, which could hamper the Huskies chances of returning to the College Football Playoff. Bryant is a nice weapon in the passing game, but the Huskies have enough talent to supplement his loss.
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Defensive Stars
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
The best cornerback in college football, Minkah Fitzpatrick is a leader on the Alabama defense. Luckily for Alabama, Fitzpatrick is listed as probable this weekend, as the team takes on Mississippi State. Fitzpatrick is a likely top-5 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, so having him healthy for the playoff run should prove huge for the Crimson Tide.
Iman Marshall, USC
The USC Trojans are still in first place in the Pac-12 South, even after losing two games this season. Iman Marshall is one of their better defensive backs, though he might not be able to go this weekend against Colorado. Marshall is dealing with a knee injury and has really be plagued by injuries throughout the 2017 season.
Harold Landry, Boston College
Harold Landry is one of the better edge rushers in college football and is likely slated for the first round of next April’s NFL Draft. On Saturday, he will likely be able to go against a tough N.C. State team, who has been a tough team this season. Landry is dealing with an ankle injury, so keep an eye on how that affects his pass rush against the Wolfpack.
Jaire Alexander, Louisville
Jaire Alexander is supposed to be a first round pick in next April’s draft, but he has struggled to stay healthy this season. Alexander is still nursing a knee injury, and will likely not be able to go against Virginia this weekend. The Cardinals have had a bit of a disappointing season, and they may not be able to overcome the loss of Alexander against the Cavaliers.
Jordan Thomas, Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Sooners will take on the TCU Horned Frogs in a huge Big 12 matchup this weekend. The Sooners may be a bit shorthanded on defense, as defensive back Jordan Thomas is questionable with a knee injury. TCU has one of the better quarterbacks in the conference in Kenny Hill, so being 100 percent in the secondary is huge for the Sooners.