1. GEORGIA STARTING PK Sophomore
Marshall Morgan is doubtful for the Bulldogs opener @ Clemson due to
disciplinary reasons. If Morgan cannot
go the job will be up to a pair of redshirt freshmen, which could have a
significant impact on this big opening week matchup of Top ten teams.
2. GEORGIA backup WR Chris Conley,
the #4 WR for the Bulldogs, is listed as questionable for their opener in Death
Valley vs. Clemson with a shoulder injury.
The Bulldogs do have depth in their WR corps, but Conley was a down the
field stretch guy who would be missed against a big time opponent such as
Clemson.
3. GEORGIA has a number of issues
in their secondary for their opener, just like LY. Here are all the issues in the secondary:
1. STARTING
Sophomore SS Josh Harvey-Clemons is OUT for Saturday due to a suspension. His loss would not have been huge if it
didn’t come along with backup SS Corey Moore being listed as questionable with
a knee injury AND 3rd string SS Shaquille Fluker being listed as
questionable with a back injury. If
Moore cannot go they will be down to their 3rd string SS Fluker, a
recent JC transfer, to step into the starting role at Clemson. If he cannot also go they will be down to
upper classmen that reside deep on the depth chart and have had limited
experience in their time at Georgia.
2. STARTING
Junior CB Damian Swann is listed as questionable for Wk1 with a hip
injury. Swann was a starter LY, and his
loss will be felt as next man up is a first year transfer from a JC.
3. Projected
STARTING FS Tray Matthews is listed as questionable with a shoulder
injury. The true freshman was projected
to win the starting gig; if he is unable to go expect Junior Connor Norman to
step into the starter’s role and bring more experience, but less athleticism to
the table.
4. GEORGIA TECH STARTING Senior FS
Isaiah Johnson is expected to miss Saturday’s opener with Elon due to a knee
injury. The Jackets are just playing it
cautious with Johnson since they are opening with an FCS opponent then have a
bye before their ACC opener at Duke.
5. GEORGIA TECH STARTING Senior C
Jay Finch is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury. Finch brings a ton of experience to the all-important
OL at Georgia Tech including 30 career starts and HM All ACC LY. His loss will be huge if he misses
significant time. Expect Junior Caitlin
Alford to step into Finch’s role if he misses a significant amount of time.
6. HAWAII STARTING Junior RB Joey
Iosefa is out indefinitely with a foot injury.
Iosefa is the leading returning rusher although he was banged up early
and often in 2012. I wouldn’t expect a
massive drop in production if his backups are forced into action, but Iosefa,
if healthy, was their best home run hitter.
7. HAWAII backup DT Kennedy
Tulimaseali is out indefinitely with a knee injury. He was expected to provide depth at the DT
spot for Hawaii, and his loss will have a small impact, especially considering
the size of the guys that will step in to replace him.
8. IDAHO STARTING Senior FS Trey
Williams is questionable for the Vandals opener at North Texas with a knee
injury. Williams is one of two new
safeties for Idaho this year as they look to improve on a pass defense that is
consistently rated amongst the worst in FBS.
His loss will not be massive as there is some experience among the
backups waiting to step in.
9. ILLINOIS STARTING STAR LB Eric
Finney is listed as questionable for the Illini’s opener vs. Southern Illinois
with a knee injury. Finney sat out LY at
JC but was expected to take over this hybrid LB/DB position to open 2013. Like Finney there is no game action among his
backups, so they drop should be moderate at most.
10. ILLINOIS STARTING RG Sophomore
Ted Karras, the only Illinois OL to start all 12 games LY, is listed as
doubtful for their opener with an ankle injury.
This could be a potentially huge loss for the Illini front as Karras is
among their most talented OL on the roster, and there is not a lot of depth
here. Expect Penn State transfer Ryan Nowicki
to step into Karras’ vacated role.
Nowicki did not play LY due to transfer rules.
11. INDIANA STARTING RG Dan Feeney,
the HM All Big Ten Sophomore, is OUT FOR THE SEASON with a foot injury. The Hoosiers still return 3 starters from LY
including another HM All Big Ten LT. Junior
Cody Evans is the most likely replacement for Feeney, and that will be a big
step back in terms of talent & production.
12. INDIANA backup WLB Chase
Hobbler, a starter in 2011 and 2012 before going down 4 games into ’12 with an
injury, is still out indefinitely this time with a stress fracture. Senior Jaccari Alexander will start in place
of Hobbler, and may even hang onto the job when Hobbler returns so in reality
it’s not a huge loss.
13. IOWA has named Sophomore Jake
Ruddock their STARTING QB for 2013.
There was little returning as far as QB experience for the Hawkeyes so
this announcement doesn’t come as a huge surprise.
14. KANSAS STATE has named JC
transfer Junior Jake Waters STARTING QB for 2013. Waters was the NJCAA POY in 2012 and was
expected to win the job for Head Coach Bill Snyder. Obviously a drop off from Collin Klein’s
production is expected, but Waters should hold his own.
15. KENT STATE has named redshirt
Freshman Colin Reardon STARTING QB for 2013.
Reardon beat out Sr. David Fisher for the gig as the competition was
close, but since Reardon has 4 years left he was given the edge. Despite KSU losing a 4 year starter in Keith
I expect the #’s to be similar this season.
16. KENT STATE STARTING Senior LG
Pat McShane is listed as questionable for Thursday’s opener vs. Liberty with a
knee injury. McShane was one of two
returning starters along the OL, starting 14 games LY at RG. Expect senior Max Plunkett, who played in 13
games LY, to step into the vacated role if McShane cannot go.
17. KENTUCKY STARTING Sophomore CB
Cody Quinn is listed questionable for the UK opener vs. in-state rival WKU with
an ankle injury. Quinn is one of two
returning starters in the Wildcats secondary, but his backup JD Harmon has just
as much experience and shouldn’t be a big step back in performance.
18. KENTUCKY backup DT Thomas
Chapman is OUT FOR THE SEASON after leaving the team for personal reasons
earlier this summer. Chapman was the 2nd
backup to the DT rotation, and his absence will no question lower the size of
the backups as he was north of 300lbs, where the next guys up are closer to
270.
19. KENTUCKY STARTING redshirt
Freshman C Zack Myers is questionable for their opener with a foot injury. Myers was slated to be one of two new
starting OL for Kentucky, and although he doesn’t have any experience neither
do his backups, who are less talented. C
is a critical position along the OL, and this injury will have an impact if
Myers cannot go.
20. LOUISIANA TECH STARTING WR Paul
Turner, the highly touted LSU transfer, is questionable for the 2013 season
because of eligibility issues. More will
be known in the coming weeks, but it goes without saying Turner is easily the
Bulldogs most talented WR, and his loss would have an impact on their passing
game in particular.
21. LOUISIANA TECH backup WR
Jaydrick DeClouette is expected to miss their opener at NC State for
undisclosed reasons. Since he is only a
redshirt freshman he has no experience, but is one of the more talented and
highly rated WR’s on the roster.
Considering he and Turner look like they will miss the opener, and the
fact La Tech is breaking in a new QB, and new HC, the Bulldogs could be in some
trouble in their opener for sure.
22. LOUISVILLE STARTING DE Lorenzo
Mauldin is listed as questionable for their opener vs. Ohio for undisclosed
reasons. Mauldin is one of 10 returning
starters for the Cardinals defense, but if he is unable to go they do have some
depth in Mount, who has played significant minutes since stepping on
campus. It will be a drop, but not
massive.
23. LSU STARTING RG Josh Williford,
the most experienced among the LSU OL, is out for the season with post-concussion
symptoms. LSU does not have any
experience among their backup G’s at this level – so tying that into how good
Williford was this loss is massive for the Tigers.
24. LSU STARTING RB Sophomore Jeremy
Hill is listed as likely out for their opener vs. TCU because of a likely
suspension. There is no question RB is
one of the deeper spots on the LSU roster, but the fact remains Hill was the
projected starter and has looked the best, and been the most consistent, during
the trio’s time on campus. Expect a
combination of Hilliard and Blue to run the rock for the Tigers vs. the Horned
Frogs Saturday in Dallas.
25. LSU backup FS Corey Thompson is
questionable for the LSU opener vs. TCU with a shoulder injury. He is the only backup at the S position with
any game experience, which will impact the secondary as they look to slow down
the potent Horned Frogs passing attack.
26. MARSHALL backup C Cameron Dees
is out indefinitely with post-concussion symptoms. This injury is not a huge deal unless
starting C Chris Jasperse goes down with injury – if the two were both out that
would leave the C position with no game experience.
27. MARYLAND STARTING RB Wes Brown
is OUT FOR THE SEASON due to a suspension.
Brown was easily the highest rated RB on the roster so from that
perspective the loss will be felt.
Backup Brandon Ross put up #’s similar to Brown LY and will get his shot
at being the starter. This will be a
loss that may not be enormous as long as Ross stays healthy; but if/when Ross
goes down, which he has a history of doing, the depth will be severely tested
w/o Brown.
28. MARYLAND has quite a few guys
listed as questionable for Week 1 as of end of last week; I expect many of
their status’ will be updated as the week goes on, but for now, here are the
players listed as questionable for Wk1:
1. STARTING
Senior RT Nick Klemm
2. STARTING
Junior WR Deon Long
3. STARTING
LS Christian Carpenter
4. Backup
FS Zach Dancel
5. 3rd
string CB Alvin Hill
6. 3rd
string TE Brian McMahon
7. With
Brown’s suspension current 3rd string RB Joe Riddle
29. MIAMI FLA top backup DE Jalen
Grimble is out indefinitely for personal reasons. Grimble is the only backup on the DL that has
experience LY with the Hurricanes, so his loss will have an impact on the
rotation for certain. Look for the Canes
to rely on JC’s a little more than usual early in the season if Grimble doesn’t
return.
30. MICHIGAN #3 CB Courtney Avery is
expected to miss the Wolverines opener vs. Central Michigan with a sore
knee. Although Avery isn’t expected to
start, he plays a key role in the DB rotation, especially with Blake Countess
returning from an ACL injury suffered in LY’s opener vs. Alabama. Although his absence shouldn’t have an impact
vs. CMU, if he cannot go vs. ND that could be worth mentioning.
31. MICHIGAN STARTING WR Amara Darboh,
a sophomore whom big things were expected this year, is now OUT FOR THE SEASON
with a foot injury. Darboh doesn’t have
much experience but had all the measurables, and was projected to be the #1 WR
for the Wolverines this season. Expect
Sophomore Jehu Chesson to step into the vacated role.
32. MICHIGAN STARTING SLB Jake Ryan
tore his ACL in the spring and is out indefinitely. He is expected to be in the lineup by
mid-late October; in the meantime Sr. Cameron Gordon is likely to fill in. Ryan is a special player and his loss will be
felt, however, Gordon does bring experience to the table.
33. MICHIGAN STATE STARTING RT
Skyler Burkland is OUT FOR THE SEASON for undisclosed reasons. Burkland has 26 career starts and was
probably their anchor at least on the outside heading into the season. The Spartans have extremely limited
experience among their backups, and this loss will be felt especially with the
uncertainty under center with Andrew Maxwell recently being anointed the
starter but struggling for much of LY.
34. MICHIGAN STATE STARTING RG Jack
Allen is questionable for their opener vs. Western Michigan with a foot
injury. If he is not able to go vs. WMU
they would be left with just 2 returning OL from LY; Allen was a 1st
Team Freshmen All American LY as well. If he is not able to go Sr. Dan France will
step in, as he played just 2 years ago but was beat out by Allen LY. So the talent will drop but not a huge
amount, especially vs. WMU.
35. MIDDLE TENNESSEE backup RB
Jeremiah Bryson is out indefinitely with a torn pectoral muscle. This loss shouldn’t have that big an impact
on MTSU so long as they do not suffer any additional injuries to the RB corps
as starter Jordan Parker and backup Reggie Whatley will be sufficient enough.
36. NEBRASKA backup DT Kevin
Williams is OUT FOR THE SEASON with a knee injury. Williams was expected to provide depth and
contribute on their interior DL rotation.
Now expect some younger guys to get experience up front, which isn’t
always the best because of size and maturity concerns.
37. NEBRASKA STARTING LG Jake Cotton
is likely to miss Saturday’s opener vs. Wyoming for undisclosed reasons. Although Cotton played in 5 games LY there
are much more talented G’s waiting in the wings, ready to step in such as Ryne
Reeves & Chongo Kondolo. I do not
look for a huge step down in production should Cotton miss any period of time
this season.
38. NEVADA STARTING DE Lenny Jones,
the sophomore returning starter, is questionable for the Pack’s opener at UCLA
with a leg injury. Jones figures to team
with fellow returning starter DE Hekking to be one of the best duos in the MWC
– so if he was to miss any time that would impact both players, especially
against a team like UCLA. There is very
little experience at DE behind those two player, so if Jones missed a game it
would be felt by the entire pass rush.
39. NEW MEXICO STATE STARTING Junior
WR Austin Franklin is OUT FOR THE SEASON because of academics. It’s hard to overstate how HUGE a loss
Franklin is since he is coming off a season where he had 1,245 yards receiving
and was voted 1st Team WAC.
With the Aggies having an offense that figures to once again really
struggle, the loss of Franklin makes the offense look all the more feeble.
40. NORTH CAROLINA lost a pair of
backup LB’s who are OUT FOR THE SEASON.
Nathan Staub & Shakeel Rashad will miss the entire season. Staub was battling fellow redshirt Freshman
Dan Mastromatteo for the starting MLB spot; Rashad picked up solid experience
in 2012 and was battling Junior Norkeithus Otis for the starting BAN LB spot. Both players are starting level talents, and
their losses will definitely be felt, especially as the season goes on and
depth is tested.
41. NORTH CAROLINA STARTING SS Sam
Smiley is OUT FOR THE SEASON with a toe injury.
Smiley is by far the most experienced of the SS’s on the depth chart,
but we could see backup FS Darien Rankin, step into the vacated role. If Rankin slid over the drop-off would not be
significant; if the Heels go with one of the SS backups the drop would be
noticeable with no experience amongst the group.
42. NC STATE STARTING RB Shadrach
Thornton is OUT for their opener vs. Louisiana Tech due to an offseason arrest
leading to a suspension. Thornton had
nearly 1,000 yards of total offense in 2012 as a true freshman, and this his
absence will be enormous, especially considering the Wolfpack are breaking in a
new QB and HC.
43. NC STATE STARTING FB Logan
Winkles is OUT FOR THE SEASON with a knee injury. Winkles was expected to have a significant role
in this year’s new offense as running the ball was to be a focal point. With the loss of their starting backfield for
the opener the Wolfpack have many questions marks.
44. NORTHERN ILLINOIS backup Senior
DT Anthony Wells is questionable for Saturday’s opener vs. Iowa with a foot
injury. Although Wells is technically
listed as a backup he has a significant role in the DT rotation, and played
almost as much as the starter, fellow senior Ken Bishop. If Wells cannot go the defensive front takes
a big hit especially vs. Iowa, who plans on being stout up front and looking to
run the rock early and often as they seek revenge from LY’s loss to UNI.
45. NORTHERN ILLINOIS STARTING
Senior RB Akeem Daniels is doubtful for Saturday’s opener vs. Iowa with a foot
injury. Daniels is by far the most
experienced and productive of the Huskies’ RB corps, and if he is unable to go
much more pressure will fall onto QB Jordan Lynch both rushing and passing.
46. NOTRE DAME STARTING QB Everett
Golson is OUT FOR THE SEASON due to academics.
Experienced Senior Tommy Rees will step in and run the offense for HC
Brian Kelly.
47. NOTRE DAME backup DE Tony
Springmann is OUT FOR THE SEASON with a knee injury. He is on the depth chart backing up All
American DE Stephon Truitt – and was the overall #4 DE. He was clearly part of the rotation but ND
has quite a few highly touted defensive linemen on the roster who will shift up
a spot and get some valuable experience.
48. NOTRE DAME backup SS Nicky
Baratti is OUT FOR THE SEASON with a shoulder injury. His loss will not be too significant as I
expect Eilar Hardy to step into the vacancy and not miss a beat.
No comments:
Post a Comment