COLLEGE FOOTBALL INJURY EXAM (Week 8)
Jeff Shain sorts through college football’s injury reports to spotlight key concerns ahead of this weekend’s key matchups.
No.6 MICHIGAN (6-1) at No.24 MICHIGAN ST. (4-2)
Site: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Mich.
Kickoff: Noon ET. TV: FOX. Line: Michigan by 7.
Michigan: Junior DE Rashan Gary (shoulder) remains questionable after being forced to sit for the first two Saturdays of his career. He also was limited in September wins vs. Nebraska and Northwestern. Sophomore Kwity Paye and true freshman Aidan Hutchinson have filled in.
Michigan State: Senior RB L.J. Scott (hamstring) is questionable in his ongoing effort to hit the field again after a month. Coach Mark D’Antonio said Scott was close to a return two weeks ago, then didn’t travel to Penn State. Sophomore Connor Heyward leads MSU with 191 yards rushing.
No.1 ALABAMA (7-0) at TENNESSEE (3-3)
Site: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn.
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. TV: CBS. Line: Alabama by 28 ½.
Alabama: Sophomore QB Tua Tagovailoa (knee) has taken part fully in practice after leaving in the third quarter of last week’s win over Missouri. He has been sporting a brace on his right knee as a precaution. Only Alabama can boast a backup QB that’s won a national title – Jalen Hurts.
Tennessee: OLB Jonathan Kongbo (knee) saw his college career end with a torn ACL in last week’s win over Auburn. Sophomore Deandre Johnson saw most of the snaps after Kongbo went out, though the Vols may try to fill by committee. Another possibility: Touted freshman J.J. Peterson.
COLORADO (5-1) at No.15 WASHINGTON (5-2)
Site: Husky Stadium, Seattle.
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. TV: FOX. Line: Washington by 17.
Colorado: Sophomore WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (toe) is questionable after an early exit in last week’s loss to USC. Further complicating things is senior WR Jay MacIntyre is racing the clock to clear concussion protocol. They’ve combined for 55 percent of the Buffs’ receiving yardage and eight of 11 TDs.
Washington: Senior RB Myles Gaskin (shoulder) is expected to play after shoulder problems forced him to the sideline for a chunk of last week’s loss to Oregon. Gaskin has been banged up for most of the year – the shoulder again in September and a bruised forearm suffered vs. Arizona State.
No.22 MISSISSIPPI ST. (4-2) at No.5 LSU (6-1)
Site: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, La.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. TV: ESPN. Line: LSU by 6 ½.
Mississippi State: Senior cornerback Jamal Peters (knee) is expected back after missing the past three weeks. Chris Rayford, a former starter at CB, has been manning the post in Peters’ absence. A return would let Rayford move back to safety, where Brian Cole (shoulder) is listed day-to-day.
LSU: Junior WR Dee Anderson (undisclosed) is expected back after sitting out last week’s upset victory over Georgia. Anderson has emerged as a pleasant surprise this year, with 12 catches for 154 yards that leaves him No.3 behind Justin Jefferson and Stephen Sullivan.
Listen to OFN College Weekly for a full rundown of the weekend’s top headlines and matchups.