CFB DeptHITS: Friday, October 11
Let's get caught up on the latest impactful depth and injury updates from the last 24 hours and get a peek at what the Model projects for tonight's three-game slate.
We make hundreds of tweaks and minor edits based on news and snap counts for all 134 live depth charts at CFBDepth.com — this feature is designed to pull out the biggest news that impacts these teams as we embark on the mid-season of 2024. Enjoy.
Utah ::: QB Cam Rising is finally looking "probable" to play this week against Arizona State with the Utes coming off a bye week.
Further: We still take the “we’ll believe it when we see it” stance with Rising, but this is a new development and something that hasn’t happened in a long time. An announcement of his playing ahead of the game-time call that has become so commonplace. So, chances are that the Utes get their leader back under center and our Model already has his one going way over the number (teaser) so it could be a fun one in Tempe tonight.
Oklahoma ::: WR Deion Burks will join the list of those unable to play from the Sooners wide receiver room. This is one of the most banged up units in all of college football.
Further: This room takes yet another hit as Burks is ruled out for Saturday’s Red River game against Texas. It will be interesting to see how the Sooners mount much of an attack through the air in this one. Obviously, they can focus on the ground, but if there is no threat of a pass - even a slight one - the Longhorns will devote more assets to stop that and spoil the day.
Texas ::: QB Quinn Ewers is officially starting week seven in the Red River game against Oklahoma. Arch Manning takes his place as his primary backup going forward.
Further: As OU gets the bad news (see above, Burks), the Longhorns get the confirmation that their catalyst under center, Quinn Ewers, will be back as the starter for this rivalry game. It will be interesting to see if there is much rust to shake off from the three week absence. The Sooners are no joke defensively, so expect this unit to come after him early and often.
UTEP ::: QB Cade McConnell was hurt in the Thursday night week seven game and forced to leave the game. Sykler Locklear came in for the Miners. Neither could really get much going against the Hilltoppers in a 44-17 loss.
Further: The way the injury was described after the game, it is something that was pre-existing but flared up on him in-game. Locklear came in and looked better in the second half, but this offense is really not going anywhere at the present moment, no matter who is under center.
LSU ::: WR Kyle Parker was hurt in week six and it was announced that he'll miss the rest of the season, impacting the depth of the already slightly banged up room for the Tigers.
Further: Another bummer here as the Tigers lose another player to a season-ending injury, bringing their count up to four. Parker was a depth piece, but as soon as you start losing depth pieces, the unit is weakened each time. With Chris Hilton Jr. remaining sidelined and questionable to return as all in 2024 and CJ Daniels also a big banged up, the Tigers will rely on their 1-2 punch of Kyren Lacy and Aaron Anderson to handle the load as they showdown with Ole Miss in week seven.
San Diego State ::: The LB corps for the Aztecs are ravaged by injuries as Owen Chambliss is now unlikely to play with a hand injury. He is a starter alongside, Tano Letuli, who is questionable himself after missing week six.
Further: These are not small losses, however, this unit does have some experience and talent behind these two starters. Here is a quick glimpse at their LB room as it stands:
As you can see, both Kyle Moretti and Cody Moon have experience and are solid players. Now, if they are forced into full-time duty, could that be exposed? Maybe. Just not sure Wyoming, their week seven opponent, has much to expose any weaknesses at this time.
Vanderbilt ::: On the updated availability report for the 'Dores, four of the in question players are moved to 'probable' including S CJ Taylor, LB Bryan Longwell, DL Yilanan Ouattara and OL Chase Mitchell. While LB Langston Patterson and DL Boubacar Diakite remain questionable.
Further: This was a big uneasy with some big names coming out on the original report as “questionable” and now with the update to ‘probable’ the feeling is much more at ease in Nashville. The ‘Dores look to avoid any hangover effects from their signature win over Alabama a week ago, as they travel to Lexington to take on Kentcuky this week. They’ll need as much of their arsenal as they can to muster a road SEC win.
Penn State ::: OL Anthony Donkoh was banged up in week six and was unable to play most of the game. The Lions staff is confident in his ability to return to his spot as the starting right tackle for week seven.
Further: Good news for the Lions. That said, his backup, Nolan Ricci, is solid and can handle the duties if he is unable to go or something is tweaked in-game. That’s the power of depth at the highest level.
North Carolina State ::: RB Daylan 'Hollywood' Smothers is back at practice head of week seven and is prepping to make his return for the Wolfpack.
Further: The Wolfpack can use any semblance of electricity to jump start this offense. Smothers likely holds a third string role behind starter Jordan Waters and backup Kendrick Raphael, but could break one off and make the Syracuse defense at leaset account for another player this Saturday.
|||||| FRIDAY NIGHT MODEL SIMS
The Model redeemed itself a bit last night with Louisiana Tech coming through in our first 3-UNIT play of the week. All three games were laughers on the side of the home team and that was about what was expected. Tonight, we have three more games and here is how the Model has each of these playing out:
Maryland at Northwestern, 8:00 PM ET
Plays: Northwestern (+10.5) for 1 UNIT is the only suggested play in this one. The total sits at 45.5 and it would lean the UNDER, but not a play.
UNLV at Utah State, 9:00 PM ET
Plays: This is one of the highest single-team point totals we’ve seen in the revamped Model that takes more of the explosive plays into account and really penalizes the really, awful defensive units. The Aggies qualify for that distinction and we just don’t see them getting many stops of Hajj-Malik Williams and crew tonight. So, we’ll go with UNLV -18.5 (2 UNITS) and the OVER 66.5 for 1 UNIT.
Utah at Arizona State, 9:30 PM ET
Plays: These are two very respectable defenses, but the Model has this one getting up there a bit and primarily Utah doing the work. Utah -5.5 (2 UNITS) and OVER 45.5 (4 UNITS!)
That’s our show for today. Hope you enjoyed it and are geared up for a fun little Friday night action and a full day of big games on Saturday. Please consider subscribing and sharing!