CFB DeptHITS: Monday, October 28
Let's get a look at the top stories impacting depth charts from across college football over the weekend with some updates through Monday morning as we track towards week ten...
We make hundreds of tweaks and minor edits to each of our 134 live depth charts. This feature is designed to pull out the “need to knows” (and a little more) with some context around what it all means. We build up the depth charts to prepare for the upcoming week and provide you with a glimpse of what you can expect to see…
Penn State ::: QB Drew Allar is going to be questionable after having to leave week nine game and gave way to Beau Pribula. Pribula led the Nittany Lions to a solid victory. Allar will try to get ready for the big Ohio State game coming up week ten.
Oklahoma State ::: RB Ollie Gordon II was once again banged up in the week nine game against Baylor. This time he was holding the back of his knee and this does not look good. We’ll get the depth chart updated as soon as we hear anything more on his status.
Illinois ::: WR Pat Bryant took a shot to the head (targeting) and was down for an extended period. He did not return and is now very questionable going forward for the Illini.
New Mexico ::: WR Luke Wysong was hurt in-game week nine. The Lobos need their top receiver to operate at their maximum capacity. He did not return and they finished with just six points against Colorado State. They had scored 50+ the last three game prior. We'll track this injury as it is impactful.
LSU ::: RB Cade Durham was announced healthy and re-joining the backfield for the Tigers against A&M. He led with 11 carries; but managed just 15 yards (including a 10-yard scamper). The LSU running game really struggled and made hte offense one-dimensional with QB Garrett Nussmeier throwing it 50 times in the loss.
Oregon State ::: QB Ben Gulbranson took over for a struggling Gevani McCoy for the Beavers in week nine. He was better, going 11/20 for 131 yards, including their only score of the game. Gulbranson is the most likely starter here going forward.
Iowa ::: QB Cade McNamara was replaced by Brandon Sullivan in Iowa's 40-14 win over Northwestern. The passing numbers were similarly below average, but Sullivan does more with his legs, including 41 yards and a touchdown. This one was all about RB Kaleb Johnson and his 109 tough yards and three scores.
Also, WR Reece Vander Zee was banged up in week nine and did not return. He'll remain questionable until we get an update on his status.
UCF ::: WR Kobe Hudson was helped off the field in the first quarter and returned to the sidelines in street clothes. A big loss for a struggling offense. He'll be questionable until we hear more.
Northwestern ::: The Wildcats were already without their top wide receiver A.J. Henning for week nine. Then, Bryce Kirtz was also ruled out prior to the Iowa game. Both will remain questionable and this offense will struggle as it is - this only makes it worse.
Northern Illinois ::: QB Ethan Hampton did not draw the start against Ball State, that went to Josh Holst, who was 7/10 for 64 yards and an interception before Hampton entered and finished it up. He struggled to a 17/32 passing for 176 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He ran it just one time (for 4 yards). Hampton is the unquestioned starter when healthy, but his not starting the game is cause for some concern.
TCU ::: WR Savion Williams is getting the ball in multiple ways as he is a play maker and the staff see it. After Trent Battle took the first carry, Williams then led with 11 carries for 72 yards and a score on the ground. He added three grabs for 81 more and another touchdown. Cam Cook received just one carry (for 19 yards).
New Mexico ::: RB Eli Sanders took over the starting role for the Lobos against Colorado State week nine. He took 15 carries for 70 yards in the loss. Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters got five carries and it looks like the committee approach is going by the wayside in Albuquerque.
California ::: LB Cade Uluave was announced out prior to the week nine game and is considered day-to-day moving forward. He is a usual full-time player on defense. He'll have a bye week ten to get healthy and back out there which is expected at this point.
Utah ::: QB Isaac Wilson was banged up in week nine game; but was also replaced by Brandon Rose to try to "get a spark on offense." It didn't really work. In fact, Rose struggled and threw a costly interception. This is likely a co-starter situation going forward for the struggling Utes offense.
Missouri ::: QB Brady Cook got over the ankle injury in time to play against Alabama only to hurt his hand early in week nine against the Tide. He was forced to leave and give way to Drew Pyne. He is being evaluated and we'll update when we know more about the severity.
Texas Tech ::: QB Behren Morton was hurt in week nine and gave way to Will Hammond. Hammond was pretty good in leading the offense, going 10/15 for 121 yards, 1 TD and 0 INT with a rushing TD. The Red Raiders came up just short against TCU. We will keep an eye on this situation leading up to week 10.
Virginia Tech ::: RB Bhayshul Tuten was rolled up on (again) and had to leave the week nine game. He has consistently been beat up in games and we will keep an eye on his status going forward. He was seen in a boot post-game, but this is often the case to stabilize even minor injuries, so don’t look too much into that part.
Oklahoma ::: OL Jacob Sexton was hurt in-game week nine. Logan Howland replaced him at left tackle. The Sooners gave up 10 sacks and things just keep getting worse in Norman. Sexton's status remains 'unclear' through Sunday. We'll track it.
Iowa ::: CB John Nestor and LB Kyler Fisher were added as surprise "outs" prior to week nine against Northwestern. Turned out they were just fine with out them in the easy win. We'll keep them as 'questionable' until we hear more about their ailments.
Toledo ::: QB Mike Gleason and RB Jacquez Stuart returned from injury. Stuart got just one carry. Gleason was good (30/45) for 320 yards, two TD and 2 interceptions. It was not enough to lead the Rockets past Bowling Green in week nine.
Bowling Green ::: OL Nick Reimer returned to action last week but was unable to go week nine. Meanwhile, WR Malcolm Johnson Jr. was questionable after getting nicked up in week eight. He played in week nine and was held to four catches (on seven targets), for 45 yards.
Georgia Tech ::: QB Zach Pyron struggled to a 10/22, 76 yards and 1 INT against Virginia Tech before he was replaced by Aaron Philo. He was better but certainly not great, going 11/26 for 184 yards and one pick. Philo likely passes him for the right to start as long as Haynes King remains sidelined.
Meanwhile, RB Jamal Haynes was injured in the week nine game and headed to the locker room but did return to the game. We’ll keep a close eye on it as these injuries tend to linger and could get worse throughout the week.
Charlotte ::: The 49ers turned to QB Deshawn Purdie in the second half against Memphis after starter Max Brown struggled (again). Purdie got the offense going a bit more and likely has taken over this starting job.
Temple ::: WR Dante Wright was not able to go against ECU in week nine. Wright is a massive part of the offense when healthy. He’s getting about 1/4 of the targets and is hauling in nearly 75% of those targets. The Owls need him healthy and we don’t have an idea yet of when we’ll see him back.
Oregon ::: TE Terrance Ferguson was not able to suit up against Illinois in week nine. He is recovering from an appendectomy performed just last week. He will remain questionable heading towards week ten at Michigan.
Similarly, EDGE Jordan Burch missed yet another game this week. He just isn't able to get fully healthy at this point and it has lingered since he suffered the injury in practice before week seven.
Utah State ::: WR Jalen Royals is out for the season. This is a big hit to the passing attack that was already decimated. He was getting nearly 30% of the target share. Now, it will be up to Kyrese White and Otto Tia to pick up the slack. Jack Hestera is a name to know here too. His volume has been limited but may find much more work now…
Here is a snapshot of the Aggies wide receiver room post Royals injury:
Nevada ::: QB Brendon Lewis was a game-time decision for the Wolfpack and ultimately was not able to go against Hawaii in week nine. Chubba Purdy got the call to start and we also saw a half of the game from A.J. Bianco. Both put up similar mediocre numbers against Hawaii in the loss. Lewis may be able to go week ten against Colorado State and that would be idea for the Wolfpack.
Ole Miss ::: DL Walter Nolen was injured in week nine and held out as precaution. OL Micah Pettus was expected to go but told coaches he couldn't prior to kickoff. Meanwhile, WR Tre Harris' injury continues to keep him out of the lineup as he missed week 9 as well.
That’s the big news from the weekend. More to come throughout the day today and we’ll be back to recap it all in tomorrow’s edition.
