CFB DeptHITS: Saturday, November 16
Here is our Week 12 Saturday edition of the HITS. We'll take a look at the most recent injury and status updates most impacting the games today. This includes the outstanding "Qs" and GTDs"...
We make hundreds of tiny tweaks and adjustments to our 134 live depth charts over at CFBDepth.com — this feature is designed to pull out the ‘big ones’ and ensure you have what you need for whatever your pleasure for this college football Saturday. In-season, we focus on those injury updates and take a look at the ones that we’ll track up to kickoff and could have an impact on the outcomes…
Programming Note: We switched up the order of our typical Saturday posts, getting the Model Plays article out early, and allowing some more time for Pete Thamel and other amazing beat writers around the landscape to uncover some of the bigger news leading up to game-time today. Check out the Model article here:
On to the HITS…
Missouri ::: QB Brady Cook was listed as doubtful leading into week 12 but there was some thought that it may be a little gamesmanship by the Tigers. Word is now that he will warm-up and attempt to play against the Gamecocks.
Tulane ::: LB Sam Howard missed week 11 but will return to the field in week 12, giving the Green Wave a key defensive player on the field against Navy.
South Florida ::: QB Byrum Brown was expected to return to the field at last report but now it seems he will be a game-time decision for week 12 against Charlotte. Head Coach Alex Golesh mentioned that he is "as close as he's been" to getting back out there. We'd put him at 65% chance to play based on all of this information.
Northwestern ::: WR Bryce Kirtz will return to action against Ohio State here in week 12. He has not played since week eight and he works best in tandem with their leading receiver A.J. Henning. This is not a small development as the Wildcats will need every offensive weapon at their disposal to keep this one close with the Buckeyes.
Arkansas ::: RB Braylen Russell is upgraded to probable for the Razorbacks and likely takes on a backup role to Ja'Quinden Jackson, who is also expected to make his return to the field against Texas in Week 12.
Tennessee ::: QB Nico Iamaleava is cleared and ready to roll against Georgia in week 12 as was becoming more expected as the week rolled along. He'll also have one of his weapons in WR Dont'e Thornton, who is also expected to be available against the Dawgs.
UCLA ::: RB Jalen Berger was added as questionable before the Friday night game with Washington and did not end up playing. T.J. Harden took 13 carries for just 33 yards against a tough Huskies front seven that keyed on stopping the run.
Indiana ::: Head coach Curt Cignetti already earned a raise and extension for his early work with the Hoosiers and Indiana wants to lock him up long-term. That is probably a good idea with some big name schools likely looking for new head coaches this off-season.
Ball State ::: Head coach Mike Neu has been fired. He did an admirable job in his tenure at a tough place to win consistently. We await word on the interim and plans going forward and will update this...
Kennesaw State ::: Add LB Garland Benyard to the list of those leaving the Owls program after the firing of coach Brian Bohannon. This is a big loss as Benyard is the top linebacker and one of the best players on the defensive side of the ball at Kennesaw.
|||||| IMPACT QUESTIONABLE AND GAME-TIME CALLS
These are the top players that remain “questionable” and “game-time decisions” heading into these games.
Oregon: RB Jordan James - Status: Questionable // Opponent: at Wisconsin Latest: Banged up. Didn't play most of second half week 11. Questionable.
Arizona State: RB Cam Skattebo - Status: Questionable // Opponent: at Kansas State Latest: Injury suffered in week ten; sat out week 11. Returned to practice pre-week 12.
Marshall: RB A.J. Turner - Status: Questionable // Opponent: vs. Coastal Carolina Latest: Last carry was mid-3rd quarter in week 10; played just 6 snaps in week 11. Questionable.
Oregon: DE Jordan Burch - Status: Questionable // Opponent: at Wisconsin Latest: Tweaked the same injury in week 11 that kept him out for a few weeks prior; tracking.
UAB: QB Jacob Zeno - Status: Questionable // Opponent: at Memphis Latest: Has not played since week five with a shoulder injury. Questionable going forward.
Northwestern: LB Xander Mueller - Status: Questionable // Opponent: vs. Ohio State Latest: Injured in week eight game; has not played since. Remains questionable.
Arizona State: DT Zac Swanson - Status: Questionable // Opponent: at Kansas State Latest: Injured on two occasions in week 11; forced to leave the game. Tracking...
Purdue: DE Damarjhe Lewis - Status: Questionable // Opponent: vs. Penn State Latest: Last played week six; doubtful until return.
That’s our show…enjoy the week 12 Saturday action!
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