CFB DeptHITS: Saturday, November 30
News from all angles as we prep for week 14 and start to get more news of impact players' plans to enter the portal at seasons end. Get all caught up and ready for our final regular season Saturday...
We make hundreds of tweaks and adjustments to our LIVE depth charts at CFBDepth.com — this features is designed to pull out the most impactful news items impacting personnel across college football. Today, we’ll hit on some updates for today’s (Saturday) slate of action, get caught up on some news from a wild day/night on Friday with 14 games being played and then get you big names announcing plans to enter the transfer portal.
|||||| SATURDAY STATUS UPDATES
Auburn ::: The Tigers will have TE Rivaldo Fairweather for the Iron Bowl. He's progressively been upgraded since showing on the initial injury report as questionable. He was moved to probable on Thursday and is no off the report completely. Fairweather is an important part of the Auburn offense.
Oklahoma ::: Some positive injury news coming out of the OU camp for a change as RB Jovantae Barnes and WR Brennen Thompson are both upgraded and expected to play against LSU in the finale.
Pittsburgh ::: QB Nate Yarnell has been announced as the starter for the Panthers on Saturday. He has received a few starts this season and Eli Holstein was injured (again) in the week 13 contest against Clemson. We aren't 100% sure this is injury-related and as mentioned last week, our ratings have Yarnell as a better option than Holstein at this point.
Michigan ::: Pete Thamel reports that there is "increasing pessimism" around the availability of TE Colston Loveland in the big game against Ohio State. He has been limited in practice and we have him listed 'questionable' going in. This would be a massive loss on offense for the Wolverines. He garners over 30% of the targets in the passing game.
|||||| FRIDAY GAME(S) UPDATES
South Alabama ::: QB Gio Lopez was hurt on a play after throwing a late pick six in eventual 7-point loss to Texas State. It was his second interception of the day. Bishop Davenport came in and went 5/7 for 40 yards on the final drive that led to a field goal, but the Jaguars came up short. USA is Bowl eligible at 6-6, so we'll see if Lopez' injury lingers into the post-season.
Iowa ::: An interesting development in the Iowa quarterback saga as Brendan Sullivan has made a speedy recovery from what was believed to be a serious injury. He was the backup to Jackson Stratton in the win over Nebraska and likely will be the starter in the Bowl game now it appears.
Colorado State ::: RB Avery Morrow was the primary back for the Rams in their 42-37 win over Utah State. He took 21 carries for 80 tough yards. This comes after playing just five snaps the week before. He has returned to full health and that is a good thing for this offense as they will now prepare for a Bowl game.
Miami (OH) ::: WR Cade McDonald is not listed on the injury report for the RedHawks and is set to make his return to the field against Ohio. He ended up with a team-leading nine grabs for 82 yards and a score in the win over Bowling Green.
Minnesota ::: One impactful injury in-game to keep an eye on for the Gophers is LT Aireontae Ersery, who was banged up multiple times in the game, had his ankle taped up and eventually returned to the sidelines. He is an NFL-caliber player and we'll keep an eye on this as Minnesota turns their sights to a Bowl game.
East Carolina ::: Both questionable wide outs Chase Sowell and Winston Wright were spotted warming up prior to the week 14 game against Navy. Wright ended up playing and putting up nine catches for 64 yards and a score. Sowell, on the other hand, was not able to go and may just need a little more time to heal up. The Pirates fell to Navy but finished on a strong under under new coach Blake Harrell and will play in a Bowl game.
Colorado ::: WR Jimmy Horn Jr. was seen warming up for the week 14 game against Oklahoma State. He played just one snap and was not needed in a 52-0 blowout of Oklahoma State. The good news here for the Buffs is that he was close enough to playing and looks to be an option for the post-season.
Meanwhile, RB Isaiah Augustave was expected back for week 14 but he was instead unable to get it going against the Cowboys. He'll prep for post-season play and the hope is to get him back to join the backfield rotation. Micah Welch led the way with 12 carries for 39 yards and a score as Shedeur Sanders and the passing attack put on a show in that route.
Liberty ::: There was some buzz going around the QB Kaidon Salter may be limited against Sam Houston in week 14 and that Ryan Burger may see time. It ended up that Salter played primarily and really struggled to the tune of a 12/35 passing for just 83 yards, one touchdown and two picks. Burger ended up attempting two passes and missed on them both.
Bowling Green ::: One of the more impactful injuries to track in week 14 was TE Harold Fannin for Bowling Green. He ended up playing, catching his usual eight passes for just 47 yards and was held in relative check as the RedHawks beat the Falcons. Bowling Green is Bowl eligible at 7-5 and look to have their star tight end for that game -- barring an opt out situation.
Wisconsin ::: Both WR Will Pauling and TE Tucker Ashcraft were not able to play in the week 14 loss to Minnesota. Their injuries continue to plague them and the Badgers as a whole have been beset by plenty of them in a disappointing five-win season.
Ole Miss ::: WR Tre Harris was downgraded to 'doubtful' for the Egg Bowl and ended up not playing. Can't say we are surprised by this as Harris' lingering injuries and re-injuries are a real shame. He's a playmaker and fun to watch when healthy. He just can't seem to get over the hump. We'll leave him on as 'questionable' for the Rebels, who will play in a high non-CFP Bowl game.
|||||| TRANSFER PORTAL NEWS
Northern Illinois ::: DL Raishein Thomas will enter the portal at seasons' end. No word on if he would play in a bowl game for the Huskies. He missed a good portion of the season with injury but made good use of the four games he was able to play and is a name to watch this off-season.
Colorado State ::: WR Caleb Goodie suffered an injury late in practice this week and sources also say that he plans to enter the transfer portal at seasons end. He's caught 21 balls for 428 yards and four scores this season, showing a knack for the big play. He will be a sought after addition for a bigger program in 2025.
Florida State ::: WR Deuce Spann is back on the move again. After failing to crack the rotation at FSU, Spann will move on again via the portal in search of an opportunity. He transferred to the Seminoles from Illinois back in 2022 and has 15 catches for 216 yards and two touchdowns in his limited action.
UTSA ::: DT Nick Booker-Brown will enter the portal. He started his career at NC State and certainly can be a game wrecker in the right situation. He was dismissed from the Roadrunners' program along with Corey Lucious this summer after being charged with aggravated robbery. There is a tie to Colorado and the early belief is that the Buffaloes will be in on Booker-Brown.
That’s our show. Stay tuned for our Saturday Model Plays article that will be out here about 90 minutes prior to kickoff of our first games of the day. Thanks for following along and enjoy the final Saturday of the college football season today!
