CFB DeptHITS: Thursday, November 21
Get all caught up on the big news around college football as we enter week 13. Get a primer on the initial SEC Availability Report and check out our Thursday - Friday 'Game Cards'...
We make hundreds of tweaks and adjustments on our live 134 depth charts at CFBDepth.com — this feature is designed to pull out the ‘big ones’ and get you up to speed on what you need to know (and likely a little bit more). Today, we’ll add in a primer on the initial SEC Availability reports for those six head-to-head matchups and provide direct links to our Thursday (tonight) and Friday (tomorrow) ‘Game Cards’. Enjoy!
Virginia Tech ::: QB Kyron Drones is still not at practice as the Hokies prepare for week 13 against Duke coming off the bye week. Head coach Brent Pry says he is back-and-forth between the training room and the practice field. That's not exactly a great sign. We'll keep him at questionable and 50/50 split between he and Collin Schlee.
Hokie RB updates include Bhayshul Tuten back at practice but sporting a non-contact jersey. He has been battling injuries all season. Backup Malachi Thomas will not play according to Pry. We could see a decent amount of Jeremiah Coney if Tuten is not able to go or slowed up.
Eastern Michigan ::: Blake Bustard made his return to the starting Right Tackle spot for the Eagles on Wednesday evening against Buffalo. He had been out since suffering an injury week nine. He was not enough to help the Eagles overcome Buffalo in week 13.
Colorado State ::: Jay Norvell mentioned that he is 'hopeful' on CB Dom Jones, C Jacob Gardner and S Jack Howell will be able to play this week at Fresno State. Those three are solid contributors for the Rams and just mentioning 'hope' around their status gives a little pause.
Northwestern ::: LB Xander Mueller is really hoping to get back on the field for the Wildcats this weekend. He is one of their better linebackers and everybody, including the head coach is "hopeful" for him to be out there against Michigan in the Big House.
Appalachian State ::: Leading WR Kaedin Robinson announced that he will miss the remainder of the season with an injury. This will end his college career and he will look to take his talents (after rehabilitation) to the next level he says. Another blow to an already ugly season in Boone.
Boston College ::: WR Jaedn Skeete is going to miss week 13 while fellow WR Jerand Bradley is 'under the weather' but should be able to rally in time to play on Saturday. Meanwhile, we did see another WR make his debut in limited fashion as Ismael Zamor play nine snaps in both week 11 and 12. He may be asked to take on a bit more if anybody else is not able to go. Lewis Bond still dominates the looks in that offense and that won't change.
Louisiana ::: QB Ben Wooldridge's injury is going to keep him out for a while, closer to four weeks. That means he could potentially return for a Bowl game if it all works out timing-wise. Something to keep an eye on as we move into the post-season. Chandler Fields will handle duties under center until and if Wooldridge can make it back.
Florida State ::: Updates on two Seminoles running backs: Roydell Williams has been out since week four and word is that he "might" be back for the final game of the season week 14. Kam Davis is a little closer to a return and he is hopeful to see the field this week 13 against Charleston Southern.
Central Michigan ::: Head coach Jim McElwain has decided to 'retire' from coaching after leading the Chips in their final regular saeason game next week at Northern Illinois. This appears to be more of an 'option to retire' situation as this season has not gone well for the Chips and time has run out on McElwain there. It was a decent run but we don't think this is the end of his coaching story.
|||||| SEC AVAILABILITY REPORT PRIMER
These releases can be a bit overwhelming and if you are looking for the ‘what you need to know’ here is summary for each of the 12 SEC teams with head-to-head matchups this week:
LSU ::: Starting RG Miles Frazier is listed as 'questionable' for week 13. Star WR CJ Daniels and primary RB Caden Durham are listed 'probable' and are expected to play, but there is something hampering them enough to be listed. Both backup S Dashawn Spears and back up LB West Weeks were listed a week ago and did not see the field. Neither is listed and it could improve some depth on defense as they appear available to play.
Vanderbilt ::: The news here is that two big names that were battling injuries are not listed on the report. That's QB Diego Pavia and DB CJ Taylor. Both are healthy and ready to roll against LSU. WR Dariyan Wiley was added earlier this week as "out" and he shows that way on the report to confirm.
Auburn ::: CB Keionte Scott is not listed on the report and indications are that he'll return to a full-go status in week 13. A welcome returnee to the secondary. Meanwhile, S Caleb Wooden shows up as 'questionable' and that could be an impactful loss as he contributes at about half snaps and is a solid presence back there. No other new injuries to report.
Texas A&M ::: RB Reuben Owens, who has not played in 2024 to this point, was moved to 'doubtful' for week 13 indicating that he's working back but unlikely for this week. Something to track as he would be a nice addition come post-season time. As reported earlier this week, WR Cyrus Allen is out for the season with an injury suffered a week ago. No other jarring additions to this list heading into the Auburn game.
Oklahoma ::: We'll start with the wide receivers, who have been the injury storyline for the Sooners all season. The update is that they likely all remain out, including Deion Burks, who returned in week 11 against Mizzou only to take a big shot at the very end of the game. He's listed 'doubtful' at this point. Jayden Gibson, Andrel Anthony and Nic Anderson all remain out. RB Jovantae Barnes, who didn't travel with the team in week 11 to Columbia, remains questionable even after the bye week. RB Gavin Sawchuk is removed and will return. Finally, RT Michael Tarquin is also returning to action on the offensive line.
Alabama ::: The Tide continue to be remarkably healthy heading into week 13. They have just three players listed as 'out' and they have been on that designation for a good part of the season. DB Keon Sabb will remain out for week 13 and WR Cole Adams and LB Quindarrius Robinson are both out for the season. That's it. The two names we were looking for were OL Jaeden Roberts and CB DeVonta Smith, who both appear ready to roll as they are not listed on the report.
Mississippi State ::: Nothing to report here. Just about the same report as we've seen the last couple of weeks for the Bulldogs.
Missouri ::: Nothing major to report on this report. QB Brady Cook, who returned and played the whole game against South Carolina a week ago is listed as 'probable' to play. Backup S Tre'Vez Johnson is listed as 'probable' as well. No other new injuries to report for the Tigers.
Texas ::: RB Jaydon Blue returned to practice this week and does not show up on the initial report, deeming him healthy for this week 13 game. We should see him join Quintrevion Wisner as a 1-2 punch. WR DeAndre Moore Jr. shows up as 'questionable' heading into this one against Kentucky. The Longhorns have a deep WR corps and wouldn't miss a beat if he is unable to go.
Kentucky ::: The Wildcats will get back two key players, one on offense in WR Barion Brown and one on defense in DL Deone Walker. A new name added is backup CB Terhyon Nichols who is 'out' on the report, impacting depth a bit in the secondary. DT Tavion Gadson was hurt in week 12 and is listed as 'out' as well. LB J.J. Henry is listed as 'qusetionable' but reports have him closer to likely to return against Texas. DL Kahlil Saunders remains as 'questionable' after sitting a week ago.
Florida ::: Big news here is that RB Montrell Johnson Jr. is removed from the report all together and appears ready to fully return as injuries have slowed him. Still a lot of big names on here listed as out. Backup RG Roderick Kearney was added as 'qusetionable' but no new injuries coming out for the Gators.
Ole Miss ::: Lots of big names, including QB Jaxson Dart, WR Tre Harris, DE Princely Umanimielen and S Jadon Canady listed as 'probable' to play week 13. All are fully expected to go. RB Logan Diggs is 'questionable' as expected as he is nearing a debut in 2024. RB Henry Parrish Jr. is confirmed out, as is WR Izaiah Hartrup. S Louis Moore is not listed and appears good to go after a minor injury back in week 11. No other big news on this slimmed down initial report from coach Kiffin.
|||||| THURSDAY - FRIDAY WEEK 13 GAME CARDS
These ‘Game Cards’ are designed to pull in a ton of information from all over CFBDepth.com and provide you with a side-by-side view of the matchup, show any edges that may be there and complete with a 3+ deep depth chart and a Model prediction. View all week 13 ‘Game Cards’ as they go up here:
Tonight:
Tomorrow (Friday):
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