CFB DeptHITS: Tuesday, October 22
Let's get caught up on the big news from around college football and throw in a little preview of the schedule "quirks" for week nine. Plus, a quick preview of a new feature we'll be producing...
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 ones that matter the most and give a little context. You can always click on the school name to be brought to their depth chart page at the site. Today, we’ll also take a look at some of the identified schedule “quirks” for week nine. Lastly, the week gets started tonight and we’ll be launching a new feature called “Game Cards” to help bring all of this information onto one page for your consumption and aide in your decision-making process…enjoy!
Michigan ::: QB Jack Tuttle didn't exactly get a ringing endorsement when head coach Sherrone Moore was asked about who would be the man going forward. He said, "right now, will be the guy" and there was a tinge of hesitation in his voice.
Kentucky ::: RB Chip Trayanum is now dealing with an ankle issue. This after finally making it back for week eight following a broken hand that slowed him. The former Ohio State back just can't seem to get fully healthy for the Wildcats.
Indiana ::: WR E.J. Williams has left the program after having a very limited role since returning from injury that got him off to a slow start. He was a former 4-star recruit (class of '20) and started his career at Clemson. We'll likely see him again, as long as the injuries have subsided enough to let him play.
Oklahoma ::: The Sooners will be going back to Jackson Arnold as they look to rejuvenate the offense under a new play caller for week nine. WR Deion Burks remains "day-to-day".
Maryland ::: QB Cameron Edge will enter the Portal and look for an opportunity to play elsewhere in 2025. Edge was actually the most likely backup to starter Billy Edwards Jr. as the health status of MJ Morris is still a bit unclear.
Washington State ::: Punter Nick Haberer has a back injury that has lasted into the season. Kicker Dean Janikowski has handled punting duties and now it appears he will continue to do so the rest of the season as Haberer will take a redshirt and retain a year of eligibility.
Nevada ::: QB Brendon Lewis was injured late in the week eight contest against Fresno State and is now "questionable" to play at Hawaii in week nine. If he is unable to go, we could see either or both of Chubba Purdy and/or AJ Bianco.
Arizona ::: LB Jacob Manu and LT Rhino Tapa'toutai are 'out for the season' as updates come out from the Wildcats medical team ahead of week nine.
New Mexico State ::: It is really anybody's guess as to who starts at quarterback on Tuesday for the Aggies in week nine. Santino Marucci is out of concussion protocol and seems like the most likely option. Both Parker Awad and Brandon Nunez are getting reps at practice as well.
Florida International ::: QB Keyone Jenkins was banged up pretty good in week eight (Wednesday) and appears that while bruised, there is nothing structurally wrong with him and he will be able to give it a go in week 9 (Tuesday).
Wyoming ::: Cowboys updates include a likely time share at quarterback in week nine - at least in the first quarter - between Evan Svoboda and Kaden Anderson. We'll see if one of them takes a hold of the job. S Isaac White is looking 'probable' to return week 9. RB Harrison Waylee has a "less than 50 percent" chance to play but will return this season and retain his redshirt.
Texas Tech ::: Red Raiders injury updates include confirmation that E'Maurion (Dooda) Banks is out for the season and WR Drae McCrae has been added as "questionable" for week nine after suffering an ankle injury last week.
Arkansas ::: RB Ja'Quinden Jackson is "very questionable" for week nine and we read that as "doubtful" to suit up against Mississippi State. That means more opportunities for Rashod Dubinon and Braylen Russell.
Houston ::: Good news on a couple of key Cougars for week nine: QB Zeon Chriss (hamstring) is listed as probable and WR Stephon Johnson "will play" against Utah.
Northwestern ::: WR AJ Henning suffered what appeared to be a severe injury in week eight. Word is coming out that he will return "at some point" this season, meaning, unlikely for this week nine, but it may not be as bad as originally feared.
West Virginia ::: QB Garrett Greene is questionable and RB Jaheim White "feels good about playing" in week nine at Arizona. Both suffered injuries in week eight that forced them out of the game.
Oklahoma State ::: QB Alan Bowman is expected to regain his starting role for the Cowboys in light of the injury suffered by Garrett Rangel last week after taking a hold of the starting gig.
Kansas ::: RB Daniel Hishaw Jr. is questionable after an injury sustained in week eight against Houston. He may miss or be limited against K-State in week nine.
Arizona State ::: Interesting note on the absence of WR Xavier Guillory in week eight. He sat out “to get healthier,” meaning he is currently not healthy. Isn’t that normally what you do when you are not healthy?
Memphis ::: There was some reshuffling on the offensive line as Keydrell Lewis did not start at right tackle for the Tigers last week. That job went to Xavier Hill, who had been starting at LG. Malachi Breland took over that LG spot. RG Jonah Gambill and C Trent Holler stayed put. Overall, this is an improved grouping.
Washington State ::: QB Jaxon Potter comes in for garbage time hinting that they are preserving a redshirt for the more likely backup quarterback Zevi Eckhaus, who lost out on the starting role to John Mateer in fall camp.
Louisville ::: TE Jamari Johnson is announced out for the season with an ankle injury suffered week eight. He was splitting time with Mark Redmond and will be missed.
North Carolina ::: Updates for the Tar Heels coming off the bye and approaching week nine: WR Christian Hamilton, LS Spencer Triplett and OL Aidan Banfield are all back practicing, but remain questionable. TE Bryson Nesbit and Julien Randolph are out.
UTSA ::: WR De'Corian "JT" Clark is confirmed out for the season with yet another knee injury that will sideline him.
Georgia Tech ::: QB Haynes King will remain out for this week nine at Virginia Tech. The Yellow Jackets have a bye in week ten and will utilize that time to get their starting quarterback healthy and back out there.
|||||| WEEK NINE “QUIRKS”
We like to take a moment at the beginning of each week to take a look at some of the potentially impactful “quirks” going on for teams as they play in week nine. These include:
NEUTRAL SITE: Notre Dame will play Navy at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ this week. This will be one of the more anticipated matchups of the week.
OFF BYE:
Liberty at Kennesaw State
Jacksonville State vs. Middle Tennessee
Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse (both off bye weeks)
Boise State at UNLV
Ohio State vs. Nebraska
Washington vs. Indiana
Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma
North Carolina at Virginia
Appalachian State vs. Georgia State
Akron vs. Eastern Michigan
UL-Monroe at South Alabama
Penn State at Wisconsin
San Diego State vs. Washington State
LONG TRAVEL:
Rutgers at USC (+ short week)
BYU at UCF
Wake Forest at Stanford
West Virginia at Arizona
Nevada at Hawaii
LOOK AHEAD SPOTS:
Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse — Next week: at SMU
Louisville at Boston College — Next week: at Clemson
Ohio State vs. Nebraska — Next week: at Penn State
Penn State at Wisconsin — Next week: vs. Ohio State
SMU at Duke — Next week: vs. Pittsburgh
GET RIGHT SPOTS:
Alabama vs. Mizzou — Last week: 24-17 loss at Tennessee
Iowa vs. Northwestern — Last week: 32-20 loss at Michigan State
Texas Tech at TCU — Last week: 59-35 loss vs. Baylor
Texas at Vanderbilt — Last week: 30-15 loss vs. Georgia
Utah at Houston — Last week: 13-7 loss vs. TCU
|||||| INTRODUCING “GAME CARDS”
We are always looking to provide our early followers with the best tools to do whatever they want with the information provided. We have a lot of that (information, that is) and want to provide it in a consumable format. While possibly overwhelming, the goal is to put everything that really matters together in one document. That is what we are doing with our first iteration of the “Game Card” concept. Here is a sneak preview for tonight’s showdown between Sam Houston and Florida International:
We will release the first cards at the website and post on X, so follow us there if you do not currently. Again, thank you for following along. It would really help out if you’d take a minute to share with your inner (and outer) circles…