College Football News and Notes: Week 7
Quarterbacks
Player: Baker Mayfield/Davis Webb
- News: Mayfield suffered a knee injury which knocked him out of the Red Raiders win against Kansas last weekend, leaving doubt as to who will start this weekend against Iowa State.
- Impact: More then likely, Mayfield will sit this week making Webb a solid QB1 in all BCS formats. Keep an eye on weekend injury reports to ensure Mayfield is not making the last second start.
Player: C.J. Brown, QB, Maryland
- News: Brown is doubtful after suffering a concussion in last weeks debacle against Florida State.
- Impact: This is a big blow to the Terrapins offense. Their backup is no one to speak of, so if you are looking for a high impact QB, look for Bryce Petty, Sean Mannion or Brett Hundley as solid options.
Player: Keith Price, QB, Washington
- News: Price is probable to play for Washington in their showdown with Oregon on Saturday.
- Impact: There is no way he misses a chance to knock off #2 in the country. Whether they are keeping pace with the Ducks or playing from behind, Price should have an immense offensive day for the Huskies.
Player: Bryn Renner, QB, North Carolina
- News: The coaching staff at UNC has confirmed that Renner, when healthy, will be the teams starting quarterback moving forward.
- Impact: Renner was a surprise no-go last weekend and he will likely miss some more time. Marquise Williams will be the quarterback when the team returns from their bye on October 17th against Miami. He is not a suitable backup or fantasy option.
Player: Anthony Boone/Brandon Connette, QB, Duke
- News: Boone has a chance to return to the field for the Blue Devils game this week against Navy, which relegates Connette to a “do-everything” role on the offense.
- Impact: Connette has been a fantasy superstar at points this season so it is a shame if he gets moved out of that role. If he is not in the lineup, neither is a solid fantasy threat this weekend against Navy.
Player: Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska
- News: Martinez’ toe injury continues to improve, but he remains questionable to play against Purdue.
- Impact: T-Magic will likely sit this one out cause the Cornhuskers have a bye next week and an additional two weeks off could only help them longterm. If you are looking for another QB option to replace him in a BCS league, go with someone like Jared Goff or Connor Haliday who are going tolight up the scoreboards their scoreboards this weekend.
Running Backs
Player: Keith Marshal/J.J. Green/Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
- News: Marshall, much like teammates Justin Scott-Wesley, will miss the remainder of the season after suffering an ACL injury Saturday. With stud Todd Gurley also likely out in the near term, Green becomes the Bulldogs starter. Gurley is listed as doubtful for this weekends game.
- Impact: Green rushed 17 times and for well over 100 yards in the Georgia win and is a must add as a solid RB2 in all BCS leagues.
Player: Marcus Shaw, RB, South Florida
- News: Shaw suffered a leg injury Saturday against Cincinnati and did not return to the game.
- Impact: Despite USF’s issues, Shaw has been solid. Michael Pierre is the teams backup running back, but not a fantasy option at this time.
Player: Storm Woods, RB, Oregon State
- News: After missing the last few Beavers games with an injury, Woods is ready to go against Washington State this weekend.
- Impact: Even though Oregon State is one of the leading passing teams in the country, Woods can contribute in that area as well. In what should be a shootout against the Cougars, expect Woods to have a very solid fantasy night as a premier RB2.
Player: De’Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon
- News: Thomas returned to practice earlier this week after missing last weeks game against Colorado with an ankle injury. There is no clear word yet as to whether he will return to the field against Washington this weekend.
- Impact: While Thomas’ status is iffy, this makes the playing status of Byron Marshall and Thomas Tyner even more cloudy. If you own Thomas it may be best to give him a full week to show he is healthy. If you own Tyner or Marshall, it may be best to rest both this week against a decent Washington team, unless it is made crystal clear before kickoff Thomas is out.
Player: Jordan James/Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA
- News: James is doubtful to suit up for this weekends game against Cal because of an ankle injury he sustained last week against Utah.
- Impact: With this news, Perkins becomes a very solid RB2 play and is a solid option against a porous rush defense. He did well against a solid rush defense in Utah, so he could produce 100 yards and 2 scores if given his chance this weekend.
Player: Jordan Hall, RB, Ohio State
- News: Hall is battling a knee injury and his status for next weekends game against Iowa is up in the air.
- Impact: While the Buckeyes do not play this week, it is important to note if you plan ahead and want to use Carlos Hyde against the Hawkeyes. Keep an eye on this injury next week.
Wide Receivers
Player: Justin Scott-Wesley, WR, Georgia
- News: Scott-Wesley will miss the remainder of the season after injuring his knee in the Bulldogs OT win against Tennessee Saturday.
- Impact: The walking wounded continues for Georgia, as this talented receiver was second on the team in receptions and yards. Chris Conley, who already leads the team in receptions, will pick up the slack and becomes a solid WR3 option in BCS only leagues.
- Player: Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State
- News: Lockett left the loss to Oklahoma State with an undisclosed injury
Impact:
Player: Chris Harper, WR, California
- News: Because the Washington State-California may not have been on your radar, you may have missed what Harper did Saturday. He caught 13 balls for 216 yards and a touchdown in the Bears loss.
- Impact: Now that it is evident Cal will fall behind in every game and play catchup, Harper is a solid option to provide WR1 value every week. The same can be said for next week when California takes on Oregon State.
Player: Tony Pierson, WR, Kansas
- News: Pierson is going to miss substantial time with a head injury.
- Impact: While Pierson was a solid contributor, even in Big-12 only leagues, he was disappointing in 2013. Hopefully he can return to the field before the end of the season.
Player: Michael Bennett, WR, Georgia
- News: It is expected that despite suffering a meniscus tear in Saturday’s win against Tennessee, that Bennett will return at some point during the 2013 season.
- Impact: That will not be this weekend however, so avoid him in all formats. Expect Chris Conley to pick up the slack and have a big game this weekend for the Bulldogs against Missouri.
Tight Ends
Player: Jake Murphy, TE, Utah
- News: Murphy will miss the rest of the season after undergoing wrist surgery.
- Impact: This just goes to show you why Jace Amaro is one of few solid options at the TE position every week. Eric Ebron is another.
Player: Colt Lyerla, TE, Oregon
- News: Lyerla has left the Oregon program and thus will not be in the lineup for this weekends game against Washington.
- Impact: Another solid TE bites the dust. Continue to use the stud TE’s like Ebron, Amaro, Coyle and Jenkins as much as possible.