College Football News and Notes: Week 8
Player News
Quarterbacks
Player: C.J. Brown, QB, Maryland
News: Brown has been cleared to return to practice after missing this past weeks game against Virginia after suffering a concussion.
Impact: Huge news for the Terps and your fantasy squads. He has a juicy matchup against Wake Forest this weekend.
Player: James Franklin, QB, Missouri
News: Franklin will miss 3-5 weeks with a sprained shoulder in the Tigers upset win over Georgia.
Impact: Maty Mauk who is a redshirt freshman will replace Franklin in the lineup against Florida this weekend. This downgrades all skill position Tigers to unusable for me, given the tough defense they are facing and inexperience under center.
Player: Nick Marshall, QB, Auburn
News: Marshall has recovered from his injury as is expected to start for the Tigers against Texas A&M.
Impact: Marshall will not only be playing from behind but also playing against a subpar defense. This is a solid plug and play as a BCS QB2.
Player: Kain Colter, QB, Northwestern
News: Colter is questionable to play Saturday as he battles an ankle injury.
Impact: Even if he is questionable, do not start him. Tom Savage, the Pittsburgh QB has a juicy matchup against ODU if you are looking for a value play.
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: Matt Jones, RB, Florida
News: Jones is going to miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in the Gators loss to LSU this weekend.
Impact: This makes Mack Brown, the running back, not the coach, the lead rusher for the Gators from here on out. He is a decent RB2 in BCS leagues.
Player: Tre Madden, RB, USC
News: After leaving last Thursday’s game, Madden is questionable to face Notre Dame this week because of a hamstring injury.
Impact: Madden had his moment in the sun, but that time is faded now that Silas Redd and other talented rushers are playing well for USC. It is best to avoid all USC backs moving forward.
Player: De’Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon
News: Despite suiting up against Washington last weekend Thomas did not play. He is expected to return as Oregon faces Washington State this weekend.
Impact: It still would not shock us to see the Ducks rest him this weekend as they should not have any trouble with Wazzu. If he rests, Byron Marshall is the back to own.
Player: Venric Mark, RB, Northwestern
News: Mark, who missed the first 3 games of the season, will likely miss this weeks game with a lower body injury and the team is scared he has a break in his foot.
Impact: This is a big blow to the Wildcats offense and to people wanting to use the solid back. Expect Kain Colter to get some more run in the offense this weekend if he is active.
Player: Jordan James/Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA
News: With Jordan James still doubtful to play this weekend, expect Perkins to get another start.
Impact: The problem is Perkins faces the Stanford defense. So regardless of who plays, neither is a good running back option.
Player: James Conner/Isaac Bennett, RB, Pittsburgh
News: Conner is questionable to play Saturday against ODU with a shoulder injury.
Impact: This would be a huge blow to Conners owners as he should dominate the Old Dominion rush defense and have a huge day. This would be an ideal spot to play Bennett, who has talent, against the Monarchs if he gets the start.
Wide Receivers
Player: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
News: Lee returned to practice earlier this week and expects to play this weekend against Notre Dame.
Impact: Regardless if he is active or not, there are safer options then Lee, who also would suit up against a solid defensive unit in the Fighting Irish.
Player: Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina
News: Ellington injured his ankle in last weekends win and is expected to be a full go for the upcoming game against Tennessee.
Impact: Ellington remains a solid WR3 option as he is the top target for the Gamecocks.
Player: Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin
News: The best Wisconsin receiver, Abbrederis is questionable to play this weekend against Illinois following a head injury he suffered against Northwestern.
Impact: Wide receivers playing at less then 100% or battling a concussion are not to be used. Look for another option.
Player: Devin Street, WR, Pittsburgh
News: Street is questionable for Saturday’s game against ODU with a shoulder.
Impact: Much like the Panthers running back James Conner, Street would miss a dream matchup against the Monarchs. Tyler Boyd was already in line for a huge game, but this news would be even better for the wideout.