COLLEGE FOOTBALL INJURY EXAM (Week 12)
Jeff Shain sorts through college football’s injury reports to spotlight key concerns ahead of this weekend’s key matchups.
No.3 NOTRE DAME (10-0) vs. No.12 SYRACUSE (8-2)
Site: Yankee Stadium, New York.
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. ET. TV: NBC. Line: Notre Dame by 10 ½.
Notre Dame: Sophomore QB Ian Book (rib) returns to the starting role after being forced to sit out last week’s romp over Florida State. Coach Brian Kelly says any rust or timing issues had been worked out by Thursday’s practice. Book has led ND to 38.8 points per game in his starts.
Syracuse: Redshirt freshman CB Ifeatu Melifonwu (hamstring) is probable after missing the past two weeks, though he’ll be watched closely in Saturday’s 45-degree temperatures. The Orange also welcome back CB Scoop Bradshaw (shoulder), greatly boosting secondary depth.
No.16 IOWA ST. (6-3) at No.15 TEXAS (7-3)
Site: Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas.
Kickoff: 8 p.m. TV: Longhorn Network. Line: Texas by 3.
Texas: Junior WR Collin Johnson (knee) is set to play after missing last week’s victory over Texas Tech, though just how extensively remains to be seen. Coach Tom Herman said Johnson “looked good” in Thursday’s practice. Johnson has 50 catches this year for 675 yards and five TDs.
Iowa State: Freshman CB Datrone Young (shoulder) is questionable after missing last week’s win over Baylor. Fellow freshman Anthony Johnson is in line to start again if Young can’t go – though the Cyclones gave up 359 passing yards last week and UT’s WRs have a size advantage.
No.20 BOSTON COLL. (7-3) at FLORIDA ST. (4-6)
Site: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Fla.
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. TV: ESPN2. Line: Pick ‘em.
Boston Coll.: Sophomore QB Anthony Brown (abdomen) is expected to play after getting hurt last week on a first-half hit from Clemson’s Christian Wilkins. As a precaution, though, the Eagles have given backup E.J. Perry increased work in practice. It would be Perry’s first college start.
Florida State: Junior CB Levonta Taylor (hamstring) is doubtful as he works to regain agility after sitting out FSU’s past two games. Taylor got limited work in practice this week, but coach Willie Taggart wasn’t optimistic. Taylor started FSU’s first eight games, with 19 tackles and an INT.
WISCONSIN (6-4) at PURDUE (5-5)
Site: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Ind.
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. TV: Big Ten Network. Line: Purdue by 4 ½.
Wisconsin: Junior QB Alex Hornibrook (concussion) remains questionable, still not fully cleared from protocol by Thursday. He has been throwing all week and got some limited work during practice. Hornibrook has missed two games – both losses – since going down Oct. 20 vs. Illinois.
Purdue: Senior FS Jacob Thieneman (shoulder) has been declared out for the rest of the regular season, which won’t bode well as UW’s Jonathan Taylor comes to town. After giving up 265 rushing yards to Minnesota last week, the Boilermakers are now tasked with slowing the nation’s leading rusher.
Listen to OFN College Weekly for a full rundown of the weekend’s top headlines and matchups.