COLLEGE FOOTBALL INJURY EXAM (Week 6)
Jeff Shain sorts through college football’s injury reports to spotlight key concerns ahead of this weekend’s marquee matchups.
No.3 CLEMSON (5-0) at WAKE FOREST (3-2)
Site: BB&T Field, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. TV: ESPN. Line: Clemson by 20.
Clemson: Freshman QB Trevor Lawrence (neck) has practiced all week after missing the second half of last week’s win over Syracuse. With Kelly Bryant having already announced his decision to transfer out, the Tigers got a solid relief effort from redshirt freshman Chase Brice.
Wake Forest: Junior WR Scotty Washington (shoulder) remains questionable after taking the field for one play last week vs. Rice. Coach Dave Clawson said Washington could have played more, but chose not to take the risk in a blowout. Washington had 45 receptions last season.
FLORIDA ST. (3-2) at No.17 MIAMI (4-1)
Site: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. TV: ABC. Line: Miami by 13 ½.
Florida St.: Senior LT Derrick Kelly (knee) was not listed on the Seminoles’ depth chart at midweek, with sophomore Landon Dickerson holding the fort after returning from injury himself (ankle) last week vs. Louisville. Kelly has missed the Seminoles’ past two games.
Miami: Senior SS Jaquan Johnson (hamstring) is expected back for the rivalry game after missing the past two weeks. Johnson had 22 tackles through 2 ½ games before going down near the end of the first half vs. Toledo. He led the Hurricanes with 98 tackles last season.
No.6 NOTRE DAME (5-0) at No.24 VIRGINIA TECH (3-1)
Site: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Va.
Kickoff: 8 p.m. TV: ABC. Line: Notre Dame by 7.
Notre Dame: Senior LG Alex Bars (knee) is out for the season after suffering ligament damage in the Irish’s win over Stanford. Bars got his left leg caught underneath a Stanford player and needs surgery. Senior Trevor Ruhland, lauded for his versatility along the line, stepped in and now inherits the job.
Va. Tech: Junior DE Hoshun Gaines (family) is expected back in time to face the Irish after going home in the early week when his mother died. How much he’ll play, though, remains a question. Gaines shares the team lead with 3 ½ sacks, also forcing two fumbles and recovering two.
UTAH (2-2) at No.14 STANFORD (4-1)
Site: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, Calif.
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. TV: ESPN. Line: Stanford by 4 ½.
Utah: Senior C Lo Falemaka (leg) remains questionable after sitting out most of the second half in the Utes’ loss to Washington State. Redshirt freshman Nick Ford held his own vs. the Cougars, but would face a tougher task in Stanford’s LBs.
Stanford: Senior RB Bryce Love (ankle) is questionable after leaving in the fourth quarter of the Cardinal’s loss to Notre Dame. The ankle already has cost Love one game (vs. Cal Davis) and has just 327 yards this season – a 4.3 average per carry that’s easily the worst of his career.
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