COLLEGE FOOTBALL INJURY EXAM
Jeff Shain sorts through college football’s injury reports to spotlight key concerns ahead of this weekend’s top matchups. Though this week’s slate is somewhat lighter with Hurricane Florence pounding the Carolinas, an intersectional clash and two SEC contests are worth monitoring.
No.12 LSU (2-0) at No.7 AUBURN (2-0)
Site: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala.
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. TV: CBS. Line: Auburn by 10 ½.
LSU: Sophomore LT Saahdiq Charles (suspension) and junior LB Michael Divinity (suspension) are both available after serving their penance in last week’s home opener. Charles played a key role in opening holes for LSU’s running game vs. Miami; Divinity tallied 1 ½ sacks in the game.
Auburn: Junior RT Jack Driscoll (leg) and junior RG Mike Horton (leg) are both expected back in the lineup after taking early exits in the Tigers’ win vs. Alabama State. Horton has played all but two games in the past two seasons; Driscoll is a graduate transfer from UMass.
No.17 BOISE ST. (2-0) at No.24 OKLAHOMA ST. (2-0)
Site: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Okla.
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. TV: ESPN. Line: Oklahoma State by 2.
Boise State: Sophomore CB Avery Williams (elbow) sat out Tuesday’s practice as a precaution, but vowed not to miss any more time in preparing for OSU. Williams dislocated his right elbow late in an opening win over Troy, but played with a brace – and picked off a pass – in the Broncos’ romp over UConn.
Oklahoma State: Senior P Zach Sinor (hernia) is expected to see his first action following hernia surgery in August. He averaged 43.1 yards per boot last year, with a net of 37.8. Coach Mike Gundy bemoaned backup Matt Hockett’s dropped punt snap a South Alabama TD.
No.1 ALABAMA (2-0) at MISSISSIPPI (2-0)
Site: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Miss.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. TV: ESPN. Line: Alabama by 21.
Alabama: Senior DE Isaiah Buggs (ankle) is expected to return after missing the second half of the Tide’s romp over Arkansas State. Coach Nick Saban said the injury was a reoccurrence of ankle problems a week earlier. Buggs racked up five tackles and a sack before departing.
Mississippi: Senior WR DaMarkus Lodge (concussion) is emerging from concussion protocol and expected to play against the Crimson Tide. Lodge took part in practice Tuesday, albeit in a no-contact practice jersey. He had six catches for 96 yards in an opening win vs. Texas Tech.
No.4 OHIO ST. (2-0) at No.15 TCU (2-0)
Site: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Kickoff: 8 p.m. TV: ABC. Line: Ohio State by 13.
Ohio State: Sophomore DE Chase Young will not have to serve any suspension after being ejected from last week’s win over Rutgers. Though most ejections these days are linked to targeting, bringing an extra half’s down time, Young’s came from two unsportsmanlike-conduct flags that were more overexuberance than dicey play. Young made two sacks vs. Rutgers.
TCU: Senior DE L.J. Collier (suspension) and senior NG Joseph Broadnax (suspension) might finally be out of the frog-house after missing wins over Southern and SMU. Coach Gary Patterson hinted that TCU might get some help along the defensive front this week.
Listen to OFN College Weekly for a full rundown of the weekend’s top headlines and matchups.