FanNation - The Republic of Sport

First I'd like to say I'm done with my college football countdown, next on thursday or Friday I will be posting my college football preview, here are some news and notes from around college football

Key Injuries Occuring Throughout College Football

This has been an injury filled Fall, so here are some of the big injuries that could shake up the season. No team was hit harder than USC, with a lot of talent nicked up. USC quarterback Mark Sanchez missed time with a  dislocated kneecap, but appears good to go for the opener, but expect USC to use him with caution.  Cornerback Shareece Wright has missed time due to a groin soreness, but he may still play in the opener againnst Virginia. Tailback C.J. Gable hip appears to be partially healed, but there are still questions as to if he will play. Running back Joe McKnight, suffered first bruises on two fingers after a door was accidentally closed on his right hand, then a Hyperextended elbow injury, but still is expected to go against Virginia.

Another team that was bothered was Florida. Florida has lost starters S Dorian Munroe and TE Cornelius Ingram, as well as reserves S John Curtis and OG Jim Barrie, for the season with ACL tears. Ingram was expected to be a key to the Gators sucess and had 7 TD's last year.Also star RB/WR Percy Harvin will miss the opener due to a heel injury which has been bothering him for a long time. This is not good for the Gator's and unless backups step up, they are in trouble. Rival Georgia has also had injury problems. Georgia left tackle Trinton Sturdivant suffered a season-ending knee injury in a scrimmage. Sturdivant,  started every game at left tackle as a true freshman last season, and was expected to have a big season and lead the Bulldogs Offensive Line. 

Ole Miss was also hit hard by injuries. Ole Miss defensive end Greg Hardy is expected to be sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks after undergoing surgery on his foot, because of a Stress Fracture. Hardy led the SEC in sacks (10) and ranked second in tackles for loss (18.5), and is among the Best Defensive Ends in the nation. If thats not enough another injury hurt this team. Defensive tackle Peria Jerry, had arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus. Jerry had 58 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss last year and is a great Defensive Tackle. Jerry is expected to be sidelined for a month. Jaceyn Taylor will miss the entire season with a knee injury. In 2006, Taylor ran the ball 113 times for 677 yards and four touchdowns, and last season he ran 107 times for 560 yards and four touchdowns. Both seasons splitting time with Kory Sheets. 

QB Issues Throughout The Nation

At Cal the QB Derby is done. California sophomore Kevin Riley will start over Senior and incumbent starter Nate Longshore. Riley was decent last year, but choked against Oregon State costing Cal the #1 ranking and sending the team into a spiral, losing 5 of the last 6 games of the season.  Longshore has thrown for 42 touchdowns in his career, including 24 2 seasons ago, and 16 last year. He has thrown 13 picks each of the past 2 seasons, but is a better choice than the inexperienced and young Riley. Riley went 16-of-19 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns to earn game MVP honors against Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl, and his season numbers were throwing for 563 yards and five touchdowns. Riley is much more mobile, but not as good of a pocket passer. I think this is the type of battle that can tear the team apart.

Down at Miami surprising news has occured. Expected starter and highly touted, and impressive QB Robert Marve has been suspended for the opener. This opens the QB Battle for Frosh Jacory Harris. Both are Mobile QB's, but Marve has better ability as a Passer and has a year more in the system. I think that this is another important decision, while the game may only be against Charlston Southern, it can't help Marve at all. 

Down At LSU Jarrett Lee, the more talented of the two battling QB's continues to miss time due to injuries, so it appears Harvard Transfer Andrew Hatch will be the starter in week 1. Hatch is not as much of a mobile QB, but neither is Lee. Both will get chances I expect, and maybe even Frosh Jordan Jefferson. Down at Oregon expected Starter Nate Costa seems to have injured his knee. Itis not known how long he will be out for, but Justin Roper the starter of the Sun Bowl for Orego, should get his chance to start, or at least play.

Freshman Making Impact Throughout Nation 

Opening Weekend is near, and all Freshman should have erported to camp. Here are some who have impressed and appear to be ready to contribute from Week1. Down at Georgia, a big reason for optimisim is Frosh Wideout A.J. Green. Green has great ability to make spectacular catches, and fly down the field. With Georgia's struggles last year at the Receiver Green should be able to make a big impact and help Matt Stafford's development. Green has added weight, and seems to be ready to play.

Down at USC, the Trojans may have found a replacement for Fred Davis. Tight End Blake Ayles was a 4* prospect, but seems to really be an impressive prospet. He may not play right away, as he has been sidelined with injuries, but has the skills to really make an impact. At Ohio State Terrelle Pryor has impressed. Pryor has really proven that he will get on the field for Ohio State. His athletic ability is impressive, but what has been very surprising to me is his ability to throw the football. Pryor should see plenty of time against Youngstown State, and is one of the more surprising players to me, as I expected him to fall behind.

One of the big surprises has been lightly recruited Wide Out Jerell Jackson of Mizzou. He has been very consistent in camp and could be a breakout player and emerge as the #4 receiver for the Tigers. With the rash of injuries to Florida, especially at safety, explosive athlete Will Hill has emerged as a viable option to play, and by the end of the year expect him to play a lot, much like Joe Haden, and Major Wright last year. 

Obviously star Freshman DaQuan Bowers of Clemson, Darrell Scott of Colorado, and Julio Jones of Alabama have impressed. All were being counted on to play well, and have met expectations, especially Jones. Scott has not been named the starter, but is tough to keep a talent like that off of the field, possibly even see him returning kicks. Bowers has been consistently getting to the QB since the Spring. Jones has incredible leaping ability and should be the #2 wideout for Bama.

Dark-Horse Heisman Candidates

I think these players have the exposure, and ability to get to New York, though no one seems to be touting them.Last year it was Chase Daniel and 2 years back it was Darren McFadden. Here are my picks for who could surprise and up in New York.
Javon Ringer, RB, Michigan State
Ringer really broke out last season, and ended the season as one of the top backs in the Big Ten. Ringer had 1447 yards rushing and 6 TD's as well as 35 receptions. While the TD numbers may seem low, he was losing a ton of goal line oppurtunities to Jehhu Calcrick (21 TD's).   
What He Needs To Do
For Ringer to get to New York, he needs a Big Time season, and to really shine in all of Michigan State's big games. I'd say he needs to have at least 1,750 yards, 20 TD's, and 40 catches to be considered. Those are big numbers, though possible for Ringer. I'd also say at least a 10-2 season for Michigan State, and they need to upset either Wisconsin, or most likely Ohio State, and in that game a huge game maybe 200 yards and a couple scores as well as a game breaking moment that would be remembered. More than likely it won't happen, but I can see Ringer with a little luck garnering a bid to NYC.
DeMarco Murray, RB/KR, Oklahoma
Murray was explosive last season for Oklahoma. He had a 92 yard TD, and had 5 TD's in week 1 against North Texas. What really held Murray back was 2 things injuries, and sharing carries. Last year Murray missed 4 games, and only had 10 or more carries 6 times the entire season. Still he had 764 yards rushing, and 13 TD's averaging 6 yards per carry. Remember he was only a Frosh last year.
What He Needs To Do 
I think Murray is the most likely to get to NYC on this list. If you watch him play he makes the highlight reel plays that are necesary to be a Heisman winner, and fits the Heisman mold. I think #1 and most importantly Murray must, and I mean Must stay healthy throughout the season. Next I think he needs to get at least 240 touches, Next I think OU must win at least 10 games, but that should be easily accomplished. He would need to show up in the Texas game, and likely a game like Texas Tech, and if they get an appearance the Big 12 title game. I think that these numbers would get Murray a bid to NYC is 225 carries, 1560 yards, 17 TD's, 2 KR TD's, 20 catches. That is really not that unlikely. I expect what may hold him back is splitting votes with teammate Sam Bradford.
Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia 
I'll admit I was adamently against Stafford intially, but I have bought into him. Watch the Florida game, or really parts of any game, and you'll see the potential to be a star. The rave reviews from everyone over the summer has me really bought in. Last year he had 2,523 yards passing, 19 TD's and 10 picks, as well as 55% completion and 2 rushing TD's. Still he has all the potential in the world.
What He Needs To Do
Simply put play up to his potential.Stafford has been incredible over spring and fall. I think Ed Cunningham put it best, Stafford rely's on his athletic and god-given ability to much. He thinks I can fit the throw in to a small window, and it ends up getting picked off, or he tries to force a throw or stay to long in the pocket. Still I get teh feeling that in the Florida and Auburn game last year he really seemed to grasp what he needs to do. I think first Georgia must win 10 games. Then Stafford needs to become more accurate, and make better decisions. I think numbers like these would allow Stafford to be a contender. 3,250 yards passing, 28 TD's, 10 INT's, 62% completion. Maybe really holding Stafford back is splitting votes with Knowshon Moreno. 
Mark Sanchez, QB, USC 
Sanchez appears to be really impressive in camp before and now after his injury. Last year he had 695 yards pasing 7 TD's, 5 INT's and 60% completion. He was impressive against Notre Dame, but really struggled against Arizona, and was average against Oregon. He seems to have really gotten a good grasp on the offense and with all the weapons SC has he should do well.  
What He Needs To Do
I think first Sanchez needs to be healthy, so play against Ohio State for sure, and more than likely against Virginia. I think USC needs to win 10 games, which is not to hard. Then he must even if they lose play well against Ohio State. Considering he plays at the biggest hype machine in college football, USC it shouldn't be too hard, but I'd say him winning next year would be more likely. I think if Sanchez throws for 3,100 yards, 31 TD's and 10 INT's a trip to NYC would likely be in store.
Macho Harris, CB/WR/KR/PR, Virginia Tech 
Harris was one of the top corners in the nation last  ear recording 36 tackles 11 pass breakups and 6 picks taking 1 back for a TD. He has blazing speed and also took a kick back for a TD during the season as well. He was first team all -acc and was named an all-american by select publications. 
What He Needs To Do 
First off it has been said that along with his duties as a returner and star CB Harris will play wide receiver for the Hokies. To get invited to NYC a huge year would be needed. Harris is considered among the top 6 or 7 CB's in the NCAA, but if he wants to head to NYC he needs to win the Thorpe award as the best corner in the nation. He would also have to be explosive as a returner and receiver. I think VT would need to win 10 games, and Harris would need to have big performances in the ACC title game. A Charles Woodson like season would be necesary. I think these numbers would do the job. 60 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 17 pass breakups, 7 picks, 2 INT's for TD's, 30 receptions 500 yards, 6 TD's, 4 return TD's