QB Ben Chappell hopes to lead the Hoosiers to a win over PSU (Icon SMI)

QB Ben Chappell, Indiana – Hip

Chappell took a beating against a very tough Wisconsin defense and had to leave the game early. Reports from Bloomington indicate that the injury is not structural, but rather some significant bruising. Chappell has spent a lot of time the past few days in the IU athletic training room working to regain smooth movement in the injured hip. The team physician will likely clear Chappell to return to practice on Wednesday and he should be good to go this Saturday against Penn State at FedEx Field in Washington, D.C. Like many other quarterbacks on teams with young offensive lines to protect them, Chappell will not be at 100% at this point of the season.  The number of hits he has received to date do have a wear and tear factor. However, coaches have to decide if 85-90% of their regular starter gives them a better chance to win than 100% of his potential replacement. Since Chappell’s injuries are muscular, rather than ligamentous, look for him to be on the field on Saturday in hopes of engineering a major upset against the Nittany Lions.  Such a win would be a major upset and the crowning achievement of the Hoosiers otherwise disappointing season. Read the rest of this entry →

QB Zach Collaros, Cincinnati – Knee

QB Zach Collaros' knee will have him relying on his arm more vs WVU (Icon SMI)

Collaros missed the Syracuse game to allow his knee some more healing time. He was able to return to practice on Sunday and has been taking reps with the first team offense, so chances are very good that he will be in the line-up this week against West Virginia. Look for some loss of mobility, but as long as he can plant the leg to throw, he should be able to get Cincy’s high powered offense back on the right track.

QB Christian Ponder, Florida State – Elbow

Ponder suffered an injury known as olecranon bursitis. The bursa sits between the bony structure of the elbow and the skin and acts to reduce friction. When the bursa sac is injured, fluid build up superior to the olecranon process (the point of the elbow). This is a painful injury, but one that is known in sportsmedicine circles to be self-limiting. Once the fluid has dissipated, pain is the only factor to prevent Ponder from full efficiency. Look for Ponder to be in the starting line-up this week against Clemson in an important ACC contest. Read the rest of this entry →

RB Bilal Powell is asking for good news on his knee injury....so are fantasy owners. (Icon SMI)

RB Bilal Powell, Louisville – Knee

Powell injured his knee last week against Pitt and has already been ruled out for this week’s contest against the surprising Orangemen of Syracuse. Latest reports indicate that the knee has a significant amount of swelling which would be indicative of ligamentous damage. Chances are that the Louisville medical staff will wait until some of the swelling subsides before doing further diagnostic tests to determine the extent of the injury. If it turns out to be ligamentous, his season is over. Although Louisville has a fighting chance to become Bowl eligible, Bowl eligible does not necessarily translate to Bowl invited and their chances just took a big hit with the loss of Powell, one of the premier rushers in the nation. Read the rest of this entry →

Zach Collaros        QB        Cincinnati        Knee

Collaros’ injury has been reported as a contusion of the knee.  As of Tuesday’s practice time, Collaros was still on crutches with a brace on the injured knee.  The brace doesn’t make sense with a “contusion”, nor does Collaros’ alleged remark that he felt unusual movement of the knee. All the signs tend to indicate damage to the tibial collateral ligament (primary stabilizer on the medial side of the knee).  Collaros will not play this week against Syracuse, but with the bye week following, he could be ready to go, most likely wearing a brace, on November 13 against West Virginia.

MSU RB Vick Ballard: on a milk carton last week, ready to go this week (Icon SMI)

Vick Ballard        RB        Mississippi State        Ankle

Ballard, far and away the brightest spot in the Bulldog offense, will be in the starting line- up this week against Kentucky.  Ballard, recovering from an ankle sprain, was held out of last week’s contest (very late scratch)against UAB to give the ankle more rest and time to heal.  UAB was supposed to be a walk over, but without Ballard, the Bulldogs were lucky to salvage the game.  They will definitely need Ballard and his rushing abilities this week against Kentucky.

Marcus Lattimore    RB        South Carolina    Leg

Lattimore is another player that was held out against a weaker opponent to allow healing time for a sprained ankle.  Medically, this was the right move, but without him, the Gamecocks almost got embarrassed by perennial SEC cellar dweller, Vandy.  Lattimore, a freshman sensation, practiced Monday and there is no doubt that “the old ball coach” will have Lattimore in the game this week against Tennessee.  The Gamecocks still have the edge in the SEC East race, but can’t afford to drop another game. Read the rest of this entry →

QB Taylor Potts, Texas Tech – Jaw

QB Taylor Potts won't take this injury lying down. (Icon SMI)

Potts’ jaw made contact with an opponent’s helmet last week and the helmet got the best of the collision. He had x-rays after the game which were negative (no fracture noted), so he has a highly contused and sore jaw. This injury will not keep him off the field, nor will it hamper his play in Saturday’s must win game with Colorado. Read the rest of this entry →