For the first time all-season, college football has a new number-one team in the AP rankings: Clemson passed former top team Ohio State. Throw in a few upsets of undefeated teams(namely, Navy over Memphis, Oklahoma State over TCU, and Alabama over LSU), and the playoff picture and Heisman race has heated up in just one weekend. Learn about some of the top news from the past weekend here at Optimum Scouting.
By: Cory Burrell
Notre Dame C.J. Prosise suffers shoulder injury, concussion
The Fighting Irish defeated Pittsburgh Saturday, but a valuable member of Notre Dame’s offense suffered several injuries in the process. Senior running back C.J. Prosise left the game early with a shoulder injury and is also undergoing concussion protocol, according to head coach Brian Kelly. Prosise looked on pace to erase his low-impact performance last week against Temple, tallying nearly 60 yards from the line scrimmage before he left near the end of the first quarter. Kelly told reporters Prosise’s injury is not considered serious, but the team has taken extra precautions with him at practice. Prosise has been one of the biggest surprises of the season, going from an unknown third-string back to a guaranteed 1,000-yard season, all while drawing attention as a potential NFL draftee. Prosise may be available for Notre Dame’s next game this Saturday against Wake Forest.
TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson misses second half of team’s first loss
Senior Josh Doctson, considered the top wide receiver prospect by Optimum Scouting in this year’s draft class, injured his left wrist in the Horned Frogs’ loss to Oklahoma State. Doctson hurt his wrist late in the second quarter and did not return in TCU’s loss to Oklahoma State. Head coach Gary Patterson told reporters earlier today he had “no update” on Doctson’s injury, and alluded that the talented wideout may miss significant time. Doctson is the nation’s leader in receiving yards and played a major role in TCU’s undefeated record before Saturday’s upset loss to Oklahoma State.
Senior Dezmon Epps dismissed from Idaho for off-field incidents
Senior Dezmon Epps, one of the most talented players on a middling Idaho team, was dismissed from the team for “violating conditions set forth in disciplinary actions taken earlier in the season,” according to a report by ESPN. Epps is the team leader in receiving yards despite playing in only six of Idaho’s nine games this season. Unfortunately for Epps and his team, his collegiate career was marred by near-constant off-field issues, including a DUI, domestic violence accusations, and theft. Epps had was suspended indefinitely the past two weeks for allegedly hitting his girlfriend.
Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett set to return to starting role after suspension
Redshirt sophomore J.T. Barrett made headlines for the wrong reasons two weeks ago when he was arrested for an OVI and suspended one game, but Barrett and the Buckeyes appear ready to move forward. Head coach Urban Meyers told reporters earlier today Barrett would return to the starting role this Saturday against Illinois. Barrett will again replace Cardale Jones, following Jones 11th straight win as OSU’s starting quarterback. The legal ramifications Barrett will face are still not entirely resolved; Barrett is scheduled for arraignment tomorrow.
Mizzou football players end strike after resignation of university president
Missouri university president Tim Wolfe resigned from his position effective immediately today amid increasing criticism of the handling of racial issue on campus. The issue entered the college football world when several black players on Mizzou’s team went on strike from all football-related activities until Wolfe stepped down. Head coach Gary Pinkel and the rest of the team publically supported the strike and threatened not to play the Tigers’ next game this Saturday, against BYU at Arrowhead Stadium, if Wolfe was still president. If the Tigers did not play this game, it could have cost the university a million dollars in cancellation fees. The team confirmed the game would take place as scheduled and they would resume practice tomorrow.
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