This article is part of our CFB Barometer series.
This season has been cruel to Todd Gurley. He was left on the sidelines for several weeks due to the general inanity of the NCAA, and when he returned, he ran well before suffering a torn ACL that will see his season, and presumably his college career, end. While we him a speedy recovery as he prepares for an NFL career that will fairly compensate him for his ability, the Georgia Bulldogs won't lose a step without him, thanks to the emergence of Nick Chubb. Even with Gurley back last week, Chubb had 21 touches for 192 yards and two touchdowns. He was excellent while Gurley was out as well, and he will likely shoulder the load for the Bulldogs, even when Sony Michel returns. The days of the "Gurshall" backfield may be over, but now Georgia gets to enjoy a couple years of the Chubb Corporation.
Now, a look at some more key bits of news and notes as we head into Week 13 of the collegiate football season.
UPGRADE
Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State: Cook has not gotten a ton of touches for the Seminoles this season, but that's something that this team may want to reconsider. He only has 86 carries on the season, and only has more than 13 carries in one game, but he has 508 yards and seven touchdowns on the year. That's a 5.9 yards per carry average, and last week it only took him seven carries to go 92 yards with two scores. The skill is clearly there for the freshman, and the ceiling is sky high.
Tajae Sharpe, WR, UMass: Since Massachusetts is terrible at football, some fantasy owners may not realize that this team has also thrown the ball around a ton. Sharpe has been a key piece of that formula, as his 13 catches for 239 yards last week against Ball State clearly show. He only has one game with less than 73 yards on the season, and has four games with more than 150 yards. That shows that this huge game against Ball State wasn't necessarily a fluke, and there is no reason for this team to stop throwing the ball around now, especially since it often plays from behind.
Michael Cummings, QB, Kansas: The Jayhawks have looked a bit feisty in recent weeks and, in addition to the dismissal of Charlie Weis, the installation of Cummings under center has helped in that regard as well. Last week, he threw for 332 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, and that was against a TCU defense that has been quite good this year. He also ran for a touchdown, and has four rushing scores in his five starts. His numbers aren't amazing, but he's also probably flown under the radar for those in need of a quarterback.
CHECK STATUS
Jarvion Franklin, RB, WMU: Western Michigan is bowl eligible this year, and it owes it almost entirely to the revelation that this freshman running back has been. This is a guy with six games wherein he has run for three touchdowns. However, last week, in a great matchup with Eastern Michigan he was limited to five carries for 26 yards, and a 54-yard touchdown reception, before leaving with an ankle injury. He practiced Sunday, according to reports, but obviously a player this valuable needs to be monitored by fantasy owners. He's carried his own team, and he's carried fantasy teams, so any lingering injury issues could deal a real blow.
Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson: Much like Gurley, Watson returned to action after an extended absence Saturday, before leaving the game with an injury. While it was a knee injury, he seems to have avoided anything serious, as he is considered day-to-day. In his stead, Cole Stoudt was, simply put, terrible, and he might not even start if Watson can't go. Clemson plays Georgia State this weekend, so it's a great matchup regardless. That could mean a big game for Watson, or it could mean that they don't bother risking him in a game they won't lose even if that have to start Stoudt.
William Stanback, RB, UCF: Prior to last week, Stanback had two games wherein he scored two touchdowns, including an 141-yard game against UConn. He was well on his way to another nice game against Tulsa, as he had 54 yards in the second quarter when he was forced from the game with a shoulder injury. The Golden Knights play lowly SMU and South Florida in their next two games, so these are great potential matchups for Stanback. If he can play, he should be in line for a couple more big fantasy games, but his status is up in the air for the moment.
DOWNGRADE
Everett Golson, QB, Notre Dame: While the focus of concern for the Fighting Irish has been their defense, Golson has been as generous with his opponents as with his teammates recently. He's a good player, and he's contributed multiple touchdowns in every game this season, but the turnovers are a concern, and there are no easy matchups left. Notre Dame plays Louisville and USC in its last two games. Golson will get his touchdowns, but he's also probably going to turn the ball over against two fairly tough defenses.
Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State: Prescott had a somewhat rough go of it against Alabama in Mississippi State's first loss of the season last week. While he did throw for 290 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed 22 times for 82 yards, he also threw three picks. In two of his last three starts, with the other coming against Tennessee-Martin, he has had more turnovers than touchdowns. He does have a game remaining against Vanderbilt, but then there is the Egg Bowl matchup where the Bulldogs have to visit Ole Miss. That game is likely to resemble the Alabama loss when all is said and done.
Mario Alford, WR, WVU: While Kevin White is having a huge season, Alford has had a good year of his own, with 710 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. However, in West Virginia's game before the bye, he only had five catches for 31 yards. Now, the Mountaineers have to play a good Kansas State team and then visit Iowa State. Sure, the Cyclones are bad, but this is still a road game, and the weather this time of year always has the potential to wreak havoc on a passing game. White will still get his, because he is too good not to, but Alford could be a different story.
