October 14, 2005

David Lavender
Rivals.com College Football Staff Writer

A number of high-profile players will be exchanging football pads for crutches and casts after suffering injuries last weekend. Some will be smashing helmets again within the month, but the following three stars will be watching from the sideline for much longer. Read about the changes in the Rivals.com Two-Deep.

Matt Meinrod, Florida State (OL)
Of all the injuries that will hamper teams this weekend, Florida State may have suffered the most devastating loss of any program. Senior guard Matt Meinrod, a Rivals.com preseason second team All-ACC honoree, dislocated his ankle and fractured his fibula against Wake Forest.

The Seminoles will shift sophomore John Frady from center to right guard to fill Meinrod's shoes. Frady is a promising youngster, but if Florida State loses any more starters this season, coach Bobby Bowden admits things could get hairy pretty quickly.

"Well, there are other shifts that you could make, but you sure would not like to make them," Bowden said. "You are into your reserves and backups now. You just hope you can stay healthy."

The Seminoles now have three freshmen offensive linemen second on the depth chart, and are already starting redshirt freshman David Overmyer at right tackle.

Meinrod was an All-ACC honorable mention selection following his sophomore year but missed all but one game last season with an injury.

Jason Allen, Tennessee (DB)
The Volunteers lost one of the leaders of their defense when captain Jason Allen dislocated his hip while making a tackle against Georgia last Saturday. Allen was an All-ACC selection in 2004 and was named to the Rivals.com preseason All-American second team.

Tennessee will turn to either redshirt freshman Inquoris Johnson or sophomore Roshaun Fellows to fill the vacancy at cornerback.

"Roshaun started most of last year, but he's probably not playing as fast as I like for him to play right now," coach Phillip Fulmer said. "Inky has just waited for his opportunity. He's practiced well and did a good job against Georgia."

Johnson has five tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery on the year. Fellows has six tackles.

Allen was third on the team in tackles with 35 stops. He also had 3 tackles for loss, two pass-breakups and one forced fumble.

Ed Hinkel, Iowa (WR)
Iowa will sorely miss senior receiver Ed Hinkel, who broke his arm last week in a 34-17 win over Purdue. Hinkel was leading the Hawkeyes with 20 receptions, but Hinkel is the type of player where the statistics don't tell the entire story.

"You don't really replace a guy like Ed Hinkel," said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz. "He's a leader. He's a performer. He's a big-game guy.

"He'll be at practice and on the sidelines with us, but you don't replace what he brings to the team both as a performer on the field and as a leader."

Luckily for the Hawkeyes, Hinkel doesn't seem to be lost for the season. The senior receiver underwent a successful surgery on his broken right arm earlier this week. There is no date set for his return yet, but Iowa's official website says Hinkel is "sidelined for a number of weeks."

Hinkel will be replaced by redshirt sophomore receiver Herb Grigsby, who had zero career receptions coming into the season. In a reserve role this year, Grigsby has caught seven passes for 87 yards and one touchdown. Senior defensive back Jovon Johnson will take over Hinkel's punt returning duties.

Other depth chart changes to watch:

? In one of the most surprising moves of the week, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has named redshirt freshman Mike Teel as the starter this weekend, ending senior Ryan Hart's 32-game starting streak.

? Virginia Tech running back Cedric Humes broke his right arm against Marshall, but the Hokies have a bye week coming up this weekend. Humes' status is questionable for Maryland on Oct. 20. Branden Ore, a redshirt freshman, will take his place.

? Boston College All-America defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka will probably miss Saturday's game against Wake Forest with a sprained MCL. Junior Jeff Burns is the best bet to start in Kiwanuka's place.

? In the Big 12, Texas' Jamaal Charles and Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson will be used sparingly due to nagging injuries. Oklahoma State quarterback Bobby Reid will most likely sit with an injured foot.

? Georgia linebacker Tony Taylor won't make the trip to Nashville to play Vanderbilt this weekend because of injury. Taylor is fourth on the team with 23 tackles.

? Sophomore right tackle Kirk Barton was officially termed "questionable" for this weekend, but the indication is that he will not be available. The Buckeyes expect to start true freshman Alex Boone in Barton's place even though Boone's more natural position is on the left side.

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