Quick Hitters

Published on Saturday, 8/10/13, at 3:45 p.m. Eastern.

By Brian Edwards

–Wake Forest senior RB Josh Harris had his eligibility restored after an appeal to the NCAA, the school announced Friday. Harris was ruled out for the season a few weeks ago. He led the Demon Deacons with 608 rushing yards and five TDs in 2012.

–After undergoing an appendectomy two weeks ago, Florida QB Jeff Driskel practiced for the first time Thursday (8/8). Sticking with the Gators, they lost senior WR and special-teams dynamo Andre DeBose for the season with a torn ACL. DeBose has four career kick returns for touchdowns. Also, starting LB Antonio Morrison returned to the team Thursday but he remains suspended for the first two games (for now). Will Muschamp indicated after practice Friday that there was a possibility that Morrison’s two-game suspension could be reduced. He would be missed if he couldn’t play at Miami in Week 2.

–LSU senior starting OG Josh Williford suffered a concussion at Thursday’s practice. According to a report in Thursday’s Baton Rouge Advocate, the injury could be career-threatening. This would be a huge loss for the Tigers.

–TCU sophomore defensive end Devonte Fields will not play in the season opener vs. LSU after being issued a two-game suspension from head coach Gary Patterson earlier this summer. Fields was the Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 after producing 10 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.

–Ole Miss junior WR Vince Sanders is out for the next six weeks after sustaining a shoulder injury at Tuesday’s practice (8/6). Sanders will miss the Rebels’ crucial season opener at Vandy and Hugh Freeze is hoping he can return for a Sep. 14 date at Texas. Sanders was the school’s second-leading receiver last year when he hauled in 39 receptions for 504 yards and four TDs.

–Va. Tech senior cornerback Antone Exum will miss the season opener vs. Alabama at the Ga. Dome. Exum tore his ACL in January but was hoping to be ready to face the Crimson Tide. However, after a visit to Dr. James Andrews earlier this week, Exum found out that he probably won’t be ready until late September. He was a second-team All-ACC selection last season when he had five interceptions and broke up 16 passes. The Hokies will also be without redshirt freshman WR/RB Joel Caleb against Alabama. Caleb, the team’s top recruit in 2012, is suspended for violating a team rule.

–Southern Cal junior WR Marquise Lee suffered a shoulder injury at Friday’s practice. There’s no word out yet on how long the injury could keep the Biletnikoff winner on the sidelines. Lee made 118 receptions for 1,721 yards and 14 TDs last season.

–I’m real bullish on Northwestern this season. The Wildcats went 10-3 last year and had fourth-quarter leads in each of their defeats. They bring back eight starters on offense and seven on defense. I have Pat Fitzgerald’s team going 10-2 and winning the Legends Division. I recommend taking Northwestern to win the division for a +325 payout (risk $100 to win $325).

–On Friday, UAB announced the dismissal of leading receiver Jackie Williams from the team. The senior wideout led the Blazers with 52 receptions for 799 yards and one touchdown in 2012.

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