INJURIES FOR THE BIG DOGS

It's that time of year in college football as the fog starts to lift and the picture becomes a little bit clearer of who the players are for the national championship and who were just pretenders. One factor that will be out of control for the players is the amount of injuries that seem to mounting this season in college football. Especially amongst top tier programs.

Let's take a look:

Oklahoma - The Sooners lost the services of Heisman winning quarterback Sam Bradford in the opening day loss to BYU when he was slammed to the turf by Coleby Clawson injuring his shoulder. Bradford seems to be healing fine but no timetable has been set for his return. Landry Jones has done a good job for the Sooners in his absence but the Sooner schedule has not been tough over the last few games. This weekend Oklahoma has #17 Miami a true test.

Florida - Most saw it and most sat silent as they watched Tim Tebow lay motionless on the field for what seemed to be hours during the Gators match-up with Kentucky. Tebow did get to his feet and walked off the field sustaining a concussion. At this moment everything seems to progressing well for a full speedy recovery but as with any serious concussion only time will tell. The Gators are off this week but head to #4 LSU Oct. 10, the toughest place to play on a Saturday night. If Tebow is not ready John Brantley will have to step it up and Baton Rouge is a is not a very friendly place to make your debut as a starter.

USC - QB Matt Barkley was already lost for game because of injury and now the Trojans must deal with losing Stafon Johnson, last years leading rusher, to a freak weightlifting accident. Johnson was working on his bench press when the bar slipped and landed on his throat crushing his larynx. The running back went through seven hours of emergency surgery and will be lost for the season. Fortunately a full recovery is expected. USC staff credits the use of spotters from adverting a tragedy.

Alabama - The Crimson Tide have lost the services sophomore standout linebacker Dont'A Hightower for the season to a torn knee ligament. Coach Nick Saban though has stocked Bama's cupboard with linebackers as they will roll out numerous studs to fill the void along side another standout LB Rolando McClain. You can expect to see Nico Johnson (freshman), Chris Jordan, Cory Reamer, Eryk Anders or Courtney Andrews filling the holes this weekend as the Tide face Kentucky.

Virginia Tech - Tech is unlike any of the other teams mentioned above they lost their star running back Darren Evans even before the season started with a torn ACL. The Hokies have been relying on freshman Ryan Williams who has amassed 492 yards on 84 carries.

OTHER NOTABLES- The top tier programs have not been the only college teams to get bitten by the injury bug. Notre Dame has Jimmy Claussen nursing turf toe, the University of South Florida has lost senior quarterback Matt Grothe for the season, Michigan QB Tate Forcier is nursing a injured right shoulder and Baylor lost starting QB Robert Griffin for the season.

QUICK NOTE: In a recent Fox Sports Poll of who the best team in the SEC is the rundown went like this: 58% - Bama 36% - Florida 6%- LSU