The pain of loss
The loss of Justin Dunning for the year deprives the Aggies of a guy who was primed to have a big year at safety. The drama surrounding Josh Walker leaves an already thin linebacking corps in even greater peril.
We could sit and complain all day about these setbacks. But the fact is that in college football, everyone is dealing with personnel losses of one kind or another. It might be helpful to go around the SEC West and look at the subtractions going on there, too.
Arkansas
RB T.J. Hammonds is out indefinitely with a knee injury. Other than that, the Razorbacks appear to be relatively intact.
Alabama
We all know Kendall Sheffield has transferred to Blinn College, depriving Nick Saban of a very real option for third cornerback (or maybe even a starter). No one will cry for him on this board, I'll venture. But there is other Bama defensive backfield intrigue, too. The SEC defied Saban and allowed Maurice Smith to follow Kirby Smart to Georgia as a graduate transfer. No one expects for Bama to see a real drop off in the secondary, but injuries could reveal a chink in their armor. No one loses two quality players and doesn't feel some impact. Saban shares injury information about like his friend and mentor Bill Belichick, so we almost certainly do not have a full picture of what is going on in Tuscaloosa.
Auburn
Projected started running back Jovon Robinson was dismissed from the team before fall camp for "numerous discipline issues." Ouch. Generally, they just stick with a "violation of team rules."DL Jaunta'vius Johnson is likely out for the year after knee surgery. Two of their vaunted freshmen wide receivers are "week to week" with foot injuries.
LSU
Defensive tackle Christian LaCouture is out for the season after ACL surgery. LaCouture came back to LSU after a stellar junior season rather than jumping to the NFL.Backup linebacker Isaiah Washington is also out for the year after knee surgery. SR OLB Corey Thompson will also miss a few games with a "lower leg injury." Sounds like one of those nagging things that could haunt him. And of course, LSU also suffered the loss of former five star WR Tyron Johnson when he transferred over the past few weeks to Oklahoma State.
Mississippi State
The Bulldogs will have to play this season without QB Elijah Staley, who left the team for personal reasons. WR Fred Ross has a groin injury, but is listed as probable for the season opener. SR safety Deontay Evans also transferred over the summer.Not to worry, though. Noted humanitarian freshman five star DL Jeffery Simmons will plays this fall after he completes his one game suspension (against that powerhouse South Alabama) for punching a woman.
Ole Miss
Projected starting RB Jordan Wilkins was declared academically ineligible for the season. WR Markell Pack is likely out for the season with a hand injury. DB C.J. Moore is out indefinitely with a pectoral injury, which makes me hurt to even think about.