Michigan State is back on the schedule, it’s a big recruiting weekend, and we’ve got a not-so-rare nowadays home night game. We’re blessed in so many ways, not the least of which that there is plenty of quality action throughout the afternoon to pass the time as we wait for the Irish vs. Spartans.

Now for some depth chart updates…

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If you’ve been living under a rock for the past week you may not know about the season-ending injury to Shaun Crawford. Roughly 55 weeks after having season-ending knee surgery, Crawford goes down with an Achilles injury for 2016.

That loss opens up a spot on the two-deep at corner which goes to true freshman Donte Vaughn. That makes a top four at corner of Luke, Coleman, Love, and Vaughn. As far as we know Love will remain at corner, although who becomes the backup at this position is unknown.

Earlier in the week the injury update from Brian Kelly on Nick Watkins didn’t sound too positive although yesterday he seemed much more upbeat. Watkins is practicing and is 2 weeks away from an exam on his broken arm for bone growth. Kelly mentioned a possible redshirt and then about getting Watkins ready to play a few weeks down the road.

The experiment with Greer Martini as a starter appears over for the time being. He’s effectively flip-flopped positions on the depth chart with Coney while the latter has become the full-time starter on the weak-side. Against Nevada, Coney played 47 snaps while Martini played only 4 more snaps than Asmar Bilal.

Things remain quiet on the offensive side of the ball since the quarterback controversy has been settled. The Irish will be getting Torii Hunter back after missing the Nevada game with a concussion, though. Besides that things are taking hold as the offense begins sorting out who the best players will be for 2016.

Remember last year when the healthy return of Durham Smythe was somehow supposed to change our production in the red zone? We’ll wait another couple games but it’s looking like the tight end situation isn’t all that rosy anymore. A full 111 snaps for Smythe and just one catch. Maybe even more shocking, just 44 snaps and zero catches for Nic Weishar in 2016. Anyone think a good hard look on the coaching from Scott Booker is necessary?