Marcus Lattimore Injury: Lattimore and the Most Unlucky Stars of 2011

As is the case every season, college football teams deal with injuries. Some are serious, others aren't that bad.

But in all cases, they make some sort of difference to the team affected.

This weekend saw two of the sport's brightest stars—South Carolina sophomore running back Marcus Lattimore and Michigan junior quarterback Denard Robinson—have to leave their respective games against Mississippi State and Michigan State after getting hurt.

The staffs of the Gamecocks and Wolverines have said it is too early to determine the extent of those injuries, but already each has had an impact. South Carolina struggled to beat the Bulldogs, 14-12, while Michigan fell, 24-14, to its archrivals (a loss that likely would have happened had Robinson been hurt or not, but it did make the possibility of a comeback slimmer).

Here is a look at some big names who have gone down with injuries this year.

John Brantley

When Florida quarterback John Brantley went down with a high right ankle sprain late in the first half against Alabama, the Gators had 10 points and done a decent job moving the ball.

They probably had very little shot of winning the contest with Brantley on the field. They had none with him gone and ended up losing 38-10.

He missed the next week at Louisiana State, and UF was beaten, 41-11. Brantley also was forced to sit out Saturday's game at defending BCS national champion Auburn.

If all goes well in his recovery, Brantley could return in two weeks against SEC East rival Georgia.

LaMichael James

Oregon's LaMichael James finished third in the 2010 Heisman Trophy race, and he was leading the nation in rushing when he dislocated his elbow last week against California.

One of the few running backs discussed when talking about this year's quarterback-loaded Heisman candidates, this is the second time James has suffered this injury. The first occurred in high school.

Knile Davis

One of the Southeastern Conference's top running backs in 2010, Knile Davis has missed the entire year for Arkansas.

He suffered a season-ending ankle injury on Aug. 28 and is expected back in 2012.

Chris Thompson

A tailback for Florida State, Thompson will miss the rest of the season after breaking two vertebrae in a Week 6 loss to Wake Forest.

The Seminoles are hopeful Thompson can return for the 2012 campaign.

Trinton Sturdivant

Arguably Georgia's best offensive lineman, Trinton Sturdivant suffered a serious knee injury in the spring.

A talented tackle, Sturdivant will miss the 2011 season, but he is expected back for 2012.

Jerell Gavins

Arguably Boise State's best cornerback, Gavins suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice on Oct. 4.

He will miss the rest of the season, but the Broncos are hopeful he can return in 2012.

Josh Clemons

One of the lone bright spots of a dismal Kentucky offense, Clemons underwent surgery on Oct. 11 to repair a torn MCL and will miss the remainder of the season.

The Wildcats are hopeful the talented freshman tailback will be back for spring practice.

Marcus Forston

One of the nation's best defensive tackles, Forston suffered a season-ending knee injury on Oct. 6.

A highly rated NFL prospect, Forston recently had surgery and will have a decision to make about whether or not he returns to UM after he recovers.

Jared Crick

Arguably Nebraska's best player, Crick tore a pectoral muscle on Sept. 17 against Washington. He played the next two weeks with the injury, but the team decided to shut the defensive tackle down for the season soon after that.

Crick is expected to make a full recovery.

Mike Ragone

Ragone suffered a torn ACL on Sept. 13 and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Ragone and the Fighting Irish are hopeful the tight end will make a full recovery.

Verlon Reed

One of Ohio State's top wide receivers, Reed tore his ACL on Oct. 6.

He will miss the rest of the season but is expected to make a full recovery and could be ready for at least partial duty in spring practice.

Ben Habern

Oklahoma's starting center, Habern broke his arm in a Week 4 victory against Missouri.

He is expected to miss at least six weeks but has set the middle of November as his target date to return.

Derek Moye

Penn State's leading receiver, Moye was injured in perhaps the most peculiar manner of the year. He fell down some steps and hurt his foot.

Moye isn't expected to miss more than a couple of games.

Rob Henry

Projected to be Purdue's starting quarterback, Henry suffered a season-ending knee injury on Aug. 28.

The quarterback who followed Florida's John Brantley at Ocala (Fla.) Trinity Catholic is expected to recover in full.

Marc Tyler

The son of former NFL tailback Wendell Tyler, Marc, also a running back, suffered a dislocated shoulder in Week 6 against California.

Tyler is out indefinitely.

Shayne Skov

One of the leaders of the Stanford defense, Skov suffered a season-ending knee injury on Sept. 24.

The fiery linebacker is expected to make a full recovery.

Justin Hunter

When he suffered a season-ending torn left ACL against Florida in a Week 3 loss, Hunter was Tennessee's leading receiver.

He will miss the remainder of the season.

Garrett Gilbert

The former starting quarterback for Texas, Gilbert suffered a season-ending shoulder injury on Sept. 20. He has had surgery to repair the damage.

Gilbert has announced he is transferring.

Tanner Brock

One of the top defenders for Texas Christian, Brock had foot surgery and will miss the 2011 season.

The linebacker is expected to make a full recovery, and possibly could return in time for the start of spring practice.

Richard Brehaut

UCLA's starting quarterback, Brehaut suffered a lower-leg fracture in Week 6 against Washington State.

He is expected to miss three-to-six weeks.