Rivalry week always presents good matchups and one of the last meaningful, competitive game for scouts to evaluate.
Let me know in the comments if there’s a game or prospect you’re interested in this weekend or going forward. I’ll keep checking.
This week we dive deep into “The Game”, the best rivalry in college football, between Michigan and Ohio State.
In many ways, this is a strength-on-strength matchup.
Michigan has the best offensive line in the country. The Wolverines won the Joe Moore Award last year (CFB’s Best Offensive Line) and I think this unit is actually better. They have a power running game that drives the rest of their offense.
Ohio State is the opposite. While they have a ton of offensive line talent, their offense is geared around the pass game. Their stable of skilled weapons, led by QB C.J. Stroud has the most potential of any offense in the country. They average the most yards per play in the country (7.39), while Michigan allows the second-fewest. Michigan will need to stop the run, otherwise that offensive balance will make the Buckeyes virtually impossible to defend.
The big concern, really for both teams, is the health of their top players. Going into this game there are 8 draft prospects that are legitimately questionable (noted below).
The Patriots will likely look to pick an offensive line in this draft. Last year they selected Andrew Stueber (who we previewed quite a bit) with their 7th-round pick. I have at least 6 offensive linemen in this game that would be drafted if they were to declare.
Lastly, while we won’t cover the underclassman, both of these teams have considerable future pro talent on their starting lineups including four potential first-rounders.
Not just a rivalry game, not just a top 5 match-up, there is a lot of “good on good” in this game.
NO. 3 MICHIGAN at NO.2 OHIO STATE, Noon on FOX
Potential First Rounders
Ohio State QB #7 C.J. Stroud (6-foot-3, 218 pounds): He’s a really good pocket QB and he’s having another Heisman-type campaign (2,991 yards, 35 TDs, 4 INTs and completing 66% of his passes). Scouts would actually prefer he run more given his ability. Given he’ll be a top pick at the end of the season, we’ll cover him deeper. But he has great anticipation and the best accuracy in the class. He can make some “wow” throws. Michigan will need to pressure and confuse him, otherwise Stroud will pick them apart.
Ohio State LT #77 Paris Johnson Jr. (6-6, 310): Paris is having a very good season and he’s the type of prospect you build in the lab with the ideal size and traits. He’s a smooth mover, smart player, and the coaching staff is very high on him. While he may need some more anchor to be consistent on Sundays, that upside puts him in the conversation to be a top tackle taken next year.
Ohio State RT #79 Dawand Jones (6-8, 350): He fits the Orlando Brown, Mecki Becton or Trent Brown mold with his size. I think he has more athleticism than those starting NFL tackles. He swallows up defenders in the pass game. His technique and conditioning have improved this year. While I’d still like for him to stay with blocks longer and tighten his pass set, I am higher on Dawand Jones than most (I had him #1 on my preseason list) and I think you’ll see his draft grade rise.
Ohio State WR #11 Jaxon Smith-Njigba (6-1, 200): BSJ readers know I am a big fan of Smith-Njigba. He’s missed most of the season with a hamstring injury. He’s questionable for this game, arguably doubtful given Coach Ryan Day’s comments, but his father was interviewed saying that he would play in this game or the College Football playoff.
His lack of playing time this year, and the output of teammate Marvin Harrison Jr., may cause some recency bias and he may drop a bit in the draft. I hope that works in the Patriots' favor.
Potential Top 100 (Day 2)
Michigan NT #58 Mazi Smith (6-3, 337): He’s a player the Patriots should target to be their eventual nose tackle. He’s a big guy that plays a lot (not always the case at DT) which speaks to his stamina, smarts and athleticism to play situational football. He has elite strength and he’s incredibly agile.
Ohio State has some talented lineman but they’ll need to double or angle block Smith so they can run the ball. Mazi Smith playing stout will be key to Michigan’s game plan.
Michigan RG #65 Zak Zinter (6-6, 315): For the consistent readers, you know I’ve been riding shotgun on the Zinter bandwagon since last season. He may not declare this year but I think he has the best pro potential on that line of scrimmage. Plus, he’s a local guy (North Andover).
Ohio State DE #9 Zach Harrison (6-6, 272): Good player but more of a great athlete. As an edge rusher, Harrison looks the part and he'll make the occasional highlight play, but I haven’t had him in the top tier because he's never been consistent. While he has significant athleticism (that’s going to get him over drafted) he's not a bend-around-the-edge player. He’s playing better when he rushes from the inside. Kudos to the Buckeye coaches for being creative. I believe he might be better suited as a strongside DE or adding some weight to play a 3 technique. He could end up being top 100 just because of the traits.
Michigan CB #5 DJ Turner (6-0, 180): Turner caught my eye in this game last year. Diving deeper, he has good measurables and speed (4.4 or under), and elite 3 cone drill. We took a deep dive on him against Michigan State. He needs to play with a little more control, but he has strong recovery speed and he’s willing to be physical. Michigan provided him some help over the type which doesn’t align with a top pick. I came away thinking Round 3-4. This will be a really important game for him against top prospects.
Michigan DE #90 Mike Morris (6-6, 292): Michigan’s defense last year was led by two top edge prospects (Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo). Hutchinson was drafted # 2 overall and is a DROY for the LIons. Ojabo tore his Achilles in the draft workouts and dropped to pick #45.
Needless to say, big shoes to fill. Morris isn’t at that level, but he has stepped up to plate and he’s a draft pick in his own right. He leads the Wolverines with 7.5 sacks and 11 TFL. He missed last week's game against Illinois and its unclear if he’ll play.
Michigan C #55 Olusegun Oluwatimi (6-3, 307): We covered C John Michael Schmitz from Minnesota last week (recap below) and if he’s not the top center taken in the draft it will be Oluwatimi. He won the Rimington Award (CFB’s top center) last year while at Virginia. He’s good on the move, gets to the second level and reach blocks very effectively. Smart player who will be able to handle line calls at the next level. He made an immediate impression within the program; they made him a reserve captain shortly after transferring.
Michigan TE #86 Luke Schoonmaker (6-6, 250): The local New England prospect is the second-leading receiver for the Wolverines with 30 catches and 315 yards. We covered him earlier this year. He’s a balanced TE who can block and gets first downs. Offensive coordinators will like him because of his balance in the passing game but also his ability to block in the run game. I said earlier this year that I think Schoonmaker may have played himself into the top 100 picks. It’s unclear if he’ll play on Saturday.
Day 3 Prospects
Michigan RB #2 Blake Corum (5-10, 210): He's been the workhorse for the Michigan offense this year. Corum is number 2 in the country with 17 TDs and he’s averaging 135 yards per game. He suffered a knee injury that's not believed to be serious, but it’s unclear if he’ll play. Jim Harbaugh is doing his best Belichick impression with the injury updates.
Corum is small in stature but as the saying goes, there’s a lot of fight in that dog. Plays with above average vision and balance. Despite his size he has enough strength and toughness to play inside the numbers. I think he’s probably an early Day 3 pick, but the upside could be someone like Maurice Jones-Drew.
Ohio State LB #35 Tommy Eichenberg (6-2, 236): He’s a really good player that reminds me of A.J. Hawk. Whenever I’ve watched Ohio State, I’ve been focused on other players, but he’s always gotten my attention. Really good instincts that allow him to play fast. I think he’ll be athletic enough for the next level, but testing will be important. Solid tackler (105) and leading the Big Ten in solo tackles.
Ohio State TE #8 Cade Stover (6-4, 255): He's a physical, tough midwestern TE that is deceptively good after the catch. It takes an effort to bring him down. While he’s not a primary target in their offense, he’s been able to feast on linebackers. Stover doesn’t have a ton of playing experience because he sat behind Jets draft pick Jeremy Ruckert over the last couple of seasons. He has 31 catches and 5 TDs this season.
Michigan RT #76 Ryan Hayes (6-7, 305): He carries his weight well and does a good job using his length and athleticism (former TE) in pass blocking. His ability to anchor will be important and he'll want to be a better finisher in the run game. Good leadership traits according to Harbaugh. He'll need to develop more strength (and technique at that height) but his movement skills allow him to get to the second level consistently.
Ohio State OG #53 Luke Wypler (6-3, 300): Like Zinter he may not declare but he’ll be a top positional prospect when he does. He has plus athleticism for the position, and he’ll fit nicely in an NFL zone scheme. His run blocking matchup against Michigan NT Mazi Smith is critical for Ohio State running the ball. This a tape that the NFL scouts will focus on.
Ohio State FS #12 Lathan Ransom (6-1, 205): I expect him to return next year but he’s eligible and the best player in the Ohio State. He broke his leg in the Rose Bowl and came back much faster than expected. He’s an instinctive player and not shy about run support. He has 61 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 4 PBU, and 2 turnovers.
Ohio State SS #14 Ronnie Hickman (6-1, 205): A darling of PFF. He plays all over the defense as Ohio State has switched up their play calling in the secondary this year. Hickman led the team in tackles last year (100) and this will be his 25th career start. He has 48 tackles, 6 PBU, and 2 turnovers.
Michigan K #13 Jake Moody (6-1, 210): He’s the best kicker in the country. He won the Lou Groza award last year and I expect he’ll win it again (he’s 25 for 30 with a long of 54 yards). Nick Folk has been a stud for the Patriots but he’s 38 years old. It’s not inconceivable the Patriots invest in the position to have a long-term answer.
Ohio State RB #3 Miyan Williams (5-9, 225): He’s a rolling ball of knives that is very difficult to tackle. He’s questionable (as is fellow RB TreVeyon Henderson) with a lower body injury but he’s been the best rusher for the Buckeyes. He’s averaging 6.7 YPC (783 yards) with 13 TDs this season.
Michigan WR #8 Ronnie Bell (6-0, 190): I’ll see Ronnie at the Senior Bowl in February. I don’t think he’s a lock to be drafted but he’s the best WR for the Wolverines. Plays hard, does all the little things well and that’s what will help him make a roster. His testing and medicals (he tore his ACL last year) will be important. He has 48 catches, 641 yards and 2 TDs this year.
Ohio State OG #55 Matthew Jones (6-4, 315): His game is more strength than agility and he’s a potential All-Big Ten candidate. He has starter potential but isn’t always consistent. Ohio State’s ability to run the ball in the next few games will be important for Jones’ draft profile. Right now, I have him as a late pick or PFA.
Michigan CB #0 Mike Sainristil (5-10, 182): We have covered the Everett native earlier this year. He’s a converted WR that is still figuring out the intricacies of the nickel role. He’s talented and I like his upside, but this will be a steep test for him. I’d love for the Patriots to take a chance on him as a PFA if he went undrafted.
Recapping Last Week
IOWA: LB Jack Campbell had 10 tackles (6 solo) and 1 QB hurry. He was very active. Speed may be an issue and prevent him from being a true top prospect, but I continue to like his length and the upside that versatility brings.
MINNESOTA: C John Michael Schmitz was very good all game. He didn’t give up any pressure and led the Gophers offensive line to 312 yards rushing against a normally strong Iowa Hawkeye defense. I expect Schmitz to be the first center taken. That puts him in Day 2 range in this class. The Patriots will take a deep look at him.
TENNESSEE: WR Cedric Tillman had 9 catches for 81 yards and 2 TDs. One of his TDs came on 4th down against Cam Smith. It was a great throw by Hooker and Tillman did a good job using his size to come down with it…WR Jalin Hyatt had 6 catches for 65 yards.
SOUTH CAROLINA: CB Cam Smith had 7 tackles and 1 TFL. I have him rated CB number 2 right now.
UAB: RB DeWayne McBride had 13 carries for 34 yards and 1 TD. His TD really showed off his vision, balance, and YAC ability. McBride also had 1 catch for 6 yards but that won’t be his game in the NFL.
LSU: LB Harold Perkins Jr. was the guy we called out albeit not eligible. He finished with 5 tackles, including 2 TFL. He flies around the field...Their best defensive prospect, Edge BJ Ojulari had 4 tackles…Fellow DE Ali Gaye had 2 tackles and 1 sack.
USC: WR Jordan Addison was dominating in this game. 11 catches for 178 yards and 1 TD. He’s a first rounder…DE Tuli Tuipulotu had 6 tackles and 1.5 TFL. His play strength and versatility are his top traits.
UCLA: DE Laiatu Latu was impressive. He only had 4 tackles but 1.5 sacks. He’s all of 6-4 and well put together. He’s fast off the snap. That burst and size was impressive. He’s moving up my rankings…WR Jake Bobo was the leading receiver for the Bruins with 4 catches for 76 yards.