#2 MICHIGAN (11-1) vs #13 IOWA (10-2); 8 PM ET; FOX; Indianapolis … Hey wasn’t this supposed to be between Ohio State and Wisconsin. It was, but Michigan upset the Buckeyes last week in their annual rivalry game, while the Hawkeyes backed in when the Badgers were upset by Minnesota. So with these two teams expect a traditional Big Ten battle in the trenches. Certainly, that’s what pro scouts will be watching as Michigan features the best 1-2 pass-rushing combination in the country in star DEs Aidan Hutchinson (#97, 6-6, 270) and David Ojabo (#50, 6-5, 250). Hutchinson, in particular, is a top 5 candidate for the upcoming draft, who is reportedly just maybe starting to press Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux for the #1 grade overall. No question he’s got the length, quickness and motor of an elite pass-rushing defensive end nd has backed it up with productivity this year, posting 13 sacks including 3 in last week’s win over Ohio State. Meanwhile Ojabo, is a late riser who isn’t as big or technically proficient as his more heralded teammate, but may actually be a better athlete; indeed, he just explodes off the edge and is starting to get some late first-round interest of his own. For the record, he has 11 sacks of his own this fall, while chipping in 5 forced fumbles. Pro scouts will also keep an eye on MLB John Ross (#12, 6-2, 225) who isn’t all that big but just flies around the field and veteran FS Daxton Hill (#30, 6-0, 195) on defense and RB Hassan Haskins (#25, 6-1, 220), OG Chuck Filiaga (#66, 6-4, 340), OT Ryan Hayes (#76, 6-6, 310), OT Andrew Stueber (#71, 6-5, 340), and TE Erick All (#83, 6-4, 245) on the other side of the ball.
Iowa doesn’t have quite the star power of Michigan, but the Hawkeyes do have a top 10-15 candidate of their own in C Tyler Lauderbaum (#65, 6-3, 290), who isn’t all that big, but is very athletic and a master technician. However, Linderbaum is probably the Hawkeyes only Top 100 type candidate, but they do have a veteran lineup including a number of third day prospects such as RB Tyler Goodson (#15, 5-10, 200), one of the Big Ten’s better backs who is averaging just over 90 yards per game on the ground. Meanwhile, other Hawkeyes to watch include DE Zack VanValkenburg (#97, 6-3, 270), CB Matt Hankins (#8, 6-0, 180), LB Jack Campbell (#31, 6-4, 245), and safeties Jack Koerner (#28, 6-0, 205), Dane Belton (#4, 6-1, 205) and Riley Moss (#33, 6-1, 195).
