#13 WISCONSIN (6-1) at #3 OHIO STATE (7-0); NOON ET; FOX … This was supposed to be ‘the’ game of the day, but it lost much of its luster, at least from a national playoff perspective, when the Badgers were stunned last weekend by upstart Illinois. No doubt, though, that the Badgers were caught looking ahead to this week’s game with Ohio State and should come to Columbus with something of a burr under their collective saddles. And that should make it a very good test for the Buckeyes’ top prospects for the upcoming draft. In fact, two of the top three players on the GBN Big Board are Buckeyes including star junior DE Chase Young (#2, 6-5, 265), arguably the top non-QB prospect for the upcoming draft. Young, who has 9.5 sacks through 7 games, isn’t quite as polished as either of the Bosa brothers – Joey and Nick – who were drafted 3rd and 2nd overall respectively in 2016 and 2019, and pro scouts would also like to see his motor run hot all the time, but he is explosive off the snap with a rare combination of size and athleticism, not to mention a ton of upside. Meanwhile, junior CB Jeff Okudah (#1, 6-0, 200) has quietly emerged as a second OSU top 5 prospect for the upcoming draft, while the Buckeyes have several other solid second-day prospects including junior RB J.K. Dobbins (#2, 5-9, 220), junior MLB Tuf Borland (#32, 6-1, 235), senior safety Jordan Fuller (#4, 6-2, 205) and senior CB Damon Arnette (#3, 6-0, 195), while OLB Malik Harrison (#39, 6-3, 245), DT Davon Hamilton (#53, 6-4, 310) and OGs Jonah Jackson (#73, 6-3, 305) and Brandon Bowen (#76, 6-6, 315) are mid-to-late round candidates.
For its part, Wisconsin also has a couple of solid first-round prospects as both junior RB Jonathan Taylor (#23, 5-10, 220) and junior C Tyler Biadasz (#61, 6-5, 325) are both generally considered to be the best prospects at their respective positions for the upcoming draft. Taylor, in fact, likely will go down as one of the most productive backs in college football history as he has already rushed for over 5,000 career yards including 2,200 in 2019, as well as almost 1,000 so far this fall through 7 games. And while Wisconsin will always be known for its punishing ground game, the defense has been outstanding so far this fall with 4 shutouts to date. Leading the way on that side of the ball are veteran MLBs Zack Baun (#56, 6-2, 235) and Chris Orr (#54, 6-0, 225) who have combined for 14.5 sacks to date. The Badgers could also have an interesting prospect in junior WR Quintez Cephus (#87, 6-1, 210), a big-play threat who didn’t play at all in 2018 after being charged with domestic violence and was only re-instated just prior to the season when a grand jury failed to return an indictment.
#9 AUBURN (6-1) at #2 LSU (7-0); 3:30 PM ET; CBS … ‘The’ big game in the rugged SEC West comes up in two weeks when LSU plays at Alabama in what could very well a match-up of the two top-rated teams in the country. Of course, LSU still has to get past Auburn this weekend in what promises to be a testy test. It will certainly be yet another test for LSU QB Joe Burrow (#9, 6-3, 220) who may just be the best story in college football this season. A prototype journeyman game manager throughout his career, Burrow has blossomed into a legit Heisman candidate this fall as he has the usually moribound Tigers’ offense averaging 55 points per game. For the record, through LSU’s first 7 games Burrow has completed a ridiculous 79% of his pass attempts, good for just over 350 yards per game and 29 TDs against just 3 picks. As a result, there is a growing buzz around the NFL that Burrow could ultimately figure among the first QBs off the board this coming April. The GBN, for example, currently rates him 13th on the Big Board. And if Burrow does ultimately end up in this year’s opening round, he should have plenty of LSU company as junior FS Grant Delpit (#7, 6-2, 205), senior CB Kristian Fulton (#1, 5-11, 200) and sophomore OLB K’Lavon Chaisson (#18, 6-3, 250) each has first-round potential. Delpit is the star of the group – he’s considered to be a top 10 candidate – although he hasn’t had the impact so far this fall as he had in 2019 when he had 5 picks along with 5 sacks. Meanwhile, wide-body 5T DE Rashard Lawrence (#90, 6-2, 310) should get some second-day consideration, along with rising junior LT Saahdiq Charles (#77, 6-4, 295) who isn’t all that big or physical, but is very quick and athletic, and junior MLB Jacob Phillips (#6, 6-3, 235). Also keep an eye on junior WR Justin Jefferson (#2, 6-2, 195), rugged OG Damien Lewis (#68, 6-3, 335) and MLB Michael Divinity (#45, 6-2, 240).
Auburn doesn’t have the depth of LSU in their 2020 draft class, but may have the best prospect in the game in DT Derrick Brown (#5, 6-3, 320) who is generally considered to be the top interior defensive line candidate in the country. Brown is a massive wide-body anchor who is tough to move off his spot on the defensive front; however, he’s also got a little quickness to his game and can also get into the backfield where he has posted 8.5 career sacks. Auburn also has a rising prospect along the offensive line in LT Prince Tega Wangoho (#76, 6-6, 305), while other Auburn Tigers to watch include OGs Marquel Harrell (#77, 6-2, 310) and Mike Horton (#64, 6-3, 325), C Kaleb Kim (#54, 6-3, 300), RT Jack Driscoll (#71, 6-5, 300), WR Sal Cannella (#80, 6-4, 230), DE Marlon Davidson (#3, 6-3, 280) and safeties Jeremiah Dinson (#20, 5-11, 190) and Daniel Thomas (#24, 5-11, 210).
#8 NOTRE DAME (5-1) at #19 MICHIGAN (5-2); 7:30 PM ET; ABC … While they will need some help along the way, the Irish are holding out some longshot hopes of making it back to the national playoffs this fall, but will need to win at what will almost assuredly a rowdy Big House on Saturday evening. And while most observers expect plenty of fireworks when the Irish and Wolverines hook up on Saturday evening, neither team features a lock to be a first round pick this coming April. The best prospect in this game is probably Notre Dame DE Julian Okwara (#42, 6-4, 250), an early second-day candidate who had 8 sacks last fall, along with another 4 through the first half of the season, although pro scouts would actually like to see a little more productivity. Okwara lines up opposite fellow DE Khalid Kareem (#53, 6-3, 265), who has 3.5 sacks of his own. Okwara could be joined in this year’s second round by junior OG Tommy Kraemer (#78, 6-5, 320) a prototype Notre Dame road-grader who also carries an early-to-mid second day grade, Meanwhile, WR Chase Claypool (#83, 6-3, 230), has mid-round potential, while other Irish veterans with later round or free agent possibilities include WR Chris Finke (#10, 5-9, 185), RB Tony Jones (#6, 5-10, 225), OLB Asmir Bilal (#22, 6-2, 230), CBs Troy Pride (#5, 5-10, 195) and Shaun Crawford (#20, 5-9, 180) and safeties Jalen Elliott (#21, 6-0, 210) and Alohi Gilman (#11, 5-10, 205).
These have been testy times around the Michigan football program which already has a couple of conference losses and is struggling to stay relevant. Its no secret why the Wolverines are struggling this fall and that’s they just don’t have a ton of front line talent. The Wolverines, for example, do not currently have any players considered to be legit opening round prospects for the upcoming draft; indeed, they don’t really have any fringe opening round candidates for 2020, although they do have several possible second-day picks including QB Shea Patterson (#2, 6-2, 205), OG Ben Bredeson (#74, 6-5, 320), OT Jon Runyan (#75, 6-5, 310), and CB Lavert Hill (#24, 5-10, 180). Patterson is probably the most symbolic of the Wolverines problems this fall; there were whispers around the NFL prior to the season, for example, that he could be a sleeper for this year’s draft, but he’s had an inconsistent campaign in which he has a 57% completion rate while throwing for less than 220 yards per game. Meanwhile, other UM players to watch for the later rounds and free agency include LBs Khaleke Hudson (#7, 6-0, 220), Josh Uche (#6, 6-2, 240), and Jordan Glasgow (#6-1, 230), TE Sean McKeon (#84, 6-5, 250), OG Michael Onwenu (#50, 6-3, 350), and safety Josh Metellus (#14, 5-11, 205).
