Michigan (6-5) at #2 Ohio State (10-1); Noon ET; FOX … It was pretty much a given in recent years that THE game between old rivals Ohio State and Michigan had huge national implications. Not so much this year, though, as the Buckeyes would appear to be in the CFP playoffs win or lose on Saturday, while Michigan has been out of the national picture for weeks. However, that said, its still Ohio State-Michigan with tons of bragging rights on the line. Its also Ohio State-Michigan which means tons of draft talent on the field. Indeed, the Buckeyes may have as many top prospects as any team in the country, although they don’t necessarily have anyone who is a legitimate lock to be an opening round pick this coming April. What they do have, though, is multiple players with at least a second-day grade including the dynamic RB duo of Quinshon Judkins (#1, 6-0, 220), who transferred up from Mississippi this year, and RB Tre’veyon Henderson (#32, 5-10, 215), along with WR Emeka Egbuka (#2, 6-0, 210), OG Donovan Jackson (#74, 6-3, 320), DEs JT Tuimoloau (#44, 6-4, 275) and Jack Sawyer (#33, 6-4, 265), DT Tyleik Williams (#91, 6-2, 290), CBs Denzel Burke (#10, 6-1, 195), Davison Igbinosun (#1, 6-1, 190) and Jordan Hancock (#7, 6-0, 190), LBs Cody Simon (#0, 6-2, 235) and Sonny Styles (#6, 6-3, 230), and S Lathan Ranson (#8, 6-1, 210). However, the key for Ohio State going forward could be QB Will Howard (#18, 6-4, 240), who is actually 3rd in the country in passing efficiency, although he’ll have to make do without two of his top offensive linemen as both LT Josh Simmons and C Seth McLaughlin are out for the rest of the campaign.
While Michigan has long been out of this year’s national championship discussion, the Wolverines could actually have a bigger impact on the 2025 opening round as they feature as many as four players with at least some first round potential. And two of those have legitimate top 5-10 potential in CB Will Johnson (#2, 6-2, 205) and DT Mason Graham (#55, 6-3, 320), both of whom are the consensus leading prospects at their respective positions. Unfortunately, though, Johnson will not play because of injury. The Wolverines will also feature arguably the top TE prospect this year in Colston Loveland (#18, 6-5, 245), while DT Kenneth Grant (#78, 6-3, 340) combines with Graham to give Michigan arguably the stoutest interior defensive front in the country; both should get some later first-round consideration. Meanwhile, several other Wolverines including RB Donovan Edwards (#7, 6-0, 215) and ER Josiah Stewart (#0, 6-1, 245), who leads the team with 8.5 sacks could get some second-day consideration.
#3 Texas (10-1) at #20 Texas A&M (8-3); 7:30 PM ET; ABC … The ‘Horns and Aggies hook up for the first time in what used to be their annual rivalry game since A&M left for the SEC back in 2011. And the winner gets a spot opposite Georgia in the SEC title game next weekend. That’s a big deal for the Aggies as it appears to be their only route to a CFP playoff berth, whereas 1-loss Texas appears to be in no matter what happens Saturday afternoon in College Station. and even before the kick-off there is going to be intrigue as star Texas QB Quinn Ewers (#3, 6-2, 210) will likely be a game-time decision after he tweaked an ankle in last week’s win over Kentucky. ewers has seen his draft stock plummet somewhat this fall as he just doesn’t make enough NFL type throws, although he is also still generally considered to be the #3 prospect at the position for 2025 if in fact he does turn pro this winter. In fact, Ewers is not actually be the Longhorns top prospect for 2025 as OT Kelvin Banks (#78, 6-4, 320) is arguably the top tackle prospect with top 5-10 potential. Meanwhile, speedy WR Isaiah Bond (#7, 5-11, 180), an Alabama transfer who some think could give former UT WR Xavier Worthy’s record 4.21 40 clocking at the combine a run for its money, is a big play target who could get some mid-to-late first round interest this coming April. At the same time, other Texas prospects to watch include RT Cameron Williams (#56, 6-5, 335), TE Gunnar Helm (#85, 6-5, 250), S Andrew Mukuba (#4, 6-0, 190), a Clemson transfer who figures to be one of the leading prospects at that position next April, DE Trey Moore (#8, 6-3, 245), DT Alfred Collins (#91, 6-5, 320), DE Barryn Sorrell (#88, 6-4, 260), CB Jahdae Barron (#7, 5-11, 200) and LB David Gbenda (#33, 6-0, 235).
Texas A&M also has a potential top 10 prospect in rising in DE Nic Scourton (#11, 6-4, 285), a Purdue transfer who has one of the highest-ceilings of anyone in the upcoming draft. Indeed, the individual one-on-one match-up of the week should be when Scourton goes against the Longhorns’ Banks. Scourton anchors a very good defensive front which also includes a couple of Shemars: DT Shemar Turner (#5, 6-3, 300) and DE Shemar Stewart (#4, 6-4, 290), both of whom have second-day grades. . The Aggies also have an intriguing QB prospect in 3rd year junior Connor Weigman (#15, 6-2, 220) who has oodles of talent, but just hasn’t been able to stay on the field to date.
