College football is closer to hitting its stride, as lopsided early-season affairs are giving way to more intraconference games. Here are five of the weekend's best matchups and the potential 2022 NFL Draft prospects playing.
No. 12 Oregon at No. 3 Ohio State
Saturday, Sep. 11 at 12 p.m. ET on FOX
Everyone is eager to learn whether or not edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux is going to play and how much of an impact he will have on the game. Ohio State could conceivably provide the biggest obstacle for him this season. The Buckeyes have a few really good offensive line prospects, left tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere and guard Thayer Munford, who started at left tackle last season. Thibodeaux is considered the top draft-eligible edge rusher.
An underlying storyline is Oregon's secondary against Ohio State's skill talent. Cornerbacks Mykael Wright and DJ James and safety Verone McKinley II are young, but gifted. Wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson and tight end Jeremy Ruckert are experienced and talented. The young Ducks secondary will have to rise to the occasion or it will give up explosive plays to the Buckeyes, much in the same way Minnesota did last week.
The Big Ten program is littered with other defensive talent, too: defensive tackle Taron Vincent, defensive tackle Haskell Garrett, cornerback Sevyn Banks, edge rusher Zach Harrison, safety Marcus Hooker, etc.
No. 10 Iowa at No. 9 Iowa State
Saturday, Sep. 11 at 4:30 p.m. ET on ABC
The battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy carries more national significance this season as two top 10 programs meet in Ames. Iowa has a history of playing its best young players, and that has led to overwhelming experience for tight end Sam LaPorta and center Tyler Linderbaum. To Iowa State fans, it might feel as though they have been around forever. Linebacker Jack Campbell is another young prospect to watch.
Iowa State running back Breece Hall is one of the top running back prospects in the nation, so Campbell will have his hands full corralling him. Tight end Charlie Kolar is another future draft choice, but the majority of talent is found on defense. Edge rusher Will McDonald IV needs to add some mass to his frame but oozes athleticism. He is one of the most dynamic edge rushers around the edge. His pressure could lead to opportunities for a talented secondary that features safety Isheem Young, cornerback Anthony Johnson Jr. and safety Greg Eisworth II. Young has tremendous burst.
With bragging rights on the line, both programs have a respectable amount of talent from a draft perspective.
No. 15 Texas at Arkansas
Saturday, Sep. 11 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
Arkansas safety Jalen Catalon has emerged as one of the most exhilarating defensive prospects in the country. He is a bit undersized but explosive. His two interceptions in the opener informed fans of the type of playmaking ability he brings to the table. The Razorbacks also have center Ricky Stromberg and wide receiver Treylon Burks. Stromberg is arguably the best senior center prospect in the country, while Burks is thought of as one of the best at his position as well.
The Longhorns have several highly ranked high school recruits, but that has not translated to draft potential yet. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown was all over the field against Louisiana. He is tall but traditionally light for the linebacker position. Fortunately, the NFL has been looking for more prospects, like Overshown, with sideline-to-sideline ability.
Missouri at Kentucky
Saturday, Sep. 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis against Missouri cornerback Akayleb Evans is the matchup to watch. Levis was able to exploit a talent gap last week against Louisiana-Monroe that led to a productive day through the air. The Tigers, led by Evans, are a great test. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks is going to show a lot of bodies at the line of scrimmage before dropping into coverage or bringing a defensive back on a blitz. How will Levis respond? Can he take his game from quarterback with tools to well-rounded quarterback with early-round potential?
Evans is a star, and the big, physical cornerback had a stellar debut last week against Central Michigan.
The Wildcats have a pair of offensive tackles -- Dare Rosenthal and Darian Kinnard -- who will draw consideration from NFL teams. Wide receiver WanDale Robinson had a huge game last week and has the mold of a quicker, yards-after-the-catch type receiver NFL teams coveted in the 2021 NFL Draft. On the defensive side of the ball, linemen Joshua Paschal and Marquan McCall are ones to watch.
Missouri running back Tyler Badie stated his case as a potential feature back against Central Michigan. Traditionally undersized, Badie was explosive, decisive and effective in the pass game. He has good vision, allowing for cutback opportunities.
Washington at Michigan
Saturday, Sep. 11 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
The showdown between Michigan defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson and Washington offensive tackle Jaxson Kirkland should be fun. Hutchinson missed last season with an injury. He gets typecast as just a high-motor player, but there is more nuance to his game. Kirkland is one of the more highly regarded players at his position.
The cornerback tandem of Kyler Gordon and Trent McDuffie gives Washington one of the best secondaries in the Pac-12. Passing the ball has been a bit of a struggle for Michigan in recent years, so Saturday will present a challenge in the new era of Wolverines football. They accounted for just 216 passing yards in the opener against Western Michigan.
Washington tight end Cade Otton is one of the more complete prospects in the country at his position. It is not only possible but likely that Michigan defensive back Daxton Hill follows him around. Hill is one of the most versatile defensive backs in the country. Defensive tackle Chris Hinton and linebacker Josh Ross are two other potential draft prospects to monitor.