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2022 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch: Ohio State vs. Michigan

By Andrew Fischer

Nov 20, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Olave (2) celebrates his touchdown during the first quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Olave (2) celebrates his touchdown during the first quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan-Ohio State features many 2022 NFL Draft prospects. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan-Ohio State features many 2022 NFL Draft prospects. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

The game of the year in college football features numerous potential 2022 NFL Draft prospects in addition to some younger impact players.

#2 Ohio State at #5 Michigan 12 PM EST FOX

The College Football Playoff technically begins on December 31, 2021, but there’s a de facto playoff game this Saturday in one of the greatest rivalries in all of college sports. The 10-1 Michigan Wolverines will host the 10-1 Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday with a trip to the Big Ten Championship Game on the line. If whoever wins this game on Saturday should triumph in that game, they would almost certainly be in the playoff.

There’s a lot at stake for Michigan and Jim Harbaugh here. Harbaugh is 0-5 as the head coach at Michigan against Ohio State, and the Wolverines have only beaten the Buckeyes twice since 2001. But this is arguably Harbaugh’s best team that he’s had at Michigan, and the Wolverines get this game at home. Michigan might be 8.5-point home underdogs, but they absolutely have to win this game to be taken seriously as a title threat.

Of particular interest on Saturday will be Ohio State’s high-octane offense against Michigan’s stout defense. The Buckeyes have the most explosive offense in the country, and it’s not even really close. They lead the FBS in yards per play (7.99), yards per game (559.9), total offensive touchdowns (61), and points per game (47.2). Michigan’s defense on the other hand is no slouch either as they are tenth in the country in yards per play allowed (4.67), ninth in yards allowed per game (306.6), and seventh in points per game allowed (16.27). With all that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the potential 2022 NFL Draft prospects in this game, beginning with a pair of Michigan players.

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