NFL Draft Daily Dish: 3 prospects to watch in Ohio State vs. Oregon Week 7 showdown
By John Blair
Week 7's marquee matchup features the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0) traveling to Eugene to take on No. 3 Oregon Ducks (5-0). This game could decide the Big Ten regular season champion, and with Texas facing a tough test against Oklahoma, the winner of this contest might claim the top spot in the national rankings.
Loaded with NFL talent, this matchup features at least 15 players who could hear their names called in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, three prospects stand out as key players who could determine the outcome of this game.
Jack Sawyer, DE, Ohio State Buckeyes
One of the most dominant pass rushers in college football, Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer has been a force on the defensive line this season. He boasts an 85.9 pass-rushing grade from Pro Football Focus and has generated 18 pressures so far.
FBS Leader in Quarterback Hits:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 13, 2024
🔴 Jack Sawyer, Ohio State: 6@OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/fqoHk2B5ws
In this game, Sawyer will be tasked with disrupting Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who excels at getting the ball out quickly. If Sawyer can get consistent pressure and throw off Oregon’s rhythm, it could tilt the game in the Buckeyes' favor.
Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon Ducks
For Oregon to pull off the upset, slot receiver Tez Johnson will need a big performance. He leads the Ducks with 43 receptions, 395 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. Johnson has been especially dangerous after the catch, with 64% of his yards coming from his ability to make defenders miss.
He’ll face a stiff challenge in Ohio State’s nickel corner Jordan Hancock, who has been a key factor in the Buckeyes’ secondary, helping them hold opponents to just 129.8 passing yards per game—third-best in the nation.
Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
The player with the most influence on this game’s outcome is Ohio State quarterback Will Howard. In his first season with the Buckeyes, Howard is enjoying a career year, completing 71.5% of his passes and averaging 260 passing yards per game—both personal bests.
Despite his improvement, Howard still has a tendency to force passes, a habit that led to 10 interceptions last season at Kansas State. While he’s been better this year, this game marks his first true test against a top-25 team, and how he handles that pressure will be crucial.
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Prediction
Expect Ohio State to come out on top in a hard-fought battle and win this game 28-17