by J.T. Toth
Photo courtesy of ClutchPoints.
Draft 412 is ready for Saturday’s games and wants to make sure you are as well. Each week, we will go through the games and the players to watch, on our way to the draft in April 2024.
Here is our preview for - Week 11:
#3 Michigan (9-0) at #10 Penn State (8-1) 12:00 pm FOX (SATURDAY)
Line- Michigan (-4.5)
Draft 412 Prediction - Michigan 31, Penn State 17
The Michigan Wolverines will face their first test of the 2023 season against a Penn State team who is trying to prove that they can play with the big boys. Penn State has already lost to Ohio State 20-12, and any chance at making a playoff run will have to go through a victory at home against Michigan, and Michigan beating Ohio State November 25th. Michigan ran for 418 yards against Penn State last year and come equipped with 2 formidable running backs in Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards.
Michigan- RB- Blake Corum & Donovan Edwards
After running for over 400 yards last season against the Nittany Lions, you can bet that Michigan will force feed their run game until Penn State proves that they have an answer. In last season’s game, Corum had 166 yards on 28 carries, and he did not even lead the team in rushing. That distinction went to Donovan Edwards who ran only 16 times but had 173 yards, including a 67 yard touchdown run. Michigan’s two-headed monster will have to be slowed down for Penn State to have any chance of winning this game.
Corum, 5’8” and 210 lbs., is the Wolverines go-to back and already has amassed 649 yards and 16 touchdowns. Edwards hasn’t had the best of starts this season and is only averaging 3.1 yards per carry on the year.
To see Draft 412’s profile on Blake Corum…
https://www.draft412.com/post/nfl-draft-prospect-preview-blake-corum
To see Draft 412’s profile on Donovan Edwards…
https://www.draft412.com/post/nfl-draft-profile-donovan-edwards
Penn State- LB- Curtis Jacobs
With Michigan looking to run the ball down Penn State’s throat, the Nittany Lions will need a huge game from their leading tackler Curtis Jacobs this Saturday. Jacobs is the latest “linebacker U” star who has the instincts, athleticism and pursuit capability to throw a wrench in Michigan’s game plan. Not only can he help stop the run, he will be tasked with zone coverage and helping to defend against J.J. McCarthy and his quick, precise passing game as well. Prepare for Jacobs to collect double digit tackles and to hear his name called all day long.
To see Draft 412’s profile on Curtis Jacobs…
https://www.draft412.com/post/nfl-draft-prospect-preview-curtis-jacobs
Michigan- Quarterback- J.J. McCarthy
Though Michigan will likely come out and try and run the ball, the big difference in Michigan’s offense in 2023 is the play of quarterback J.J. McCarthy. If Penn State sells out to stop the run, McCarthy is capable of throwing the ball all around the field and leading the Wolverines' offense. With McCarthy’s maturity as a passer, Michigan’s offense is capable of beating teams in the air as well as on the ground. He has completed 75.7% of his passes and has improved on his pre-snap reads over this past offseason. He is also capable of running and picking up large chunks of yards. If Penn State shuts down the Wolverines' ground game, they must deal with McCarthy’s arm next.
To see Draft 412’s profile on J.J. McCarthy…
https://www.draft412.com/post/nfl-draft-prospect-preview-j-j-mccarthy
Penn State- QB- Drew Allar
With all due respect to last year’s quarterback Sean Clifford, sophomore quarterback Drew Allar will bring a different feel to this matchup against Michigan this Saturday. Allar is capable of making passes all over the field, and he does so without making bad decisions. Allar has 20 touchdown passes and has only been picked off once this season.
Though Penn State is still a run heavy team, the Wolverines will have to pay attention to play actions and deep balls against the Nittany Lions. Allar has a chance at being a top quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft and a big game against Michigan will further cement that statement.
Others to Watch
Penn State- RB- Kaytron Allen
Penn State- RB- Nicholas Singleton
Penn State- DE- Adisa Isaac
Penn State- WR- KeAndre Lambert-Smith
Penn State- OT- Olu Fashanu
Michigan- WR- Roman Wilson
Michigan- DE- Jaylen Harrell
Michigan- S- Rod Moore
Michigan- TE- Colston Loveland
Michigan- C- Drake Nugent
#13 Tennessee (7-2) at #14 Missouri (7-2) 3:30 PM CBS (SATURDAY)
Line- Tennessee (-1.5)
Draft 412 Prediction - Missouri 30, Tennessee 28
This week features a top #15 matchup of two SEC teams who are two games behind Georgia for first place. Missouri has been a surprise in 2023 and has a balanced offense and solid defense. Though they lost 30-21 last week to Georgia, they proved capable of hanging with the SEC big boys. They will once again have their hands full with a Tennessee offense capable of putting up big numbers.
Tennessee- QB- Joe Milton III
Joe Milton and his unique blend of size and arm strength will be a headache for the Missouri Tigers to stop on Saturday. Milton has an elite arm that he is starting to harness and his completion percentage has continued to improve each season. He is capable of taking what the defense gives him and if Missouri lets him get into a rhythm, it will be a long day for the Tigers.
To see Draft 412’s profile on Joe Milton III…
https://www.draft412.com/post/nfl-draft-prospect-preview-joe-milton-iii
Missouri- CB- Kris Abrams-Draine
Kris Abrams-Draine is a playmaker who plays the cornerback position like a wide receiver for Missouri. He will have his work cut out for him against a talented trio of Volunteers' receivers this Saturday. He already has 11 passes defended on the season to go along with 4 interceptions.
To see Draft 412’s profile on Kris Abrams-Draine…
https://www.draft412.com/post/nfl-draft-prospect-preview-kris-abrams-draine
Tennessee- Edge- Tyler Baron
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook has had a stellar season for the Tigers but doesn’t perform well under pressure. When rushed, Cook has a tendency to try and force throws and is prone to making some bad interceptions. Tennessee edge rush Tyler Baron leads the Vols with 5 sacks and can be a big part of keeping Cook from getting rhythm on Saturday.
To see Draft 412’s profile on Tyler Baron…
https://www.draft412.com/post/nfl-draft-prospect-preview-tyler-baron
Missouri- RB- Cody Schrader
Schrader is a name that not too many people have heard of. He is a transfer from Division III Truman State and has been a huge reason the Missouri offense is as explosive as it has been. He has 919 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season and helps set their offensive tempo. The 5’9” 214 lb. running back is a late comer to the NFL Draft circles and could benefit from a Senior Bowl invite after the season. He fits the mold of a late round or UDFA player who has a chance to stick on a team.
Others to Watch
Tennessee- WR- Squirrel White
Tennessee- WR- Ramel Keyton
Tennessee- LB- Elijah Herring
Missouri- QB- Brady Cook
Missouri- WR- Luther Burden III
Missouri- LB- Ty’Ron Harper
#9 Ole Miss (8-1) at #2 Georgia (9-0) 7:00 PM ESPN (Saturday)
Line- Georgia (-10.5)
Draft 412 Prediction -Georgia 28, Ole Miss 24
Georgia is in the middle of a tough 3-game stretch against Missouri, Ole Miss and Tennessee and they are hampered by injuries on both sides of the ball. On offense they are without star tight end Brock Bowers and on defense, they will be without linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson. Ole Miss will need their best offensive performance of the season to even be in this game, but Draft 412 thinks Georgia will add to their 26 game winning streak in Athens.
Georgia- WR- Dominic Lovett
With the injury to tight end Brock Bowers, Lovett has stepped into becoming Carson Beck’s #1 target. He is a fluid route runner who never quits on a play. He has hooked up with Beck several times after the original route was covered. A big game for Lovett and Beck will lead to a long day for the Rebels' defense.
To see Draft 412’s profile on Dominic Lovett…
https://www.draft412.com/post/nfl-draft-prospect-preview-dominic-lovett
Ole Miss- RB- Quinshon Judkins
This sophomore running back is already one of the top ball carriers in the country. If Ole Miss has any chance of upsetting Georgia in Athens, they will have to control the time of possession and not turn the ball over. Look for Judkins to get the ball early in an attempt to establish the run game, and then open the field up for quarterback Jaxson Dart. Judkins will be a first round candidate in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Georgia- LB- Smael Mondon Jr.
With the injury to Jamon Dumas-Johnson, look for Georgia’s leading tackler Smael Mondon Jr. to up his game even more. Mondon has elite athleticism and makes plays all over the field. On the season, he has a team leading 44 tackles and has added 2 sacks. His specialty is his coverage skills, and he does a great job of mirroring tight ends and running backs in their routes. Draft 412 has Mondon as a 3rd round pick with a chance to become an even earlier 2nd day pick.
To see Draft 412’s profile on Smael Mondon Jr.
https://www.draft412.com/post/nfl-draft-profile-smael-mondon-jr
Ole Miss- QB- Jaxson Dart
Jaxson Dart needs to play the game of his life this Saturday for the Rebels to have any chance at an upset. The Bulldogs will put pressure on Dart early and often, and he will need to prove that he can make the correct pre-snap reads and make good decisions. He has been stellar for the most part in 2023, with 2,467 yards and 16 touchdowns. However, he has not seen this type of athleticism and speed on a defense.
Others to Watch
Georgia- WR- Ladd McConkey
Georgia- RB- Daijuan Edwards
Georgia- DB- Tykee Smith
Ole Miss- WR- Tre Harris
Ole Miss- S- Trey Washington
Ole Miss- DE- Jared Ivey