With the Jets and Giants continuing to disappoint on Sundays (or Thursday, in this case), paying attention on Saturdays will continue to provide hope for the future. While both teams are heavily involved in the chase to the No. 1 pick, there are plenty of other intriguing prospects to keep an eye on, with the Jets and Giants both needing to inject their rosters with talent at multiple positions.
Welcoming the Big Ten to the college football season, here’s a look at three games of interest on Saturday and the top draft-eligible players featured in them:
No. 18 Michigan at No. 21 Minnesota, 7:30 p.m., ABC
This Saturday-night showdown packs a strong punch for prospects that could be of use to either Big Blue or Gang Green. Michigan has a pair of pass rushers in Kwity Paye (6-foot-4, 272 pounds) and Aidan Hutchinson (6-6, 269) who have good size and can get after opposing quarterbacks — combining for 10 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss last season. The Wolverines also have offensive tackle Jalen Mayfield and linebacker Cameron McGrone as returning starters to watch.
Minnesota, meanwhile, has one of the top wide receiver prospects in the country with Rashod Bateman. He had initially opted out but is back with an offense that also includes Daniel Faalele, a 6-foot-9, 400-pound right tackle.
No. 19 Virginia Tech at Wake Forest, 3:30 p.m., YES/ESPN3
There can never be enough pass rushers. Wake Forest has one of the more dangerous ones in the country in Carlos “Boogie” Basham Jr., a 6-5, 285-pound edge who already has four sacks in four games after piling up 11 sacks and 18 TFLs last year.
Virginia Tech’s top NFL draft prospect, cornerback Caleb Farley, opted out but the Hokies still have some offensive weapons that could turn into mid-to-late-round picks in running back Khalil Herbert and tight end James Mitchell.
South Carolina at LSU, 7 p.m., ESPN
Here’s a spicy one-on-one matchup to watch between two highly regarded prospects: LSU wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. versus South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn. Marshall has seven touchdowns through three games while Horn — the son of former Saints WR Joe Horn — had two interceptions last week against Auburn. Others to watch include LSU LB Jabril Cox and South Carolina CB Israel Mukuamu.
Bonus: Syracuse at No. 1 Clemson, Noon, ACC Network
Obligatory Trevor Lawrence game, even if he only plays the first half again.