2026 NFL Draft prospects to watch during Rivalry Week originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Welcome to Rivalry Week. The college football regular season enters its final full weekend with bragging rights on the table. Of course, NFL Draft stocks will be in flux, too.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWe've spoken before about prospects running out of time and the importance of ranked matchups. Those factors will coincide in Week 14. Between falling short of the college football playoffs and opting out of bowl games, there's a real chance that any star in a platform season is about to play their final collegiate game.
As the festivities ensue, let's take a look at some prospects with a ton riding on the last week of the regular season.
Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan (vs. Ohio State)
Michigan vs. Ohio State owns Rivalry Week. Steeped in tradition and championship aspirations, it's a yearly event marked on the football calendar. This time around, it's clear the Buckeyes have more talent, offering Sunday players at seemingly every position.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat raises the stakes for Derrick Moore, who has a chance to be the Wolverines' top draft pick in April. Moore will be tasked with slowing an Ohio State offense by pressuring quarterback Julian Sayin before Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith can take the top off the defense.
Moore has 9.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles as a senior. A statement game when it matters most would help amplify a profile that already checks the physical and athletic boxes.
Arch Manning, QB, Texas (vs. Texas A&M)
Nate Tice set social media ablaze when he considered Manning for the No. 1 pick after an up-and-down season. There's time to split hairs between quarterbacks later, but the principle is right -- Manning is playing better football than the stats suggest, and there's still a world where he makes good on the preseason hype.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementStruggling in Week 1 sent the message that he was wasting Texas' talent. Instead, Manning looks like he's trying to carry a team that has underwhelmed up front and on the boundary.
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An elite Texas Tech defense -- headlined by top-50 prospect Cashius Howell -- will make life difficult, but it would be hard to ignore his rise if he can overcome the Aggies. As three-point dogs, Manning has the tools and the processing to pull off an upset.
Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee (vs. Vanderbilt)
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia has played incredibly well, fueling a top-25 season from an SEC team long mired in mediocrity. Even so, this is a team that loves to win on the ground between the tackles.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJosephs might not be the best player on this Tennessee defense, but his presence in the front seven is notable. However, at around 240 pounds, there will continue to be questions about his ability to play the run and be an every-down defender.
If Vanderbilt feels it has an advantage running in Josephs' direction, it could be a long day for a Volunteers team that has built a brand around perimeter play. Capping SEC competition off with a game that mitigates Josephs' biggest concern could push him up the board.
Xavier Chaplin, OT, Auburn (vs. Alabama)
Chaplin was a top-20 prospect on my preseason board, a humble reminder that straying from consensus isn't always sharp. SEC heavyweights have sent his stock tumbling, with poor outings against Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Georgia setting the tone for a disappointing season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementI bet on his traits in pass protection, with only a handful of flashes to inspire optimism. This is a developmental prospect whose performances against Missouri (with multiple quality edge rushers) and Kentucky make Alabama an enticing enough opponent to monitor.
If he plays well on Saturday, Chaplin could compensate for his midseason struggles and give himself a performance worth building on during the pre-draft process. Showing out in the Iron Bowl could have a real return come April.
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