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Cincinnati Bengals: Must-watch Week 3 college football matchups

By Glenn Adams

Dec 19, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane center Gerard Wheeler (66) snaps the ball in the first half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane center Gerard Wheeler (66) snaps the ball in the first half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Concinnati Bengals
Ohio State Buckeyes, Cincinnati Bengals draft (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /

Several games on the NCAA slate may interest Cincinnati Bengals fans.

The scouting season is in full effect. The Cincinnati Bengals scouts are hitting the pavement all over the country, keeping tabs on the best prospects for the 2022 NFL draft. Here are three college games that Bengals fans should watch this weekend. The NFL scouts will be doing the same.

Tulsa vs. Ohio State (9)

At first glance, the Ohio State – Tulsa game might not invoke a must-see game from a scouting standpoint for Bengals fans. However, there are two players along the offensive line that merit a long look. And they will have their hands full against the Buckeyes’ defensive line.

Tyler Smith vs. Zach Harrison

The contest that will be the most interesting to watch is the Golden Hurricane’s left tackle Tyler Smith against the Buckeyes’ edge rusher Zach Harrison.

Smith is a redshirt Sophomore. This game could go a long way in determining if he will declare for the NFL draft this year or not.

If he can have a good performance against Harrison, that very well may convince him and the NFL Draft Advisory Board that he should consider declaring this year. It could also shoot him up several draft boards of teams looking for a powerful OT with a mean streak.

Gerard Wheeler vs. Haskell Garrett

Another trench battle to watch is Tulsa center Gerard Wheeler against Ohio State defensive tackle Haskell Garrett. Wheeler, a redshirt senior, will be looking to put in a good performance against Garrett and the rest of the Ohio State defensive line. It is not a guarantee that he will get drafted. But throughout his career, as Ryan Roberts states, he has displayed the versatility that so many NFL teams covet in their offensive linemen.

If he has a good outing this week, he will start getting more love from the scouting community.

As for the rest of the Buckeyes, keep an eye on the usual suspects. Receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson will be hard to miss. Bengals fans should fix their focus on the Ohio State offensive and defensive lines. Left tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere and left guard Thayer Munford remain near the top of most draft boards.

Another aspect the scouts will be looking at is how well the Ohio State players bounce back after the disappointing loss to Oregon last week.

Other Buckeyes to watch

  • Sevyn Banks (CB)
  • Jeremy Ruckert (TE)
  • Taron Vincent (DT)
  • Marcus Hooker (S), Junior