The Heisman Trophy race is still as unclear as the vision of a person driving in the rain with no windshield wipers.
As we near the end of the CFB season, Alabama sophomore quarterback Bryce Young is probably the safest choice right now, but there are still plenty of big games left to be played.
The battle for the award will go down to the wire. Oklahoma freshman Caleb Williams is making a late run and setting himself up to be the 2022 Heisman favorite.
Caleb Williams’ (@CALEBcsw) stats compared with 2 Heisman contenders
CW: 71.6 Completion %; 14 passing TDs/1 INT; Rating 203.75; 4 rushing TDs
Bryce Young (Bama): 69.4%; 28 TDs/3 INTs; Rating 173.97; 2 rushing TDs
CJ Stroud (OSU): 67%; 25 TDs/5 INTs; Rating 175.9; 0 rushing TD pic.twitter.com/4cjbYJpb11
— Sooner Script (@SoonerScript) November 7, 2021
BY9 (QB, Oklahoma Sooners)
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young currently holds the best odds (+185), as he’s played great all season long. Although he’s been running for his life behind an underwhelming offensive line in Tuscaloosa, it hasn’t stopped him from dicing up defenses weekly to the tune of 2,755 passing yards, 28 touchdown passes and just three interceptions while completing nearly 70 percent of his passes.
#Alabama QB Bryce Young named a Davey O'Brien Award semifinalisthttps://t.co/8WvE5JJTGK pic.twitter.com/dUthy3K342
— BamaOnLine (@BamaOnLine247) November 9, 2021
Young has had some moments, but not one we’d call a Heisman moment. He’ll definitely have that chance in the coming weeks with Arkansas, Auburn and possibly Georgia in the SEC Championship Game all on the docket. The Young gunner’s moments of truth have arrived.
Kenneth Walker III (RB, Michigan State)
Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III looked as if he’d moved into the top spot with his five-touchdown performance and nearly 200-yard rushing in a come from behind (37-33) win over arch-rival Michigan two weekends ago.
You can't tackle Kenneth Walker III 🌪@MSU_Football pic.twitter.com/mrumQvBWwU
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 11, 2021
With his odds (+300) slipping a bit this week after his Spartans’ upset loss to Purdue, Walker still possesses the numbers to win it, but other factors may influence voters. In the 40-29 loss to the Boilermakers he toted the mail for 136. How much more could he do from the running back position? KW3 has rushed for 1,340 yards and 16 touchdowns with a 6.7 yards-per-carry average.
Matt Corral (QB, Ole Miss Rebels)
Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Matt Corral was right there with Bryce Young as the odds-on co-favorite to win the Heisman. Those odds have slipped a bit to +450, following some solid but not great performances. If Corral wants to firmly put himself back in contention this is the week to do it. The Rebels face the Texas A&M Aggies.
It will be a tall task, as the Aggies are armed with a stingy defense. A game of this magnitude on ESPN is the ultimate showcase for a Heisman hopeful who didn’t bring the heat in games against Alabama and Auburn.
Will Matt Corral be the first QB taken in the 2022 NFL Draft? pic.twitter.com/x0YSbnCNiu
— PFF (@PFF) November 6, 2021
The gunslinger has passed for 2,526 yards,16 touchdowns, and just two interceptions. Showcasing his dual-threat ability, he’s also rushed for 528 yards and 10 touchdowns. We are looking at a potential No. 1 overall pick.
CJ Stroud (QB, Ohio State)
CJ Stroud with a 3-yard TD pass to Chris Olave. Ohio State up 10-0 pic.twitter.com/AzT7MkphLD
— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) November 6, 2021
Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud also carries +450 odds to win the award. Stroud has passed for 2,675 yards, 25 touchdowns and five interceptions, with a 67 percent completion percentage and (9.8) yards per attempt average.
Blessed with elite arm talent, Stroud’s stock dropped a bit in a hard-fought 26-17 win over unheralded Nebraska. Stroud passed for over 400 yards but threw two costly interceptions and missed on several throws. He’s slipping out of the race and needs a huge recovery game against giant-killer Purdue.
