Wow, what an outstanding week of college football we had. The world won when they saw Alabama go down, while the Heisman race got a little tighter. The top guys in this Heisman watch really improved their candidacy with impressive outings. It is also worth mentioning that the preseason favorite (+550) Spencer Rattler of Oklahoma got benched in favor of true freshman Caleb Williams. Rattler’s odds are now down to +4000. Williams rallied the Sooners to a 55-48 victory over Texas in the Red River Showdown. Let’s get into it.
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5
1. Bijan Robinson, Texas
This guy just continues to elevate his Heisman odds week in and week out. The sophomore running back put Oklahoma defenders on skates in the Longhorns loss. Robinson ran for 137 yards on 20 carries, an average of 6.9 (nice) yards a carry, and a touchdown. His longest run was for 50-yards as he bounced and shifted around while making would-be tacklers look silly. If he keeps it up against the more top-level teams, it is his award to lose.
“This kid may be the best player in the sport. This kid is big time.”
BIJAN ROBINSON, WHAT A RUN 😳 pic.twitter.com/oxWpxlfplT
— ESPN (@espn) October 9, 2021
2. Matt Corral, Ole Miss
What did I say last week? Not to be worried about a so-so but still solid performance against Alabama? In a shootout against Arkansas, the junior Rebel completed 14 of 21 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns. Corral is now up to 12 touchdowns to no interceptions on the season, while he also added two rushing scores and 94 yards on 15 carries. He showed grit and toughness to carry Ole Miss to victory, doing it all with his arm and legs. In an unsure quarterback draft class, he looks like the for sure QB1. This play was called back because of a penalty, but my goodness you don’t see too many quarterbacks doing this:
BLUE COLLAR KID. Welcome to Pittsburgh Matt Corral pic.twitter.com/hTSOphri2P
— Tone Digs (@ToneDigz) October 9, 2021
3. Bryce Young, Alabama
The favorite up until this point did not look all too sharp against Texas A&M, and his candidacy isn’t helped with the upset loss. Young threw for three touchdowns and 369 yards, but it was on 28-of-48 passing and one interception. If he can straighten it out the rest of the year and Alabama takes care of business, the award will be within his reach.
4. Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State
Another running back has risen in the Heisman hunt, and also had a very good week. Walker averaged eight yards a carry on Saturday against Rutgers, as he ran for 232 yards on 29 carries. His biggest run of the game and of the season was a huge 94-yard house call as he weaved in and out and down the sideline to the endzone. 94 yards is a program record for the Spartans, and he also hasn’t fumbled in 315 carries.
KENNETH WALKER JUKES HIS WAY TO A 94-YARD TD 😤
(via @BigTenNetwork)pic.twitter.com/Zp1hZ0q6Zs
— Bleacher Report CFB (@BR_CFB) October 9, 2021
5. Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
After a huge game last week to lead the Bearcats to a win over Notre Dame, Ridder kept it going on Friday night. It certainly wasn’t a hangover week for Ridder and Cincinnati, as they trounced Temple, 52-3. Ridder was 22-of-30 in the air with 259 yards and three touchdowns to no interceptions. With the weaker schedule, he will have to really put up gaudy numbers to earn consideration. But with some teams losing in front of them, Cincinnati is now ranked in the top 4 in the latest AP rankings.
On the outside looking in: C.J. Stroud, Kenny Pickett, TreVeyon Henderson
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
