We’re in the end game now of the Heisman watch with just one more week to play in the regular season. Right now, it looks to be two clear frontrunners against the field. With that said, this will be a tiered list, starting with the super tier or “S tier”. Kenneth Walker falls off after not even being the leading ball carrier or rusher on Michigan State, let alone in the game. Let’s dive into it.
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S Tier
These two are just so far and above the rest of the field right now. It’s essentially a toss-up between the two of them, as they have virtually identical stat lines this season. Young has a 71.7 percent completion rate, 3,584 passing yards, and 38 touchdowns to Stroud’s 71.1 percent completion rate, 3,468 passing yards, and 36 touchdowns.
Bryce Young, Alabama
In a close 42-35 win over Arkansas, Young set a new school record for passing yards in a game with 559 yards. He also had five touchdown passes and was 31-of-40 in the air. The award is his if Young can put up solid numbers against Auburn and then top-ranked Georgia in the SEC Championship. The top two Heisman contenders then might face each other in the College Football Playoff semifinal, depending on the final rankings.
C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
In the Buckeyes complete annihilation of Michigan State, Stroud led the charge with a near-perfect day. The freshman threw for a massive six touchdowns (five in the first half) and 432 air yards on 32-of-35 passing. Following Ohio State’s early loss to Oregon, they have been on a tear, with Stroud proving he is a great quarterback. Following in Justin Fields‘ footsteps wasn’t going to be easy, but Stroud has done so nicely. “The Game” against Michigan finishes off the regular season for a trip to the Big Ten Championship.
A Tier
It will be tough for these two guys to overcome the studs up top, as they don’t have great matchups on the docket. Ole Miss does face a ranked Mississippi State in the final week. So that could be a chance for Corral to prove his spot as a finalist. As for Pickett, Pitt faces a 5-6 Syracuse team. But he also has the ACC Championship game to put up big numbers. That game will be against either Wake Forest or Clemson.
Matt Corral, Ole Miss
Corral didn’t hurt his chances, but he didn’t exactly help them either. Against a two-win Vanderbilt, he threw for two touchdowns and 326 yards on 27-of-36 passing. He was also picked off once, so it wasn’t a Heisman performance to any extent. Facing such lower competition, Corral needed to do more to really make a mark. The Mississippi State matchup is the final chance for him to do something, as the Rebels won’t be playing in the SEC Championship.
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
It was a not-so-great day for Pickett against Virginia, as he threw two interceptions. The senior did also throw for four touchdowns and 340 yards, but nothing all too spectacular to really threaten for the Heisman. He can still be a finalist with solid performances next week and the ACC Championship.
B Tier
Jordan Davis, Georgia
It’s not too often a defensive player is a finalist for the Heisman, but that looks to be the case with Davis. The senior defensive lineman has been a force for the Bulldogs this season. On Saturday, he even added a rushing touchdown in a 56-7 blowout of Charleston Southern. The last time a defensive player won the Heisman was Charles Woodson in 1997, who also occasionally lined up on offense.
Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
Although a long shot at this point, Ridder put up big numbers against SMU on Saturday. He threw for three touchdowns and 274 yards while completing 17-of-23 passes. The level of competition Cincinnati has faced puts a damper on the chances of Ridder winning the Heisman, as well as the Bearcats making the playoff despite being undefeated.
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