Heisman Watch: Week 14

Story posted December 1, 2021 in CommRadio, Sports by Logan Bourandas

There’s not much time left for the top Heisman Trophy contenders to make their mark in the college football season.

We have reached conference championship week so let’s take a look at how some of the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy performed this past weekend.

Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Things weren’t easy for the sophomore signal-caller in his first Iron Bowl game as it took four overtimes for Young and Alabama to dispatch Auburn.

During the 24-22 win, Young arguably had his worst performance of the season as the offense struggled to get going and the Crimson Tide put up their second-lowest total of the season.

Young finished with 317 passing yards and two touchdowns but also threw an interception and completed just less than half of his passes.

The Alabama quarterback ranks just outside of the top five with 3,901 passing yards and is tied for second in all of college football with 40 touchdowns.

Alabama will face its toughest test yet in the conference championship game as they take on No. 1 Georgia and arguably the top defense in the land.

C.J Stroud, QB, Ohio State

While Stroud and Young have been going back and forth all season in terms of the Heisman race, Stroud and the Ohio State Buckeyes suffered a huge loss this past weekend against Michigan.

The loss knocked the Buckeyes out of the running for the Big Ten championship game which would’ve given Stroud another chance to shine on the biggest stage.

Stroud did play well against Michigan however as he finished with 394 passing yards and two touchdowns during the 42-27 defeat.

The freshman quarterback ranks seventh in passing yards with 3,862 and fifth in touchdowns with 38 on the season.

Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

Let’s throw a curveball in here.

Hutchinson has seen both his draft stock and Heisman stock soar in recent weeks with some stellar play on the defensive end and that was put on full display against Ohio State this past Saturday.

Against one of the top offenses in the country, Hutchinson recorded three sacks and seven total tackles as he helped the Wolverines slay the dragon in the Ohio State Buckeyes.

This is the second time Hutchinson has picked up three sacks in a game as he did so in Beaver Stadium against Penn State a few weeks earlier.

Hutchinson has 13 sacks on the season which ranks third in the country and just took home the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.

Since Michigan made the Big Ten championship game, Hutchinson will be given the chance to showcase his talent yet again this time against the No. 13 Iowa Hawkeyes.

Logan Bourandas is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email lxb5412@psu.edu.