Heisman Watch: Week 11
The Heisman is the most prestigious award in all of college football, and this year’s race is turning out to be one of the best races in recent years.
Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia
Bennett came into 2022 being a national championship quarterback with high expectations, and since has raised the bar to a new level in Athens. Bennett is putting up career numbers for the Bulldogs, and has them as the favorites for the national title.
Bennett is the leader of this Georgia offense, and is eighth in the nation in QBR with a rating at 86.5. Bennett has also been extremely efficient, only throwing three interceptions while accounting for 17 touchdowns on the season.
Bennett has been a key to Georgia’s success, making him a firm contender for the Heisman trophy this season.
C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Stroud has been the favorite for the Heisman all season long, and is looking to bounce back after a tough week against Northwestern. Stroud only threw for 76 yards on a struggling 38.5% completion percentage.
The weather was terrible in Evanston, and led to a tough passing game for the Buckeyes. With that being said, Stroud has still been putting up tremendous numbers for the undefeated Buckeyes.
Stroud has 29 touchdowns through the air, and leads the nation in QBR with a rating of 91.2. Stroud has also accounted for 29 touchdowns this season, the second most in the nation.
Even though Stroud struggled against Northwestern, he’ll have the ability to regain his hype when Michigan comes to town on Nov. 26.
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Nix’s college career has been rejuvenated in Eugene as the Ducks are in the hunt for the Playoff in 2022. Nix has been extremely efficient, and leading one of the best offenses in the Pac-12.
Nix has accounted for 36 touchdowns in 2022, including an impressive 13 rushing scores for Oregon. Nix already has more passing yards than he had all of last season, including a career high in passing touchdowns in a season.
Nix is the catalyst on the Ducks’ offense in 2022, and will need to have a strong finish to the season if Oregon is going to win the Pac-12 this year.
Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Hooker had been the story of the country thus far as Tennessee was getting back to being a powerhouse in the SEC. The Volunteers rose all the way to the top spot in the College Football Playoff rankings, and led to a huge showdown in Athens against Georgia last week.
Hooker struggled in Tennessee's loss to Georgia, only passing for 195 yards and one interception in the loss. The Vols offense only totalled 13 points in the loss, and were completely dominated by a phenomenal Georgia defense.
Even with the tough game for the Volunteers, Hooker has been sensational for Tennessee in 2022. Hooker has a great 21-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio and ranks fifth in QBR with an 89.1 rating on the season.
Even after the tough performance in Athens, expect Hooker to have a strong finish to 2022 and find himself back in the Heisman race by the end of the season.
Adam Sheetz is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ads360@psu.edu.
