Heisman Watch: Week 6
This has been the craziest college football season since 2007, and the Heisman race is truly showing that.
In what seems like a wide open race, some players have stood out above the rest.
Matt Corral, Quarterback, Ole Miss
The Ole Miss Rebels have one of the best offenses in the country, due mostly to Corral and head coach Lane Kiffin. The Rebels are coming off a win in one of the best games of the year, over then No. 13 Arkansas.
The Rebels relied mostly on the run in this game, but Corral still flashed with 287 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers while posting a 97.3 rating. If Corral can keep his stats up, and Ole Miss can stay ranked, then expect Corral to be sitting in one of the finalist chairs in New York City.
Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama
Bryce Young is the betting favorite to win the prestigious trophy, according to VegasInsider. Young was the heavy favorite going into week 6, before a shocking upset at previously unranked Texas A&M. Young still played great, throwing for 368 yards and three touchdowns.
If Young keeps his stats up, and Alabama doesn’t lose again, Young will likely be the betting favorite. But, do voters expect the Crimson Tide to go undefeated in order to give the trophy to an Alabama player?
If so, then Young might not be able to take home the gold like his teammate from last year, Devonta Smith.
Kenneth Walker III, Running Back, Michigan State
Walker is the most surprising candidate on this list, coming out of nowhere to be in the top five of the betting odds, according to VegasInsider.
The Wake Forest transfer has been the best player on a surprisingly undefeated Michigan State team, rushing for a nation leading 912 yards, while also adding nine touchdowns. The Spartans are No. 10 in the country, and Walker is the main reason why.
If the Spartans can continue to shock the nation, and Walker leads the country in rushing, he has as good a chance as anyone for the Heisman.
Desmond Ridder, Quarterback, Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Bearcats are the highest ranked group of five team in the playoff era. Ridder, while not having some of the stats as Corral or Young, has led his team to wins against Indiana, and a ranked road win in South Bend against Notre Dame.
Cincinnati will be heavy favorites in each one of their remaining games, and if Cincinnati can be the first non-power five team to make the playoffs, then Ridder can be one of the finalists for the trophy.
CJ Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State
After a subpar game in his first ever game at Minnesota, then a loss to Oregon, it seemed that Stroud would struggle and Ohio State the same.
But Stroud has played phenomenal since then, leading the Buckeyes’ offense which is one of the best in the country. He missed a game, but still is tied for fifth in the nation in touchdowns with 18.
If Ohio State can win out, and win the Big Ten and end up making the playoff, then Stroud will be sitting in a finalist chair at the rate he’s going.
Jack Dempsky is a first-year majoring in business management. You can contact him at jmd7563@psu.edu.
