Heisman Watch: Week 8
Another week of college football is in the books and the race for the Heisman Trophy continues to be as open as ever.
Let’s take a look at some of the top contenders for the award after week eight of the college football season.
Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Corral has put up the numbers in Lane Kiffin's system to stick as a finalist for the award.
On the season he has thrown for 1,913 yards and 15 TDs while adding 474 rushing yards and nine more TDs in just seven games.
Although the Rebels fell to Alabama earlier in the season, if the Crimson Tide suffers another loss this season that could lead to a way where Ole Miss can sneak into the SEC championship to most likely take on Georgia.
Even if that doesn't happen, Corral has a great chance to be the first player to win the Heisman without making the CFP since Lamar Jackson in 2015.
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones were Heisman finalists, but Young has a legitimate chance to win the award in his first year as a starter.
He added to that resume with 371 passing yards, 42 rushing yards and four total TDs in a 52-24 blowout against Tennessee.
Young now has 2,453 yards, 26 TDs and three interceptions, and if the Crimson Tide plows through the rest of the SEC West and beats Georgia in the SEC championship game it will be hard to not vote for Young.
He would join Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry and DeVonta Smith as Heisman winners under Nick Saban.
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt
Pickett validated a strong first half by leading Pitt to a decisive 27-17 victory against Clemson.
Pickett led a pair of long TD drives in the first half, and he finished 25 of 39 passing for 302 yards and two TDs.
The Panthers are 6-1, with the lone loss a head-scratching 44-41 shootout against Western Michigan.
Other than that, Pickett has been nearly-flawless with 2,236 yards, 23 TDs and one interception.
As far as pure passers go, Pickett is right at the top. He's emerging as the blue-collar choice.
Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Would Ridder get the nod if he pushed Cincinnati into the playoff?
Ridder has modest statistics with 1,608 yards, 15 TDs and three interceptions, and he's not the only star player on the team.
Running back Jerome Ford is a Doak Walker Award candidate, and SN Midseason All-American cornerback Ahmad Gardner is the best NFL prospect.
Northern Illinois' Jordan Lynch was the last Heisman finalist from the Group of 5 in 2013. He finished third.
Ridder would likely fall in that range.
Alex Rocco is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email afr5646@psu.edu
