College Football Heisman Watch: Week 10

The Heisman favorite took the week off and saw his odds drop. Caleb Williams, who has started three games, saw his odds drop to +850, as he tries to become the first player in the history of the sport to win the Heisman despite missing more than one game. But, the biggest move of the week was made by Kenneth Walker III, who rushed for 197 yards and five scores in Michigan State’s upset win over Michigan. It’s fair to say that the Heisman winner will almost certainly come from someone in this top five plus Williams, who just misses out. 

1. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama    Odds: +160

Stats: 2,453 yards passing, 67.2 % completion, 26 TD, 3 INT

Bryce Young took the week off and his odds dropped from +160 to +190. Young can still make statements with games against LSU, Arkansas, and Auburn to come in November but it feels like another loss would probably open the door for a different QB to win this award. Young’s big advantage is that he is not competing with another ‘Bama player for any votes, like many recent Crimson Tide quarterbacks have needed to do. 

2. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan St.   Odds: +500

Stats: 175 Rush, 1,194 Yards, 14 TD, 6.8 YPC, 8 Receptions, 36 Yards, TD 

Walker made the biggest Heisman statement of the season, rushing for five touchdowns against Michigan, which made his odds go from outside contender (+2000) to probably getting an invite to New York (+500). This was Walker’s highest profile game of the year, but he still has Penn State and Ohio State to play, not to mention a potential Big Ten title game. Last week, we said that CJ Stroud had control of the award if he plays lights out, but now the Walker-Stroud matchup could be the Heisman showcase. 

3. CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State    Odds: +450

Stats: 2,270 yards passing, 67.1 % completion, 23 TD, 3 INT

Stroud’s odds stayed untouched after a solid performance against Penn State, completing 22 of 34 passes for 305 yards and a TD. Stroud now has a ridiculous 15-0 TD to INT ratio in his last four Big Ten games. He’s also only been sacked once in that stretch, so he is clearly a beneficiary of an excellent offensive line. Expect a big game from Stroud this week at Nebraska. 

4. Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss     Odds: +275

Stats: 2,202 yards passing, 66.3 % completion, 15 TD, 2 INT, 519 rushing yards, 10 TD

It’s worth remembering that Corral is in the top five in the country in QBR and is one of only four QB’s in the country with ten or more rushing scores. Corral threw for 289 yards last week against Auburn with zero touchdowns and one interception. Corral did run for 45 yards and a score. The Ole Miss QB will almost certainly not be playing in a conference title game so he needs to impress in his final four regular season games, starting with this week against Liberty. 

5. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh    Odds: +1100

Stats: 2,755 yards passing, 69.2% completion, 26 TD, 3 INT, 185 rushing yards, 3 TD

Pickett threw for 519 last week against Miami but his odds have fallen from +1000 to +1100 after the Pitt Panthers lost to the Hurricanes 38-34. Now Pickett does not play defense and it’s hardly his fault that his team lost considering how well he played, but that’s how Heisman works sometimes. 

Pickett has a chance to bounce back against a Duke defense this week that is coming off surrendering 45 points to Wake Forest. If Pitt wins out, Pickett will have a showcase game in the ACC Championship, likely against those very Demon Deacons. 

Also received strong consideration: 

Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

Caleb Williams, Oklahoma

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State 

Sam Hartman, QB,, Wake Forest

Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati