College Football Heisman Watch: Week 8

By Sidelines Staff   October 24, 2021 

College Football Heisman Watch: Week 8

Spencer Rattler was the preseason favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. Now, Rattler is on the bench at Oklahoma and his replacement, Caleb Williams, is already receiving Heisman hype. No player since World War II has missed more than one of their team’s games and still won the biggest individual award in American sports, but Caleb Williams, who has thrown 59 passes this season, is already among the top ten favorites to win the award at +2500. It’s a situation to monitor but he does not crack the short list here. 

1. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama    Odds: +180

Stats: 2,082 yards passing, 69.6 % completion, 24 TD, 3 INT

Young put some separation between himself and Matt Corral with a brilliant day against Mississippi State. The sophomore completed 20 of 28 passes for 348 yards and 4 touchdowns while not turning the ball over. No Alabama quarterback has ever won the Heisman, and Young still has some tough tests left, including a potential date with Georgia in December, but right now the trophy is his to lose. 

2. Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss   Odds: +200

Stats: 1,728 yards passing, 66.3 % completion, 14 TD, 1 INT, 450 rushing yards, 8 TD

Corral threw his first interception of the season against Tennessee, in a game where the most throwing was done by fans tossing things onto the field, but the Ole Miss QB moves up to number two after rushing for 195 against the Vols. Corral’s QBR is 87.7, good for fourth in the nation and he is fifth in the nation in QB rushing yards. 

3. CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State      Odds: +800

Stats: 1,699 yards passing, 66.2 % completion, 18 TD, 3 INT, 17 rushing yards 

Will Stroud be penalized for how good his offensive teammates are? Running back TreVeyon Henderson is also in the top ten is Heisman odds on many sites and wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson comprise the best WR duo in the nation. 

The Buckeyes had last week off but Stroud can win the Heisman with big performances against the four ranked teams the Buckeyes still need to play in Penn State, Purdue, Michigan State and Michigan. 

4. Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati  Odds: +2000

Stats: 1,444 yards passing, 64.3 % completion, 13 TD, 2 INT, 118 rushing yards, 3 TD

Ridder didn’t do much statistically against Central Florida last week in a 56-21 blowout, throwing for just 140 yards on 13 of 23 passing with 1 TD pass. It was his first time under 200 yards passing all season so it won’t hurt the Bearcat QB much, but it would behoove him to light up Navy and Tulane these next two weeks. 

5. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh  Odds: +2200

Stats: 1,934 yards passing, 69.8% completion, 21 TD, 1 INT, 180 rushing yards, 3 TD

The Pickett for Heisman bandwagon is about to get popular after the senior from New Jersey had his third consecutive multi touchdown, zero interception day, and threw in a rushing TD for good measure. Pickett has at least 200 yards passing and 2 TD in all six games this season but will face his toughest defensive test yet against Clemson this week. There is not another ranked team on Pitt’s schedule so this could be Pickett’s best chance to shine. 

Also received strong consideration: 

Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State

Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

Drake London, WR, USC

Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State

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