November 9, 2022
CFB InsiderAll Focus Is on the Heisman Trophy Race
The race continues to heat up.
Although it may be too early to predict the 2022-2023 Heisman Trophy winner, there is still time to analyze the favorites and a few rising prospects after week ten. Three quarterbacks have separated this season from the pack: Tennessee's Hendon Hooker, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, and USC's Caleb Williams Young.
However, competition for the remaining two spots has been intense. Following their impressive performances in week ten, QB Bo Nix (Oregon), RB Blake Corum (Michigan), and QB Drake Maye (North Carolina) remain in the headlines. In addition, the Heisman hopes of many players, including then-No. 6 Alabama QB Bryce Young, were heavily affected by Saturday's surprising shocks, especially the 32-31 overtime loss to then-No. 15 LSU.
Let's examine the top six Heisman candidates entering week 11:
Ten. QB Hendon Hooker
In a 27-13 setback to No. 5 Georgia on Saturday at Sanford Stadium, Hooker and the Vols suffered their first defeat of the season. Georgia went into halftime leading 24-6 after the Bulldogs' defense had made six sacks of the quarterback and limited Tennessee to only two first-half points. Hooker's chances of winning the Heisman Trophy are probably down after he passed for less than 200 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
Week 10 Result: Loss to Georgia, 27-13
Week 10 Stats: 23-for-33, 195 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT | 18 rushes, 17 yards
Ohio St. QB C.J. Stroud
At Northwestern, C.J. Stroud faced his stiffest challenge yet, as he struggled through windy and damp conditions. While the Buckeyes recovered to defeat the Wildcats 21-7, their starting quarterback had his worst game as a starter, completing only 10 of 26 passes for 76 yards. Stroud had career-lows in completion percentage and throwing yards but added a career-high 79 running yards as Ohio State's rushing attack accounted for all three touchdowns. Following Tennessee Hooker's loss to Georgia, sports commentators now replace Stroud as the Heisman favorite.
Week 10 Result: Win over Northwestern, 21-7
Week 10 Stats: 10-for-26, 76 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT | 6 rushes, 79 yards
USC. QB Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams and the Trojans beat the Golden Bears on Saturday to follow up their week 9 victory. The explosive quarterback threw 360 yards and four touchdowns in the clinching 41-35 triumph. Williams has contributed to at least 398 yards and at least five total touchdowns in USC's last three games. In addition, he's completed 204 of 316 passes for 2,742 yards and 287 rushing yards this season. With 28 touchdowns and one interception, he ties for third place in the nation.
Week 10 Result: Win over California, 41-35
Week 10 Stats: 26-for-41, 360 yards, 4 TD | 7 rushes, 38 yards, 1 TD
Michigan RB Blake Corum
This season, Corum's 1,187 yards and 16 touchdowns have placed Michigan back in the race for the College Football Playoffs. Saturday night, the RB contributed significantly to Michigan's 52-17 win against the Scarlett Knights by carrying the ball 20 times for 109 yards and two touchdowns. The explosive running back has topped the 100-yard mark in six consecutive games for the undefeated Michigan Wolverines, who are currently 9-0. However, if Corum wants a strong chance of winning the Heisman Trophy, he must have a spectacular game against the Buckeyes to help the Wolverines reach the Big Ten championship game and move closer to a CFP spot.
Week 10 Result: Win over Rutgers, 52-17
Week 10 Stats: 20 rushes, 109 yards, 2 TD
North Carolina QB Drake Maye
Also notable from week 10 is No. 15 North Carolina's 31-28 victory, which was led by another outstanding performance by quarterback Drake Maye, who ran for 74 yards and completed 26 of 37 throws for three touchdowns and 288 yards. With his other 31 touchdowns this season, Maye leads the nation in touchdowns. In addition, the rookie quarterback's 2,964 yards rank him fourth in the country.
Week 10 Result: Win over Virginia, 31-28
Week 10 Stats: 26-for-37, 293 yards, 2 TD | 16 rushes, 74 yards, 1 TD
Oregon QB Bo Nix
Oregon defeated Colorado 49-10, with quarterback Bo Nix completing 20 of 24 throws for 274 yards and two touchdowns. Nix has accounted for the Ducks' last four touchdowns in six of Oregon's nine games this season. Following their latest win, the quarterback has amassed 2,495 passing yards and 22 touchdowns in addition to 457 rushing yards and 13 scores, extending the Ducks' winning streak to eight games in a row. Nix, the three-time PAC-12 offensive player of the week, tops all FBS players in throwing percentage and total touchdowns this season.
Week 10 Result: Win over Colorado, 49-10
Week 10 Stats: 20-for-24, 274 yards, 2 TD | 9 rushes, 16 yards, 2 TD | 1 catch, 18 yards, 1 TD
WEEK 10 AP TOP 25 Rankings
1 Georgia
2 Ohio State
3 Michigan
4 TCU
5 Tennessee
6 Oregon
7 LSU
8 USC
9 UCLA
10 Alabama
11 Ole Miss
12 Clemson
13 Utah
14 Penn State
15 North Carolina
16 Tulane
17 N.C. State
18 Texas
19 Liberty
20 Notre Dame
21 Illinois
22 UCF
23 Kansas State
24 Washington
25 Florida State