Heisman Race 2022: List of Finalists for Coveted Trophy Announced
Dec 5, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 08: Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 08, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
USC's Caleb Williams, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Georgia's Stetson Bennett and TCU's Max Duggan will be heading to New York City for the 2022 Heisman Trophy ceremony after being named finalists Monday.
By this point in the season, the consensus has typically coalesced around one player as the Heisman favorite. Perhaps the voting will ultimately be pretty one-sided, but this seems to be a somewhat open race, especially after a topsy-turvy final few weeks.
Stroud's candidacy might have suffered a fatal blow with Ohio State's 45-23 loss to Michigan, a game that saw him finish 31-of-48 for 349 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
It's not often a player finishes significantly higher on the Heisman ballot—Stroud was fourth in 2021—after posting worse numbers than the year before.
In the same number of games, the Buckeyes star has 1,095 fewer passing yards (3,340), fewer touchdowns (37) and worse efficiency (66.2 percent completion rate and a 176.2 passer rating).
Williams became the front-runner with Stroud's campaign losing steam, only for USC to fall in the Pac-12 title game and miss out on a College Football Playoff berth.
The sophomore shouldn't shoulder much blame for the 47-24 defeat. He played through a hamstring injury and went 28-of-41 for 363 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, and he was a bystander as the Trojans defense allowed 533 yards to the Utah offense.
If anything, the outcome underscored Williams' value to the team and how much his performance helped compensate for a suspect defense. In 13 games, he threw for 4,075 yards, 37 touchdowns and four interceptions and ran for 372 yards and 10 scores.
Of the players still in the Heisman discussion, Bennett unquestionably had the best championship week. He threw for 274 yards and four touchdowns as Georgia dropped 50 points on LSU in the SEC title game.
It might have come far too late to change the minds of the voters, though. The Bulldogs quarterback didn't put up gaudy numbers (3,425 passing yards and 20 touchdowns) overall.
The same goes for Duggan.
The senior quarterback undoubtedly played a massive role in TCU finishing 12-1 and reaching the CFP semifinals, but it's tough to make a case for why he was the most outstanding player in FBS. Duggan posted 3,321 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and a 165.5 passer rating in the regular season.
The Heisman will be handed out Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.
5-Star EDGE Samuel M'Pemba Commits to Georgia over LSU, Miami, Tennessee
Dec 4, 2022
The Georgia Bulldogs added a major piece to their 2023 recruiting class.
Samuel M'Pemba, who played on both sides of the ball in high school, announced he will be part of Georgia's class Sunday.
M'Pemba is a 5-star prospect, per 247Sports' composite rankings. He is also the No. 30 overall player, No. 4 edge-rusher and No. 8 player from the state of Florida in the class of 2023.
Some of the nation's top programs recruited him at some point during the recruiting process, underscoring his overall potential and talent.
In fact, his list of interested schools included Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, USC and Wisconsin, among others.
Keegan Pope of On3 noted M'Pemba played on the offensive side of the ball for IMG Academy in 2021 as a tight end/H-back, although many schools were interested in him as a defensive prospect.
Pope pointed out On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power believes M'Pemba is best suited as a pass-rusher on the defensive side despite his ability as a tight end.
His overall athleticism and versatility stands out, and it isn't difficult to envision him using that explosiveness to burst past offensive tackles on the snap. Some of the physicality he used as a pass-catcher over the middle at tight end could also come in handy on the defensive side against the run if that is where he ultimately plays.
While M'Pemba's position could change at times, he is one of the best players in the entire 2023 class and will look to live up to his potential at Georgia.
This is a case of the rich getting richer, as the reigning champion Bulldogs are one of the programs that simply reloads instead of rebuilds by landing players like this on the recruiting trail.
Part of that reloading process will likely be replacing the dominant Jalen Carter along the defensive line, which will be a group effort.
M'Pemba is someone who can help with that group effort by generating pressure and drawing double-teams on the outside, which will open up more blitzing lanes for his teammates.
Examining AJ Harris' Impact on Georgia's 2023 Season Depth Chart
Nov 29, 2022
The future for the Georgia Bulldogs' secondary got much brighter in June when highly regarded cornerback prospect AJ Harris joined their 2023 recruiting class.
Harris, who checks in at 6'1" and 180 pounds, is a 5-star prospect and the No. 29 overall player in the 2023 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings. He is also the No. 4 cornerback and the No. 4 prospect from the state of Alabama in his class.
Before committing to the Bulldogs, Harris was considering Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Notre Dame, LSU and North Carolina. That lists indicates how high his ceiling is as he reaches the college level.
While it's typically a long shot for any program to land an elite recruit from the state of Alabama when they have to deal with Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide, Harris told Stephen Means of Cleveland.com he was originally from California and accustomed to moving because his father was in the military.
"It's not really hard for me to just move to far places," he said. "I'm open to wherever and whoever develops me the best and put me in the best position to get to where I want to get to in life."
Fortunately for Georgia, Harris believes it is best positioned to help him succeed. He should help the Bulldogs as well given his overall skill set. As someone who ran track in high school, he is fast enough to keep up with wide receivers downfield, but he's also physical enough to break up underneath routes and contend for jump balls.
Andrew Ivins of 247Sports deemed Harris the "alpha dog" of the Under Armour All-America Camp Series in March 2021 and pointed to his ability to shut down receivers in one-on-one drills. In fact, Ivins noted the cornerback was so impressive he pushed to be "considered one of the nation's top overall prospects regardless of position."
That is welcome news for Georgia, which consistently needs to reload to compete at the championship level it expects to on a yearly basis.
That won't change next season, especially since cornerback Kelee Ringo is a potential top-five pick in the 2023 NFL draft draft. The Bulldogs' secondary will need to replace his production and leadership, and Harris will join a crowded defensive back room in 2023 that could include Nyland Green, Daylen Everette, Kamari Lassiter and Javon Bullard.
Expect Harris to start in a backup role when his college career begins, but his talent will be impossible to ignore as he works his way into the 2023 rotation.
As the defending national champions, Georgia has had a target on its back throughout the 2022 campaign. However, nobody has been able to take down the...
Georgia's Beatdown of Tennessee Puts to Rest Which Team Should Be No. 1 in the CFP
Nov 5, 2022
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) reacts to the crowd as he leaves the field following Georgia's victory over Tennessee in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
We begin with the punter. Yes, the punter.
To understand Georgia’s thorough domination of Tennessee on Saturday—a 27-13 triumph over the Vols that never felt that close—we begin in an unlikely place.
Sure, quarterback Stetson Bennett cemented himself as a legitimate Heisman candidate after accounting for three more touchdowns. And, yes, defensive lineman Jalen Carter, who has battled injuries this season, showcased glimpses as to why many NFL scouts feel he’s in the running for the No. 1 overall pick in next spring’s draft.
But the depth and talent run deep on this roster, all the way to the punter. That punter, Aussie Brett Thorson, unleashed a 75-yard punt that ultimately ducked out of bounds by its lonesome, on the opposing one-yard line.
It was a majestic boot—one of the greatest in recent memory. It should have resulted in a safety a few plays later, although it ultimately didn’t, thanks largely to some peculiar officiating surrounding a Tennessee fumble.
Still, Georgia used that field position to score a quick touchdown a few minutes later. The game never felt competitive from that point.
From the quarterback to the punter, the full arsenal of Georgia’s potential was on display in the biggest college football game of the season to date.
All year long, we’ve openly wondered what team deserves the No. 1 ranking: Alabama, Ohio State, Tennessee and Georgia all have made legitimate pushes throughout the year.
After Saturday, however, that discussion ends. The answer is Georgia, and there’s not much to it. Well, at least for now.
Georgia defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (93) reacts after recovering a fumble during the second half of an NCAA college football game as Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) looks on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
That sentiment, of course, hasn’t always existed this season. After winning the national championship in January, expectations for the program were enormous despite the exodus of impact players.
A blowout victory over Oregon in the opening weekend only fanned the flames. But along the way, Georgia injected some doubt into the season. The Bulldogs allowed Kent State to score 22 points, only to barely beat Missouri on the road the following week.
From that point on, the questions surrounding Georgia have persisted despite a solid string of wins (albeit against inferior opponents). On Saturday, those questions dissipated quickly.
Coming into this week, Tennessee was the hottest team in college football and the No. 1 seed in the first College Football Playoff rankings. Entering Saturday, the Vols were averaging more than 49 points per game.
Georgia held Tennessee, the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense, to one touchdown, and it came with a little more than four minutes remaining in the game. That about sums it up.
Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey (84) celebrates a touchdown catch with teammates during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
The scoreboard didn’t necessarily read like a blowout, although the actual football game never truly felt all that close. Georgia held a 24-6 lead at half, and then the Bulldogs essentially ran out the clock as the rain finally came from that point forward.
The ramifications that will emerge from this game will be sizable in the SEC and beyond. On Tuesday night, Georgia will be a runaway choice as the selection committee’s new No. 1 choice for the College Football Playoff.
No drama. No debate.
Moving forward, it will likely take a loss to remove the Bulldogs from that position. Tennessee will move down, although probably not too far. And earlier on Saturday, Ohio State, another team in consideration for this No. 1 spot, struggled in a win against one-win Northwestern.
The Bulldogs’ remaining schedule is not without intrigue. Well, perhaps that depends on what you view as “intrigue.”
Georgia will play road games at Mississippi State and Kentucky before heading home to play Georgia Tech. From there, Kirby Smart’s group is likely SEC Championship Game bound. If the Bulldogs get to the title game unbeaten, they are likely a lock for the playoff regardless of the outcome.
Sound familiar? It should.
The very scenario played out last season when Georgia lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. From there, the Bulldogs cruised through to the playoffs and to the national title.
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, left, fumbles as he is hit by Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) in the end zone during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Athens, Ga. Tennessee recovered the ball and avoided a safety. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
This team, the best football team in America, does not possess the same talent that last year’s group did. That is not a controversial opinion; given all the meaningful players Georgia lost, it’s just the reality.
The fact that Georgia has been able to mold a legitimate title contender this quickly is a testament to the years of brilliant recruiting and development that Smart has constructed in Athens.
Still, back-to-back national titles are not a given for Georgia. Saturday’s result against Tennessee, as significant as it was, guarantees nothing moving forward.
It reminded, however, just how talented this roster is from the very top to the very bottom. It also put the Bulldogs in an unbelievable position moving forward as college football’s home stretch begins.
More immediately, it ended the debate surrounding the nation’s No. 1 team.
That answer is clear. The answer is Georgia.
Stetson Bennett, Georgia Defense Hyped by CFB Twitter After Rout over No. 1 Tennessee
Nov 5, 2022
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) throws from the pocket during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia may have taken it personally when the Bulldogs were third in the initial College Football Playoff rankings.
The No. 3 Bulldogs coasted past top-ranked Tennessee 27-13 on Saturday at home in Sanford Stadium, and the final score doesn't do justice to the gulf between the teams. It was a comprehensive victory and a result that looked secure after the first quarter.
A 13-yard Stetson Bennett touchdown run and a 37-yard TD pass to Ladd McConkey put the reigning national champions up 14-3 with 3:32 left in the opening frame. They didn't look back from there.
Whereas Tennessee's Hendon Hooker looked like the Heisman Trophy favorite entering the game, Bennett was the quarterback who took center stage. He finished 17-of-25 for 257 yards and two touchdowns.
Bo Nix vs. Stetson Bennett Heisman race is going to be very much something I'm here for.
Other than that ridiculous clock management from Kirby, that was an incredible half of discipline from Georgia. Todd Monken and Stetson Bennett were fabulous and Tennessee is in real trouble.
Stetson Bennett is going to be such an interesting NFL prospect. He faces absolutely no pressure in the pocket and throws to WRs running wide effing open.
The Georgia defense also suffocated a Tennessee offense that was leading FBS in yards (553.0) and points (49.4) per game. The Vols had 289 total yards and turned the ball over twice.
Georgia defense rising to the occasion so far. Man to man coverage, push the pocket up front. Bully Ball
Georgia's defense has allowed only four touchdowns in the red zone this season.
UGA opponents are now 4/16 attempting to convert red zone opportunities into touchdowns.
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) November 5, 2022
Hard to believe they've played about 35 minutes in Athens and Tennessee hasn't scored a touchdown yet. Heck of an effort by the Georgia defense to this point.
The Bulldogs D has shut down the @Vol_Football which has dazzled on offense all year but Kirby Smart & his staff have been ready for this big time matchup .STETSON BENNETT plus DEFENSE is the difference as they lead Vols in 3rd quarter 24-6!
Georgia opened the season with an emphatic 49-3 hammering of Oregon but hadn't added another signature win since then. Close victories over Kent State and Missouri led people to wonder whether Kirby Smart's squad was far more vulnerable compared to last year.
Instead, the Bulldogs might still be the best team in college football.
Let me just get in front of the twitter army here and scream I was wrong about the outcome of this game. Shame on me for underestimating Georgia.
You never know in sports. The best team doesn't always win. But Georgia on its "A" game is better than everyone else, and it may not be all that close.
Georgia closes with Mississippi State, Kentucky and Georgia Tech, and it basically has two paths to the CFP semifinals. An unbeaten regular season will put the Bulldogs in regardless of what happens in the SEC title game, while winning the conference championship would more than make up for one loss between now and then.
The Peach Bowl and Fiesta Bowl are slated to be the two semifinals this season. It's safe to say Georgia fans should start making travel plans for Atlanta or Glendale, Arizona, if they haven't already.
ESPN College Gameday 2022: Week 10 Schedule, Location, Predictions and More
Nov 4, 2022
FILE - In this Sept. 5, 2015, file photo, Georgia fans watch the season opening NCAA college football game against Louisiana Monroe at Sanford Stadium n Athens, Ga. The Georgia Bulldog are planning to have fans between the hedges. The school announced ticket plans that call for allowing 20-25% capacity at 92,746-seat Sanford Stadium. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)
One of the biggest games of the 2022 college football season is set to take place Saturday afternoon at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. So it's no surprise that ESPN's College GameDay will be there, too.
Two of the top teams in the country will be facing off when Georgia hosts SEC East rival Tennessee in a matchup with College Football Playoff implications. The Vols are ranked No. 1 in the CFP rankings, while the Bulldogs are at No. 3.
However, Georgia is the No. 1 team in the AP poll, while Tennessee is tied with Ohio State at No. 2.
But we'll soon get clarity on which of these SEC powerhouses is the better team. And the winner should then be in the No. 1 spot in both sets of rankings.
College GameDay, which airs on Saturdays beginning at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN, will be held at Myers Quad on Georgia's campus. It will be the first time the show has taken place in Athens since Oct. 16, 2021.
Before further breaking down this marquee matchup, here's the schedule for ranked teams in Week 10, along with predictions for each game.
Week 10 Top 25 Schedule, Predictions
Friday, Nov. 4
No. 23 Oregon State at Washington, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Saturday, Nov. 5
No. 2 Ohio State at Northwestern, noon ET, ABC
Texas Tech at No. 7 TCU, noon ET, Fox
No. 17 North Carolina at Virginia, noon ET, ACC Network
No. 19 Tulane at Tulsa, noon ET, ESPNU
No. 1 Tennesseeat No. 3 Georgia, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
No. 8 Oregon at Colorado, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Michigan State at No. 16 Illinois, 3:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network
No. 15 Penn State at Indiana, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
No. 18 Oklahoma State at Kansas, 3:30 p.m. ET, FS1
No. 20 Syracuse at Pittsburgh, 3:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network
No. 25 UCF at Memphis, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
No. 6 Alabama at No. 10 LSU, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
No. 24 Texas at No. 13 Kansas State, 7 p.m. ET, FS1
No. 5 Michigan at Rutgers, 7:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network
No. 4 Clemson at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC
Arizona at No. 14 Utah, 7:30 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network
No. 21 Wake Forest at No. 22 NC State, 8 p.m. ET, ACC Network
No. 12 UCLA at Arizona State, 9:30 p.m. ET, FS1
California at No. 9 USC, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Picks in bold
Tennessee-Georgia Preview
There's a decent chance that both Tennessee and Georgia could end up in the College Football Playoff this season. It would be unsurprising if the two teams had a combined one loss, courtesy of their head-to-head matchup.
However, only one of these two programs will have an opportunity to play for the SEC championship. The winner of Saturday's game will take over sole possession of first place in the SEC East, and it's likely that team will go on to the conference title game.
But will that be the Vols or the Bulldogs? It could be either, as Saturday's game is likely to be a competitive contest and much closer than the most recent meetings between these two programs.
Georgia has won 10 of its last 12 games against Tennessee, including each of the last five. During this active winning streak against the Vols, the Bulldogs' margin of victory has been 23 or more points each time.
This Tennessee squad is much improved, though. After all, it's now in the No. 1 spot in the CFP rankings for the first time in program history.
“The reason we’ve gotten to the point where this is a big football game is because we’ve handled things the right way," Vols head coach Josh Heupel said, per Patrick Brown of 247Sports.com. "Coaches and players alike. Preparation and practice and understanding the type of football team [we’re playing]."
One of the reasons for Tennessee's 8-0 start has been the play of its offense. The Vols are averaging 553 total yards per game, the most of any FBS team in the country. Senior quarterback Hendon Hooker has impressed leading the unit, passing for 2,338 yards, 21 touchdowns and one interception.
The No. 2 offense in the country? That belongs to Georgia, which is averaging 530.1 total yards per game. The Bulldogs also rank No. 4 in total defense, allowing only 262.6 total yards per contest.
Georgia hasn't faced an offense as talented as Tennessee's high-powered unit. So it will be entertaining to see which side prevails when the Vols have the ball, as the Bulldogs may have the ability to shut them down. And they're trying to figure out how they'll do just that.
"You're not going to trick them," Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said, per Robbie Weinstein of 247Sports.com. "You're not going to show them something they haven't seen. You've got to do what you do better than what they do. And they're really good at what they do."
By Saturday night, one of these two undefeated SEC programs will have its first loss of the season after what's sure to be an entertaining contest.
No. 1 Tennessee vs. No. 3 Georgia Most Expensive Regular-Season CFB Ticket Ever
Nov 3, 2022
KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 13: Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) runs the ball during the college football game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Tennessee Volunteers on November 13, 2021, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. (Photo by Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Tennessee vs. Georgia is on pace to be one of college football's hottest tickets in recent memory.
Per ESPN's Field Yates, the cheapest ticket on TickPick is going for $626, which is the highest ever for a regular-season college football contest through the website. NBC Sports Chicago's Eric Mullin noted the most expensive ticket is going for a cool $5,233.
How huge is Saturday’s game between #1 Tennessee-#3 Georgia?
It’s the most expensive ticket for a college football regular season game on record, according to @TickPick
The third-ranked Bulldogs will host the No. 1 Volunteers on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Imagine being told before this season that this would be one of the biggest games of the year.
Georgia's 8-0 start hasn't come as a big surprise. The reigning national champion set a record for the number of players selected in a seven-round NFL draft (15), but the work head coach Kirby Smart did on the recruiting trail meant there was plenty of talent coming through the pipeline.
Tennessee, on the other hand, has been the most unexpected College Football Playoff contender. The Vols went 7-6 in 2021, which was widely considered a success for first-year head coach Josh Heupel given the situation he inherited.
Heupel has turned Tennessee into the most exciting team in the country, one that ranks first in yards (553 per game) and points (49.4 per game). Hendon Hooker might be the Heisman Trophy frontrunner with 2,338 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and 338 rushing yards.
Looking ahead to Saturday, Tennessee vs. Georgia has the feel of a CFP semifinal play-in game.
Going unbeaten and winning the SEC will basically guarantee the Bulldogs or Volunteers a playoff berth regardless of what happens in the conference championship, and this is the hardest remaining matchup for both teams.
Georgia finishes up with Mississippi State, Kentucky and Georgia Tech, while Tennessee has Missouri, South Carolina and Vanderbilt down the final stretch.
The stakes couldn't be much higher in Week 10, which explains why fans are paying such high fees to see this anticipated clash live.
