Heisman Race 2021: List of Finalists for Coveted Trophy Announced
Dec 6, 2021
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 04: Bryce Young #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs the at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 04, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Alabama star Bryce Young headlines the list of four finalists for the Heisman Trophy.
Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson, Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett and Ohio State's C.J. Stroud round out the group, with the winner to be announced Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
There's often one clear front-runner for the Heisman through his own performance, his team's performance or a combination of the two. The 2015 season was the last time the first and second-place finishers were separated by fewer than 100 first-place votes.
This year, there isn't a player who immediately stands out as the obvious choice for college football's top individual honor.
When the voting results are revealed, Young may nonetheless prove to be the Heisman winner by some distance.
The sophomore signal-caller has thrown for 4,322 yards, 43 touchdowns and four interceptions. Even though he completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes for the game (25-of-51), he probably had the Heisman sewn up when he hit Ja'Corey Brooks for a game-tying touchdown in the final minute of the Iron Bowl.
But one could argue Young isn't even the best player on his own team.
Will Anderson Jr. has been not of this world. The Crimson Tide linebacker has compiled 92 total tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks. His production stacks up favorably with any of the most dominant defenders from the last decade.
Despite his best efforts, Anderson couldn't even earn a trip to New York City alongside Young.
One pass-rusher did make the cut. Hutchinson is poised to have the best finish for a Michigan player since Charles Woodson lifted the Heisman in 1997.
The Wolverines defensive end had 15 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 13 appearances. He delivered in his team's biggest game with his three sacks critical toward Michigan's 42-27 win over Ohio State.
That loss sank the Buckeyes' College Football Playoff hopes, and it almost certainly derailed C.J. Stroud's Heisman campaign.
Stroud had big numbers (34-of-49, 394 yards, two touchdowns) in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but his impact felt more muted because of how much Michigan's front seven bullied OSU's offensive line.
Stroud has a slight statistical edge on Young:
C.J. Stroud: 351.1 yards per game, 9.8 yards per attempt 70.9 percent completion rate, 182.2 passer rating
Bryce Young: 332.5 yards per game, 9.3 yards per attempt, 68.0 percent completion rate, 175.4 pass rating
But Alabama winning the Iron Bowl and Ohio State losing to Michigan was the biggest delineator between the two for Heisman voters.
Although Pickett is a major long shot, finishing high enough on the ballot to be a finalist is a massive accomplishment for the Pittsburgh quarterback.
The New Jersey native made the most of his final college season, throwing for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns en route to the Panthers claiming their first ACC title—and their first conference title of any kind since 2010.
The Alabama Crimson Tide will likely become the second program in five years to have back-to-back Heisman Trophy winners...
Report: OSU's Quinn Ewers, Former 5-Star QB Recruit, Entering Transfer Portal
Dec 4, 2021
COLUMBUS, OH - AUGUST 18: Ohio State Buckeyes #3 Quinn Ewers during fall camp at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus, Ohio on August 18, 2021. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Ohio State quarterback Quinn Ewers, who 247Sports ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in the high school class of 2021, will enter the NCAA transfer portal.
Per Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports, Ewers has informed OSU of his intentions.
The former Southlake Carroll (Texas) High School star is considering a return home for his next college stop, with Texas, Texas Tech and Texas A&M among the options, per Thamel.
Ewers reclassified from the class of 2022 to 2021 and arrived at OSU in August with training camp well underway. He only took two snaps for the Buckeyes as redshirt freshman C.J. Stroud took the offense's reins and starred with 38 touchdowns and 3,862 passing yards.
The 6'2", 200-pound Ewers shouldn't have a shortage of suitors. Ewers was highly touted coming out of college, with 247Sports' Gabe Brooks comparing him to ex-NFL quarterback Philip Rivers and offering this scouting report.
Good height with a plus frame. Pro-style QB with athleticism and mobility that qualify for a dual-threat label. Elite improvisational QB who can extend plays and remain accurate on the move. Throws with a smooth, easy delivery and varies arm angles as needed. Impressive velocity and spin rate really show on routes over the middle and down the seams. Field-stretching vertical arm strength to consistently hit big plays over the top. Also shows encouraging touch on timing patterns and downfield routes that require it.
Good runner by design or scramble. Understands how to protect himself as a runner and minimize shots. Shows encouraging pocket presence and awareness. Senses pressure and knows how to react to it. Also willing to stand and deliver under duress and will take a big shot if it means hanging in there to make the necessary throw. Occasionally will take risks, but that also is part of what makes him so good. Release quickness is good in general but could still quicken a bit at times. Elite QB prospect at the top of the 2022 cycle, at his position and across the board. Future impact high-major starter with long-term potential to be taken high in the NFL Draft.
Ewers had 29 offers, per 247Sports, including ones from Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma and USC. In the end, Ewers chose Ohio State, although he appears to be one-and-done there.
Ewers wouldn't be the first college quarterback to transfer and find great success elsewhere if he does end up blossoming at his next location. Other examples in recent memory include Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield, who both transferred to Oklahoma and became No. 1 picks in the NFL draft.
A potential pro career is still a ways off for Ewers, but the talented signal-caller should have plenty of options to choose his next destination as he searches for a new home.
Ohio State's C.J. Stroud Wins Big Ten Offensive Player, Freshman of the Year Awards
Dec 1, 2021
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud scrambles during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
With big shoes to fill as Justin Fields' replacement, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud made history Wednesday.
Stroud became the first Big Ten player ever to win the conference's Offensive Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year and Quarterback of the Year awards in the same season:
Stroud originally committed to Ohio State in December 2019. He was a highly regarded prospect in the 2020 recruiting class. 247Sports composite rankings had him as a 4-star prospect and the No. 42 overall player with offers from Georgia, Michigan and Baylor, among others.
Fields set an incredibly high bar for the Buckeyes at quarterback. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2019 after throwing for 3,273 yards, running for 484 yards and accounting for 51 total touchdowns.
In the six-game 2020 season, Fields completed 70.2 percent of his pass attempts for 2,100 yards and 22 touchdowns. The Buckeyes made the College Football Playoff in both years with him starting under center.
Stroud had no problems living up to the standard set by his predecessor. The California native started 11 games, ranking fifth in the nation in passing touchdowns (38), sixth in completion percentage (70.9) and seventh in passing yards (3,862).
Ohio State's offense leads the nation in scoring with 45.5 points per game. It didn't score fewer than 26 points in any of its 12 games during the regular season.
The Buckeyes did miss out on the Big Ten Championship Game thanks to Saturday's 42-27 loss to Michigan and have dropped to No. 7 in the latest playoff rankings, but they have already won at least 10 games for the 15th time in the past 17 seasons (only eight games played total in 2020 amid COVID-19 pandemic).
2021 Heisman Trophy Race Is on the Brink of Having Undeserving QBs
Dec 1, 2021
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) scrambles away from Auburn defensive end T.D. Moultry (99) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
In theory, any college football player can win the Heisman Trophy. Reality, however, has told an incompatible story.
Since the Heisman was first awarded in 1935, a quarterback or running back has hoisted the prestigious honor in 79 of 86 seasons. Lately, it's been a QB-dominated award; 17 of the 21 winners in this millennium played the position.
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith interrupted the trend in 2020, but voting tendencies are well-established and very likely to continue.
There is good reason for this QB-centric inclination. Quarterback is arguably the most important position in all of sports, let alone football. Transcendent talents behind center—think Auburn's Cam Newton (2010) and LSU's Joe Burrow (2019)—can rapidly turn a decent program into a national contender.
Not every season, though, has true Heisman-level superstars at QB. That is dangerously close to being the case in 2021.
Entering championship week, Alabama's Bryce Young is the award's favorite. If he puts together a strong showing in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday against Georgia, the nation's top-ranked team and defense, he'd be a deserving winner.
The challenge is Young's team, like Ohio State and C.J. Stroud did, might lose a second time. Georgia has ceded 200-plus yards to three QBs and multiple touchdowns to two. There's a reasonable chance Young's final appearance—his last chance to sway Heisman voters—is mostly a dud, and Alabama falls to 11-2.
And since 2000, only five Heisman winners played on teams with multiple pre-bowl losses.
USC's Carson Palmer (2002) would be the lone comparable player to Young and Stroud; the others—Florida's Tim Tebow (2007), Baylor's Robert Griffin III (2011), Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel (2012) and Louisville's Lamar Jackson (2016)—were all dual-threat QBs who also put up prolific numbers on the ground.
C.J. Stroud and Aidan Hutchinson
The question is not: Did either Young or Stroud have an excellent year? That answer would be a resounding yes. They've both thrown for at least 3,800 yards and 38 touchdowns. So did Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder, who enters the AAC Championship Game with 3,342 total yards and 34 touchdowns (27 passing, six rushing, one receiving).
The proper question is: Did any of them have a Heisman-worthy year? Those responses are more debatable.
Historically, the honor goes to the best quarterback on a top team; Alabama and Ohio State wouldn't fit the latter if the Tide lose again. Beyond that trend, the Heisman lands with a transcendent player such as Griffin or Jackson; neither Young nor Stroud is that.
None of the other QBs leading zero- or one-loss teams have the production expected of a top candidate. Ridder is closest, but his year is better characterized as "very good." No shame in that! Just not Heisman-worthy. For good measure, there's no Derrick Henry-like running back or Smith-like receiver to pick, either.
The best candidates in 2021 are defensive players—a group that has accounted for one Heisman win since 1950.
If you've followed our weekly updates this season, you're well aware of my pessimism about the voting. Defenders simply aren't a high priority on the official ballots.
You want transcendent, though? The clear choice is Alabama edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr.
Will Anderson
The sophomore leads the FBS in both tackles for loss (30.5) and sacks (14.5). He's only 1.5 stops for loss behind the single-season record (32) and ranks second on the Tide with 86 total takedowns. As if the TFL and sack numbers aren't impressive enough, the latter stat is absurd for a pass-rusher.
Even if Alabama falls short of the College Football Playoff, this type of season is incredibly rare. That's Heisman-worthy.
After him, there's Michigan star Aidan Hutchinson. Last week against Ohio State, PFF College credited him with 15 pressures. Hutchinson, who is also PFF's highest-graded defender this year, set Michigan's single-season sack record (12.5) during the win.
If Michigan makes the CFP, there's no question that Hutchinson propelled the team there. That's Heisman-worthy.
As skeptical as I am about Georgia's Jordan Davis—he doesn't play half of the Bulldogs' snaps per game—the overpowering defensive tackle has a vocal group of supporters. Regardless of your feelings on Davis, it should be clear that two of 2021's top three choices are defenders.
That doesn't mean Anderson or Hutchinson is destined to lift the iconic trophy. Young remains the favorite, and Stroud will likely be a finalist even after Ohio State's second loss.
But in a season that is nearly without a quarterback who fits the traditional Heisman mold, Anderson and Hutchinson already have strong cases as the most deserving.
Hassan Haskins, No. 5 Michigan Upset No. 2 Ohio State; 1st Win in Rivalry Since 2011
Nov 27, 2021
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Hassan Haskins #25 of the Michigan Wolverines carries the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
The No. 5 Michigan Wolverines clinched a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday by upsetting the rival No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes 42-27 in the 116th edition of The Game at Michigan Stadium in snowy Ann Arbor, Michigan.
With the victory, the Wolverines ended the Buckeyes' win streak in The Game at eight, and Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh won his first game against Ohio State in six tries.
Michigan leaned heavily on its running game in adverse weather conditions and finished with 297 rushing yards, while running back Hassan Haskins scored five touchdowns on the ground.
The Michigan defense also played well against Ohio State quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate C.J. Stroud, who was under siege throughout the day and sacked three times by Wolverines defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.
Michigan improved to 11-1 with the win and is a Big Ten Championship Game victory away from clinching a spot in the College Football Playoff, while Ohio State fell to 10-2 and likely saw its CFP hopes go up in smoke.
Notable Stats
Cade McNamara, QB, MICH: 13-of-19 for 159 YDS, 0 TD, 1 INT
C.J. Stroud, QB, OSU: 34-of-49 for 394 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT
Hassan Haskins, RB, MICH: 28 CAR for 169 YDS, 5 TD
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, OSU: 17 CAR for 74 YDS, 1 TD; 5 REC for 54 YDS, 1 TD
Blake Corum, RB, MICH: 6 CAR for 87 YDS
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, OSU: 11 REC for 127 YDS
Garrett Wilson, WR, OSU: 10 REC for 119 YDS, 1 TD
Aidan Hutchinson, DE, MICH: 3 SACKS
Haskins, Michigan Running Game Grind Down OSU Defense
Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara made some nice throws Saturday and largely avoided big mistakes aside from one red-zone interception, but the Wolverines offense was all about the running game against Ohio State.
Multiple players made explosive plays for Michigan on the ground, but Haskins was the meat-and-potatoes guy who scored five touchdowns on the ground.
With snow falling, Michigan marched the ball right down the field on the first drive of the game and punctuated it with a 14-yard touchdown run by wide receiver A.J. Henning on an end-around:
Michigan led 7-3 after the first quarter, and as pointed out by WTKA's Sam Webb, Harbaugh had to be happy with the Wolverines possessing the ball and keeping Ohio State's explosive offense off the field:
1st Q Time of possession - #Michigan 9:05, OSU 5:55. That's EXACTLY how you draw it up. Defense with your offense. #ComplimentaryFootball
Ohio State took a 10-7 lead on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Stroud to Garrett Wilson in the second quarter despite Michigan's advantage in time of possession, but Harbaugh didn't stray from the game plan.
Michigan went right back to work and answered with a one-yard touchdown plunge by Haskins, putting the Wolverines back on top 14-10:
As noted by ESPN Stats & Info, Haskins entered elite company on that touchdown run in terms of single-season touchdown production by Michigan running backs:
Hassan Haskins has 14 Rush TD this season, including one today against Ohio State.
Ohio State could have seized some momentum back before halftime with a late field goal, but it did little to deter the Michigan rushing attack.
After forcing an OSU three-and-out, Michigan orchestrated a three-play, 81-yard touchdown drive that included a 55-yard dash by Blake Corum and a 13-yard touchdown run by Haskins:
That extended the Michigan lead to 21-13, and the Wolverines poured it on even more later in the third quarter when Haskins scored from one yard out, marking his third touchdown of the day:
Another opportunity for Michigan to wilt occurred after that, as Ohio State made it a one-score game early in the fourth quarter.
The Buckeyes still had no answer for Michigan's running game, though, which allowed the Wolverines to march 66 yards on nine plays and restore the 15-point lead with Haskins' fourth rushing touchdown of the day:
Another Ohio State touchdown made it an eight-point game again, but Haskins made it a five-pack of touchdowns and essentially iced the game for Michigan:
Winning against Ohio State is always massively important for Michigan, but Saturday's victory was even bigger for many reasons.
Not only did it clinch a Big Ten Championship Game berth and get Harbaugh in the win column, but the Wolverines won it by beating the Buckeyes with pure physicality.
Hutchinson Slows Down Stroud, High-Powered OSU Offense
Stroud ended Saturday's game with solid numbers and may have kept his Heisman Trophy hopes alive, but it was clear he was uncomfortable at certain points throughout the game because of the pursuit of Hutchinson.
Saturday's edition of The Game had a decidedly different feel than recent versions from the very start, as Michigan scored a touchdown on the first drive and then quickly forced an Ohio State three-and-out.
ESPN's Matt Miller made note of how energized the Wolverines defense seemed to be out of the gates:
Michigan’s defense is FIRED up. Two weird misses from Stroud on the first drive.
Michigan took the lead back, however, and the Buckeyes were facing a one-point deficit at halftime.
There was undoubtedly some concern among Wolverines fans with such a tenuous lead, as Michigan has had a history of blowing halftime leads against the Buckeyes over the past decade:
Michigan leads Ohio State 14-13 at the half.
The Wolverines have held a halftime lead over the Buckeyes twice since 2004 (2012, 2016), losing both games.
This is also the 1st time Ohio State trails at halftime since that Oregon game. pic.twitter.com/iVOTYKS2bM
With his third sack of the game, Hutchinson set an all-time Michigan single-season record with 13 sacks.
Stroud enjoyed his best game of the season last week in a 56-7 demolition of Michigan State, but Stewart Mandel of The Athletic pointed out that the protection from his offensive line was like night and day between the MSU and Michigan games:
Stroud did manage to move the ball in the fourth quarter and got the Buckeyes within one score on a couple of occasions, but with the OSU defense unable to stop Michigan's running game, it wasn't enough.
Now, with Michigan running wild offensively and Hutchinson being the most dominant defensive player in college football, a national title may not be out of reach.
What's Next?
Michigan moves on to face either Iowa or Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game next Saturday, while Ohio State will wait and see which bowl game it is placed in.
Entering the final stretch of the 2021 college football season, the Heisman race is most likely down to two contenders...
ESPN College GameDay 2021: Week 13 Location Hosts, TV Schedule and Predictions
Nov 26, 2021
Michigan running back Hassan Haskins runs with the ball against Maryland during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
If you're going to watch one game during rivalry week in college football, keep it simple and watch The Game.
No. 2 Ohio State (10-1) hits the road to take on No. 5 Michigan (10-1) in the 117th meeting between the programs. The winner will secure a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game and take a major step toward locking down a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Ohio State-Michigan is one of just two matchups between CFP-ranked teams in Week 13, with the other being the Bedlam Series contest between No. 10 Oklahoma (10-1) and No. 7 Oklahoma State (10-1). As good as that game will be, you just can't beat a matchup between top-five teams, so it's no surprise that ESPN's College GameDay crew will be live in Ann Arbor, starting at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday.
Here's a complete look at the games involving ranked teams in Week 13.
Week 13 Top 25 Schedule, Predictions
Thursday, Nov. 25
No. 9 Ole Miss 31, Mississippi State 21
Friday, Nov. 26
Boise State at No. 21 San Diego State, noon ET, CBS
No. 16 Iowa at Nebraska, 1:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network
Missouri at No. 25 Arkansas, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
No. 4 Cincinnati at East Carolina, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Colorado at No. 19 Utah, 4 p.m. ET, FOX
North Carolina at No. 20 NC State, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Saturday, Nov. 27
No. 2 Ohio State at No. 5 Michigan, noon ET, FOX
No. 18 Wake Forest at Boston College, noon ET, ESPN2
No. 1 Georgia at Georgia Tech, noon ET, ABC
Texas Tech at No. 8 Baylor, noon ET, Fox Sports 1
No. 24 Houston at Connecticut, noon ET, CBS Sports Network
No. 22 UTSA at North Texas, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN+
Penn State at No. 12 Michigan State, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Oregon State at No. 11 Oregon, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
No. 3 Alabama at Auburn, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
No. 14 Wisconsin at Minnesota, 4 p.m. ET, FOX
No. 15 Texas A&M at LSU, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
No. 17 Pittsburgh at Syracuse, 7:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network
No. 10 Oklahoma at No. 7 Oklahoma State, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC
No. 23 Clemson at South Carolina, 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network
No. 6 Notre Dame at Stanford, 8 p.m. ET, FOX
No. 13 BYU at USC, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Picks in bold.
Week 13 Preview
If Ohio State's offense operates at a level anywhere close to where it was against Michigan State in Week 12, there won't be a hint of an upset Saturday.
The Buckeyes crushed the Spartans 56-7, with quarterback C.J. Stroud throwing for 393 yards and six touchdowns in the first half alone. Wideouts Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson were almost impossible to cover, and star running back TreVeyon Henderson ran with ease when called upon, averaging seven yards per carry.
Michigan boasts one of the nation's best defenses, ranking in the top 10 in yards per play allowed (4.67), offensive TDs allowed (21) and yards per game allowed (306.6). They should fare better than their in-state rivals did against the Buckeyes, but it's going to take a masterful game plan from coach Jim Harbaugh and top-level execution to slow down Ohio State and win the Big Ten East.
Elsewhere in the top five, we have No. 1 Georgia (11-0) and No. 3 Alabama (10-1) playing rivalry games ahead of their SEC championship showdown Dec. 4. The Bulldogs' top-ranked defense should have no problem stopping a lowly Georgia Tech (3-8) that lost 55-0 to Notre Dame in Week 12. This matchup should look like a tune-up game for Georgia.
Alabama has a tougher test against Auburn (6-5) in the Iron Bowl, but quarterback Bryce Young—who is in what appears to be a two-man race with Stroud for the Heisman Trophy—should be able to lead the Crimson Tide to a comfortable win coming off back-to-back games with five touchdowns and zero interceptions.
No. 4 Cincinnati (11-0) will look to preserve its undefeated record and hold on to a spot in the CFP with a road win over East Carolina (7-4) on Saturday.
Unlike teams from the Power Five conferences, Cincinnati can't afford a single loss if it wants to stay in the top four, and the Pirates, riding a four-game win streak, pose a difficult challenge. Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell is looking to have his team focused and ready for East Carolina's best shot.
"I don't know that it's like, all of a sudden, we're doing something different because they're on a four-game win streak," Fickell said, per 247Sports' Stephen Igoe. "But I think it's obviously respecting and understanding what you're playing and walking into. We've said it all year: it's not the best team that wins the game; it's the team that plays the best."
Meanwhile, Oklahoma State-Oklahoma could well end up being Part 1 of a Bedlam double feature. The Cowboys have already booked a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game. The Sooners can claim the other berth with a win over the Cowboys on Saturday or if No. 8 Baylor (9-2) loses to Texas Tech (6-5). Recent history suggests we could see a rematch in the title game, as the Sooners have beaten the Cowboys six times in a row.
The 2021 college football season is nearing its end, with teams gearing up for their final week of regular-season games before conference championships and bowl games...
How Far Ahead Are Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud in 2021 Heisman Trophy Race?
Nov 23, 2021
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young warms up for the team's NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
November has steadily trimmed the field in the chase for the 2021 Heisman Trophy. Entering the final week of the regular season, it's basically down to quarterbacks Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud.
Although the award measures full-season performance, recency bias is a factor in the voting every year. Young and Stroud have padded their resumes in November, putting Alabama and Ohio State on the doorstep of the College Football Playoff. But other once-top candidates have slowly left the first-place conversation.
And at this point, it's probably too late to close the gap.
Among the handful of key candidates chasing Young and Stroud, the most relevant is Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III.
Last week alone, Walker held a co-favorite spot alongside the quarterbacks. Unfortunately for the breakout star of 2021, a quiet showing in MSU's nightmarish 56-7 loss at Ohio State has effectively dashed Heisman dreams. Walker mustered only 29 yards on seven touches as Stroud threw for 432 yards and six touchdowns.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1Qv1LB88og
No matter when the game happened, that comparison wouldn't do Walker any favors. It happening merely 16 days before Heisman ballots are due, however, is crushing to his candidacy.
Yes, scattered voters will put Walker over Stroud anyway. But that's pretty difficult to justify as a widespread belief.
The same sentiment applies to Young and Ole Miss signal-caller Matt Corral. If Corral had thrived in the October clash between Alabama and Ole Miss, perhaps that would decrease the appeal of Young's greater statistical production this season.
In reality, though, Alabama won that matchup 42-21. Young has also totaled 40 touchdowns, which is 11 more than Corral. They've both tossed only three interceptions, and Corral is averaging just 4.9 offensive yards more per game than Young. The case for Corral over Young is awfully thin.
Now, head-to-head results are not and never should be a defining factor. Still, because the Heisman is meant to reward "the pursuit of excellence," comparing two players' level of excellence when they shared the field is, at worst, reasonable.
Team success has been valuable historically, too.
In the last decade, Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M, 2012) and Lamar Jackson (Louisville, 2016) are the only Heisman winners to not also have a conference title. And those are proper exceptions, given the transcendent nature of their seasons.
Walker and Corral won't play in a conference championship game. Young and Alabama will, and Stroud has a good chance. Of the chasing group, the only top contenders who can potentially celebrate a league title are Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett, Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis and Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder.
However, none of them are strong contenders to win.
Pickett's total production is slightly above Young and Stroud, but losses to Western Michigan and Miami—even though he played well—are hard to overlook in comparison.
Davis has a passionate group of supporters and plays on the nation's top-ranked team, but voters are always drawn to gaudy numbers. The 6'6", 340-pound defensive tackle has 3.5 stops for loss, two sacks and one rushing touchdown.
Ridder is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback on an undefeated Cincinnati team, but his stats don't compare favorably to Young or Stroud. League affiliation doesn't help Ridder, either. Not since Steve McNair (Alcorn State, 1994) has a player outside of a Power Five conference landed 100 first-place votes.
For any of them, the lone possible path to the Heisman requires Alabama and Ohio State losing each remaining game with Young (Auburn and Georgia) and Stroud (Michigan) both playing terribly.
Even then, it feels like a stretch.
The gap separating Young and Stroud from the rest of the pack is vast. In our estimation, barring a calamitous collapse, the Alabama and Ohio State quarterbacks have sealed No. 1 and No. 2 in the 2021 Heisman race.
The final question is simple: Which one lifts the trophy? The next two weeks will determine that much-anticipated answer.
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from NCAA.com, cfbstats.com or B/R research. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
