It's been a strange year in college football. For starters, this season was the first time in awhile we've seen Alabama suffer two losses in the regular season, and as of December 5th, over 500 football players entered the transfer portal, shaking up predictions for next year. Indeed, it has been a season for the books. However, a trend has continued for a while is the Heisman Award regularly going to quarterbacks and this year, that pattern looks as firm as ever. Without further ado, here are my top three candidates for this year's Heisman Award.
Heisman Favorite: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Caleb Williams is having a stellar year, as the second-year transfer from Oklahoma has had a huge impact on Lincoln Riley's offense at USC. With the conclusion of the PAC 12 Championship Game, where University of Utah beat USC, for the second time this season, the committee moved USC to 10th in the rankings, after it previously stood at 4th. Williams got injured early on and was far from 100 percent, which shows just how dependent USC is on their star QB.
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While USC's placement in the College Football Playoffs was shifted, Williams' spot in the Heisman race most likely will not be affected. Holding an 11-2 record this season, Williams has thrown for 4,075 passing yards, good for 7th in the league, while throwing for 37 touchdowns (tied for first) and just 3 interceptions. Even with a tough loss this past weekend, Williams is for sure the firm favorite still and will get to play in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic as they take on Tulane University.
Number 2: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Although his team suffered a loss two weekends ago to arch-nemesis University of Michigan, Junior Quarterback CJ Stroud has had an exceptional year at Ohio State, leading the Buckeyes so far to a record of 11-1. In his 12 games, Stroud has amassed 3,340 passing yards, good for 13th in the nation, along with 37 touchdowns, tied for first in the nation, and just 6 interceptions. Sure, maybe Ohio State didn't play in the Big Ten Championship–but it is hard to deny the impact and importance that CJ Stroud has had this season on his number 5 Ohio State team which will play TCU in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
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Number 3: Max Duggan QB, TCU
The last time a quarterback from TCU–let alone a player from TCU–won the Heisman, both the NBA and NFL were nowhere near fully formed. The year was 1938 and quarterback Davey O'Brien won the Heisman, in his Senior season.This year, Max Duggan has a chance to bring a Heisman Trophy back to TCU, as his play this season has been phenomenal. Although he lost this past weekend in the Big 12 Championship to 10th ranked Kansas State, he came back from behind late and brought his team within inches of victory.
Championship loss aside, Duggan's play this season has been quite strong. Leading TCU to a 12-1 record, and the 3rd seed in the College Football Playoffs, Duggan has thrown for 3,321 passing yards, tossing 30 dimes and just 4 interceptions. Duggan will get the chance to continue his magical season as he and the Horned Frogs take on the Buckeyes of Ohio State in a highly anticipated College Football Playoff semifinal game.
Final Verdict (Drum roll please…..)
The loss may have knocked him out of Playoff Contention, but Williams should keep an eye out for December 10th, when the Heisman Winner is announced. Even though USC won't take home a championship, it wouldn't be a shocker if Williams took home the award.
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* Originally published on December 8, 2022, by Nicholas Nathanson
