Better late than never, I say! We’re back for another season of the Heisman Watch here on SoBros Network and I guess there’s no better time to get to last week’s column than an hour before the next week’s slate of games kicks off! For those of you new to this column, I rank the five most “Heisman-worthy” performances of the week each week and assign a point value based on where a player ranks. A number one ranking is worth five points. Number two is worth four points. So on and so forth. That simple.
Looking at how Week 1 shook down, I don’t think Alabama quarterback Bryce Young did anything to lose his spot atop this year’s Heisman favorites. I know it was Utah State, but he still looked like the most dynamic player on the field, in firm control of that Tide offense. He only posted 195 passing yards, and yet he still threw five touchdown passes. Young also posted 100 rushing yards with a rushing touchdown to boot. He’s still the guy until someone dethrones him.
Meanwhile, I have to eat a little crow, at least for Week 1, as the Georgia Bulldogs went out and slung the ball over the yard in their bloodletting of the Oregon Ducks. I said we were Joe Flacco-ing Stetson Bennett a bit, but that appears to be a stupid statement after he had one of the most dynamic passing performances of the week. The dude was hitting every single thing he wanted, going 25/31 for 368 yards and two touchdowns (with a rushing touchdown on the resumé too). If he strings together games like that, he’s going to emerge as a legitimate threat to win the Heisman if he isn’t already.
Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson had NFL scouts salivating over his potential after his performance in the heavyweight title fight that was Florida-Utah from the swamp last Saturday night. It was body blow after body blow, but Richardson was up for the challenge, converting on a two-point attempt after looking like he was dead to rights twice. He only had 168 passing yards, but his 106 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns proved to be the difference in the game.
I’ve said it a little tongue in cheek lately, but I do want to give Mike Wright and the Vanderbilt Commodores their flowers for this 2-0 start, the first one they’ve had since 2017! Wright has 10 total touchdowns already and is 4th in the entire FBS in rushing with 247 yards on the season! I know he’s had two games under his belt, but still, what he’s been able to do for a Vanderbilt offense that was completely anemic a season ago has been impressive.
I’ll acknowledge that the USC Trojans were helped out by approximately 30 different pick-sixes, but the fifth spot in this week’s ranking is a little tricky. I’m leaning Caleb Williams here because of the immediate impact he (and Lincoln Riley) have had on the USC program. He went 19/22 for 249 yards and two touchdowns through the air, and led the team in rushing yards with 68, as the Trojans routed Rice 66-14. Given how the rest of the Pac-12 performed last week, USC just may be the conference’s best hope at getting a spot in the College Football Playoffs.
Heisman Points (Week 1)
- Bryce Young
- Stetson Bennett
- Anthony Richardson
- Mike Wright
- Caleb Williams
Heisman Points (Season)
- Bryce Young – 5
- Stetson Bennett – 4
- Anthony Richardson – 3
- Mike Wright – 2
- Caleb Williams – 1
If you haven’t already, be sure to go subscribe to the College Football Roundup Podcast, on which Steven McCash and myself break down all the action from the college football world and look ahead to the week to come.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.