It was a bit of a weird week in the Heisman Watch. Bryce Young was hurt against Arkansas – the reigning Heisman winner went down with a shoulder injury, although it doesn’t sound like it’s going to be anything that causes him to miss significant action. CJ Stroud didn’t exactly put on a captivating performance against mighty Rutgers. All eyes have been on those two week in and week out as the two preseason favorites to win the award. But, neither guy did much to help his case this season.
So, to me, it was USC quarterback Caleb Williams who really jumped ahead after this weekend of college football action. At least in this one football blogger’s opinion, he claimed the lead in the 2022 Heisman race. Williams was 27/37 for 348 yards and three touchdowns (with one interception) through the air, and tacked on 44 rushing yards and a rushing score as the Trojans routed Arizona State last weekend. He now has 15 total touchdowns on the season.
With Young hurt, Saturday afternoon turned into “The Jahmyr Gibbs Show,” as the Tide running back finally turned in the Heisman-esque play we all knew he was capable of. That potential had some folks calling him a dark horse for the Heisman, but it may have taken a little too long for him to show up. Nonetheless, he’s definitely making the cut this week, as he rushed for a whopping 206 yards and two touchdowns against Arkansas.
I’ve been a bit of a DJ Uiagalelei hater over the last couple of seasons, but he really turned it on in the biggest moment of the season so far for Clemson on Saturday night. Against a damn good NC State defense, Uiagalelei went 21/30 for 209 yards and a passing touchdown. More importantly, he kept finding ways to make plays with his legs when the Tigers needed him to. It amounted to 73 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. It was one of the best performances of the guy’s career so far, and the lights were on bright.
Utah’s Cam Rising hung four total touchdowns on a feisty Oregon State team, and don’t look now, but the Utes are back near the top 10 at 4-1. Blake Corum had another backbreaking run when his team needed him to put away an opponent, and finished with 133 yards and a score as Michigan beat Iowa. Kansas State’s Adrian Martinez had a prolific game running the ball against Texas Tech – posting 171 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns (in addition to a passing touchdown). And, I absolutely have to mention Miyan Williams this week, too. I don’t care who you are. If you have five touchdowns in a game, you’re going to end up on the Heisman Watch.
HEISMAN POINTS (WEEK 5)
- Caleb Williams
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- DJ Uiagalelei
- Cam Rising
- Blake Corum
HEISMAN POINTS (SEASON)
- Caleb Williams – 11
- CJ Stroud, Bryce Young – 9
- Brock Bowers, Blake Corum, Hendon Hooker – 5
- Jordan Addison, Stetson Bennett, Jahmyr Gibbs – 4
- Sam Hartman, Anthony Richardson, Bijan Robinson, DJ Uiagalelei – 3
- Cam Rising, Deuce Vaughn, Mike Wright – 2
- Bo Nix – 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.
