Well, well, well…it’s hard to believe that another regular season is in the books (pretty much – don’t come after me, Army-Navy purists…you know what I mean). Rivalry week made for a fitting and chaotic end to what has been a rather chaotic and entertaining season. It only makes sense for this year’s Heisman race to be as wide open as it is. Now that the dust has mostly settled, I think I’m leaning Caleb Williams as this year’s recipient. After 13 weeks of action, the USC quarterback sits atop the patented SoBros Network Heisman points standings.
Williams has been in and around the race all season long, but Saturday night’s game in primetime against a rallying Notre Dame team that had previously won five straight playing solid defense gave him the stage to really seize the moment. The door was open, and Williams came barging through. He was 18/22 for 232 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 35 yards and three touchdowns. Williams had some backbreaking runs that resembled some real video game shit. He seized the moment, and now, the Trojans are on the verge of a berth in the College Football Playoff because of it. Williams now has 44 total touchdowns on the season.
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young may be the best quarterback in college football this season, but I don’t know that he’s done enough to go back-to-back with the Heisman. His skill set was on full display in the Iron Bowl, as Young went 20/30 for 343 yards and three touchdowns, with 48 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to boot. While he may end up being the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, I don’t think he’s posted gaudy enough stats to be a real threat in this year’s Heisman race.
There was high drama in Pullman if you stayed up late on Saturday night to watch an absolutely electric Apple Cup. Michael Penix Jr. and company put on a show. Penix had five total touchdowns as the Huskies hung 51 on the Cougs to get the win and finish the season at 10-2. His full stat line read 25/43 for 485 yards, three touchdowns (with one pick), 34 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns. I don’t know why more people aren’t talking about the guy’s pro prospects because this dude can make some NFL throws. Penix leads the FBS in passing yards with 4,534 on the season.
Another beneficiary of the Heisman race being so open is Max Duggan. When TCU needed to make a statement, they damn sure did, defeating Iowa State 62-14. The Horned Frogs quarterback was 17/24 for 212 yards and three touchdowns. Duggan is starting to get a little more love in the Heisman race because of TCU’s success. He’s 4th in the FBS in passer rating at 171.3.
Finally, I have to give some props to Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy. Ohio State was trying to just take away the run and make McCarthy beat them, and he responded by hitting deep bombs to make them pay for it. McCarthy was 12/24 for 263 yards and three touchdowns, with a fourth score rushing. Michigan was dominant and likely punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff in the process.
HEISMAN POINTS (WEEK 13)
- Caleb Williams
- Bryce Young
- Michael Penix Jr.
- Max Duggan
- JJ McCarthy
HEISMAN POINTS (SEASON)
- Caleb Williams – 25
- Hendon Hooker – 24
- CJ Stroud – 18
- Bryce Young – 13
- Jayden Daniels – 12
- Jalin Hyatt – 11
- Stetson Bennett, Bijan Robinson – 8
- Blake Corum, Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. – 6
- Brock Bowers, Cam Rising – 5
- Jordan Addison, Max Duggan, Jahmyr Gibbs, Will Shipley – 4
- Will Anderson, Chase Brown, Sam Hartman, Tanner Mordecai, Spencer Rattler, Anthony Richardson, DJ Uiagalelei – 3
- Drake Maye, Will Rogers, Deuce Vaughn, Mike Wright – 2
- JJ McCarthy, Raheim Sanders, Dorian Thompson-Robinson – 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.
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