Heisman Watch and National Players of the Week – Week 12
Heisman Watch
The Leaders:
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Caleb Williams, USC, Quarterback, Sophomore.
Williams took the lead in the Heisman race with his stellar performance in the Battle of Los Angeles against Dorian Thompson-Robinson and UCLA. Williams was 32 of 43 for 470 yards and two touchdowns passing with eight carries for 33 yards and a touchdown rushing. With one game left in the regular season, Williams is 250 of 385 for 3,480 yards and 33 touchdowns in the air and 88 carries for 316 yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground.
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C.J. Stroud, Ohio State, Quarterback, Junior.
Stroud and Corum are still in position to take the lead in the Heisman race back from Caleb Williams. At this point the race is between those three with the winner in The Game on Saturday having the inside track to the Heisman. Stroud was a modest 18 of 30 for 241 yards and a touchdown in the hard fought win over Maryland. He is 204 of 307 for 2,991 yards and 35 touchdowns on the season.
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Blake Corum, TTUN, Running Back, Junior.
Blake Corum is in the same boat as Stroud in that a big game on Saturday could vault him ahead of Caleb Williams. He was having a big game against Illinois with 20 touches for 147 yards and a touchdown before going out with an injury. I think he’ll play Saturday and will be the biggest factor for Michigan again as they will likely try to duplicate last year’s attack on Ohio State. Corum has 245 carries for 1,457 yards and 19 total touchdowns this season.
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Max Duggan, TCU, Quarterback, Senior.
Duggan had a big game and it was needed to fend of rival Baylor. He was 24 of 35 for 327 yards and a touchdown passing and had eight carries for 50 yards and a touchdown rushing. Duggan is 204 of 308 for 2,858 yards and 26 touchdowns with only three interceptions with 94 carries and 291 yards and five touchdowns rushing. Having TCU at 11-0 has him in the top five but a big game against Iowa State and another in the Big 12 Championship and some stumbles by the guys in front of him could get Duggan to New York in December.
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Bo Nix, Oregon, Quarterback, Senior.
Nix had a huge game despite practically playing one leg. He was 25 of 37 for 287 yards and a touchdown. On the year he is 244 of 337 for 3,062 yards and 25 touchdowns passing with 80 carries for 513 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing. Like Duggan if he gives notable games in his final two, a win over Oregon State and another of USC he could find himself going to the Big Apple.
Fading Fast:
Drake Maye, North Carolina, Quarterback, Freshman.
Maye’s Heisman hopes took a tremendous hit in the Tar Heel’s loss to Georgia Tech. It was Maye’s first game without a touchdown and first game without at least 275 yards passing. He’ll have a couple of good opportunities to show out against N.C. State and Clemson, but he’ll need help to get to the top. Still, being 269 of 391 for 3,614 yards and 34 touchdowns passing and 147 carries for 597 yards and five touchdowns rushing is an impressive feat for a true freshman.
Stetson Bennett, Georgia, Quarterback, Senior.
Bennett didn’t account for a single touchdown in the 16-6 win over Kentucky. He has only 21 touchdowns on the season (14 passing, 7 rushing), and being on the best team has kept him in the race. I’m not sure though that even big games against Georgia Tech and LSU could get him to the front of the race. Too many guys in front of him would need to fall. Still Bennett plays his best in big games and never say never.
National Players of the Week
National Player of the Week:
Spencer Rattler, South Carolina, Quarterback, Junior.
Rattler was 30 of 37 for 438 yards and six touchdowns. Had eight touchdowns and nine picks coming into the game. Rattler was thought to be a “bust” having been the biggest quarterback recruit in his class, having been beaten out by Caleb Williams at Oklahoma and then transferring to South Carolina. His season at South Carolina had been rough but showing improvement and then went to a new level in the South Carolina win over Tennessee. Whatever else he does in his football career, Spencer Rattler will forever be a legend in Columbia, South Carolina.
Co-National Offensive Players of the Week:
Bijan Robinson, Texas, Running Back, Junior.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1594692315527774208
Robinson had a monster game after getting stymied by TCU. He had 25 carries for 243 yards and four touchdowns. He has 1,715 total yards and 18 total touchdowns for the season. He could jump back into the Heisman race with a game like this against Baylor and if chaos happened and he got another crack at TCU and had a 200-yard game against them.
Raheim Sanders, Arkansas, Running Back, Sophomore.
Sanders 24 carries for 232 yards and three touchdowns and five catches for 29 yards. 29 touches for 261 yards and three touchdowns is great as the Arkansas offense was reenergized with the return of K.J. Jefferson. The Razorbacks put a 42-27 beat down on the Rebels.
National Defensive Player of the Week:
Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame, Cornerback, Freshman.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1594083490659971077
Benjamin Morrison notched only one tackle but had three picks in Notre Dame’s win over Boston College. In the last three games Morrison has five interceptions and has the Irish poised to give Caleb Williams and USC some problems in the season finale.
National Special Teams’ Player of the Week:
Jaylin Lucas, Indiana, Running Back, Freshman.
Lucas had 9 touches for 192 total yards including an 88-yard kick return for a touchdown. The speedster from Louisiana gave the Hoosiers a much needed boost in their double overtime win over rival Michigan State.
Honorable Mention of the Week:
Odieu Hiliare, Bowling Green, Wide Receiver, Senior
https://twitter.com/i/status/1592879430845988864
Hiliare had eight catches for 246 yards and two touchdowns in BGSU’s 42-35 win over rival Toledo.
Brad Roberts, Air Force, Fullback, Senior
https://twitter.com/i/status/1594164812421865472
Roberts had 37 carries for 184 yards and a touchdown in win over Colorado State. On the year he has 273 for 1,425 and 14 touchdowns. While fullbacks are a dying breed, guys like Brad Roberts are keeping the position alive and well.
Vince Sanford, Air Force, Linebacker, Senior.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1594158021462020096
Hamilton, Ohio’s own had a career game against the Rams totaling seven tackles including four sacks as the Falcons of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado own the Centennial State.
John Marshall, Navy, Linebacker, Senior.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1594386706005909505
Marshall had 10 tackles, four sacks, and a forced fumble in the upset win over UCF for Navy.
Chase Cunningham, Middle Tennessee, Quarterback, Senior.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1594140973591719936
He was 40 of 54 for 448 yards and five touchdowns in the 49-21 win over FAU as Middle Tennessee is going bowling,
Kimani Vidal, Troy, Running Back, Sophomore.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1594096335678054402
Vidal had 29 carries for 242 yards and two touchdowns in the Trojans win over ULM. Troy is 9-2 and with a win will play for the Sun Belt Championship in December.
Jaren Hall, BYU, Quarterback, Junior.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1594138973953138688
Jaren Hall was 23 of 35 for 456 yards and six total touchdowns as BYU beat Utah Tech. FCS opponent or not, Jaren Hall is a good quarterback who BYU fans should appreciate with him likely leaving after this year.
Frank Harris, UTSA, Quarterback, Senior.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1594035442571218945
Harris was 11 of 14 for 103 yards and two touchdowns passing with seven carries for 124 yards and three touchdowns, giving him a five touchdown performance. He surpassed 10,000 total yards for his career.
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Check out every week of the Heisman Watch so far this season!
0. Heisman Watch and National Players of the Week – Week 0
1. Heisman Watch and National Players of the Week – Week 1
2. Heisman Watch and National Players of the Week – Week 2
3. Heisman Watch and National Players of the Week – Week 3
4. Heisman Watch and National Players of the Week – Week 4
5. Heisman Watch and National Players of the Week – Week 5
6. Heisman Watch and National Players of the Week – Week 6
7. Heisman Watch and National Players of the Week – Week 7
8. Heisman Watch and National Players of the Week – Week 8
9. Heisman Watch and National Players of the Week – Week 9
10. Heisman Watch and National Players of the Week – Week 10
11. Heisman Watch and National Players of the Week – Week 11