Heisman Trophy watch 2021: Top 5 contenders heading into Week 8

Oct 16, 2021; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) reacts after a touchdown against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

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Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch /

Heisman Trophy Candidate No. 3: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

After a poor performance against Oregon and a sluggish showing in the win over Tulsa, it looked like C.J. Stroud might lose the starting quarterback job at Ohio State. Forget about the Heisman.

Yet, that was a classic overreaction. Stroud was injured and when he came back healthy, he was as good as he’s been all season throwing for 330 yards and five scores against Rutgers, then following it up with 406 passing yards and five touchdown passes against Maryland.

With the weapons Stroud has at his disposal in Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, he’s going to put up insane numbers down the stretch and he’s got some big games coming up too: Michigan State, Penn State, and Michigan.

That’s three high-ranking teams for Ohio State and doesn’t even include the Big Ten championship game.

Another factor in Stroud’s favor is that the Buckeyes basically control their own destiny for the College Football Playoff right now.

A one-loss Big Ten champion is not missing the playoff this season. The Buckeyes control their destiny in a way Cincinatti only wishes it could. And if Stroud puts up video games numbers and also gets OSU back to the playoff, he’ll at least get invited to New York.

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