2022 Heisman Trophy Watch: Top 5 candidates heading into Week 8

T1. C.J. Stroud, Ohio State

Ohio State fans will surely be upset if Stroud drops a little among Heisman Trophy contenders and honestly, I can’t justify pulling him from the top spot. Stroud didn’t even play last week.

This week, he’ll face one of the Big Ten’s best defenses in Iowa and it will be interesting to see if he’s able to dominate as he has against everyone else this season.

Stroud leads the country in QBR and also touchdown passes with 24 and he’s thrown at least four touchdowns in four of the six games. Stroud has been held to under 300 yards three times this season so the numbers haven’t been quite as eye-popping.

However, with Penn State coming up and Michigan down the road too, Stroud just has to keep doing what he’s been doing and he’s likely to wind up winning the award as long as the Buckeyes conquer Michigan.

“The Game” cost him a year ago and another loss in 2022 would be the end of his hopes, no matter how many yards he might throw for.