2022 Heisman Trophy Watch: Top 5 candidates heading into Week 10
Heading into Week 10 of the college football season, we take a look at the top five 2022 Heisman Trophy candidates.
It’s a big week for the 2022 Heisman Trophy race and the fact is, the next few weeks are going to be the ultimate deciding factor in who goes to New York and who wins the Heisman Trophy.
Right now, the race still feels fairly wide open, although Hendon Hooker and C.J. Stroud have clearly moved to the top of the contender list.
Over the last two weeks, we’ve had them tied for the top spot. Yet, it’s hard to keep it that way, and if Hooker and Tennessee are able to beat No. 3 Georgia in Athens on Saturday, this will no longer be a two-horse race.
It will be Hendon Hooker and then everyone else. Stroud is going to have his own chance to make an impression against Michigan at the end of the season. He won’t win the 2022 Heisman Trophy without winning that game, just like I don’t know if Hooker will win without beating Georgia.
Essentially, if the Vols win that game and finish 12-0, they are headed to the College Football Playoff, regardless of what else happens.
Yet, there are a number of other College Football Playoff contenders with Heisman Trophy candidates, and here are our top five (actually six) heading into Week 10.
T5. Max Duggan and Caleb Williams
Just like TCU football, Max Duggan is hurt by the fact that doesn’t play for a big college football brand. However, he’s been every bit as effective as Caleb Williams.
TCU also has beaten more quality teams and Duggan has been spectacular throughout this run, which included a come-from-behind win over Oklahoma State. Duggan has 22 touchdown passes compared to two interceptions, while Williams has 24 touchdown passes and one interception.
Duggan’s worst game in Big 12 play is 293 yards and three total touchdowns and he led TCU to four straight ranked wins. Williams has been spectacular the last two games and is starting to put some numbers similar to Stroud a year ago.
But one of those 300-yard, 4-touchdown games was a loss to Utah. Williams isn’t out of it but has to be stellar against some really good teams down the stretch, as Duggan already has been.