Top 10 matchups were supposed to be close, I thought. Well, the top 10 clash we saw this weekend consisting of two Heisman contenders saw one stock skyrocket, while the other's plummeted out of true contention.
Last week's No. 1 on the power ranking followed it up with perhaps the single best performance of any player this season.
If there was ever a time for a Heisman contender to put on a show, it would be at the end of the season, and that is exactly what CJ Stroud is doing for the Buckeyes. Will it be enough to retain the top spot? We shall see.
5. Cincinnati QB Desmond Ridder
It is a long shot, but there at least needs to be some consideration for what is shaping up to be the first quarterback to take a Group of 5 team to the College Football Playoff.
I don't believe Ridder has made an appearance on the Power Ranking so far this season, however he must be in consideration.
With 25 touchdowns and six interceptions on the season, Ridder's numbers are not terrible. He should receive a boost at the end of the day when considering the Bearcats are still undefeated and in Playoff contention.
4. Michigan State RB Kenneth Walker III
In the opening paragraph, I mentioned a Heisman contender's odds plummeting as a result of a big loss. The 56–7 loss to Ohio State just about marked the end of the Heisman run for the Spartans' running back.
Michigan State's inability to move the ball all afternoon is going to put a major blemish on the overall resume for Walker. With just six carries for 25 yards, Walker was unable to find the end zone in his least productive game of the season.
While the Heisman is looking to be a foregone conclusion now, if you can find odds on the Doak Walker Trophy at the end of the year, Walker should be the heavy favorite for that one.
But for now, don't bother with Walker in the Heisman race.
3. Ole Miss QB Matt Corral
Props to Matt Corral for sticking around in this race as long as he has. In the end, he will likely be wearing his finest suit and find himself in New York in a few weeks – which in itself is a massive accomplishment for Corral and Ole Miss.
However, it appears this year's Heisman race is a two pony race with Corral being the closest horse still on the curve ahead of the straightaway.
Corral's numbers looked solid on paper this past weekend against Vanderbilt, and the Rebels got the win at the end of the day. When comparing Corral's end of season stats to the two men still to go on this list, it just won't be enough when considering the losses on the scorecard as well.
It was a hell of a season, but direct your best bets to the following guys below on WynnBet.
2. Alabama QB Bryce Young
It was a much closer game in Tuscaloosa than many expected, but to no fault of Bryce Young. Alabama was able to squeak out the seven-point victory over Arkansas, but it was Young who was lighting up the stat sheet on seemingly every passing attempt.
Young made a mockery out of the Razorbacks secondary on Saturday as he passed for 559 yards and five touchdowns.
The massive offensive output marks the fifth time in six games that Young has eclipsed the 300 yard mark, with the only time he did not clear the milestone coming in a blowout victory over Louisiana Monroe.
Young's numbers certainly line up with recent Heisman winners, though the blemish in the loss column is currently holding him back a bit. Young's odds are dropping with the play of Stroud, so if you are a believe in the Tide's quarterback, take him now over at WynnBet.
1. Ohio State QB CJ Stroud
No surprise here! The new favorite in the Heisman race is none other than the man who lit up a top 10 team in the country to the tune of 56 points in a 49-point blowout victory.
Stroud's numbers looked like a MyCareer player on the easiest difficulty — 32/35 passing for 432 yards and six touchdowns is just absurd.
In four games against ranked opponents this season, Stroud has 15 passing touchdowns to just one interception and is averaging 395.5 yards per game in those four contests.
Ohio State is looking more and more like a College Football Playoff team, which is certainly going to help his case at the end of the day. Stroud now sits at 36 touchdowns and five interceptions on the season while leading the country in quarterback rating according to ESPN's metrics.
If you see Stroud's odds with a plus value on it again this season at WynnBet, bet it aggressively.
