Heisman Hot Board after Week 12: Bryce Young heads the lists
This week’s Heisman picks are in. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is the new leader on the Heisman lists for On3 college football writers Matt Zenitz and Charles Power.
Matt Zenitz’s list
QB Bryce Young, Alabama
Young threw for 559 yards, the second-highest passing total in SEC history, and five touchdowns in a 42-35 win over Arkansas. During the Crimson Tide’s current five-game winning streak, Young has thrown for 1,850 yards with 20 total touchdowns and no turnovers.
QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
In Ohio State’s past two games (wins over Purdue and Michigan State), Stroud has completed 86 percent of his passes (63 of 73) for 793 yards and 11 touchdowns.
RB Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State
Walker drops from my top spot after being held to 25 yards on six carries during the Spartans’ 56-7 loss to Ohio State.
LB Will Anderson, Alabama
Anderson’s stat line during the Tide’s win over Arkansas consisted of 11 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack and two additional quarterback hurries. He has 5.5 more tackles for loss than any other FBS player (26.5) and is tied for first nationally with 13.5 sacks.
QB Kenny Pickett, Pitt
Pickett passed for 340 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-38 win over Virginia that improved the Panthers to 9-2. Pickett ranks fourth among Power 5 quarterbacks in passing yardage (350.6 yards per game) and is tied for second among Power 5 players with 36 TD passes.
Charles Power’s list
QB Bryce Young, Alabama
Young played the best game of his college career and Alabama needed every bit of it against a feisty Arkansas team. He set the Alabama single-game passing yardage record, going 31-of-40 for an eye-popping 559 yards and five touchdowns. Young’s comfort and playmaking ability in and out of the pocket has helped elevate an Alabama offense that is not as loaded as the past several years. He entered last week with a strong season in aggregate but lacking a true “Heisman moment,” but 559 yards against a ranked team would qualify as a worthy Heisman moment in my book. The race between Young and Stroud is a close one and will be determined by their respective rivalry games and conference championship showings over the next two weeks.
QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
Stroud and Ohio State’s offense turned in one of the most impressive showings this season. The Buckeyes absolutely pounced on No. 7 Michigan State, jumping out to a 49-0 lead in the first half. Stroud was near-perfect, going 32-of-35 for 432 yards and six touchdowns. Young is a smooth operator from within the pocket and has a quick release and pretty deep ball. Stroud’s and Young’s statistical profiles are eerily similar, with Young having an edge as a rush threat. With two games left, Stroud has a decent to good shot of coming home with the trophy, but both he and Young are set to face top-five defenses on championship weekend.
LB Will Anderson, Alabama
Anderson continued his torrid pace, with 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack against Arkansas. He leads the nation in tackles for loss (26.5) and is tied for the national lead in sacks (13.5); he could break the national TFL record (32). Anderson’s explosive athleticism and length pair with an otherworldly motor to manifest in a dominant college player. He’s as impactful a defensive player on a snap-by-snap basis as we’ve seen in the past few years. And outside of San Diego State punter Matt Araiza, Anderson is the best player relative to his position in the country.
RB Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State
Walker and Michigan State had a day to forget in the Horseshoe. The previous Heisman front-runner finished with just 25 yards on six carries in the 56-7 loss to Ohio State. Walker left the game in the second half with what looked to be a nagging ankle injury. Walker still leads Power 5 running backs in rushing with 1,498 yards and 17 touchdowns.
RB Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
I’m going with a bit of a wild card in the last spot. Allen has been a revelation for Wisconsin after becoming the Badgers’ feature back seven weeks ago. Here are some stats to chew on. Allen has rushed for at least 100 yards in seven consecutive games — all Wisconsin victories. He’s 13th nationally in rushing yards despite having just 12 carries in the first four games of the season. Allen’s yards per carry (7.59) is the most of any 1,000-yard rusher. He’s also the key cog in a run-heavy offense that was struggling mightily before his insertion into the starting lineup. Did I mention that Allen is a 17-year-old true freshman? He’s getting better each week, too. Saturday, Allen had his best game yet, rumbling for 228 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries in a win over Nebraska. His 53-yard touchdown run to win the game was Heisman moment-worthy. It’s unlikely Allen’s cumulative production will be enough to get to New York for the Heisman ceremony, but he is certainly among the more impactful players in college football at the moment.