Scarlet Sunrise: C.J. Stroud second in Heisman odds ahead of Michigan showdown

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QB C.J. Stroud second in Heisman odds ahead of Michigan showdown

The Heisman Trophy is still up for grabs. This week, though, USC quarterback Caleb Williams claimed the highest odds (-117), according to Vegas Insider, to win college football’s most prestigious award. Williams is coming off a 48-45 win over then-No. 16 UCLA, during which he dazzled with 470 passing yards and three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). The Trojans cracked the top five in the AP Poll for the first time in five years and clocked in at No. 6 in this week’s College Football Playoff rankings.

Williams has posted a 33:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his first year at USC after he followed head coach Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma to help usher in a new era with the Trojans. The dual threat has also rushed for 316 yards and seven scores this season.

Meanwhile, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is second with +105 odds, per Vegas Insider. Stroud hasn’t been on his A-game the last three weeks, completing less than 61% of his passes in each of the Buckeyes’ victories during that span. Still, Stroud is tied for the national lead with 35 touchdown throws, and his 9.7 yards per attempt are tops in the country.

Stroud has a chance for a “Heisman Moment” Saturday against Michigan. How he performs against the Wolverines will, in all likelihood, make or break his Heisman campaign.

Revisiting five Buckeyes wins that have heightened importance of The Game

Although Ohio State and Michigan aren’t No. 1 and No. 2 like they were in “The Game of the Century,” Saturday’s top-three showdown is expected to be an all-time classic. It’s the first time since that 2006 matchup that the Big East rivals are both heading into the highly-anticipated matchup undefeated.

But, before this iteration of The Game ranks among the rivalry’s best, it has to be played.

In the meantime, it’s important to look back on the Buckeyes’ brightest moments in the series. Lettermen Row recaps five Ohio State wins that have helped shape the rivalry into what it is today.

READ: Revisiting five Buckeyes wins that have heightened importance of The Game

LB Tommy Eichenberg named finalist for Lott IMPACT Trophy

Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg is playing with casts on both of his hands right now and is maintaining All-American-level play. Eichenberg has registered 10 solo tackles in three of his last four games. He ranks first in the Big Ten — and tied for third in the FBS — in solos (67) this season.

Eichenberg, a fourth-year Cleveland native, has also emerged as a leader for the Buckeyes in 2022. That’s why he’s been in the running for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which he was named a finalist for this week. The award is given annually to college football’s IMPACT player of the year on the defensive side of the ball. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. The award takes into account athletic achievement as well as personal character.

The other three finalists are Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr., Kansas State defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah and USC defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu. A Buckeyes player hasn’t won the award since James Laurinaitis in 2008.

Eichenberg was notably left off the finalist list for the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker, this week. But he still has a great shot at the IMPACT Trophy.

What’s the weather looking like for The Game?

Low of 42º, high of 55º, mainly sunny, 6% chance of rain, winds 5-10 mph

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 1 day

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