Ten weeks of phenomenal action are in the books from an exhilarating and unpredictable college football season. The latest edition of theScore's Heisman rankings gets a shakeup and one new name joins the fray as we enter the final stretch before bowl season.
Honorable mentions: Bryce Young, Bo Nix, Dorian Thompson-Robinson
5. Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
- 2,533 passing yards, 71% completion percentage, 26 total touchdowns, 2 INT
Tennessee's momentum came to a halt on its marquee showdown with Georgia last weekend. Not only did Hooker's streak of 20 consecutive games with a touchdown pass end, but the Volunteers star also failed to throw for at least 200 yards for the first time all season. After being ranked No. 1 in the first edition of the CFB rankings, Tennessee took a tumble in the latest update.
Hooker missed an opportunity to cement his case against Georgia, yet he still leads the SEC with 26 total touchdowns to go along with a 71% completion rate. While one game doesn't make a season, it can be the difference in the minds of voters. Fortunately for Hooker, him leading the Vols to a signature win against Alabama remains one of the more memorable moments of the season.
4. Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
- 1,187 rushing yards, 17 total touchdowns, 5.96 yards per carry
Michigan has been running over anyone and everyone that strays into its path. Corum has been the catalyst of a rushing attack that averages 250 yards per contest (fourth in FBS) and 42.2 points per game. Corum has surpassed 100 rushing yards in each of his past six outings, averaging 131.9 yards per game.
The junior halfback's 16 rushing touchdowns are tied for the national lead. Opponents haven't been able to keep Corum out of the end zone - he's found paydirt in all nine games. After making a mockery of Penn State and Rutgers, the Wolverines are about to encounter stiffer competition as they attempt to secure back-to-back conference titles. Following a contest against Nebraska, Michigan hosts Illinois, which is allowing just 10.4 points per contest. And a rivalry game looms on Nov. 26 against Ohio State that will determine the Big Ten East and have CFP implications.
3. Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
- 2,964 passing yards, 71.2% completion, 35 total touchdowns, 3 INT
North Carolina has exceeded all preseason expectations thanks in large part to Maye. The redshirt freshman leads the country in total offense with a staggering 386.3 yards-per-game average while carrying the Tar Heels to 40.6 points per game (first in the ACC). Maye's dual-threat ability is on display as he leads the team with 513 rushing yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. He has surpassed 200 yards passing and recorded at least two passing touchdowns in every game.
Maye has led the Tar Heels to the top spot in the ACC Coastal division despite a defense that is surrendering a conference-high 31 points per game. With the help of talented receivers Josh Downs and Antoine Green, Maye's established an explosive offense that's accounted for 60 plays of 20-plus yards.
The Huntersville, North Carolina, native could become the first freshman to hoist the trophy since Jameis Winston did it in 2013. NC State is UNC's lone remaining opponent ranked within the top 30 in scoring defense. That should give Maye plenty of time to put an exclamation mark on his impressive collegiate debut season.
2. Caleb Williams, QB, USC
MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images / MediaNews Group / Getty
- 2,742 passing yards, 64.6% completion, 32 total touchdowns, 1 INT
Williams continues to answer the call for USC amid some brief scares. The Trojans fended off a late surge from Cal in Week 10 without top receivers Jordan Addison and Mario Williams as the quarterback kept the team's Pac-12 title and playoff hopes alive.
The superb sophomore threw for a career-high 411 yards and five touchdowns in a win against Arizona. He's been a key factor as the Trojans surpassed 40 points in each of their last three outings. The former Oklahoma star leads all Pac-12 passers with 28 touchdowns and is second in the conference with an average of 336.6 total yards per game.
USC is about to return to the national spotlight with a matchup versus rival UCLA and a visit from Notre Dame's top-30 defense. If Caleb Williams can maintain the success of the nation's seventh-ranked scoring offense (41.0 points per game), we could see a superb sophomore win the hardware for the second consecutive year.
1. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
- 2,453 passing yards, 67.9% completion, 29 total touchdowns, 4 INT
Not even Mother Nature herself could derail Stroud and the Ohio State offense. Significant wind gusts and rain forced the Buckeyes to rely on their ground attack to squeeze past Northwestern last weekend, and Stroud ran for more yards (79) than he passed for in the victory.
In a much calmer environment, Stroud dissected Penn State to the tune of 354 yards, adding one touchdown. It was an emphatic win over the Buckeyes' toughest opponent to date. The third-year passer has spearheaded the nation's highest-scoring offense (45.8 points per game) and owns its best passer rating (185.85).
There's plenty at stake for Ohio State in the final phase of its playoff pursuit. The Buckeyes' remaining schedule features Indiana, Maryland, and "That Team Up North" (Michigan), and they'll need Stroud to be excellent in order to achieve their lofty ambitions.
www.thescore.com
