Tennessee's Hendon Hooker Biggest Threat To Ohio State's C.J. Stroud In Heisman Race

Hooker threw for 385 yards and five touchdowns in Saturday's upset win over Alabama.

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud finally has some competition in the race for the Heisman Trophy after Tennessee signal-caller Hendon Hooker threw for 385 yards and five touchdowns in a 52-49 win over previously unbeaten Alabama on Saturday afternoon.

Prior to Saturday, Crimson Tide quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young appeared to be the biggest threat to Stroud’s chances. But then Alabama missed the go-ahead field goal with 15 seconds remaining and allowed Hooker to drive 45 yards in 13 seconds to set up the game-winning kick.

It was the kind of drive that some like to call a “Heisman moment,” one that ultimately separates the winner from the other finalists. Only, it occurred too early in the season to actually define this year’s race.

Both the Buckeyes and Volunteers are only halfway through the regular season and have at least two games remaining against ranked opponents, as well as potential appearances in their respective conference championship games.

Ohio State still travels to No. 16 Penn State and hosts No. 4 Michigan before likely facing a ranked team in the Big Ten Championship Game, while Tennessee hosts No. 19 Kentucky and heads to No. 1 Georgia with a trip to the SEC Championship on the line, where the winner of No. 6 Alabama and No. 7 Ole Miss likely awaits.

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That said, there’s simply too much football left for Stroud and too much competition for Hooker to consider that drive, no matter how impressive, to be the latter’s “Heisman moment.” But if the Volunteers can beat the defending national champion Bulldogs in Athens on Nov. 5, then we’ll talk.

Until then, Stroud continues to lead the country with 24 touchdown passes and a 94.8 quarterback rating and should be considered the favorite, while Hooker is tied for 22nd with 15 touchdown passes and a 91.2 quarterback rating, which is good for second nationally.

It’ll be what they do in November and early December, though, that ultimately decides who takes home the award.

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