6. Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
For Chase Young to be the rare defensive player to earn a nod as a Heisman Trophy finalist, all the Ohio State Buckeyes star pass rusher had to do was simply what he had been whenever he’s been on the field this season. And with a suspect Michigan offensive line matched up against him, he seemed primed to do just that in a rivalry game, making a viable statement.
Instead, Young was held quiet for the entirety of the game. He failed to notch a sack and had only two quarterback hurries and no tackles for the day. Though he’s been unreal this season with 16.5 sacks on the year despite missing two games due to an NCAA suspension, delivering such a lackluster performance in the biggest game of the Buckeyes’ season knocks him below a couple of his teammates.
5. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Unlike Young, Justin Fields reversed his fortunes after a bit of a letdown game against Penn State by coming out firing on all cylinders against Michigan. In his first taste of the historic rivalry, Fields wasn’t perfect but helped propel the high-octane Ohio State offense to a massive victory over the Wolverines, 56-27, while finally putting up some impressive passing yardage, something he’s not done all that often this season.
While he was held to only 25 rushing yards on six carries, Fields threw for 302 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions on the day, even if 14-of-25 doesn’t jump off the box score all that much. Having accounted for 47 touchdowns on the season (37 passing, 10 rushing) and with only one interception, Fields has earned the right to be in the top five of these rankings.