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Heisman rankings after Week 7: Kenny Pickett can’t be ignored, Bryce Young alive and well

By Cody Williams

Oct 16, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) drops to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) drops to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bryce Young, Alabama Crimson Tide, Jett Johnson, Mississippi State Bulldogs
Bryce Young, Alabama Crimson Tide (Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports) /

Heisman Trophy candidate No. 3 after Week 7: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

Admittedly, Kenny Pickett didn’t play the most standout game of the 2021 season for Pitt on Saturday, though the Panthers moved to 5-1 with a win over Virginia Tech on the road. He went only 22-of-37 for 203 yards and two scores. But his numbers overall this season have been out of this world, especially by his standards.

Pickett now has 1,934 yards with 21 touchdowns and only one interception on the year with three rushing scores as well. He’s already set a career-high (by a lot) for touchdowns ad is on pace to do the same with yardage. Pickett is becoming impossible to ignore and is putting the college football world on notice.

Heisman Trophy candidate No. 2 after Week 7: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss

Matt Corral had himself a night on Saturday in Knoxville. Aside from having to dodge debris being thrown from the stands in Tennessee, the quarterback was unreal. He only threw for 231 yards and two scores while also tossing his first pick of the year, but he rushed for an unreal 195 yards on the game to help lead Ole Miss to victory.

The Rebels quarterback now has 1,728 yards and 14 touchdowns through the air on the season with 450 rushing yards and eight more scores as well. With his dual-threat ability, he’s going to keep putting up crazy numbers. If that keeps leading to Ole Miss wins as well, his place in these rankings — likely near the top — is secure.

Heisman Trophy candidate No. 1 after Week 7: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Because Alabama lost to Texas A&M last week, you might’ve thought that quarterback Bryce Young would fall down in the Heisman rankings. But, though he completed only 58.3 percent of his throws, he still threw for 369 yards, three touchdowns and just one pick in that game. And he followed that up in a dominant win over Mississippi State by going 20-of-28 for 348 yards and four scores.

Now over 2,000 passing yards on the season with 24 touchdowns to only three interceptions, Young looks like he’s in the driver’s seat. His nice performance and the Crimson Tide’s win over Corral and Ole Miss might actually be the hair that’s split to put him in that position as well.

Next. College football power rankings: Top 30 programs of all-time. dark

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