C.J. Stroud handed Caleb Williams the Heisman Trophy against Michigan

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud had the chance to clinch the Heisman Trophy against Michigan. His dud now puts the ball in Caleb Williams’ court.

The Game had a ton on the line on both sides, from the team perspective and the individual.

Michigan and Ohio State were playing for the right to go to the Big Ten title game. Implicit in that was the right to go the College Football Playoff.

At the same time, the Heisman Trophy was potentially on the line. If Michigan running back Blake Corum had been able to overcome his injury and go off against the Buckeyes, his Heisman candidacy would be back on. If C.J. Stroud led his team to an impressive victory, he probably could have clinched the Heisman there and then.

Instead, Corum had just two carries while Stroud only led the offense to 23 points while throwing two devastating interceptions at the end of the game.

Now, Caleb Williams of USC is in the driver’s seat.

C.J. Stroud handed Caleb Williams the Heisman Trophy against Michigan

With 349 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions and some costly misses in a losing effort in the biggest game of the season, Stroud didn’t look like a Heisman winner.

Williams has torn up every defense he’s faced over the last month of the season, but his biggest test yet comes on Saturday night against Notre Dame. A victory full of the same plays that put jaws on the floor last week against UCLA could make him a runaway winner of college football’s most prestigious award.

If Williams doesn’t take his chance against Notre Dame, who can step in and take advantage? Oregon’s Bo Nix, TCU’s Max Duggan and others are lurking.

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