Heisman Trophy Power Rankings: Caleb Williams runs away, C.J. Stroud fades

If rivalry week in the 2022 college football season has shown us anything, the Heisman Trophy is USC quarterback Caleb Williams’ award to lose.

Rivalry week in college football is one where fans let out all of their emotions as they root for their team to win against their hated counterparts. With that, this provides some of the biggest stars in the sport to shine.

It just so happens that plenty of Heisman trophy candidates had the chance to prove that they were deserving to hoist the award at the annual ceremony in New York City. Some, like USC’s Caleb Williams, were able to do just that. Others, like Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, didn’t help themselves and only hurt their chances.

Here are the newest Heisman Trophy power rankings after rivalry week.

Heisman Trophy Power Rankings, Week 13

Ohio State was completely trounced by Michigan in the second half on Saturday, losing 45-23. This is the second year in a row in which the Buckeyes lost to the Wolverines after holding a winning streak from 2012 until 2020.

Despite the loss, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. showed why he’s considered one of the top wide receivers in the game. In the game, he caught seven passes for 120 yards and one touchdown. That score allowed Ohio State to take a 20-17 lead entering halftime. Yet, the Buckeyes were held to just three points in the second half.

On the year, Harrison recorded 72 receptions for 1,157 receiving yards (eighth-most in NCAA) and 12 receiving touchdowns (tied third-most).

Just as Drake Maye began skyrocketing up the rankings, he plummeted back down to where he started.

After being held without a touchdown in a game for the first time this season against Georgia Tech last week, Maye had the chance to rebound in Week 13 against the North Carolina State Wolfpack. That didn’t exactly happen.

With the game tied at 17 points apiece with over five minutes remaining in regulation, Maye threw an interception, which allowed NC State to score a go-ahead touchdown on a 26-yard pass from Ben Finely to Devin Carter.

Yet, Maye did manage to tie the game at the buzzer on a four-yard touchdown pass to Antoine Green. The game would go into double overtime, which NC State won 30-27 after a 35-yard missed field goal by Noah Burnette.

In the game, Maye threw for 233 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while completing 29-of-49 pass attempts. Additionally, Maye ran for 32 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.