Bryce Young endured a wild Heisman Trophy roller-coaster ride in Week 13.
In the span of eight hours, the Crimson Tide’s sophomore quarterback went from a solid second choice (just behind Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud) to presumptive front-runner (after Stroud and Ohio State lost at Michigan) to probable long shot (after he struggled mightily for 3 1/2 quarters at Auburn).
But after leading his team back from a 10-0 deficit with a furious last-minute rally that sent the Iron Bowl into overtime — a game the Crimson Tide eventually won 24-22 in four overtimes — Young ended the night where he’s spent much of this season: back on top of the Heisman Trophy odds board.
With his team trailing by 10 and seemingly destined for a stunning defeat — one that would’ve ended Alabama’s hopes of defending its national championship — Young coolly saved the day by leading the Crimson Tide on two scoring drives. The first ended with a field goal that trimmed Auburn’s lead to 10-3. The second was a legacy-defining, 97-yard touchdown jaunt in the final seconds of regulation.
Young carried the sudden momentum into the extra sessions, guiding Alabama to one touchdown, one field goal, and a pair of 2-point conversions that sealed the victory.
For the day, Young had more incompletions (26) than completions (25) and passed for 317 yards and a pair of scores. Those stats paled in comparison to Stroud’s performance in the Buckeyes’ loss at Michigan (34-for-49, 394 yards, two touchdowns, all while playing in a snowstorm).
So why does Young find himself in a prime position to claim college football’s most prestigious award (after ceding the proverbial driver’s seat to Stroud last week)? Because at his team’s indisputable low point, Young produced the season’s best “Heisman Moment” in a must-win game.
Heisman Trophy Odds & Action
BetMGM: Young -200 / Stroud +450
Caesars: Young -200 / Stroud +400
FanDuel: Young -220 / Stroud +450
TwinSpires: Young -200 / Stroud +400
BetMGM opened the season with Young as the second choice to win the Heisman (+1,000). But after what transpired at both Auburn and Michigan in Week 13, Young is now at -200.
Back in August, the Alabama sophomore initially slotted behind Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler (+800). (Rattler has been relegated to backup duty the past several weeks is planning to transfer to another school this offseason.)
Currently, Young ranks slightly ahead of Stroud in money wagered at BetMGM (14.5% vs. 14.3%). The two QBs maintain the same order in terms of ticket count, with Young getting 10.9 percent of all BetMGM wagers and Stroud taking 8.2 percent.
The runaway leader in both tickets and money? That would be Michigan State RB Kenneth Walker, who is at 21.3 percent and 23.7 percent, respectively. Walker opened the season at +80,000 (80-to-1) at BetMGM and got as low as +350 heading into the Ohio State game on Nov. 20. However, a poor performance against the Buckeyes (six carries, 24 rushing yards; one reception, 4 yards) effectively ended his Heisman candidacy — much to the delight of bookmakers from coast to coast.
Joining Walker (now +2,000 at BetMGM) on the periphery as former Heisman Trophy contenders: Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (+1,800), Ole Miss QB Matt Corral (+1,600), and Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (+2,000).
One Final Heisman Audition
The loss to Michigan precludes Ohio State from playing for this week’s Big Ten championship (vs. Iowa) and almost certainly will bounce OSU (10-2 overall) from the College Football Playoff. It also means Stroud (3,862 yards passing, 38 TDs, 5 INTs, 70.9% passing) won’t have one last chance to impress Heisman pundits before votes are collected over the next few days.
Young, however, will partake in Saturday’s ultimate showcase, with Alabama taking on No. 1 Georgia in the SEC title game. If Young (3,901 yards passing, 40 passing TDs, 4 INTs, 69% passing, 2 rushing TDs) fares well against the favored Dawgs and their top-ranked defense, it should be sufficient to clinch Alabama’s third Heisman winner of the Nick Saban era. Young would join Mark Ingram (2009) and DeVonta Smith (2020).
Then again, if Georgia has Alabama down 20-plus points in the second half and Young struggles as he did at Auburn, Stroud very well could zip by Young and snatch the award.
The freshman Stroud winning the Heisman … while sitting on his couch? It would be a surprise ending to what has been a surreal season.