Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker’s run to nab the Heisman Trophy took an obvious blow last week when the Vols lost to Georgia. However, Hooker is still considered one of the favorites to win the award.
Hooker and the Vols will face Missouri on Saturday. While the Tigers won’t be mistaken for the Bulldogs, Missouri has a formidable defense. The Tigers rank 13th in the nation in total defense and 26th in the nation in pass defense.
In large part, Hooker’s success against Missouri on Saturday may depend on Tennessee’s defense. If the Vols can shut down Missouri’s offense, which has struggled this season, Hooker would have more opportunities to put up the kind of numbers that could help erase his and the Vols’ struggles in Athens.
Hooker is currently at +300 to win the Heisman. That means his odds are 3-to-1. Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is still considered the favorite at +135, meaning he’s almost even money to win college football’s most coveted prize. Michigan running back Blake Corrum is third in the Heisman race, according to Fan Duel, at +600 or 6-to-1. Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams is +900 or 9-to-1.
Hooker certainly has to bounce back quickly to win the Heisman considering the Vols just have three games remaining.
Here are what his competitors will face this weekend, which won’t likely be nearly as challenging as what the Vols and Hooker will see against the Tigers.
C.J. Stroud
Ohio State hosts Indiana on Saturday. The Hoosiers have the 103rd rated defense in the nation. Stroud will likely hold onto the top spot among Heisman prognosticators this week.
Blake Corrum
Michigan will host Nebraska on Saturday. The Cornhuskers are actually worse on defense than Indiana. Nebraska ranks 115th in the nation in total defense.
Caleb Williams
Southern California hosts Colorado on Saturday. As unthinkable as it may be, Colorado is actually worse than Indian and Nebraska defensively. The Buffalos rank 129th in total defense in the nation.
