Top Heisman candidates flounder in Week 10

This weekend wasn't great for college football's Heisman Trophy contenders. With the two frontrunners struggling, the door is open for a wide-open Heisman race in the final month of the regular season.

Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker came in as the favorite after the Volunteers' 8-0 start. Hooker crashed and burned against the Bulldogs, consistently overthrowing targets he's hit all season. Hooker finished the game 23-of-33 for 195 yards (5.9 yards per attempt) and no touchdowns with one interception.

In his biggest game of the year, Hooker wilted. It would seem his chance of winning the Heisman did, too.

Ohio State's C.J. Stroud has been near the top of the conversation for the entire season, but he struggled mightily in the Buckeyes' uninspiring 21-7 win over 1-8 Northwestern. Stroud went 10-26 for 76 yards (2.9 yards per attempt). He added six carries for 79 yards and helped the team pull out a sloppy victory in terrible weather conditions. Heisman voters will factor that in when making their determinations, but Stroud can't afford any repeats.

Last year's Heisman winner, QB Bryce Young of Alabama, failed to complete 50 percent of his passes in CFP-ranked No. 6 Alabama's shocking loss to No. 10 LSU. He finished 25-of-51 for 328 yards and one touchdown with one interception.

Of those three, Stroud has the best shot of weathering the early November storm. 

He has a huge game against No. 5 Michigan on Nov. 26 and then the Big Ten Championship Game if the Buckeyes defeat the Wolverines. Standout performances in those games will likely be enough to give Ohio State its first Heisman Trophy winner since Troy Smith in 2006.

Michigan has its own Heisman candidate in Blake Corum. While Michigan struggled early against Rutgers, Corum was not the issue. He finished with 20 carries for 109 yards and two touchdowns as Michigan ended up routing Rutgers 52-17. 

Entering the week, his rushing numbers were better than Heisman-winning RBs Derrick Henry, Mark Ingram and Reggie Bush at the same point in the season.