When Michigan and Ohio State take the field Saturday in Columbus, there will be more than a win or a loss and Big Ten title on the line — The Game could end up being the deciding factor in the 2022 Heisman Trophy race.

This past weekend, contender Hendon Hooker, QB at Tennessee, was effectively removed from the race after his No. 5-ranked Vols were trounced by unranked South Carolina. Hooker also went down with a “significant” non-contact left knee injury and could be done for the rest of the year.

So that leaves Michigan RB Blake Corum and Ohio State QB CJ Stroud to define the race on the final Saturday of the regular season.

Like Hooker, Corum also suffered an injury to his left knee, except Corum’s was due to contact from a helmet during the Wolverines’ 19-17 home win over Illinois. His status for the Ohio State game remains questionable as UM coach Jim Harbaugh sorts out the plan for the biggest contest in recent Michigan history.

Stroud’s Buckeyes struggled to put away Maryland this past weekend, winning 43-30 in what was a 1-score game until the final seconds. Like Corum vs. Illinois, Stroud didn’t put up huge numbers during his team’s close call. The star QB completed 18 of 30 attempts for 241 yards, 2 TDs and zero picks.

Corum rushed for 108 yards against one of the top run defenses in the nation, with all but 5 of the yards coming in the first 30 minutes vs. the Illini.

For much of the season, Corum and Stroud have been among the best at their positions. Corum is the first Michigan player to score a rushing TD in 11 consecutive games in one year, and Stroud has been the rocket fuel needed to power Ohio State’s No. 1 scoring offense (46.5 PPG/tied with Tennessee).

With that being said, let’s take a look at some stats, trends and possibilities adding intrigue to an already massively anticipated Big Ten showdown that could very well crown a Heisman winner.

Corum’s outlook

One of 3 outstanding Big Ten running backs this season, Corum has been electrifying for the past 2 years and immediately placed himself in the Heisman conversation back in September. This past Saturday, he became just the second running back to put up more than 100 yards vs. Illinois, so that has to factor into the discussion when deciding the frontrunners for the stiff-armed trophy.

Following this past weekend, Corum stands at No. 3 in the country in rushing yards (1,457) and tied for No. 2 in touchdowns (18). He needs 3 more TDs to break Michigan’s single-season record of 20, set last year by Hassan Haskins.

Imagine Corum, assuming he’s good-to-go, having a huge day against Ohio State. That would all but solidify his status as a finalist, possibly even the winner or, as a consolation, the runner-up in the race. But because Corum is a running back, he may have to do more to secure the hardware.

Michigan has to win and Corum has to have a career-day to really seal the deal.

Stroud’s outlook

It’s been 4 weeks since Stroud has thrown for more 300 yards. He wasn’t too impressive vs. Maryland. He had 297 yards during a 56-14 blowout of Indiana 2 weeks ago but failed to dazzle the prior week vs. Northwestern, throwing for a career-low 76 yards during Freeze Fest in Chicago.

While Stroud hasn’t put up 300 every week, the expectation is always there for the 6-3, 218-pound 3rd-year sophomore.

When Stroud goes for 300, he goes for 300 — and then some. He’s had 4 games of 350-plus this year and he threw for 394 last year during the Buckeyes’ 42-27 loss to Michigan.

A banner day and victory for Stroud would absolutely lock up the Heisman, which has become a QB award. Beating Michigan would only add weight to his accomplishments this season.

Bottom line

Team wins are team wins, and that’s why teams play the game. Individual accomplishments, particularly winning the Heisman, are always entertaining to discuss and debate. It’s probably safe to say that neither player cares about personal glory; they just want to remain undefeated and play for a Big Ten championship.

The Game hasn’t been anticipated this much since 2006, when No. 1 OSU beat No. 2 UM, 42-39, in a thriller for the ages. This year, a B1G title-berth, College Football Playoff implications and Heisman consideration have added a little more meaning to one of the greatest spectacles in all of sports.