We're a little over halfway through the college football season, and the true Heisman contenders have started to separate themselves from the rest of the group. This year, we seem to have two - Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott and Oregon QB Marcus Mariota.
Georgia RB Todd Gurley has essentially been taken out of the race due to his indefinite suspension, while Notre Dame QB Everett Golson threw two interceptions as his team lost their biggest game of the season.
Even though we seem to have everything in order, there's still a long way to go in the season. Remember, at this point in 2012, former West Virginia QB Geno Smith was the runaway Heisman favorite until some kid named Johnny Manziel took over.
So who are the biggest threats to Prescott and Mariota?
DARK HORSES
10) Todd Gurley II, RB, Georgia
Previously Ranked: 3
Last Week: Suspended at Arkansas
Up Next: Bye
Season Stats: 773 rushing yards, 8 TDs, 8.8 YPC
Gurley's Heisman hopes are hanging on by a thread. He was the CLEAR favorite before his indefinite suspension, and he still has some of that momentum - if he can just get back on the field.
9) Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Previously Ranked: NR
Last Week: 273 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT in 31-27 win over Notre Dame
Up Next: Bye
Season Stats: 1,878 passing yards, 13 TDs, 8 INTs
Many voters probably won't put Winston on their ballots due to his off-the-field concerns, but he's making it harder and harder for them to ignore his play on the field. He answered everything Notre Dame threw at him, and now has a week and a half to prepare for his next test at Louisville on a Thursday night.
8 ) Trevone Boykin, QB, TCU
Previously Ranked: NR
Last Week: 410 passing yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT - 41 rushing yards in 42-9 win over Oklahoma State
Up Next: Sat. vs. Texas Tech
Season Stats: 1,873 passing yards, 14 TDs, 3 INTs – 346 rushing yards, 3 TDs
Boykin has been the catalyst behind TCU's rise to becoming the No. 10 team in the country, and he'd be higher on this list if the Horned Frogs didn't blow a three-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter against Baylor. He's a dynamic rusher that has developed into a solid passer, and he's already racked up two big wins over top-15 teams on his resume this season.
7) Bo Wallace, QB, Ole Miss
Previously Ranked: 7
Last Week: 199 passing yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs in 34-3 win over Tennessee
Up Next: Sat. at LSU
Season Stats: 1,899 passing yards, 17 TDs, 6 INTs
Wallace is ranked as high as he is because of Ole Miss' success this year, but he's going to have a national stage on Saturday to make a statement to Heisman voters. Wallace has been very efficient and has taken care of the ball this year (something he hasn't always done), but has step up his production to be in New York at the end of the season.
6) Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor
Previously Ranked: 5
Last Week: 223 passing yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs in 41-27 loss at West Virginia
Up Next: Bye
Season Stats: 1,757 passing yards, 17 TDs, 3 INT
Petty's performance signifies how Baylor's typically explosive offense stalled in Morgantown, which paved the way for a West Virginia upset. He's still riding the wave of momentum that came from his 500+ yard, 6 TD performance to lead the Bears to a huge comeback over TCU, but he's lost all room for error now.
CONTENDERS
5) Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Previously Ranked: 8
Last Week: Bye
Up Next: Sat. vs. Maryland
Season Stats: 1,046 rushing yards, 13 TDs, 7.9 YPC
Gordon jumped back into the Heisman mix because of the incredible numbers he's put up this season. Wisconsin was idle last week, so Gordon watched as other Heisman candidates just fell by the wayside. The biggest thing that stands between him and the trophy is the Badgers' weak schedule, so he'll have to continue to put up monster numbers and carry Wisconsin to the Big Ten Championship Game.
4) Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Previously Ranked: 6
Last Week: 8 rec, 140 yards, 2 TDS in 59-0 win over Texas A&M
Up Next: Sat. at Tennessee
Season Stats: 62 receptions, 908 yards, 7 TDs
Cooper had no problems shredding Texas A&M's defense, and he had an answer for everything they threw at him. Cooper might be the guy who benefits the most from a weak Heisman field, as he's clearly been the best player on the field in every game he's played in even though he plays a position that usually doesn't get a lot of Heisman love.
3) Everett Golson, QB, Notre Dame
Previously Ranked: 4
Last Week: 313 passing yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs – 33 rushing yards in 31-27 loss at Florida State
Up Next: Bye
Season Stats: 1,996 passing yards, 19 TDs, 6 INTs – 209 rushing yards, 4 TDs
Golson continues to have turnover problems, but he still managed to dominate a good Florida State defense and almost pulled off a dramatic game-winning drive. Notre Dame has a bye week before facing Navy, so Golson won't have a chance to redeem himself until the Irish visit Tempe to face Arizona State on November 8.
FAVORITES
2) Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Previously Ranked: 2
Last Week: 336 passing yards, 2 TDs, O INTs in 45-20 win over Washington
Up Next: Fri. at Cal
Season Stats: 1,957 passing yards, 19 TDs, O INTs – 279 rushing yards, 5 TDs
Mariota has lit up every defense he's played this year, and he still hasn't thrown an interception. He'd still be in the top spot if his coaches hadn't let him down in Oregon's loss to Arizona, as he's been productive every time he steps on the field. Mariota has another chance to impress voters on a national stage Friday night...but this is the type of game that the Ducks have struggled in over the past few years. Another loss would be another huge blow to his Heisman chances.
1) Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State
Previously Ranked: 1
Last Week: Bye
Up Next: Sat. at Kentucky
Season Stats: 1,478 passing yards, 14 TDs, 4 INTs – 576 rushing yards, 8 TDs
This award is Prescott's to lose, and he can't do anything to lose it on a bye week. Mississippi State losing to Kentucky? Well, that'd drop him down our list a bit. However, Prescott has been so much better than everyone else on the list and has so much momentum that he can survive a bump in the road.
Who’s your pick to win the Heisman? Is your dark horse missing from the list? Tweet your responses to @brauf33 and leave a response in the comments!
Back to the NCAA Newsfeed