The first six weeks of the college football season are complete and the contenders and pretenders are starting to emerge for the Heisman Trophy race. We've narrowed the list down to the Top 10 candidates, although the crop gets thin outside the Top 4.
Players like Baker Mayfield, Leonard Fournette and DeShone Kizer have suffered multiple losses already this year, tanking their Heisman chances. Much can, and will, change during the next few weeks. But for now, this is really Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson and then everyone else.
With that in mind, here are our Week 6 Heisman Trophy Top Ten Power Rankings:
10. QB Greg Ward Jr., Houston Cougars
A loss to Navy really, really hurts Ward's Heisman stock. Playing at Houston, he needed to pretty much go undefeated to win the Heisman. He's still on the fringe of the race thanks to that win over Oklahoma, but it's not looking great for Ward. He narrowly beat out Joshua Dobbs for the last spot.
9. RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State Seminoles
Cook won't win the Heisman, but in a not-so-clear race outside the Top 4 or so, he deserves a mention. He's third in the NCAA in rushing, with 785 yards. He's posted seven TDs, plus one in the passing game. He's already set a career mark with 345 receiving yards. If FSU upsets Clemson, perhaps Cook can get an invite to New York.
8. QB Jalen Hurts, Alabama Crimson Tide
As we saw last year with Derrick Henry, the best player on the best team can end up with the Heisman. Perhaps a version of that will be true for Jalen Hurts. And for a true freshman, Hurts has looked great. He's completing 63.8 percent of his passes, for 1,242 yards, 9 TDs and two picks. A dual-threat, he also has 296 yards and five scores on the ground. If Alabama keeps winning, Hurts will get a good chunk of the credit and maybe a few Heisman votes. Still, he's clearly behind the top group.
7. Seth Russell, Baylor Bears
Baylor dropped out of the national eye because of the sexual assault scandal, but they are undefeated. Sure Baylor hasn't really played anyone, but still. Russell has been impressive this year, completing 59.4 percent of his passes for 1,326 yards, 14 TDs and 4 INTs. He's also added 234 yards and three scores on the ground. If Baylor can actually push for a CFP spot, Russell has a shot.
6. QB Trevor Knight, Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies are an undefeated Top 10 team and Knight has played a major role in that. He still has flaws as a passer, which is why he has completed only 53.5 percent of his passes with 5 INTs. But Knight also has 9 TDs and 1,500 yards through the air. His real threat comes on the ground, as he's racked up 502 yards and 9 TDs. If Knight and A&M beat Alabama, he'll make a big jump. If they lose, he'll likely slide a bit.
5. ATH Jabrill Peppers, Michigan Wolverines
Peppers is one of the best athletes in college football. He's listed as a linebacker, but can play defensive back, return specialist and even offensive playmaker. He was impressive against Rutgers, posting two rushing touchdowns while playing Wildcat QB and had a great punt return called back. He was great against Colorado, recording 9 tackles, a sack, 3 tackles for loss, a punt return TD and 204 all-purpose yards. Jim Harbaugh has said Peppers should win the Heisman and while I love Peppers, it's tough to see him actually winning. Put him on the Heisman 2016 ticket with TD-machine Khalid Hill and he's got my vote.
4. QB Jake Browning, Washington Huskies
The Huskies' win over Stanford put the program and Browning in the national spotlight. Just a true sophomore, Browning is a talented QB. He's completing a blistering 72.2 percent of his passes for 1,1418 yards, 23 TDs and 2 INTs. He posted an absurd eight TDs against Oregon. If Washington keeps winning, Browning should continue to rise. The future is bright in Washington and Browning is a major reason for that.
3. QB J.T. Barrett, Ohio State Buckeyes
Barrett looks great so far, even with a not-so-great game against Indiana. He has only 981 passing yards and 342 rushing yards, numbers lower than most of the other candidates. But he has 15 passing TDs and four on the ground, which help make up for it. He's the clear No. 3 contender, but is behind the two QBs at the top.
T-1. QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson Tigers
Watson came into the year as one of the Heisman favorites, but struggled early. While he's still make mistakes, he rallied his Tigers to beat No. 3 Louisville, the best win of any Heisman contender this year. He doesn't have the numbers Lamar Jackson does, but Waston has the win. This season, he's completing 60.5 percent of his passes for 1,568 yards, 18 TDs and 7 picks. He has just 239 yards on the ground. Watson hasn't been as good as he was last year, but wins matter in the Heisman race.
T-1. QB Lamar Jackson, Louisville Cardinals
Yep, we're going with a tie. Jackson has the numbers, but Deshaun Watson has the key win. Jackson is still putting up video game numbers and Clemson's defense only sort of limited him. With 1,625 passing yards, 688 rushing yards and 28 total TDs, Jackson is by no means done because of his loss. September Heisman favorites don't always hang around until November and Jackson could slide as the season goes on if Louisville drops another game.
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