Heisman Watch (Week 9)

Another week down and the race for the Heisman Trophy is starting to heat up.  It's become a three way race between Mariota, Wisnton, and Manziel.  Did Mariota do enough against UCLA to keep the lead?  Or did Manziel and Winston's games against lesser opponents put them atop?  Let's find out!

1. Marcus Mariota QB Oregon

Last Week:  21/28 230 yards passing TD vs UCLA (42-14) Next Week: BYE
Summary: Mariota didn't have a huge statistical game in their blowout of UCLA, but with them being able to run the ball he didn't need to be.  Mariota completed 75% of his passes and threw for over 200 yards and continues to run this offense like none other.  The big thing getting the win, but if Mariota wants to win the Heisman Trophy he is going to need some huge games to really get voters attention.  Going for 230 passing yards and only one touchdown isn't going to get it done.  Based on his pass performance he gets the pass, but the competition is closing.

2. Jameis Winston QB Florida State

Last Week:  16/26 292 yards passing 3 TDs INT vs North Carolina State (49-17) Next Week: vs Miami
Summary: Winston made sure that the Seminoles weren't going to drop a winnable game this year to ruin their season.  Winston was good early and helped the Seminoles get out to a big lead.  His 18 yards per completion was outstanding and his three touchdowns keeps him neck and neck with Mariota.  Another big game next week against Miami could be enough for Winston to take control of the race.

3. Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M

Last Week:  25/35 305 yards passing 4 TDs INT vs Vanderbilt (56-24) Next Week: vs UTEP
Summary:  Going into the season I didn't think that Manziel had much of a chance to win the Heisman for a second time.  However the way he's been playing and carrying the team, Manziel has a great shot of repeating.  He has just been playing at such a high level.  With all that said, he's still in third place, but the margin between first and third is razor thing.  This week he went over 300 yards passing again while throwing four touchdowns.  He didn't run much because of a shoulder injury, but that didn't limit his effectiveness.

4. Bryce Petty QB Baylor

Last Week: 20/32 430 yards 3 TDs, 1 rushing TD at Kansas (59-14) Next Week: BYE
Summary:  Week in and week out Petty is proving that he is more than just a system quarterback.  Against Kansas he threw for over 400 yards again and guided the Bears to another huge blowout victory.  For good measure he added in a rushing touchdown for a second straight week.  Petty is putting together a pretty good resume, but probably isn't good enough to get him the trophy. He's locked himself into the fourth spot in the race, but with the talent in the top it may be too much.

5. Melvin Gordon RB Wisconsin

Last Week:  BYE  Next Week: at Iowa
Summary: This years Heisman race is pretty well established.  You have the three top guys in a dead heat while Bryce Petty has established himself pretty solid in that fourth spot.  Then you have the fifth spot.  Its wide open.  Tajh Boyd fell out after their loss to Florida State while Sean Mannion's disappointing game against Stanford puts him out too.  That leaves Melvin Gordon who has quietly become the best running back in college football and a driving force to the Badgers continued success.