Heisman Watch (Week 13)

In all my years following the Heisman and doing the Watch List, I've never seen or been so uncertain of the award.  This past week we've seen new evidence in the Jameis Winston sexual assault investigation, and both Manziel and Petty's teams losing. Add in Marcus Mariota and the Ducks losing yet another game and the race for the Heisman is more wide open than ever before.  Let's see where everybody stands now!

1. Jameis Winston QB Florida State

Last Week:  14/25 225 yards 4 TDs vs Idaho (80-14)  Next Week: at Florida
Summary:  This is Winston's award to lose.  He's clearly the front runner with Manziel and Petty both putting up clunkers in losses and no real other contender to deal with.  However that doesn't mean Winston is a slam dunk to win the award either.  New evidence came out in the sexual assault investigation and word is that we could find out this week if he'll be charged or not.  If charged he'll likely but suspended and could kiss the Heisman away.  I would be shocked if voters still voted for him with a charge against him.

2. Bryce Petty QB Baylor

Last Week:  28/48 359 yards passing 2 TDs, 46 yards rushing vs Oklahoma State (17-48)  Next Week: at TCU
Summary:  Baylor's season crushing loss to Oklahoma State and only scoring 17 points doesn't help Petty's chances for the Heisman.  However everybody else is struggling and when you look closer, it wasn't all Petty's fault they lost.  Petty still accounted for 400 yards of offense and had his hand in both touchdowns.  Despite losing his top two running backs and best receiver Petty is still putting up huge numbers.  Add in having to do that from behind the entire game and you have to take your hat off to him.

3.  AJ McCarron QB Alabama
Last Week:  13/16 171 yards 2 TDs vs Chattanooga (49-0) Next Week: at Auburn
Summary:  If Winton gets taken off many voters ballots, the guy who could claim the award is McCarron.  Yeah his numbers aren't astronomical, but they never are.  Alabama is a run based team and McCarron is at a minimum asked to manage the game.  But he's far better than just a game manager.  He has the ability to take the game over when needed.  His stock is beginning to climb again, especially if they can get wins over both Auburn and South Carolina in the coming weeks.

4. Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M

Last Week:  16/41 224 yards passing TD, 2 INTs, 54 yards rushing at LSU (10-34) Next Week: at Missouri
Summary:  All season long Manziel has played with wreck-less abandon and been able to make up for any and all mistakes he made along the way. Against LSU Manziel couldn't bail himself out.  He had less than 300 yards of total yards and two touchdowns.  Add in his two picks and the 10 points the offense was able to score was the deciding factor in the loss.  Manziel falls down the list, but by no means is out.  A huge game against Missouri and a few others struggling could bring him back.

5.  Ka'Deem Carey RB Arizona

Last Week: 48 carries 206 yards 4 TDs vs Oregon (42-16)  Next Week: at Arizona State
Summary:  Even though Carey is making his first appearance in this weekly Heisman Watch, he's been on the fringe all year long.  But his 206 yard four touchdown performance in a route of Oregon really brings attention to this dynamic back.  The Ducks had no answer for Carey and he could do whatever he wanted.  Carey still has the Arizona State game to sway some voters, but without the chances of a conference title game it may be too little to late.