The Heisman race is heating up after some huge performances for every candidate behind favorite Tua Tagovailoa. West Virginia’s loss to Oklahoma State probably drops Will Grier out of the race.
1. Tua Tagovailoa | Alabama QB | Sophomore | Last week: 1
A non-blowout in the first half helped allow Tua Tagovailoa a good amount of playing time against The Citadel, though Alabama wanted their offense to get more work anyway. Tagovailoa can probably seal the Heisman with a couple of solid performances and two wins in the Iron Bowl and SEC title game the next two weekends.
Season stats:
69.2% | 2,865 YDS | 31 TD | 2 INT
41 ATT | 185 YDS | 4 TD | 4.5 AVG
2. Kyler Murray | Oklahoma QB | Senior | Last week: 2
He threw the ball well in a blowout win versus Kansas, but it was Kyler Murray’s ground game that did most of the damage to help Oklahoma get to 10-1. Murray put up 99 yards with three rushing scores on just eight carries (12.4 average), and he added a couple of passing scores to make it 44 total touchdowns on the season. Playing in the Big 12, Murray is an excellent bet to get into the 50s before the Heisman ceremony.
Season stats:
70.3% | 3,310 YDS | 34 TD | 6 INT
104 ATT | 739 YDS | 10 TD | 7.1 AVG
3. Dwayne Haskins | Ohio State QB | RS Sophomore | Last week: 3
Ohio State’s win was not pretty, but Dwayne Haskins and the offense did their part to remain alive in the College Football Playoff race. Haskins complimented the running game with his usual strong passing performance along with his best work as a runner yet (three rushing scores). If Haskins can help get the job done with an upset win over Michigan this Saturday, he’ll be right in the mix heading into conference championships.
Season stats:
69.3% | 3,685 YDS | 36 TD | 7 INT
56 ATT | 93 YDS | 4 TD | 1.7 AVG
4. Jonathan Taylor | Wisconsin RB | Sophomore | Last week: 4
The nation’s leading rusher went for 321 yards and three touchdowns in Wisconsin’s thrilling triple-overtime win against Purdue, as he basically carried the offense. Jonathan Taylor is simply a beast, and it looks like he’ll get to 2,000 yards before the Badgers’ bowl game, giving him a strong case for the Heisman.
Season stats:
261 ATT | 1,869 YDS | 15 TD | 7.2 AVG
7 REC | 52 YDS | 7.4 AVG
5. Gardner Minshew | Washington State QB | Senior | Last week: 5
Gardner Minshew led Washington State to 55 first-half points against Arizona, and they didn’t score again until 14 points in the fourth quarter; so it could’ve probably have been a bigger day for the graduate transfer quarterback if the game was close. Minshew has 39 total touchdowns this season and should get at least an invite to New York if he plays well and leads his team to a win over Washington this Friday.
Season stats:
70.4% | 4,325 YDS | 36 TD | 7 INT
45 ATT | 92 YDS | 3 TD | 2.0 AVG