One of the nation’s leading Heisman Trophy contenders suffered his first loss of the season, but the rankings don’t change much heading into the final weekend of October.
1. Jonathan Taylor | Wisconsin RB | Sophomore | Last week: 1
Some snow started to fall in the Wisconsin-Illinois game, but Jonathan Taylor is built for those elements. The star sophomore running back didn’t get into the end zone, but he put up 159 yards to get up over 1,100 yards in seven games. Taylor has each of the next five weeks to put up big numbers and try to help get his team to another Big Ten Championship Game.
Season stats:
170 ATT | 1,109 YDS | 8 TD | 6.5 AVG
6 REC | 22 YDS | 3.7 AVG
2. Tua Tagovailoa | Alabama QB | Sophomore | Last week: 2
Tua Tagovailoa put up another four touchdowns in a rout of Tennessee, and it doesn’t look like anyone can stop Alabama’s passing attack right now. However, Tagovailoa will have his biggest test of the season when he faces LSU’s exceptional defense in a couple of Saturdays. Tagovailoa could become the clear Heisman favorite in the next few weeks.
Season stats:
70.4% | 2,066 YDS | 25 TD
26 ATT | 123 YDS | 2 TD | 4.7 AVG
3. Dwayne Haskins | Ohio State QB | RS Sophomore | Last week: 3
Dwayne Haskins’ Ohio State squad suffered their first loss of the season in an ugly loss to Purdue, but the redshirt sophomore quarterback’s numbers are too great to drop him in the Heisman rankings. Haskins already has 30 passing touchdowns this season.
Season stats:
71.1% | 2,801 YDS | 30 TD | 5 INT
35 ATT | 56 YDS | 1 TD | 1.6 AVG
4. Kyler Murray | Oklahoma QB | Senior | Last week: 5
After another four touchdowns against TCU, Kyler Murray jumps one spot in the Heisman watch. Oklahoma might not be able to suffer another loss in the Big 12 with so many other great candidates, but Murray is currently right in the mix for the prestigious award.
Season stats:
72.3% | 1,977 YDS | 25 TD | 3 INT
66 ATT | 428 YDS | 5 TD | 6.5 AVG
5. Trace McSorley | Penn State QB | RS Senior | Last week: 4
Trace McSorley scored another two touchdowns on the ground, but his streak of 34 consecutive games with a touchdown pass was snapped in Penn State’s win over Indiana. McSorley drops one spot in the Heisman rankings, but the Nittany Lions have three straight ranked matchups coming up.
Season stats:
54.1% | 1,462 YDS | 11 TD | 3 INT
98 ATT | 554 YDS | 8 TD | 5.7 AVG
Tua