With a nod to my Ridiculously Early Heismans article, here is the week 3 update. No one really hurt themselves in week 1 or week 2, but week 3 is a different story, despite the number of “tuneups”. As there were no horrible losses, the list remains as is, but expect some change in week 4. Let me know if you have any suggestions. Players are in alphabetical order:
AJ McCarron
Tajh Boyd (SR), Clemson
*Did not play.
Stats to Date: Passing 53-32-439-3-0, Rushing 19-52-3.
Next up: @ North Carolina State
Teddy Bridgewater (JR), Louisville
Bridgewater overcame a sloppy first half against Kentucky, but turned things up in the second. The Cardinals focused mostly on the run, racking up 242 yards and 3 TDs, but Bridgewater finished with 250 yards and a score, completing 16 of 28 passes. He also pitched in on the ground with 35 yards, flashing his running skills that the offense doesn’t often take advantage of. Not his best game, but far from a Heisman killer.
Stats to Date: Passing 88-62-1002-10-1, Rushing 9-35-0.
Next up: Florida International
Ka’Deem Carey (SO), Arizona
After missing some time at the start of the season, Carey is finally back into the swing of things. The Wildcats had too much firepower for UTSA, and Carey was one of the top weapons, rushing for 128 yards and 2 scores on 27 carries. He also had some involvement in the passing game, catching 2 passes for 33 yards. Not a fantastic performance, but it`s good to see Carey back to his best in a hurry.
Stats to Date: Rushing 43-299-4, Receiving 2-33-0.
Next up: @ Washington (Sept 28th)
Derek Carr (SR), Fresno State
*Game @ postponed due to flooding.
Stats to Date: Passing 104-74-661-8-1.
Next up: Boise State
Jadeveon Clowney (JR), South Carolina
Clowney still hasn’t had a marquee game to attract the voters attention, and his injured foot isn’t helping, but at least his defense took advantage of all the extra attention he commands. In fact, in their best performance of this young season, it was offensive mistakes that gave Vanderbilt a chance. Clowney did manage a 3rd quarter strip-sack and 4 tackles in the game.
Stats to Date: Defense – 10 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
Next up: Central Florida (Sept 28th)
David Fales (SR), San Jose State
*Did not play.
Stats to Date: Passing 75-45-441-3-1.
Next up: @ Minnesota
Todd Gurley (SO), Georgia
*Did not play.
Stats to Date: Rushing 42-288-3, Receiving 2-9-1.
Next up: North Texas
Brett Hundley (SO), UCLA
For about 27 minutes of the Nebraska game, Hundley looked lost, overthrowing receivers and running into brick walls. Of course, he and his team were playing with heavy hearts after the untimely death of receiver Nick Pasquale during the week. Hundley loosened up at the end of the 2nd quarter, and the Bruins dominated the rest of the game, coming from 21-3 down to win 41-21. Hundley finished with 294 yards and 3 TDs (1 Int), with just 72 yards coming before the late 2nd quarter TD. He also chipped in with 61 yards on the ground.
Stats to Date: Passing 57-38-568-5-1, Rushing 26-124-2.
Next up: New Mexico State
Duke Johnson (SO), Miami (FL)
*Did not play.
Stats to Date: Rushing 40-245-2, Receiving 3-50-0.
Next up: Savannah State
Taylor Kelly (JR), Arizona State
Forget how the game ended, Kelly did a solid job against a tough Wisconsin defense in ASU’s 32-30 win. He didn’t find the endzone, or even through a TD pass, but he was the driving force which was primarily responsible for RB Marion Grice’s 4 TDs. Kelly passed for 352 yards (29 of 51) and an interception, although the Badgers did an excellent job of bottling him up on the ground with just 24 yards on 11 carries. Not a killer game, but he has to make some highlight reel plays again to stay on the radar, starting next week against the Cardinal (ouch!)
Stats to Date: Passing 82-52-652-5-1, Rushing 17-49-0.
Next up: @ Stanford
Marqise Lee (JR), Southern California
Somehow, in the span of one week, USC’s passing game went back to lighting up opponents again, this time Boston College. This new-found passing attack doesn’t seem to include Lee, although he has been banged up. He had just 2 receptions, going for 90 yards and a score. His TD was an 80-yard bomb, and QB Cody Kessler and Lee just missed out on connecting on another deep ball. Both the Trojans and Lee need to raise the bar to start headlining nationally again.
Stats to Date: Receiving 17-221-1, Kick Returns 2-34-0, Punt Returns 5-23-0.
Next up: Utah State
Jordan Lynch (SR), Northern Illinois
In a surprisingly close game, the formerly struggling Idaho Vandals lit up the Huskies to the tune of 35 points, and even led 28-14 at one stage. NIU had their ace-in-the-hole though, as Lynch rose to the challenge and kept the Huskies rolling in their 45-35 win. Lynch threw for 152 yards and 3 TDs on 17 of 29 pass attempts, but also flashed his running skills, carrying 23 time for 159 yards and 2 scores. If this is how the Huskies defense plays this year, Lynch will get the chance to put up some serious numbers.
Stats to Date: Passing 70-42-427-6-0, Rushing 45-215-2.
Next up: Eastern Illinois
Johnny Manziel (SO), Texas A&M
For those who don’t know about “THE GAME”, A&M took an early lead against Alabama, then got their asses handed to them for a couple of quarters before fighting back and giving the Tide a scare at the end. With the Texas defense taking the week off, Johnny Football showed his ability, passing for 464 yards and 5 TDs, and rushing for 98 yards on 14 carries. However, he threw 2 picks, including one returned for a score, and these, plus the loss, could cost him some votes.
Stats to Date: Passing 89-63-984-11-3, Rushing 27-153-1.
Next up: Southern Methodist
Marcus Mariota (SO), Oregon
I watched the Ducks against Tennessee, and the team was outstanding after some early nonsense. None stood out more than Mariota, who kept his eyes downfield every time he ran, and made a new best friend in freshman TE Johnny Mundt. Mariota tore up the Volunteers defense, passing for 456 yards and 4 TDs on just 22 completions (33 attempts), and chipping in with 27 yards and a TD on the ground. If this game doesn’t push him up among the top Heisman contenders, I don’t know what will.
Stats to Date: Passing 82-49-889-7-0, Rushing 15-262-4.
Next up: California (Sept 28th)
Taylor Martinez (SR), Nebraska
After throwing 3 TDs in the first half en route to a 21-3 lead, Martinez joined the rest of the Cornhuskers in the tank as UCLA dominated the second half of the game in a 41-21 loss. Martinez did complete 21 of 35 passes for 203 yards, but got little going on the ground against the Bruins tough defense. This loss against a good opponent, plus an apparent turf toe injury, could put paid to Martinez’ last Heisman shot.
Stats to Date: Passing 80-53-528-9-1, Rushing 32-101-0.
Next up: San Diego State
AJ McCarron (SR), Alabama
After throwing a couple of picks against Texas A&M last season, including the game-killer in the endzone, McCarron showed he is more than just a game manager with an excellent performance against the Aggies. He completed 20 of his 29 attempts, throwing for 334 yards and 4 TDs. While McCarron’s biggest battle will be casting off his game manager label, if he continues to play at this level, it will hard to keep him a trip to New York at the end of the season.
Stats to Date: Passing 52-30-444-5-1.
Next up: Colorado State
Braxton Miller (JR), Ohio State
*Did not play due to injury.
Stats to Date: Passing 41-25-275-3-0, Rushing 22-56-0.
Next up: Florida A&M
Stephen Morris (SR), Miami (FL)
*Did not play.
Stats to Date: Passing 52-27-322-3-2.
Next up: Savannah State
Aaron Murray (SR), Georgia
*Did not play.
Stats to Date: Passing 52-37-632-4-1.
Next up: North Texas
Keith Price (SR), Washington
*Did not play.
Stats to Date: Passing 31-23-324-2-1, Rushing 6-25-0.
Next up: Illinois
Lache Seastrunk (JR), Baylor
*Did not play.
Stats to Date: Rushing 28-261-5.
Next up: Louisiana-Monroe
De’Anthony Thomas (JR), Oregon
Mariota didn’t just steal the show against Tennessee, he took the women and children too, but Thomas showed how good he could be with a strong performance, despite not playing the whole game. He ran for 86 tough yards and a TD on 13 carries, showing the strength to break tackles despite his slight frame. He also caught a 28 yard pass and returned 2 kickoffs for 58 yards. Oregon sitting starters with huge leads could hurt Thomas’ chances down the stretch. Roll on Stanford.
Stats to Date: Rushing 42-338-6, 3-58-0, Kick Returns 4-89-0.
Next up: California (Sept 28th)
Bo Wallace (JR), Mississippi
Wallace has had a strong season so far, but his efforts have been outshone by teammate Jeff Scott who could make this list if he continues his outstanding play. Wallace has a lot of catching up to do, and may need a marquee victory, a la Johnny Manziel, to garner the attention of anyone other than, well, me. Wallace hasn’t done anything of note, but is winning games and running his offense very efficiently. Against Texas he completed 17 of 25 passes for 172 yards and 2 TDs, and ran 12 times for another 57 yards and a score.
Stats to Date: Passing 87-56-648-4-0, Rushing 32-120-3.
Next up: Alabama (Sept 28th)
Sammy Watkins (JR), Clemson
*Did not play.
Stats to Date: Receiving 9-146-1.
Next up: @ North Carolina State
TJ Yeldon (SO), Alabama
Nothing says Heisman candidate like an Alabama running back, and Yeldon could be the best of the bunch yet. He had one of the offense’s few good performances against VTech, and made McCarron’s life a lot easier against A&M by providing a viable rushing threat to open up the Aggie defense to play-action. He ran for 149 yards and a score on 25 carries, and caught a 4 yard pass. Yeldon’s better days are ahead of him this season, but he may have to split votes with his QB, often a bane for Heisman contenders.
Stats to Date: Rushing 42-224-2, Receiving 1-4-0.
Next up: Colorado State
Keep an Eye on:
Jameis Winston, Florida State – I reckon he’ll be in next week at expense of another, assuming the Seminoles don’t lose (ha!).
Stats to Date: Passing 45-40-570-6-1, Rushing 12-33-2.
Next up: Bethune-Cookman