With the conference races beginning to heat up, the chase for college football’s most coveted prize is certainly following suit. In a weekend marked by two stunning upsets (one of which we all have been trying to forget), the Heisman leaderboard has undergone a few changes. Behind a monster five touchdown performance, Clemson signal-caller Tajh Boyd has moved into the picture, as he has led his Tigers to a perfect 8-0 start. While Boyd is the only newcomer in the top five, there has also been some moving and shaking amongst the other primary candidates. Let us take a look in this week’s Heisman Update:
Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Despite a mediocre, by his standards, statistical performance (16-21, 169yds, 2TD) in the Cardinal’s 65-21 thrashing of Pac 12 foe Washington Saturday, Luck remains the odds-on favorite to take home the hardware. He’s amassed nearly 1,900 yards through the air thus far, to go along with 20 touchdowns and just three picks. With Wisconsin and Oklahoma falling over the weekend, if Luck and Stanford continue to win convincingly, the National Championship Game is a legitimate possibility.
Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
In the Broncos’ closest game of the season versus Air Force this weekend, Moore tied Texas legend Colt McCoy for the most wins by a quarterback in FBS history with 45. The amazingly efficient signal-caller (4th in the nation) also passed for 281 yards and three scores against a formidable Falcons defense that was not intimidated by the nation’s fourth-ranked team. Moore ranks fourth in country in efficiency and has passed for 2,010 yards and 24 scores (T-1st in the nation).
Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
The 6’1″ sophomore leapt into the forefront of the Heisman race over the weekend with a huge statistical performance in Clemson’s 59-38 rout of North Carolina. Though not as wildly efficient (62%) as the other top candidates, Boyd has managed to lead his Tigers to a number five ranking in the latest AP poll with his decision-making and lack of turnovers. He’s somewhat-quietly having a monster year, passing for 2,379 yards (7th in the nation), 24 touchdowns (T-1st), and only three interceptions, to go along with four rushing scores. With a very favorable remaining ACC schedule, the Tigers are certainly on pace for a BCS bowl game. And if Boyd can continue to sling the ball all over the field to his talented corps of receivers, like freshman sensation Sammy Watkins, he just may hear his name called in New York City come December.
Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin
Wilson’s candidacy certainly took a major blow in Saturday’s gut-wrenching loss to Michigan State. Despite going up 14-0 early in the first half, the Badgers quickly unraveled, due in large part to a series of poor plays from Wilson. The senior threw two costly interceptions, took a bad safety, and missed several open receivers en route to the ultimate 31-37 defeat, Wisconsin’s first of the season. Wilson just did not look like the star we had seen all year. He did, however, manage a decent statistical game, throwing for 223 yards and two scores and adding one rushing touchdown. Wilson’s Heisman campaign, arguably more than any other candidate’s, hinges on team success, as his numbers simply are not as impressive as those of Luck, Moore, and Boyd. While one loss surely does not doom his hopes, Saturday was definitely a major setback.
Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
The Crimson Tide star had another typically solid game in Saturday’s victory over SEC rival Tennessee, rushing for 77 yards and two touchdowns, giving him 17 on the season (2nd in the nation). Richardson has yet to have an explosive game in terms of yards, but this can be accredited to the strength of the defenses he and the Tide are facing. He is doing exactly what everyone expected – putting the ball in the end zone and wearing down opponents. With the most-anticipated game of the year looming against number one LSU (Nov. 5th), Richardson will have a chance to prove once and for all that he is the nation’s premier running back against a stout Tigers defense.
On the Outside Looking In:
Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
Case Keenum, QB, Houston
Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State
Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
Closer Look: Sammy Watkins
Watkins has quickly emerged as Tahj Boyd’s favorite target in the undefeated Tigers’ offense. His nine receiving scores are tied for tops in the nation and he ranks seventh in yards. And, oh yeah, he is eighteen years old. The highly-touted recruit from Fort Myers has exceeded any and all expectations and is having one of the best seasons by a true freshman in ACC history. Watkins has already broken eleven school records and is showing no signs of slowing up. He boasts four 100-yard receiving games and is also a major factor in the return and running games for the Tigers. At 6’2″ 210lbs, the imposing Watkins is able to size up smaller cornerbacks, as well as run past bigger safeties with his blistering 4.4 speed. While the Heisman may be a tall order for the freshman wideout, he is certainly making a serious case for the Biletnikoff and ACC Freshman of the Year awards.
