The Buzz: Heisman news and views

Heisman voters will soon begin the process of selecting this year’s Heisman winner, which means all eyes are on some of the best players in college football as the season heads into its final month. As part of a new weekly feature on Heisman.com, we’ve rounded up the latest news and updates from around the media world to help keep you posted on what’s happening with current contenders and past winners.

The Buzz…

NBCSports.com says that Oregon’s Marcus Mariota has emerged as the Heisman favorite after the Ducks quarterback accounted for four touchdowns and 343 yards of offense in his team’s 45-16 victory over Stanford. That performance should answer questions about whether Mariota is ‘too nice’, writes John Conzano of The Oregonian.

On Saturday, Mariota punished Stanford. Not for beating him last season. But because this season they stood in his way. That’s what a fierce competitor does. You can point to an offensive line that played physical, and running backs who ran with alacrity, but in the end, Mariota was the biggest difference between Oregon and Stanford.

Meanwhile, RantsSports.com’s Tim Letcher writes that Mississipi State’s Dak Prescott had a ‘Heisman moment’ against Arkansas. The junior threw for 331 yards and ran for 61 while playing on an injured leg to help the Bulldogs escape the upset, 17-10.

This is the type of performance that Heisman Trophy voters will remember. A player at less than 100 percent, gutting out a performance that would make Willis Reed and Michael Jordan proud.

Washington linebacker Shaq Thompson notched 215 all-purpose yards as a running back to help lead the Huskies over Colorado, prompting the Washington Post’s Chuck Culpepper to say that Thompson deserves to go to New York. Bleacher Report thinks Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall’s clutch play should send him to the Big Apple, too. Sports Illustrated agrees, calling Marshall a ‘rising contender’.

While there’s lots of talk about quarterbacks competing for the Heisman — after all, signal callers have 12 of the last 13 trophies — but what about the pure running backs? This season features several highly-productive runners, with some having a chance to crack the 2,000-yard mark. The history of 2,000-yard running back Heismans is a rich one as Marcus Allen, Mike Rozier, Rashaan Salaam and Ricky Williams all hit that mark during their trophy-winning seasons. Here’s a list of the backs who have a fighting chance to join that elite club by the time Heisman votes are due:

* — includes a potential appearance in a conference title game.

* — includes a potential appearance in a conference title game.

Speaking of Ameer Abdullah, he suffered a mild knee sprain that knocked him out almost the entire game against Purdue last week, but he should be back in time for the big showdown with Melvin Gordon and Wisconsin on Nov. 15.

Oh, and in case you missed it, Arkansas made a fake Heisman campaign for its offensive lineman Sebastian Tretola, who threw a touchdown pass last week. Well done, Razborbacks.

Quick links:

The list of school winners for this year’s Wendy’s High School Heisman has been released. The overall winners will be announced in New York along with the winner of the 2014 Heisman Trophy.

Ever wonder where Heisman winners have their trophies stored? Check out this old piece from the Washington Post.

Troy Smith, the 2006 winner from Ohio State, was recently released from the Montreal Alouettes.

Robert Griffin III played well in his return from injury, though the Redskins lost.

Here’s a look back at the 1944 Ohio State team that featured the Buckeyes’ first Heisman winner, Les Horvath.

Earl Campbell, the 1977 winner from Texas, spoke at the First Baptist Church in Conroe, Texas, on Monday as part of its Men’s Power Lunch series.