The Buzz: Heisman news and views

The 2015 Heisman race is entering its FINAL week. Continuing our traditional 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.

(Disclaimer — The Heisman Trophy Trust and Heisman.com does not endorse any college football player for the Heisman Memorial Trophy. The information contained here serves as a platform of information for fans and media, and is not intended to contain a definitive and comprehensive list of possible contenders.)

The Buzz…

Heisman Watch Watch

The second week of Heisman voting has begun! Only one more week of games remain to influence the Heisman electorate one way or the other. The voting deadline is Dec. 7, with the finalists to be announced at 6 p.m. ET on the same date. The 81st Heisman Trophy will be awarded on Saturday, Dec. 12.

This time next week, we’ll be talking about the finalists heading to New York.

For now, the media seems to be coalescing behind Alabama running back Derrick Henry, who has rushed for 1,797 yards and 22 touchdowns this season … The junior leads with Sports Illustrated, ESPN, The Sporting News and FoxSports … Others writing in his favor include Ivan Maisel, the Chattanooga Free-Press andBleacher Report … A quartet of players are receiving the most noise in pursuit:Dalvin Cook of FSU, Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma, Christian McCaffrey of Stanford and Deshaun Watson of Clemson … Cook could have a late surge, writes theOrlando Sentinel … “Open your eyes,” says his coach, Jimbo Fisher … Mayfield’s coach, Bob Stoops, says his quarterback is as ‘deserving as anyone‘ of the Heisman … Did he have a ‘Heisman moment’ just by making a block? … McCaffreybroke Reggie Bush’s Pac-12 record for single-season all-purpose yards against Notre Dame … He also made a big move in last week’s USA Today Heisman poll … It’s always been a dream for Watson to go to the Heisman ceremony … Watson is seen as a top five college QB by Pro Football Focus.

Campaign Watch

Three Heisman web sites have been launched so far:

Stanford has built this nifty website for Christian McCaffrey

Florida State created this cool website on behalf of Dalvin Cook.

And now Oklahoma has this remarkable site touting Baker Mayfield.

Heisman Dinner reminder…

Interested in attending the 81st Heisman dinner? Want to witness college football history in person? You can buy tickets here.

NFL Heisman Update

Another week, another win for Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. Newton and Co. moved to 11-0 with a 33-14 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Newton was 16 of 27 for 183 yards and also rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown. He might be the first Heisman winner to win an NFL MVP award since Barry Sanders did so in 1997.

* Carson Palmer was 24 of 40 for 271 yards with a rushing touchdown in Arizona’s 19-13 win over San Francisco.
* Charles Woodson had three tackles as the Raiders beat the Titans, 24-21.
* In the loss to the Raiders, Marcus Mariota had 218 yards on 17 of 37 passing with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
* Jameis Winston was 20 of 36 for 245 yards with one TD and one pick as the Bucs fell to the Colts, 25-12.
* Mark Ingram had 52 yards on nine carries and six catches for 45 yards as the Saints lost to the Texans, 24-6.

Johnny Manziel and Cleveland plays tonight, though Manziel has been demoted from his starting job. Sam Bradford is still injured for the Eagles.

Odds and Ends

Here’s a good story on Heisman campaigns from Nicole Auerbach of USA Today … How current candidates project as NFL prospects … Troy Smith is coming out with a hangover-relief drink … A look back at Hawaii’s Heisman winner … Roger Staubach says Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds is the most valuable player in the country … Here’s a Jay Berwanger autographed football … Tim Tebow was in North Little Rock, Ark., this past Sunday .

Heisman footage of the week

The Dick Kazmaier years at Princeton: