By Chris Huston 10.24.16

The Buzz: Heisman news and views

Time for our weekly feature that rounds up the latest Heisman news and updates from around the media world.

The Buzz

Here’s what the pundits are saying about the Heisman race as we move into the second half of the 2016 season:

— Louisville QB Lamar Jackson, who totaled 431 yards and 4 TDs vs. NC State, remains atop the Heisman lists at Campus Insiders, FoxSports.com, ESPN, USA Today and CBSSports.com.

— NFL.com compares Jackson’s TD pace with past Heisman winners.

Jackson needs 30 more touchdowns to break Colt Brennan’s record, and if he does so, he’ll have accomplished the feat against a far tougher schedule than what Hawaii faced in 2006. Jackson has five regular season games remaining, plus a bowl game, and perhaps more if Louisville advances to the ACC title game and/or the College Football Playoff.

— The Cardinals QB even struck the Heisman pose during a run on Saturday:

 

 

— Despite missing four games due to injury, LSU RB Leonard Fournette is getting some buzz after rushing for 284 yards on 16 carries against Mississippi.

— Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, who finished fourth in last year’s Heisman vote, is back in the mix after throwing seven touchdown passes against Texas Tech.

Pro Football Focus also took note of Mayfield’s game, and lead Big 12 writerBryson Vesnavergraded him out at 99.9 while running backJoe Mixonand wide receiverDede Westbrookearned ratings of 99.9 and 95.8 respectively.


— Maize’n Brew makes the case for Michigan LB Jabril Peppers.

— Five candidates flying under the radar.

— Local Washington media is hopping on the Jack Browning for Heisman bandwagon.

Yes, Jackson had another big day Saturday, and he’s now thrown for more than 2,000 yards, rushed for more than 900, and accounted for 34 touchdowns. Yet Browning has the edge in passing efficiency (199.6-159.6) and passing touchdowns (26-18). Heck, while Browning may not be a match for Jackson running the ball, he has run for four TDs of his own. Perhaps most importantly, Browning’s team is 7-0 while Jackson’s is 6-1. If Browning leads his team to the College Football Playoff and Louisville misses out, could that be the deciding factor?


— Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen for Heisman?

— The case for Syracuse QB Eric Dungey.

— NCAA.com talks up Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes.

— The Heisman race that wasn’t.

— Joe Tessitore shares his thoughts on this year’s Heisman race.

This weekend’s key games to watch:

— #5 Louisville plays at Virginia on Saturday at noon ET.
— #2 Michigan takes on Michigan State on Saturday at noon ET.
— #4 Washingon is at No. 17 Utah on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
— Northwestern is at #6 Ohio State at 3:30 p.m. ET.
— #16 Oklahoma hosts Kansas at 7 p.m. ET.
— #3 Clemson is at #12 Florida State at 8 p.m. ET.

Tweets of the Week

 

Odds and Ends

— Tim Tebow says he is passionate about the game of baseball.

— Phase 2 of the Wendy’s High School Heisman is due today.

— The man who coached George Rogers was inducted into South Carolina’s Hall of Fame.

— Discussing two-way players and former Heisman candidate Gordie Lockbaum.

— Bo Jackson teased Charles Barkley.

NFL Heisman Update

— Jameis Winston completed 21 of 30 passes for 269 yards and 3 TDs as Tampa Bay beat the 49ers, 34-17.
— Carson Palmer was 29 of 49 for 342 yards in Arizona’s 6-6 tie with Seattle.
— Mark Ingram rushed for 62 yards on 16 carries as New Orleans fell to Kansas City, 27-21.
— Marcus Mariota threw for 232 yards and two TDs, but the Titans lost to the Colts, 34-26.
— Derrick Henry had one carry for 3 yards against the Colts.
— Sam Bradford was 24 of 41 for 224 yards and 1 TD in Minnesota’s 21-10 loss to the Eagles.
— Cam Newton and Carolina had a bye week.

Video of the Week

Outtakes from this year’s Heisman House series…

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