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

Heisman ballots for 2016 are now in the email in-boxes of the voters and the deadline for returning those ballots is Dec. 5, but here’s what the pundits are saying heading into the home stretch of the Heisman race.

— The AJC says that while Louisville’s playoff hopes are shot, quarterback Lamar Jackson still looks good for the Heisman.

— Louisville is doing its best to manage the hype surrounding Jackson.

If there is one singular moment that best defines Jackson’s performance this season, it would have to be when he hurdled a Syracuse defender on his way to one of his five touchdowns during Louisville’s 62-28 rout of the Orange in the second week of the season.
“As soon as that game ended is when we saw an increase of requests for him,” said Gasparro, who says the school gets anywhere from eight to 10 requests a week for him. “We try to do like two or three a week to manage his time properly.”

— DetroitSportsNation contends that the Heisman is in reach for Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers after Jackson’s stumble against Houston. Mike Golic agrees.

— Three candidates could stand to benefit after Houston’s upset of Louisville, writes CBSSports.com.

— Texas has a new site promoting D’Onta Foreman for the Heisman.

— ESPN makes a Heisman case for Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts.

— Could Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett make a late Heisman push?

— Gridiron Now tells us who’s rising and who’s falling in the Heisman race.

— Will San Diego State RB Donnell Pumphrey get invited to New York?

“It would be an honor to be there in New York,” Pumphrey said following a midweek practice last week. “Just to be there with the all-time greats. It would be great for our team as well.”
Asked if he believes he has earned a spot this season, Pumphrey said, “Yeah, I think the way I’ve played speaks for itself.”

— Stewart Mandel’s top 5 includes Oklahoma WR Dede Westbrook and Houston DT Ed Oliver.

— CampusInsiders has its top 10 candidates heading into week 12.

— FSU RB Dalvin Cook is now the Seminoles’ all-time leading rusher.

— Clemson and DeShaun Watson are focused on the ACC title.

— Don’t look now, but Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey is making a late push for Heisman consideration.

Odds and Ends

— An excerpt from Cory McCartney’s excellent new book on the Heisman Trophy.

— Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams recently sang the praises of Texas RB D’Onta Foreman.

— This week in 1966, Steve Spurrier was in NYC to collect the Heisman.

— Someone paid $2,232 for Tim Tebow‘s game-worn Mets jersey.

Tweets of the Week

Hey @HeismanTrophy you need to consider @SpotTheBall_9 for #Heisman just watch some game film and you will be impressed pic.twitter.com/z7esKHvITh
— Mark Eads (@markeads) November 18, 2016

Steve Spurrier along with Tim Tebow & Danny Wuerffel on display outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville #spurrier #gators #heisman pic.twitter.com/hLILW8Cg0S
— Van Lott (@VanWLTX) November 11, 2016

Don’t be surprised if another punt is returned for a touchdown this year… #flashback #heisman #hateohioweek #BEATOHIO pic.twitter.com/qnq3kM1ryG
— Noah Teed (@chefboyarteed) November 21, 2016

NFL Heisman Update

— Jameis Winston threw for 331 yards and a TD and rushed for 22 yards in Tampa Bay’s 19-17 victory over the Chiefs.
— Sam Bradford passed for 169 yards and a TD as the Vikings beat the Cardinals, 30-24.
— Cam Newton threw for 192 yards and a touchdowns as the Panthers beat the Saints, 23-20.
— Mark Ingram rushed for 28 yards on 7 carries as the Saints fell to the Panthers, 23-20.
— Marcus Mariota threw for 290 yards and 2 TDs and rushed for 29 yards as the Titans lost, 24-17, to the Colts.
— Carson Palmer threw for 198 yards and 2 TDs as the Cardinals fell to the Vikings, 30-24.