The Buzz: The latest Heisman news and views
Week four of the college football season was another great one. Time to take a look to see what’s happening in the Heisman world…
(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
Fall is officially here as is the latest update on Heisman odds after Week 4, as reported by 247sports.
The Athletic put out its latest straw poll among staffers – voting Heisman award style with 3 points for first, 2 for second, 1 for third. Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts – with the Sooners off this past week – tops the list with LSU QB Joe Burrow and Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa almost in a dead heat in second and third.
Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated ranked his top four Heisman contenders after Week 4, including Hurts, Burrow, Tagovailoa and Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor.
“Burrow has not only been prolific through the air (380 yards a game), but he’s been exceptionally sharp, completing a nation-leading 80.6% of his passes. ” – Ross Dellenger
Forbes dispatched its updated Heisman musings, including Notre Dame QB Ian Book in the mix.
Fansided has its latest top 10 rankings out for Heisman contenders, with two wideouts and a defensive end on the list.
Cleveland.com asked “What would a Heisman Trophy campaign look like” for said defensive end – Ohio State’s Chase Young. These are what his sacks look like, thanks to @OhioStateOnBTN.
“Young might not be worried about chasing something nearly impossible for his position to accomplish, but his teammates are aware of what he’s on pace to do. Through four games he’s recorded 14 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks — which is tied for first in the country — and two forced fumbles.” – Cleveland.com
@OhioStateOnBTN also shouted out to Young’s Buckeye teammate Justin Fields and how the Heisman candidate accounted for 6 TDs in one quarter Saturday.
SaturdayTradition.com took a look at Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor’s Heisman chances after his 203-yard Week 4 output.
WVLA reporter Brian Holland in Louisiana extrapolated what LSU’s Joe Burrow’s stats would like if he maintained his torrid four-game pace.
Clemson Heisman candidates QB Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne had modest efforts in the Tigers’ win over Charlotte as Coach Dabo Swinney limited their action in the lopsided affair, reported the Times and Democrat.
The New York Times looked at Georgia’s national title hopes after Bulldog Heisman candidates quarterback Jake Fromm and running back– and amateur hurdler – D’Andre Swift led Georgia to a huge win over Notre Dame.
Heisman winner Tim Tebow made his pick on who the best player in college football is right now.
Sad news from the weekend as mourned the loss of Ohio State Heisman Trophy winner “Hopalong” Cassady, who died at 85. The Buckeyes honored Cassady with helmet decals during their win over Miami (Ohio).
One more Ohio State note – and an uplifting one at that. Two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin donated 50 tickets to Saturday’s Buckeye game to underprivileged youths in Cincinnati.
NFL Heisman Update
Arizona QB Kyler Murray completed 30-of-43 passes for 173 yards, two scores and two interceptions in a loss to Carolina. The Panthers won despite playing without injured Heisman winner Cam Newton.
Cleveland QB Baker Mayfield helped lead the Browns to a 13-10 fourth-quarter lead before the Rams scored the game’s final 10 points. He finished 18-of-36 for 195 yards with one score and one pick.
Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson led a valiant comeback attempt at Kansas City in a Ravens loss. He completed 22-of-43 passes for 267 yards with 46 rushing yards. RB Mark Ingram (2009) ran for 103 yards (his second 100-yard game this year) on just 16 carries, scoring three TDs.
Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston had a huge game for the Bucs, completing 23-of-37 passes for 380 yards and three scores, but Tampa still fell by a point to the New York Giants.
On Thursday night, Marcus Mariota and Derrick Henry fell at Jacksonville. Mariota threw for 304 yards on 23-of-40 passing while Henry had 44 yards rushing and a score.
