Week Four: Heisman Watch
As conference schedules begin, the race for the Heisman Trophy is heating up. Check out our analysts’ Heisman candidates.
Stephen’s Pick - Lamar Jackson
If you have yet to tune in to a college football game this season, you could be filled in on what you’ve missed with two words: Lamar. Jackson.
The ringleader of Louisville’s upstart spread offense has the Cards rolling to a 3-0 record, and a No. 3 ranking in the AP Poll. After this week’s thorough 63-20 embarrassing of Jimbo Fisher and the formerly second-ranked Florida State, the Cardinals, now the team to beat in the ACC, are averaging 65 points per game.
This weekend, Jackson completed 13 passes on 20 attempts for 216 yards (1 TD, 1 INT), while racking up 146 yards on the turf, and a mind-boggling four rushing touchdowns.
Stephen’s Pick - Patrick Mahomes
Texas Tech’s prolific, junior playcaller Patrick Mahomes makes his first appearance on the watch following an out-of-conference schedule through which he has led the nation in total offense (1,631 yards), passing yards/game (497.7 yards), passing touchdowns (14), and total touchdowns (18 - tied with Lamar Jackson).
After an easy start to the season, Mahomes’ Heisman meddle will be tested when his 2-1 Red Raiders find themselves in Big 12 play starting with cakewalk Kansas.
George’s Pick - Leonard Fournette
Leonard Fournette missed LSU’s second game of the season against Jacksonville State with an ankle injury, but showed no ill effects last week. Against Mississippi State, Fournette recorded his first two touchdowns of the season and finished with 147 rushing yards.
Thanks to his ankle injury, Fournette is falling behind on the stat sheet. The former Heisman favorite will need a big game against an Auburn defense that allows more than 150 rushing yards per game. With a tough conference schedule to close out the season (including Alabama) Fournette needs to pick it up if he ever wishes to hoist the Heisman.
George’s Pick - J.T. Barrett
Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett has already thrown 10 touchdowns this season, while giving up just one interception. Even more impressive are his 159 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
The Buckeyes are currently on their bye week, and will face Rutgers October 1 at the Horseshoe. Rutgers has allowed nearly 1,100 yards of total offense in three games, setting up for a rested Barrett to go off.
Joe’s Pick - Christian McCaffrey
Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey has started off the season with a bang as he has recorded over 400 yards of total offense in two games this season. The USC game showed all of his talents as he recorded 238 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns.
McCaffrey has been catching the ball well out of the backfield this season and has been scoring an average of two touchdowns a game. That trend should continue next week as Stanford take on UCLA, a team that should provide little resistance to McCaffrey.
Stephen Clouse is a Freshman majoring in broadcast journalism at Penn State. To contact him, email stephengclouse@gmail.com.
George Stockburger is a senior majoring in journalism with a focus in broadcasting. He can be reached at gos5187@psu.edu
Joseph Esquivel-Murphy is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism and Spanish. To contact him, email him at jje5139@psu.edu.
