Heisman Watch: Week 13

Story posted November 26, 2013 in CommRadio, Sports by Tyler Zulli

Front Runners

Jameis Winston, Freshman QB, Florida State

Stock: EVEN
Week 13 Stats: 14-25, 225 yards, 4 TD
Season Stats: 199-286, 3163 yards, 32 TD, 7 INT, 3 rush TD

If it wasn’t for the off-the-field troubles that have plagued Winston the last few weeks, the Heisman chase would be all but over. With a second loss for Oregon, Baylor’s first loss and Texas A&M losing again, Florida State is the only undefeated team with a Heisman hopeful at the helms.

Winston and the ‘Noles torched lowly Idaho Saturday, for a school record 80 points, pushing their record to a perfect 11-0. They still remain second in the BCS standings, behind just Alabama.

For the third game in a row, the freshman didn’t finish a full four quarters, because of lopsided scores. The backup, Sean Macguire, led multiple FSU drives in the fourth quarter, while Winston hung out on the bench with no worry in the world.

While on the field, however, Winston was good once again. He threw for 225 yards and added four scores through the air. He completed only 14 passes, but that’s more predicated on the matchup. The running backs ran for four scores, and took much of the pressure off Winston all day.

The Seminoles have just one game remaining, against in-state rival Florida, a team that has struggled this year to remain consistent. Like I mentioned last week, the ‘Noles will most likely take on Duke in the ACC Championship Game. Two wins will all but guarantee them a National Title appearance.

Two wins, and no added problems off the field, should clinch a Heisman Trophy for the freshman quarterback. Football won’t hinder his chances. It’s the off-the-field troubles that scare me.

Marcus Mariota, Sophomore QB, Oregon

Stock: EVEN
Week 13 Stats: 27-41, 308 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, 52 rush yards Season Stats: 210-326, 3127 yards, 27 TD, 2 INT, 9 rush TD

Mr. Perfect has finally cracked. In an upset victory for Arizona, Oregon’s quarterback Marcus Mariota threw two interceptions, his first two of the season. Arizona’s defense was finally able to figure out the sophomore, who attempted almost 300 passes, before finally connecting with a defensive player.

Outside of the two interceptions, Mariota wasn’t terrible. He completed almost two-thirds of his passes on the night and threw for over 300 yards. He also added two touchdowns through the air. It simply wasn’t the Mariota-esque game that we’ve come to expect.

Arizona beat down on Oregon at home, 42-16. It wasn’t a major upset, as Arizona is now 7-4, but it definitely was not expected, as Oregon was trying to crawl it’s way back into the BCS picture.

Oregon has just one game left to get to double-digit wins for the sixth straight season. That final game comes against in-state rival Oregon State, on the road. It’s a much tougher game than advertised, and the Ducks need to be on upset alert.

Mariota will presumably declare for the NFL Draft at the end of the year.

Second Tier

Johnny Manziel, Sophomore QB, Texas A&M

Stock: EVEN
Week 13 Stats: 16-41, 224 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT,
Season Stats: 246-356, 3537 yards, 32 TD, 13 INT, 8 rush TD

Well, that was the one thing Johnny Football couldn’t have. In order for his Heisman hopes to remain in tact, Manziel needed to lead the Aggies to wins. He simply couldn’t afford to lose again this year. Not only did A&M lose, they got embarrassed by LSU, 34-10, for their third loss of the year.

The biggest hit on Manziel’s candidacy may have been the loss itself, but the way he played didn’t help at all. Manziel threw for just 224 yards and one touchdown. He threw two picks on the day and only completed 39% of his passes. The reigning Heisman winner simply wasn’t sharp at all.

The Heisman Trophy may be out of Manziel’s reach at this point, but nine wins and a bowl victory are not. The Aggies need to finish the season

strong, and pick up 10 wins (with a bowl win). The sophomore needs to be the leader of that team, and (presumably) finish out his collegiate career on a high note.

The Aggies will take on #8 Missouri to close out the regular season. It’s obviously nowhere near an easy victory, but it’s one I expect Manziel to pick up. He’ll be fired up and ready to play. That’s what happens to a guy who’s playing for pride and has nothing to lose.

Ka’Deem Carey, Junior RB, Arizona

Stock: UP
Week 13 Stats: 48 carries, 206 yards, 4 TD                                                                                          Season Stats: 290 carries, 1559 yards, 16 TD

So much for the Bryce Petty hype. After a big-time loss at the hands of Oklahoma State, Baylor fell from the ranks of the unbeaten, falling to 9-1 on the year. That record was helping Petty’s Heisman hope tremendously. With the loss, in steps Ka’Deem Carey.

Carey has sat in my Honorable Mentions list for the last few weeks, and now finally makes the jump to fourth on the list. Petty’s struggles, combined with Carey’s strong play, are what vault him to this spot.

Carey, and the rest of the Arizona Wildcats, thrashed Oregon this weekend. The junior was a major part of that. He shouldered the load offensively all night for Arizona, carrying the football 48 times. Any back that’s able to carry the ball 48 times in a single game has some major workhorse ability.

48 carries brings significant stats. Carey rushed for over 200 yards and found the endzone four times on the ground. He now has rushed for well over 1,500 yards and has punched the ball in 16 times. His stock is quickly rising throughout the college football world.

Carey’s downfall is the record of Arizona. The Wildcats only have seven victories to their credit thus far. They play in a very tough Pac 12, however, and now have a quality victory over Oregon.

I can’t imagine Carey climbing any higher than this, but he has made quite a run late in the season. Carey will be a very productive NFL back in the near future, whether he declares this year, or next.

Honorable Mention

Bryce Petty, Junior QB, Baylor

AJ McCarron, Senior QB, Alabama

Jordan Lynch, Senior QB, Northern Illinois