NCAA Football Heisman Predictions
Five weeks into the college football season, let’s examine who the frontrunners are for the 2014 Heisman Trophy, awarded to the best player in college football. Cappers Picks provides free College football handicapping tips all season long so keep checking back for more free analysis.
Heisman Forecast
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1. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
The athletic junior pivot has been virtually untouchable so far this campaign. He had a big game in the Week 4 victory over Washington State, a nailbiter that ended 38-31. His dual-threat presence in the Ducks’ offense is almost impossible for opposing defensive co-ordinators to game plan for.
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Mariota currently has 1,135 pass yards with 13 TDs and zero INTs (I know, incredible right?) which is buttressed with 214 rushing yards for three scores and a healthy 6.5 yards per carry average. Mariota’s next test is against the Arizona Wildcats.
2. Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
The junior Gurley looks like a dangerous NFL feature back this instant.
The best defenses in the SEC can’t slow this guy down, as evidenced by his 9.8 yards per carry thus far.
If anything, Georgia’s running game is so effective that it might dim his candidacy a bit, because he’s not getting many touches. Gurley had 73 rush yards on just six carries versus Troy last week.
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There’s no doubting Gurley’s size, athleticism and talent, but racking up several TDs over the next few weeks would definitely boost his push for the Heisman.
3. Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska
The explosive, experienced senior in Lincoln always had his critics, but he’s silenced them with his play in 2014.
Abdullah rushed for a crazy 224 yards and two scores in last week’s victory against the Miami Hurricanes. He also single-handedly won a heart-palpitating game versus FCS opponent McNeese State with a last-second 55 yard scamper for the winning TD.
Abdullah has literally put the Cornhuskers on his back in a slumping Big Ten this season; #21 Nebraska sits unbeaten at 4-0 and the veteran RB deserves to be recognized for it. The Blackshirts next do battle against Illinois.
4. Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
There’s always been ink spilled about ‘Bama’s dizzyingly deep defense and raucous RBs, but the Tide’s passing game should get some love, thanks to Cooper.
In a game that always seems to be developing more of a slant towards passing, Cooper leads the nation in receptions (43) and receiving yards (655). The junior caught 10 balls for 201 yards and three majors in an important game versus Florida last week, which looked a little hairy for Alabama in the first half, until the put the hammer down and crushed the Gators 42-21.
If Cooper continues to snag passes from the QB duo of Blake Sims and Jake Coker, his candidacy will continue to ascend.
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5. Kenny Hill, QB, Texas A&M
Everyone was assuming the Aggies were taking a big step backwards with the departure of Johnny Manziel and WR Mike Evans this offseason. Yet, the prolific Hill has ensured that A&M is still in the mix.
The sophomore only had to play in the first half in last week’s blowout of the miserable SMU program (an embarrassing 58-6 scoreline) and he still racked up 265 passing yards and a couple of scores.
He currently has 1,359 passing yards with 13 TDs and only one pick. Hill is also completing his passes at almost a 70% clip. Pretty impressive for an underclassman and first-year starter.
Darkhorse: Everett Golson, QB, Notre Dame
The storied Irish have a guy under center who just knows how to win. Golson led Notre Dame to an impressive shutout of Michigan at home earlier this year, and he’s kept up the good vibes while guiding the Irish to a pretty 3-0 record.
Check out our Updated College Football Week 5 Odds.
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