NCAA Football Heisman Predictions
Week 8 continued in college football by flipping the national landscape as we know it even further. Traditional powers crumbled under new upstarts – most of them coming from the state of Mississippi.
Heisman Forecast
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The indefinite suspension of Georgia RB Todd Gurley further clouds the waters when predicting the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner. This reflects in our Heisman Tracker, so let’s look at who’s in pole position.
Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State
Another week, another huge win for the Bulldogs. Long a punch-line in the daunting SEC West division, MSU is knocking off big boys like Texas A&M and Auburn thanks to Prescott’s heroics.
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The junior had 367 all-purpose yards and three total TDs in a big win at home against Auburn last week. His dual threat of running and passing and his battering-ram capabilities very much bring former winner Tim Tebow to mind.
If the Bulldogs continue to be near the top of the division, Prescott will stay in the thick of things.
Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor
The senior QB for the Bears is sitting pretty with 1,534 pass yards and a 15-3 TD/INT ratio. He’s sitting prettier because his team is unbeaten. His QB rating is actually down a bit from his stellar 2013 form, but if he keeps getting landmark wins in the Big 12, Petty will merit discussion as a Heisman finalist.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
The slick athleticism of Mariota leads the junior to be on the shortlist yet again this week.
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He had four total TDs in a big win over UCLA this past week, and commanded things with his scrambling ability. He possesses dual threat ability like Prescott, except the MSU pivot is more bash-and-crash, while Mariota is a smooth, fluid athlete.
The fact he has thrown 17 TDs and not a single INT is nothing short of remarkable. You combine that with his nearly 300 yards rushing for one of the Pac-12’s elite programs, and it would surprise no one to hear Mariota’s name called in New York.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Gordon is putting up absolutely stupefying stats in the Badgers’ backfield. He reeled off 175 yards and four TDs against a weak Illinois opponent last Saturday. The big day drives his season totals to 1,046 yards and 14 total TDs. Yes, Wisconsin has only played six games. Cracking 1,000 yards in the first six contests is not a mis-print.
With the completely useless passing game of the Badgers, Wisconsin’s offense goes to Gordon early and often, and still opponents are unable to stop him. Largely because of Gordon, Wisconsin has the second ranked rush offense in the country.
Considering Wisconsin has two losses already in a slumping Big Ten, the peripheral details might not be enough to garner the hardware, but regardless Gordon’s stats will be totally Heisman-worthy.
Bo Wallace, QB, Mississippi
Don’t sleep on the fact that Wallace could leapfrog a few names when it’s all said and done. The senior has 1,700 pass yards and a 15-6 TD/INT, and the recent huge home win versus Alabama really sticks out on the radar as a Heisman moment.
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That said, Wallace has also been prone to bouts of poor play, so he could equally slip off the shortlist with a few brain farts and a loss or two for Ole Miss. But if the Rebels keep winning ballgames, Wallace should be neck and neck with in-state rival Prescott for the accolades.
DARKHORSE: Everett Golson, QB, Notre Dame
It’s weird calling Notre Dame’s signal-caller a “dark horse,” but with only average statistics for the unbeaten Irish, that’s what Golson seems like at this point. However, with a monumental victory against Jameis Winston and Florida State this Saturday, lots could change.
A win and a convincing performance this weekend would definitely see Golson shed his “dark horse” label and emerge on the main stage.
Check out our Updated College Football Week 8 Odds.
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