Heisman hopefuls: Week 6

Winning records and legitimate Heisman Trophy candidates continue to fall, as Week 6 ended with a flurry of close finishes and big performances. A Red River Shootout loss didn't hurt an Oklahoma star's Heisman chances, while the lefty leader of the Crimson Tide kept rolling through an impressive season. College football is heating up, and so is the Heisman Trophy race.

Here are the five candidates who helped their cases the most this week.

Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama Crimson Tide 

It was another early ending for Alabama’s southpaw savant, with the sensational second-year player sitting out the entire fourth quarter after helping the Tide eviscerate the Arkansas Razorbacks. Alabama ended the day with 61 points, buoyed by the native Hawaiian’s 334 yards on 10 of 13 passing and four touchdowns.

Some believe Tagovailoa’s lack of a complete game hurts his chances at winning the Heisman Trophy, while others feel his dominance warrants his short games. Wherever he ends up in the voting, the true sophomore has left fans in awe of his downfield passing and overall arm talent.

Kyler Murray, Oklahoma Sooners 

Even in a loss, Kyler Murray showed he is still worthy of lifting the Heisman. While Oklahoma’s defense was bumbling its way through the Red River Shootout, Murray put the Sooners on his back and nearly got the team over the top.

The Oakland Athletics' draft pick torched Texas with the game on the line, throwing and rushing for touchdowns in the final six minutes to help the Sooners pull even. He finished the game with four passing scores and 304 yards while completing 73.1 percent of his passes. Losses stick out in some voters’ minds, but they can’t overlook performances like this.

Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State Buckeyes 

Being a quarterback is tough, with so many people demanding the ball, but Haskins makes it look easy. The sophomore thrower overcame a plucky Indiana team to complete passes to nine different receivers, keeping everyone fed and happy. He ended the game completing 75 percent of his passes for 455 yards and six aerial scores.

The Buckeyes have championship aspirations, and Haskins has enough juice to carry them there.

Travis Etienne, Clemson Tigers 

Clemson leaned on the running attack for the second straight week, and for the second straight week, Travis Etienne dominated. Three Tigers rushed for over 100 yards, and the sophomore back led the way with 167 yards on 10 attempts, including blistering scoring runs of 59 and 70 yards. He would finish with a game-high three scores.

Clemson’s schedule isn’t too difficult for the remainder of the season, with only one opponent currently ranked in the AP Top 25 Poll. Even though people are excited about quarterback Trevor Lawrence, it’s Etienne who is carrying the team now.

Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado Buffaloes 

For the first time since 1998, the Buffs are 5-0 to start the season and their stud wideout is a huge reason why.

The sophomore sensation burst onto the national scene with a 211-yard performance against Colorado State in Week 1 and hasn’t fallen off the pace. He grabbed 13 catches for 127 yards against Arizona State to help Colorado secure the win. He scored twice through the air and added two rushing touchdowns to really put his stamp on the contest. His 10 total touchdowns from scrimmage is seventh-most in the country. Expect the Buffaloes to keep leaning on him, and expect him to continue to deliver.