Heisman Trophy watch, Week 6

It seems like just yesterday that college football graced us with the sweet relief from the dog days of summer, but we are already nearly halfway through the regular season, and Heisman candidates are feeling the burn of a long year. Some of the top players are beginning to run into tougher opponents who are testing their fortitude, and some are starting to tumble from the top of the race for the most prestigious individual trophy in the country.

Others, however, will rise to the occasion, and there were a few who did that in Week 6 of the college football season. One running back shined, while a quarterback came back from a bye week to show he is ready for a second-half push that would take him and his team to another level of the national spotlight. With the year heading into a pivotal stretch, these players stepped up to help their schools remain successful, while others are coming apart at the seams.

Here are five players who added to their Heisman cases this week:

Joe Burrow, LSU

Watch out, folks. Offense is apparently here to stay in Baton Rouge. One week after the bye, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow got back on track to rewriting the offensive record books with a strong showing against Utah State.

Burrows became the first LSU quarterback to throw for 300 yards in four straight games and added five touchdowns en route to a beatdown of the Aggies in Louisiana. With 1,864 passing yards and 22 touchdowns through five games, he has a good chance of breaking the school’s single-season records in those categories.

The Tigers are undefeated heading into their highly anticipated matchup against Florida. A win against the Gators could further add to his legend and help his Heisman résumé.

Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin

Kent State knew it was in for a battle when it scheduled Wisconsin back in August 2017. However, it probably didn’t know Badger running back Jonathan Taylor was going to be this unstoppable heading into his junior year. They sure know now.

Taylor continues to pound his way through games and show he’s worthy of the Heisman Trophy. He tallied 186 rushing yards and a career-high five total touchdowns against the Golden Flash, leaving no doubt who is in the driver’s seat for the best running back in the country. He leads the nation in total touchdowns from scrimmage and isn't letting anyone stop him from hitting pay dirt every game.

Still, with Wisconsin’s non-conference schedule complete, there are few soft matchups on the horizon for the Badgers. Fortunately, with Taylor running like a mad man on the field, they have a chance in every one of those tough games.

Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma

Head coach Les Miles may have people excited about where the Kansas Jayhawks can go in the future, but presently, teams are still having him for lunch on the field, Oklahoma being the latest. The Sooners went to Lawrence and left with a win on the strength of another solid performance by quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Hurts threw for 228 yards and notched two passing touchdowns with Miles watching helplessly from the sidelines. The former Alabama quarterback also added a rushing score to bring his total touchdowns responsible for up to 20 through five games.

The Red River Shootout is up next for Oklahoma, and Hurts will be ready to put on a show against a fellow Heisman contender.

Sam Ehlinger, Texas

Coming off a bye week, Texas was at risk to overlook West Virginia on the road — the Red River Shootout is next week, after all. However, with its hometown hero playing like a Heisman Trophy candidate, the Longhorns came out on top.

Austin native Sam Ehlinger wasn’t as accurate as he had been in previous games, but that didn’t stop him from notching another 211 passing yards and two touchdowns against the Mountaineers. His two rushing touchdowns also contributed to Texas’ 42-31 win, helping the team stay undefeated in conference play.

Next on his plate is Jalen Hurts and Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl with the entire country watching. He fell short in his first national matchup against LSU, but he has the game to go toe-to-toe against Hurts and come out with a win.

Justin Fields, Ohio State

The sophomore quarterback struggled at times while playing a team stronger than those he’s seen since the beginning of the season. Still, that didn’t stop him from helping the Buckeyes win in convincing in fashion against then No. 25 Michigan State.

Fields chipped in 206 yards through the air for two scores and added another touchdown on a goal-line run that ended up being the final score of the game. With Tua Tagovailoa taking a break this week, he climbed to the top of the heap in total touchdowns responsible for in the country.

Ohio State has another tough matchup against Northwestern, and it will need Fields to be sharp if the team is to continue its run of success.