College football: Heisman watch, Week 5

Nearly halfway through the season, the Heisman Trophy picture is coming into focus. There's plenty of game tape now to clarify who the serious contenders will be in December. Still, players continue to jostle for position at the top, especially with bye weeks sitting down some of the top candidates for the trophy.

Quarterbacks Sam Ehlinger and Joe Burrow have piled up some huge numbers so far but had Week 5 off. With their absences, another player thrust himself into the national spotlight with a big performance.

The regular season is nearly halfway done, but the battle for the Heisman Trophy is just beginning to heat up. Here are five players who helped their cases the most in Week 5.

For up-to-date betting odds for the Heisman Trophy winner, visit BetOnline.ag.

Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama

The Crimson Tide’s Hawaiian quarterback has been so dominant during his time in Tuscaloosa that he’s starting to break his own records. Alabama is more than happy to reap the benefits of what’s looking like another historical season from its signal-caller.

Tagovailoa notched six passing touchdowns against Ole Miss on Saturday, a school record, and he added a rushing touchdown to bring his total to seven for the day. He also set another school record, throwing five or more scores in three straight games. In addition to all of that, he leads the country in most passing touchdowns as he heads into the team's bye week.

Texas A&M is next on the docket in two weeks, but with Tagovailoa getting an extra week to prepare and rest, it doesn’t look like the Aggies will be able to stop his march to rewrite the record books.

Justin Fields, Ohio State

Five weeks into the season, Ohio State has looked like one of the most complete teams in the country, and Justin Fields has helped enormously in the team earning that designation.

On the road in Nebraska, Fields got the Buckeyes off to a fast start with a 15-yard rushing score less than five minutes into the game. He finished the game with 212 yards and three scores in the passing game to up his total touchdowns to 23, which is good for second in the entire country.

Ohio State has beaten lesser teams so far this year but has Michigan State coming into Columbus next week. If Fields shows this same production against a strong Big 10 team like the Spartans, he could help his Heisman candidacy immensely.

Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin

Wisconsin keeps chugging along and so does its stud running back, and there aren’t a lot of teams that have been able to slow down Jonathan Taylor.

Northwestern was the latest to try its best to stop him but couldn’t keep the highly touted back contained. Taylor ended the day with his fourth straight 100-yard rushing game. He also accounted for one score, bringing his total touchdown number to 11, tied for the best in the nation for most touchdowns from scrimmage.

With Kent State of the Mid-American Conference coming to town next week, Taylor could add to his score total and take the sole lead at the top of the category.

Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma

As much as Kyler Murray achieved at Oklahoma, he never passed for 300 yards in a half. It took Jalen Hurts four games to accomplish that feat.

By the end of the first half against Texas Tech, Hurts had 308 passing yards, two passing scores and one rushing touchdown. He would finish the game with 485 total yards and four total scores. His big-play potential has been powering the Sooners against their opponents, leading the country in passing yards per attempt and passer efficiency rating.

Oklahoma travels to Kansas next week where he has a good chance to continue piling up numbers and add another win.

Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State

While Taylor has dominated the national conversation around Heisman-worthy running backs, he isn’t even the most productive runner in the country. That honor belongs to Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard.

The Canadian ball carrier from Sherwood Park, Alberta, leads the country with 938 rushing yards. A majority were gained against undefeated Kansas State, where he sped his way to nearly 300 yards. It was his third 200-plus-yards rushing performance this season. He also scored a touchdown, bringing his total to 10 for the year.

The Cowboys head to Lubbock next week to face off against Texas Tech. If he continues to have performances like this, Taylor won’t be the only running back in the Heisman discussion.