Heisman Watch – Week 10

2. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, Quarterback, Junior

Mendoza is 166 of 224 for 2,124 yards and 25 touchdown passes. He is 22^nd in the nation in yards, 5th in completion percentage (72.3), and 2^nd in touchdowns. He also has 220 yards and four touchdowns rushing the ball. In most of the nation, I believe Mendoza is the frontrunner. The rarity and turnaround of what the Hoosiers are doing is capturing hearts, and rightfully so. Indiana has become a football school in less than two seasons. The Hoosiers are on the road against Penn State this Saturday.

3. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame, Running Back, Junior

The nation’s best running back is in South Bend, Indiana. Jeremiyah Love has an uphill battle for the Heisman, since his competitors can play a 13^th game, and he can not before the Heisman voting. He is also sharing his carries with another talented back. Love is still having a fantastic season. He has 141 carries for 894 yards and 11 touchdowns. Love also has 23 catches for 227 yards and three touchdowns receiving. Love and Notre Dame take on Navy this Saturday.

4. Ty Simpson, Alabama, Quarterback, Junior

Simpson had the week off and is 177 for 261 for 2,184 yards and 22 total touchdowns. They’ll play LSU this Saturday to try to stay undefeated in the SEC.

5. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, Wide Receiver, Sophomore

Smith has 55 catches for 725 yards and 10 total touchdowns. That’s 11^th, 12^th, and tied for 3^rd in the nation. He’s doing that while constantly facing double coverage and shares the pass-catching duties with another all-American in Carnell Tate. Smith had six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns against Penn State. If that’s a sign of things to come this month, he and Sayin will be at the front of this race together.

The above is my current vote for the Heisman. But, I believe the rest of the college football world sees it like this:

1. Fernando Mendoza
2. Julian Sayin
3. Ty Simpson
4. Jeremiyah Love
5. Jeremiah Smith

In the Race

Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss, Running Back, Sophomore

Lacy has been quietly great for Ole Miss this season. He’ll need them to make the SEC title game, and maybe win the conference to get the Heisman but he is doing his part to make them get there. He had 24 carries for 167 yards and a touchdown against South Carolina. On the season, he has 189 carries for 863 yards and is second in the nation in rushing touchdowns with 13. Ole Miss has their SEC November FCS Layup this week against the Citadel.

Drew Mestemaker, North Texas, Quarterback, Freshman

Mestemaker had his lowest output of the season against Navy. He was 19 of 24 for 234 yards and no touchdowns. More importantly, he didn’t turn the football over, and he got North Texas the win. The Mean Green beat Navy, 31-17. This puts them in a tie for first place in the American and on track for a playoff berth. Mestemaker is 214 of 310 for 2,702 yards and 25 total touchdowns.

Haynes King, Georgia Tech, Quarterback, Senior

It’s not King’s fault Georgia Tech got their first loss. Haynes King had 511 total yards and four touchdowns, and the Tech offense scored 36. The problem was that the Georgia Tech defense gave up 48. King’s Heisman hopes and Tech’s playoff hopes are still very much alive. Haynes King has 1,888 yards and nine touchdowns passing. He also has 754 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing. His yards are the 22 ^nd most in the nation, and his rushing touchdowns are first. Georgia Tech will have a bye week before playing Boston College on the 15^th.

Blake Horvath, Navy, Quarterback, Senior

Horvath continued his great season running the football in Navy’s first loss against North Texas, but his two interceptions passing were killers in the 31-17 loss. The good news for Horvath and Navy is they still have all their goals in front of them, just no more room for error. So far this year, Horvath has 138 carries for 926 yards (5^th in the nation) and 13 touchdowns (2^nd in the nation). He’s also thrown for 1,143 yards and seven touchdowns. Navy has a huge game at Notre Dame this Saturday.

Cam Cook, Jacksonville State, Running Back, Junior

The Conference USA cruise missile has gone over 100 total yards in every game this season for Jax State. He had 21 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown, and 21 receiving yards in JSU’s 24-21 win over Middle Tennessee. Cook is still a national leader this season. He has 181 attempts for 1,054 yards and 11 touchdowns, with 188 receiving yards. He is first in rushing yards and third in rushing touchdowns nationally. Next, he and Jacksonville State look to say perfect in their conference against UTEP on Saturday.