Heisman Watch – Week 9

2. Julian Sayin, Ohio State, Quarterback, Sophomore

The most accurate passer in college football and his Buckeyes were off this week. Sayin was electric last week and is one of the best. In the end, he’ll be passed over for playing for Ohio State, having too many elite players to throw to, and because the Buckeyes aren’t concerned with any trophy other than a second one like the one they brought home back in January.

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

Love’s biggest problem is his teammate, Jadarian Price. If he had half of Price’s numbers added to his own, he’d be at the top of this list. College is like the pros now, though, in that most teams try to use two primary running backs (it worked for Ohio State last year). I’d like to see Notre Dame give Love the bulk of the carries in November to see if he can bring home a Heisman, and get back to splitting time with Price when playoff time rolls around.

4. Ty Simpson, Alabama, Quarterback, Junior

Simpson looked mortal against South Carolina, yet he still didn’t throw any interceptions, but he did fumble. Ty Simpson is great, and the rest of college football has him in the top two with Mendoza, but I just think Love and Sayin are playing better right now. Simpson had 253 yards and two touchdowns in the comeback over South Carolina. This year, he is 177 of 261 for 2,184 yards and 20 touchdown passes. He’s thrown only one pick and also has two rushing touchdowns. Alabama is off this week and will play LSU, who just fired their head coach, on November 8^th.

5. Blake Horvath, Navy, Quarterback, Senior

Horvath is eighth in the nation in rushing yards with 814 yards. He’s second in rushing touchdowns with 12. His rushing stats alone should have him in this conversation. Add that he’s thrown for 1,063 yards and seven touchdown passes, and that his team is one of six undefeated teams remaining, headed into November, and he’s in the top five for the Heisman at the moment.

In the Race

Haynes King, Georgia Tech, Quarterback, Senior

King had his best game of the season as he got Georgia Tech to 8-0. He was 25 of 31 for 304 yards and three touchdowns. King also had 12 carries for 91 yards and two touchdowns in their 41-16 win over Syracuse. On the season, King is 133 of 184 for 1,480 yards and seven touchdown passes. King has 113 carries for 651 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing the ball. Georgia Tech plays at NC State next week.

Drew Mestemaker, North Texas, Quarterback, Freshman

Mestemaker had a record-setting day for both North Texas and the American Conference. He was 37 of 49 for 608 yards and four touchdown passes. Mestemaker now owns the North Texas and American Conference record for passing yards in a single game. The true freshman is also the nation’s leading passer. This year, he is 195 of 286 for 2,468 yards and 25 total touchdowns (21 passing, four rushing).

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, Wide Receiver, Sophomore

Smith and the Buckeyes were off this week. Smith is going to need some big games statistically to get back to the front of this race. His candidacy will hinge on whether he can lead Ohio State to beat michgian, and win a Big Ten title.

Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt, Quarterback, Senior

Diego Pavia is tough to gauge. He struggled in the win over Missouri and the loss to Alabama. His best game was against an LSU team that was beaten even worse by Texas A&M, and fired their head coach. Pavia, however, still has 1,698 passing yards and 15 touchdowns with 458 more yards on the ground with five rushing touchdowns, and he’s doing it at Vandy. That alone keeps him in the top ten.

Cam Cook, Jacksonville State, Running Back, Junior

Cook was off this week, and he’ll need to do two things to be taken seriously in this conversation. The first is to have Jacksonville State win out. The second is to average 150+ yards and two-plus touchdowns the rest of the way as well.

The Mainstream Media’s Heisman Top 5

This is how I think the Heisman vote would turn out if it were done today. My vote is above, but this is how I think the rest of the nation sees things right now.

1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, Quarterback, Junior

2. Ty Simpson, Alabama, Quarterback, Junior

3. Julian Sayin, Ohio State, Quarterback, Sophomore

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

5. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt, Quarterback, Senior