Unbelievable matchups and impressive performances from Heisman contenders last weekend kept hopes alive for many teams to reach the College Football Playoff.
The upsets last weekend didn’t cause a major change in my Heisman standings, as all five players from my previous edition found their way back on the list. There was a little shuffling in the positions, though. Here’s a look at my Week 5 rankings:
1. RB LEONARD FOURNETTE (LSU)
Fournette became the first player in SEC history to rush for 200 yards in three straight games.
No one can stop Leonard Fournette right now. He keeps piling up a colossal amount of yardage each week. After rushing for 233 yards and three touchdowns against Eastern Michigan last weekend, Fournette became the first player in SEC history to rush for 200 yards in three straight games.
Against South Carolina’s No. 75 run defense in the country this week, the 6-foot-1, 230-pound back could very well make it four games in a row with over 200 yards.
2. QB TREVONE BOYKIN (TCU)
Texas is easily overlooked. However, the 322 passings yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions from Boykin should not be overlooked.
Boykin helped lead the Horned Frogs to a 50-7 romp over Texas last weekend. While that used to mean something, these days, Texas is easily overlooked. However, the 332 passing yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions from Boykin should not be overlooked.
After five games, the Dallas native has thrown for 1,802 yards, 19 touchdowns and only three interceptions. The TCU quarterback has made it look easy at times this season, but Kansas State could cause some problems for Boykin this weekend.
If Boykin can go into Manhattan, Kan., and spoil an upset bid with an impressive performance, he will edge closer to the No. 1 spot on my list.
3. RB EZEKIEL ELLIOTT (OHIO STATE)
The big question for Ohio State right now isn’t whether Elliott has a shot at the Heisman, but rather, how long will the Buckeyes remain undefeated?
After many close calls in five games played, the Buckeyes remain undefeated, thanks to one person – Ezekiel Elliott. Take away the junior running back’s exploits last weekend (274 yards rushing and three touchdowns) and No. 1 Ohio State would have lost to Indiana.
While there’s absolutely no way to explain the woes the Buckeyes are having each week, the one constant has been Elliott. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound RB broke off runs of 55, 65, and 75 yards in crucial moments of the game last weekend.
The big question for Ohio State right now isn’t whether Elliott has a shot at the Heisman, but rather, how long will the Buckeyes remain undefeated? A lot of that will have to do with how much head coach Urban Meyer involves Elliott.
4. WR COREY COLEMAN (BAYLOR)
At this point in the season, [Coleman] is on pace for 72 catches, 1,710 yards and 33 touchdowns.
I’m sure placing Coleman at No. 4 makes me an outlier as far as Heisman rankings are concerned, but how can the Baylor wide receiver not move up after the week he had?
I decided to give Coleman the edge over Georgia’s Nick Chubb because of Baylor’s unblemished record and the fact that Coleman has put up ridiculous numbers through his first four games.
At this point in the season, the junior receiver is on pace for 72 catches, 1,710 yards, and 33 touchdowns.
5. RB NICK CHUBB (GEORGIA)
Chubb slides down my Heisman rankings just like the Bulldogs in the polls.
Chubb’s numbers against Alabama last weekend were actually pretty good (146 yards and one touchdown). However, he did get the bulk of those yards on one carry when the game was already out of reach for Georgia.
On the season, Chubb has 91 carries for 745 yards and seven touchdowns. The 5-foot-10, 220-pound RB can only do so much for the Bulldogs. The lack of production through the air last weekend hurt Chubb’s output and Georgia as a whole.
Chubb slides down my Heisman rankings just like the Bulldogs in the polls.
