Several marquee matchups over the weekend provided candidates with a golden opportunity to shine and increase their stock in the Heisman race. Two of the leaders in my standings posted major duds in their performances last week, opening the door to outsiders.
The most consistent and impressive contender jumps up two spots this week for his first ever No. 1 on my list. Here are my Week 10 Heisman rankings:
1. COREY COLEMAN (BAYLOR, WR)
The Baylor wide receiver is beginning to look like a real threat to win the Heisman. His unbelievable numbers and uncanny ability to catch touchdowns each week is absurd.
Watching Coleman at times can seem like watching a video game – his knack to get open and find the football has him within reach of the NCAA record for most receiving touchdowns in a season (a record that has stood for 17 years).
Coleman has 58 receptions for 1178 yards and 20 touchdowns (5 shy of the Big 12 single-season record and 8 shy of the NCAA single-season record) in just eight games. At this rate, Coleman will obliterate the old records and cruise to New York in December.
2. DERRICK HENRY (ALABAMA, RB)
Leading up to the Alabama-LSU game, I said the more impressive running back would have a chance to ascend up the Heisman rankings. Henry certainly took advantage of the platform as he ran for 210 yards and 3 touchdowns against a stout LSU run defense.
The image of Henry rumbling through LSU defenders, while outperforming Fournette in the head-to-head matchup could be the Heisman moment he needed.
Henry has 1,254 yards and 17 touchdowns (most in the FBS). If he can remain consistent for the rest of the season and carry Alabama into the CFP, he may very well claim the coveted trophy.
3. LEONARD FOURNETTE (LSU, RB)
Never in a million years did I expect Leonard Fournette to lay an egg quite like he did in Saturday’s game. It was the Alabama defense that made the statement as it limited Fournette to just 31 yards on 19 carries.
This was not the type of outing that Fournette could afford and it may have cost him an opportunity at the Heisman.
In order for Fournette to find his way back on top of the list, he will have to have monumental games against Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M.
4. EZEKIEL ELLIOTT (OHIO STATE, RB)
Ezekiel Elliott is the definition of clockwork and that’s not really working to his favor. Despite having another 100-yard rushing game to run his total up to 14 straight outings, the Ohio State running back did nothing to help his cause in the Heisman race. Elliott totaled 114 yards and one touchdown on an underwhelming 4.4 yards per carry.
The fact that the Buckeye RB hasn’t played a worthy opponent and has failed to post many spectacular performances leaves him out of the top three.
If the junior can breakout by posting impressive performances against Michigan State and Michigan, followed by a dominating showing in the Big 10 championship game, then he could move up the standings. But time is running out, and his chances are looking slim.
