This week of college football started in an absolutely crazy fashion. Florida quarterback Will Grier was suspended one year by the NCAA for using performance-enhancing drugs,
USC head coach Steve Sarkisian was fired. South Carolina Head Coach Steve Spurrier quit his team on Monday after a 2-4 start.
Additionally, it was announced that Heisman hopeful running back Nick Chubb of Georgia suffered multiple tears in his knee against Tennessee on Saturday and has been ruled out of the rest of the 2015 season.
Despite all of the chaos, not much changed in my Heisman standings. A couple players did edge closer to the No. 1 spot, however. Here’s a look at my Week 6 rankings:
1. Leonard Fournette (LSU, RB)
I don’t think it’s much of a surprise that Fournette remains at No. 1 this week. What is surprising, however, is the fact that his streak of 200-yard games came to an end against South Carolina on Saturday. Although his impressive run ended, Fournette still managed to put up 158 yards on the ground and one touchdown.
To be fair, LSU dominated the Gamecocks from start to finish, prompting head coach Les Miles to limit his workhorse’s carries for another day. Fournette could have easily topped the 200-yard mark. The 6-foot-1, 230 pound sophomore boasts an extraordinary 204.4 rushing yards per game and will need to keep that up this weekend.
The running back will get a chance to extend his lead over the rest of the field when LSU takes on Florida this Saturday at Death Valley. The matchup will be a true test for Fournette as Florida is ranked as the No. 18 rushing defense in the nation.
2. Trevone Boykin (TCU, QB)
Boykin’s performance against Kansas State last week edged him closer to the No. 1 spot. He did have a couple turnovers, which hurt, but his ability to carry TCU is phenomenal. There were definitely moments in the game that Boykin could not be stopped and it cost the Wildcats the upset.
The Dallas native accounted for 425 yards on offense, with four touchdowns and two interceptions in the 52-45 win. While the Horned Frogs are clearly experiencing problems on the defensive side of the ball, Boykin has made sure the consistency of head coach Gary Patterson’s offense remains intact.
Next up for the 6-foot-2, 205 pound quarterback is a road game against Iowa State. I expect Boykin to pile up massive numbers once again and lead TCU to a dominant victory. If he can take care of business on the road, and Fournette sputters against Florida, there could be a new No. 1 in my Heisman rankings next week.
3. Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State, RB)
Make it 11 straight games over 100 yards rushing for Zeke. The junior running back’s effectiveness has carried an unexceptional offense for most of the season. Thanks to Elliott, the Buckeyes are still No. 1 in the nation and keep rolling along each week.
The 6-foot-1, 225 pound running back’s performance against Maryland last weekend wasn’t spectacular, but it was effective (106 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns). Ohio State will face Penn State this Saturday at The Shoe.
The Nittany Lions are No. 26 against the run this year and Elliott’s streak of 100-yard games will be challenged. This game will present the Buckeye RB with a golden opportunity to make a statement in his Heisman campaign.
4. Corey Coleman (Baylor, WR)
It looks like the experts are finally starting to come around on the idea of Coleman being a legitimate Heisman contender. His 108 yards and two touchdowns last week against Kansas moved him close to overtaking the No. 3 spot from Elliott.
There’s no doubt in my mind that if the junior wide receiver can keep up his level of play, he’ll continue to find himself rising up the ranks. Through five games, the 5-foot-11, 190 pound WR has 678 yards receiving (No. 5 in the nation) and 13 touchdowns (No. 1 in the nation).
Coleman is going to destroy Baylor’s record for most receiving touchdowns in a season. The real question is, can he reach the NCAA record? The all-time record in college football for most receiving touchdowns in a season is 27. Coleman is currently projected to finish the season over that mark. There’s no doubt in my mind that he will win the Heisman Trophy if he breaks the all-time record.
5. Dalvin Cook (Florida State, RB)
Cook finds his way onto the list after the tragic injury to Chubb last week and an impressive outing against the Miami Hurricanes. The sophomore running back compiled 269 total yards of offense and three touchdowns to help the Seminoles win 29-24, in dramatic fashion.
Florida State has been carried at times by the elusive RB, who has 792 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the season. The most notable aspect of Cook’s game is his ability to consistently rack up long runs. After five games, Cook totes a nine yards per carry average.
If the Seminoles want to stay undefeated, they will have to keep their talented 6-foot, 203 pound back involved in the offense. In the meantime, Cook could find himself creep up the Heisman rankings if he can continue to put up massive numbers each week.
