Spec's College Nickel Package -- Week 4
Instead of where they rank now, this is a projection of where it looks like things might end up.
1. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
I think there will be a fair amount of sentiment to deny a second Heisman to Manziel. Or, maybe more accurately, folks will be happy to find an excuse not to vote for him.
The quarterback of an undefeated team with the nation's top offense would be enough of an excuse. Averaging 17.5 yards per carry rushing, plus 70% completion percentage, won't hurt.
So if Mariota can lead the Ducks through the Pac-12 unscathed and keep up the dazzling stats, then he has a very good shot at lifting hardware in Manhattan.
2. Johnny Football, QB, Texas A&M(anziel)
If he hadn't made himself out to be such an obnoxious little brat, then maybe voters would have been happy to hand him a second hunk of bronze, but now I think Manziel will need to be head-and-shoulders above the rest.
And there's a very good chance that he will be.
Nov. 23 vs. LSU will be key.
3. A.J. McCarron, QB, Alabama
In many years, McCarron would be just what the Heisman voters love. Mistake-free field general of the nation's top team.
And the much-googled girlfriend is a plus.
But even though the Tide won the game against Manziel's Aggies, it doesn't seem that enough voters viewed McCarron as the better player.
Still, if the flashier players stumble (one may recall that Geno Smith was a near-shoo-in early in the season last year), expect steady McCarron to be right there.
4. Tahj Boyd, QB, Clemson
Boyd is very good, and so is Clemson. If the Tigers get through the year undefeated, that will make a big difference.
But he won't have the stats of Mariota or Manziel, so it's a little hard to envision him climbing past both of them.
5. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
Similar to Boyd in that he probably needs his team to run the table. But even if they do, they won't get tons of credit due to their soft American conference schedule (they move to the ACC next season). The Cardinals may not face any ranked teams in the regular season.
That will make it hard for Bridgewater, given the competition. Look for him on Sunday in the near future, though.
Sleepers:
- One guy starting to get buzz is Lache Seastrunk of Baylor. But so far his yards have come in big bunches against bad defenses.
- And another running back to keep an eye on is the nation's leading rusher so far, Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin. But a down year for the Big Ten(-ish) won't help.
- Todd Gurley of Georgia is probably a better back, but didn't seem to make enough of a splash in the Bulldogs' front-loaded schedule. And with the QBs putting up such good running numbers, it's getting harder for an RB to win.