We are getting into the nitty gritty of this year’s Heisman Trophy race, and honestly, it feels about as wide open as it ever has. The way I’m tracking it, I’ve got a jumbled up mess of about 10 guys who could come out on top with a solid run down the stretch. The games are starting to get bigger, and those who show up in those games are getting prime slots on the list. That’s why I’m leading this week’s column with Marvin Harrison, Jr..
It feels like every week, we’re getting a top 10 match-up. This week’s headliner was a slugfest between Ohio State and Penn State – I didn’t take either side, but felt pretty good cashing my ticket on the under. Harrison was phenomenal in that game, going up against a stingy defense, posting 11 receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown. He highlighted exactly why he very well should be a top five pick in the NFL Draft next spring. We all know the Heisman is pretty much a quarterback award, but if we’re talking non-QBs only, Harrison is as good a candidate as any to take home the hardware in December.
It wasn’t exactly the ’85 Bears. I get it, but winning a rivalry game 49-0 is impressive in its own right. We haven’t talked about J.J. McCarthy a lot in this column this season, but he’s putting together quite the campaign. He threw four touchdowns against Michigan State on Saturday, bringing his total on the year to 18 (with three interceptions). His 199.1 passer rating is second only to Jayden Daniels on the season.
Alabama is beginning to win games the way Alabama won games in the earlier days of Nick Saban’s tenure with the Tide. The Vols defense certainly showed up for the Third Saturday in October, and while the Tide defense took over in the second half, it was Jase McClellan who I felt really served as the closer on offense for the Tide. McClellan got a heavy workload, turning 27 carries and one reception into 121 total yards (115 rushing, six receiving).
After a shaky start to the season, Daniels and the LSU offense has certainly gotten things going again. The Tigers quarterback had the chance to stat pad on Saturday as they absolutely smothered Army to the tune of 62-0. Daniels was 11/15 for 279 yards and three touchdowns, with a rushing touchdown too. He’s now up to 30 total touchdowns on the season. I’ve already mentioned it, but it bears repeating – Daniels has the best passer rating of any quarterback in the FBS so far this season. He’s the guy, to me, who is best positioned to make a real run at the Heisman in the back third of the season.
Meanwhile, down on the plains, Ole Miss kept their SEC West hopes alive with a win over an Auburn team that certainly made it difficult for them. Jaxson Dart accounted for 246 total yards of offense, with two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. But, for me, it was Quinshon Judkins who was really the hammer, putting away Auburn with 124 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Rebs ain’t dead yet!
HEISMAN POINTS (WEEK 8)
- Marvin Harrison, Jr.
- J.J. McCarthy
- Jase McClellan
- Jayden Daniels
- Quinshon Judkins
HEISMAN POINTS (2023 SEASON)
- Michael Penix, Jr. – 12
- Bo Nix – 10
- Shedeur Sanders – 8
- Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams – 7
- Jordan Travis, Cam Ward – 6
- Quinn Ewers, Marvin Harrison Jr., Drake Maye – 5
- Drew Allar, Jermaine Burton, Ray Davis, Trevor Etienne, J.J. McCarthy, Tyler Van Dyke – 4
- Brock Bowers, Sam Hartman, Travis Hunter, Jase McClellan, Rome Odunze, DJ Uiagalelei – 3
- Keon Coleman, Jawhar Jordan, Jalen Milroe, Taulia Tagovailoa – 2
- Eric Ayomanor, Malachi Corley, Quinshon Judkins – 1
If you haven’t already, be sure to go subscribe to the College Football Roundup Podcast, on which Steven McCash and myself break down all the action from the college football world and look ahead to the week to come.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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