Heisman Watch: Week 4

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The Heisman Trophy is one of the strangest awards in the sports world. There’s no objective way to win…by default, people vote on the award. So, for the most part, it’s all about perception. Numbers don’t matter as much as winning and having those signature “Heisman” moments. We’re talking about the big time players from the big time teams in the big time conferences.

Which is unfortunate, in my opinion. I’m a strong proponent of everyone at least getting a shot, but that’s just not the way the world works. So, with that in mind, I’m taking a look at who’s who in the 2017 Heisman race so far based on who fits the seemingly arbitrary criteria laid forth by the Heisman Trust. But, if you think I’m wrong to do so, feel free to hit up the comments.

Heisman Watch: Week 4

5. USC QB, Sam Darnold (Last Week: NR, Peak: 5) – Okay, okay. I’ll yield. I’ll wait for Washington State to win a big game before I put Luke Falk on this list. So, for the time being, I’m ready to put Darnold in the mix for the Heisman. My biggest knock on the guy is that he’s just not putting up the video game numbers typically required of a Heisman winner. That said, even I can’t deny his pedigree as an outright winner anymore. I’m still waiting on that signature Heisman moment and a breakout game before moving up the list.

4. Louisville QB, Lamar Jackson (Last Week: NR, Peak: 3) – After a relative dud against Clemson, Jackson was back to playing electric football against Kent State on Saturday. He had 299 passing yards with two touchdowns (and two gross interceptions), with another 34 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. He still has some ground to make up, but with his ability and potential, he is always in the hunt.

3. San Diego State RB, Rashaad Penny (Last Week: 5, Peak: 3) – Penny put 128 yards and three touchdowns on the board against Air Force on Saturday. That puts him at 716 yards and 7 touchdowns on the season. It’s high time we start considering this kid a serious contender. I imagine he’ll be this year’s “it’s nice just to be invited” contender that ends up in New York, but finishes down in the polls because he plays for San Diego State.

2. Oklahoma QB, Baker Mayfield (Last Week: 1, Peak: 1) – 283 yards and three touchdowns against Baylor on Saturday looks like business as usual for Mayfield this season. Probably not as high of totals as you’d expect against an atrocious Baylor squad, but you can’t take the kid too far down for playing a pretty perfect game. He’s still the frontrunner on the season, but this week belongs to someone else.

1. Penn State RB, Saquon Barkley (Last Week: 3, Peak: 1) – Barkley is starting to look like a hybrid of Ezekiel Elliot and Reggie Bush. Just sick. Flat out sick. In a big game, with the lights on bright, against a team that probably kept Penn State out of the playoffs last year, Barkley shined like a diamond. 28 carries for 211 yards and a touchdown, 12 receptions for another 94 yards through the air. FORTY TOTAL TOUCHES. 305 TOTAL YARDS. Are you kidding me? Barkley is coming for Mayfield’s throne.

Dropped from rankings: Mason Rudolph is still going to get consideration on the season, but two interceptions that cost his cowboys dearly against TCU knocks him out of the top five for this week alone. Don’t expect to stay off the list too long. Also, Ronald Jones is out after missing Saturday’s game against Cal with an injured ankle.

UPDATED SOBROS HEISMAN POINTS STANDINGS

1. Baker Mayfield – 10
2. Saquon Barkley – 9
3. Mason Rudolph – 6
4. Lamar Jackson – 5
5. Rashaad Penny, Josh Rosen – 4
7. Ronald Jones – 2
8. Sam Darnold – 1

Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. A strong advocate of GSD (get shit done) and #BeBetter, he’s down to talk Tennessee Titans and Alabama Crimson Tide football over a beer any day. Check him out covering the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley@WrestlingNewsCo

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