Heisman Watch: My Top 3, who's rising, who's falling after Week 1
A player can’t win the Heisman Trophy in Week 1. What he can do is announce himself as a legitimate contender.
With a memorable opening weekend finally in the rearview mirror, it’s never too early to start sifting through candidates for the most prestigious award in college football. I consider it an honor to be a voter.
Based on recent history, a Heisman winner is more likely to close strong than start fast — voters are notorious for overweighting otherworldly performances late in the schedule. Alabama running back Derrick Henry, last season’s honoree, didn’t take control of the conversation until a string of 200-yard outings in November.
In order to crack the Top 3 after only one game, I only considered players with legit résumés. Just because Western Kentucky quarterback Mike White threw for 517 yards, that doesn’t make him a threat for the Heisman.
Here is how I’m handicapping the race thus far, knowing all too well that many names will appear and disappear weekly.
top 3
1. Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey
Week 1: 22-126-2 rushing, 7-40-0 receiving, 2-16-0 punt returns, 1-28-0 kick returns
Last season’s runner-up, based on what he did as a runner, receiver and kick returner, many think he should have won.
McCaffrey had a typical game for him in a 26-13 win over Kansas State, getting his hands on the football in a variety of ways and providing a take-it-to-the-house element with every touch. He’s an underrated between-the-tackles ball carrier, too.
Following a bye this Saturday, he’s got to be licking his chops for Week 3 when USC visits The Farm. The Trojans were shredded by Alabama.
2. Clemson QB Deshaun Watson
Week 1: 19-34-248-1-1 passing, 11-21-0 rushing
Somewhat surprisingly, the same quarterback that brought ‘Bama to its knees in the national title game struggled with Auburn.
Credit the Tigers for coming to play defensively, holding the dual-threat Watson to only one total touchdown, but he’s still the best QB in the country and likely No. 1 pick in next year’s NFL Draft. He’s genuinely terrifying.
With lowly Troy visiting Memorial Stadium in Week 2, there’s a good chance Watson lights up the first half and then sits the second.
3. LSU RB Leonard Fournette
Week 1: 23-138-0 rushing, 3-38-0 receiving
It took him awhile to get going, so it was a relatively quiet 138 yards on the ground for Fournette in a loss to Wisconsin.
The Badgers stacked the box and dared quarterback Brandon Harris to beat them, which he wasn’t able to do. Unfortunately for Fournette, every opponent he faces will institute a similar game plan until Harris evolves as a passer.
Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Continuing the theme of Cupcake Saturday in Week 2, Fournette should run through Jacksonville State and find the end zone multiple times.
on the rise
Louisville QB Lamar Jackson
After flashing here and there in 2015, Jackson was nothing short of unstoppable in a 70-14 thrashing of Charlotte. Sure, it’s Charlotte, but six touchdown passes and two more running is quite a day’s work.
With the Cardinals playing host to Florida State in Week 3, that will be Jackson’s opportunity to prove he’s for real.
Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett
Rebounding from an early interception that got returned for a TD, he threw for half a dozen scores and added a seventh on the ground while dropping 77 on Bowling Green. With Cardale Jones gone, the QB job in Columbus is solely Barrett’s again.
Barrett ran his career touchdown-to-interception ratio to 51-to-15, which should improve Saturday hosting Tulsa.
Georgia RB Nick Chubb
Perhaps the feel-good story of the weekend in the college game, Chubb appears to be all the way back from 2015’s devastating knee injury. With 32 carries for 222 yards and 2 touchdowns in a win over North Carolina, he sure seems 100-percent healthy.
Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Overlooked last year with the way Henry and Fournette ran the ball, Chubb was just as productive prior to his midseason exit.
falling fast
Florida State RB Dalvin Cook
Not that Cook didn’t play well in FSU’s 45-34 comeback victory over Ole Miss. He ran for 91 yards and added 101 more on seven receptions out of the backfield. The Rebels did keep him out of the painted area, though.
Cook’s candidacy could be hurt by the emergence of freshman Deondre Francois, who had a breath-taking debut with 419 passing yards.
Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield
As is usually the case, quarterbacks get too much credit for wins and too much blame for losses. Mayfield was praised liberally for taking the Sooners to the College Football Playoff last season, and deservedly so.
However, with OU going down to upstart Houston, despite his 323-yard afternoon throwing the ball, Mayfield is yesterday’s news.
Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly
When Mississippi jumped to a 28-6 lead on the Seminoles in the Camping World Kickoff, he looked as explosive as any signal caller in the country. But the ‘Noles figured him out in the second half with four takeaways and five sacks.
Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Kelly is going to get his with the Rebs. But if he loses to Alabama in Week 3 and drops to 1-2, his Heisman hopes could be history.
John Crist is the senior writer for Saturday Down South, a member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy. Send him an e-mail, like him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.
