As the calendar turns to November this week, we have a legitimately exciting Heisman Trophy picture. Everyone in our top five is unbeaten, and the heavyweights all have a candidate who could earn an invite to New York.
With a month to go in the season, here’s how the rankings look:
1. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU (Last week: 1)
Burrow’s stats through eight games: 78.8 percent completion percentage (first nationally), 2,805 yards (second), 30 passing touchdowns (second), and three wins against teams ranked in the top 10. Not bad. The Tigers are 8-0 and have a bye week ahead of the regular-season game of the season: LSU vs. Alabama on Nov. 9. The game should decide the SEC West and will play a major role in Burrow’s Heisman candidacy.
2. Chase Young, DE, Ohio State (Last week: 4)
I’ll go to my grave believing that Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh deserved the Heisman Trophy in 2009 (he finished fourth), and a decade later, we’re getting close to the same point with Young. He embarrassed an excellent offensive line Saturday, punishing Wisconsin for four sacks and five tackles for loss, and is now the national leader with 13½ sacks. Teammates Justin Fields and J.K. Dobbins have Heisman cases, as well, but there isn’t a better player on Ohio State — and quite possibly the country — than Chase Young.
3. Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma (Last week: 2)
Hurts drops a spot only because of Young’s performance, not his own. The Sooners scored 41 points and lost at Kansas State, which is a reflection on their defense and not their quarterback, who threw for a touchdown, ran for three more, and did not commit a turnover. He’s up to 3,270 total yards and 34 touchdowns on the season, and should be a no-doubt finalist next month.
4. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama (Last week: 3)
Tagovailoa didn’t play this week due to an ankle injury, but Alabama’s season and his Heisman bid is still very alive. He has 27 touchdown passes compared to two interceptions, and the Tide is 8-0 ahead of the LSU game in two weeks.
5. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State (Last week: 5)
In four games against ranked teams this season, Hubbard has 704 yards and 6 touchdowns on 116 carries (6.1 per carry), and he helped the Cowboys pull an upset of Iowa State on Saturday. He’s on the fringes of this race, especially as J.K. Dobbins continues to gain on him, but he’s done excellent work on a mediocre team.
First Published October 27, 2019, 3:47 p.m.
