Another wild week of action has not only shaken up the college football playoff rankings, it’s also stirred up the previously-predictable Heisman Trophy race. LSU running back Leonard Fournette had dominated the Heisman trophy conversation for the better part of the year but he was snuffed out in Week 10 at Alabama. Meanwhile, a couple of other candidates stepped up again, so the Heisman outlook isn’t as clear as it was even a week ago. Here is a look at the top Heisman candidates with their odds to win the award listed next to them.
Leonard Fournette, LSU Tigers
Running Back
After registering at least 150 rushing yards and a touchdown in each of LSU’s first seven games, Fournette ran into a wall against Alabama. He was held to just 31 rushing yards on 19 carries. Fournette still managed to find the endzone for a touchdown but the performance was easily his worst of the year. The fact it came in the Tigers’ biggest game and could potentially knock them out of a playoff position really hurts his Heisman stock. Fournette is still the betting favorite to win the award after rushing for 1,383 yards and 16 touchdowns to this point but he is no longer as big of a lock. Everyone else has closed the gap and another bad outing from Fournette could drop him in the rankings.
Deshaun Watson, Clemson Tigers
Quarterback
Fournette still deserves to be the favorite to win the award despite a terrible performance last week but one player who has closed the gap dramatically over the past couple of weeks is Clemson’s sophomore quarterback Watson. Watson delivered a fine performance in the Tigers’ 23-13 win over Florida State in which he threw for nearly 300 yards and a touchdown while running for 107 yards on the ground. With Clemson now staring down a clear-cut path to the College Football Playoff (thanks to an easy schedule), it is clear that Watson has established himself as the top quarterback option on the board to win the Heisman right now.
Derrick Henry, Alabama Crimson Tide
Running Back
While Fournette struggled mightily in LSU’s SEC showdown with Alabama, it was the Tide’s running back Henry who really stepped up as he ran for 210 yards and three touchdowns in the 30-16 win. Henry averaged 5.5 yards per carry against the Tigers and his season totals are now pretty close to Fournette’s as he has registered 1,254 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. Many people have Fournette and Henry neck-in-neck for the Heisman Trophy now as voters will have a tough time forgetting what happened on Saturday. Henry outplayed Fournette in a major way and while it’s only one game, it could prove to be the difference.
Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State Buckeyes
Running Back
Ohio State’s junior running back delivered another strong performance in a 28-14 win over Minnesota as he averaged 4.4 yards per carry while rushing for 114 yards and a touchdown. Elliott has registered 1,244 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns as the most consistent weapon on a Buckeye’ offense – an offense that struggled last week against Minnesota. Even though this unit still has the potential to be the best in the nation when firing on all cylinders, they haven’t so far. Without Elliott, this team is probably no longer undefeated. With a tough slate coming up including games at Illinois, against Michigan State and at Michigan, Elliott will have every opportunity to improve his case for this year’s Heisman.
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Trevone Boykin, TCU Horned Frogs
Quarterback
Boykin’s Heisman stock also took a hit after he entered this week as the top quarterback candidate to win the award but completed just 35-of-57 passes for 445 yards and a touchdown with four interceptions in a 49-29 loss to Oklahoma State. Boykin looked completely lost at times and it didn’t help that he lost star wideout Josh Doctson mid-game. The loss bumped the Horned Frogs out of playoff contention for the time being and that really hurts Boykin’s chances for the Heisman. His team probably needs to win the Big 12 to have any shot.
