Week 1 of the college football season is in the books and while there is a long way to go before any hardware is handed out, we’re going to be doing a weekly update on the Heisman trophy race and how the candidates progress. TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin is still the outright favorite to win the Heisman despite a shaky debut but a couple of impressive performances from around the college football world have shone a light on some other contenders.
Trevone Boykin, TCU Horned Frogs
Quarterback
Expectations are certainly high for No. 2 TCU this season and while they didn’t come out and dominate their Week 1 opponent, it’s understandable that there were a few obstacles in a 23-17 road win over Minnesota. Their senior quarterback Boykin completed 26-of-42 passes for 246 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but he also added 92 rushing yards and another score on 18 carries. That’s an incredible usage rate that few other players will be able to match – if he keeps it up. Nobody is overlooking the Horned Frogs as a legitimate national title contender this season. Expect that Boykin will be better when TCU hosts Stephen F. Austin in its next game.
Nick Chubb, Georgia Bulldogs
Running Back
One of the most impressive Week 1 performances came from Georgia’s sophomore running back Chubb, who ran for 120 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries in a 51-14 win over Louisiana Monroe. Chubb was among the top five preseason candidates to win the Heisman this season and he showed exactly why in the Bulldogs opener. The schedule will only get tougher for Georgia when it goes up against some of the top defenses from the SEC but that’s when they’ll be relying on Chubb the most. If he delivers, he’s got leapfrog Boykin for the pole position for the Heisman.
Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State Buckeyes
Running Back
There were a couple of sportsbooks that took bets that the Heisman trophy award would go to a Ohio State quarterback this season – regardless of who started for them – and while Cardale Jones got the nod in the opener and looked really good, the better bet has to be Elliott. The Buckeyes junior running back averaged 11.1 yards per carry rushing for 122 yards and a touchdown in a 42-24 win over Virginia Tech. While he did have a muffed punt on a return, other than that, he looked very explosive just as he did at the end of last season. Elliott is exactly the type of powerful workhorse back that has the perfect blend of size, speed and elusiveness in the open field and he looked fantastic in Ohio State’s opener. That’s why there is every reason to love his Heisman potential this season.
Ezekiel Elliot 80 yard TD #OSUvsVT http://t.co/oeGsoh2nXK
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 8, 2015
Deshaun Watson, Clemson Tigers
Quarterback
The sophomore quarterback Watson was listed just outside the top five in terms of preseason favorites to win the Heisman but he certainly looked good in Clemson’s opener as he completed 18-of-22 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-10 win over Wofford. The Tigers didn’t need Watson to finish the blowout win as they ended up letting their two backups get some action but there was a lot to love about Watson’s performance in his debut. He should be able to pile up some good numbers against a soft schedule in the ACC too.
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Dak Prescott, Mississippi State Bulldogs
Quarterback
Prescott is another passer that garnered some preseason consideration as a Heisman candidate and he looked good in Mississippi State’s opener as he completed 22-of-38 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns as well as 72 rushing yards and another score on the ground. The senior quarterback has all of the tools to thrive as the dual-threat quarterback for the Bulldogs this season but he’s got a lot on the line this week as the Bulldogs face the LSU Tigers. Prescott could either vault up higher on this list or fall completely off of it depending on what happens this week.
