Lamar Jackson still leads.
I know this isn’t some sort of revelation, but it bears stating because as we get closer to actual voting next month, it will be interesting to see if the preliminary polls match the actual votes (ala our Presidential election).
Really, this has narrowed to a two-man race between Jackson and Washington quarterback Jake Browning. Voters will have to decide whether they prefer the dynamic play of a dual-threat quarterback or the steady play of a more traditional signal caller. Both have their merits and both have a few more opportunities to prove themselves worth of the bronze statue.
Here’s a look at this week’s Heisman Watch:
Lamar Jackson put up another set of ridiculous numbers last week with seven total touchdowns in the rout of Boston College. He has 45 touchdowns this season and is on pace to break Colt Brennan’s record of 63 touchdowns in 14 games, which he set for Hawaii in 2006. What was most impressive about Jackson’s game against BC was the fact that he completed 70.6 percent of his passes. It was only the second time this season he’d completed 70 percent or better and the first time in the past three games that he completed more than 58.8 percent. With Wake Forest coming up, Jackson should have another big day.
Jake Browning will have a chance to make a case for the Heisman this week against a surging USC team. The Trojans are allowing just 23.6 points per game and have eight interceptions to 14 touchdowns. Browning is coming off a game against Cal where he threw six touchdown passes, including two on plays of 60-plus yards. Browning is on pace to break Jared Goff’s Pac-12 record of 43 touchdowns, which was set last season. And doing well against a Trojans defense that hasn’t allowed more than 24 points in any of its last five games would do wonders for his Heisman stock.
Watson had three touchdowns against Syracuse before suffering a bruised shoulder late in the first half. He missed the second half, but coach Dabo Swinney said it was precautionary and Watson should be fine moving forward. Watson isn’t out of this race, but it’s going to be difficult for him to keep pace. Watson isn’t as dynamic of a dual-threat as Jackson and he’s not as proficient of a passer as Browning. So for Watson, just getting back to New York might be prize enough.
Jabrill Peppers’ stats didn’t jump of the page this week as they have in the past, but it’s hard to understate his value to Michigan on both sides of the ball. He recorded five tackles, played four offensive snaps and carried the ball twice in a blowout against Maryland. In that contest, he played linebacker, cornerback, nickleback, safety, quarterback, running back and wide receiver. Forget the stats. Find another player in college football right now that’s that versatile. You can’t.
Donnel Pumphrey rushed for 112 yards in a dominating win against Hawaii, which was enough to keep him ahead of Texas running back D’Onta Freeman as the nation’s top rusher. However, the effort was Pumphrey’s second-worst rushing total of the season and it marked the second consecutive game he was held out of the end zone. It’s a little ridiculous to say that a guy who has rushed for 100 yards in all but one game this season is losing ground in the Heisman because he’s not rushing for 200 yards a game, but unfortunately that’s the reality, especially when Hawaii’s rush defense is ranked 124th nationally.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
