The race for the Heisman Trophy is far from decided, but we can likely make one prediction after the first weekend of October: The 2013 winner will be a quarterback.
Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel made college football history in 2012 when he became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. In 2013, Manziel will attempt to do something only one player has done in the 77-year history of the award … win it in back-to-back years. Manziel faces a difficult task to match Ohio State’s Archie Griffin’s accomplishments in 1974 and 1975, as a strong field of contenders will take aim at the 2013 Heisman Trophy.
Updating Odds on the Top 5 Five 2013 Heisman Trophy Contenders:
Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon (+200)
Season stats: 76-of-134 for 1,358 yards; 14 touchdowns, zero interceptions; 28 carries for 338 yards, seven touchdowns
Once upon a time, Mariota could have been Johnny Manziel’s teammate. Now he’s his main Heisman Trophy competition. Mariota threw for 355 yards and five touchdowns and ran for two more scores in a 57-16 win over Colorado on Saturday. The Ducks haven’t scored fewer than 55 points in a game, and now Mariota will really get a chance to go win this thing.
Even without De’Anthony Thomas, one of the Ducks’ most dangerous weapons, Mariota didn’t have any problems racking up numbers. He still hasn’t thrown an interception — or played in the fourth quarter — this season.
Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M (+300)
Season stats: 100-of-140 for 1,489 yards; 14 touchdowns, four interceptions; 48 carries for 314 yards, three touchdowns
Manziel, who was originally orally committed to Oregon as a recruit, slips out of the top spot after a week off. He’s at Ole Miss on Saturday night in primetime. So far, he has been darn awesome.
The defending Heisman Trophy winner accounted for 346 yards and three touchdowns (244 pass yards, one TD; 102 rush yards, two TD) in just more than a half of play to help the Aggies beat SMU 42-13 last week. While he has a steep hill to climb if he wants to repeat because there likely will be Johnny Football fatigue in some voters, his 562 total yards and five touchdowns against two-time defending BCS national champion Alabama still stands out. He is special, but how much Heisman love will he get if the Aggies fall one or two more times?
Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson (+600)
Season stats: 93-of-141 for 1,449 yards; 14 touchdowns, two interceptions; 57 carries for 154 yards, four touchdowns
He’s still third behind Marcus Mariota and Johnny Manziel. Beating Syracuse (and other non-factor ACC teams) isn’t the kind of victory that will leapfrog him over those two guys.
What it does is reinforce the idea that the Tigers quarterback is one of the best players in the country and firmly in the thick of the Heisman discussion. This is all he can do until Clemson meets Jameis Winston and the Florida State Seminoles on October 19.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville (+600)
Season stats: 104-of-145 for 1,562 yards; 18 touchdowns, one interception
Teddy Bridgewater may have been the best passer among the top-five, but in a conference that is not such a hotbed for college football, he is not getting much Heisman love.
He will have numerous chances to impress the college football world as he and his Louisville Cardinals clearly reign supreme in the AAC.
Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State (+700)
Season stats: 90-of-123 for 1,441 yards; 17 touchdowns, two interceptions; 36 carries for 135 yards, two touchdowns
Last season, Manziel became the first freshman to win the award. Winston, a redshirt freshman, is vying to make it two straight in 2013.
He’s certainly made his argument loud and clear.
Winston’s first five games put him ahead of Manziel’s pace during the latter’s Heisman-winning freshman season. The young signal-caller has already won over the hearts of everyone in Tallahassee. If Winston keeps it up, it shouldn’t be long until he enthralls the entire nation.
What does that mean? Well, all Winston might need is another highlight-reel moment or two and a poll-shaking win – and he has the latter opportunity at Clemson on Oct. 19.
Players who missed the cut:
AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama (+1,000); Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA (+1,500); T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama (+1,800); Lache Seastrunk, RB, Baylor (+2,000); Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina (+2,500); Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia (+2,500)
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