Lamar Jackson leads, but Deshaun Watson still in Heisman race
Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson’s late touchdown pass in the Cardinals’ nail-biting win against Virginia provided the sophomore with yet another Heisman Trophy moment to add to his growing collection.
Later on Saturday, however, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson stole Jackson’s thunder.
While not perfect, throwing a pair of interceptions, Watson led Clemson to a come-from-behind victory against Florida State to maintain the Tigers’ unbeaten record. At the same time, Watson showed why he’s far from finished in the race for the Heisman.
Besides, Watson may eventually be able to hold three advantages over Jackson. The first is an unbeaten season. The second is a spot in the College Football Playoff. And the third is a head-to-head win against Jackson and the Cardinals.
In other words, this race is far from over despite Jackson’s outstanding play. Here’s this week’s top five and players just off the list:
1. Louisville QB Lamar Jackson
Needing a touchdown with 13 seconds to beat Virginia isn’t a good sign for Louisville, though Jackson needed the highlight-reel play to earn headlines while his Heisman rivals faced off against stronger opposition. Louisville does play Houston and Kentucky to end the regular season, which helps Jackson.
2. Clemson QB Deshaun Watson
Watson has thrown too many interceptions (10 and counting) and been slightly too inconsistent to be ranked ahead of Jackson at this point. However, winning at FSU on Saturday night might provide Watson with the jolt he needs to make a November charge at the Heisman.
3. San Diego State RB Donnel Pumphrey
Pumphrey ran for 223 yards in the Aztecs’ win against Utah State, giving him four 200-yard games on the year and 1,469 rushing yards overall. Those sort of numbers can’t be ignored. Nor can this: Pumphrey is in line to break former Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne’s NCAA career rushing record. In a fair world, that should send him to Manhattan for the Heisman ceremony.
4. Washington QB Jake Browning
Horror of horrors: Browning threw an interception against Utah. That gives him — let me count — three on the season to go with 28 touchdowns. Browning has been outstanding, as has Washington, and stands just behind the top pack heading into the final month of the regular season.
5. Florida State RB Dalvin Cook
Despite the Seminoles’ close loss, Cook showed why he’s one of the nation’s best players with 169 yards rushing and two long scores against Clemson’s well-regarded defense. That makes him fifth on this week’s list, though there are many other qualified candidates who could fit this spot. Such as, for example:
JUST OFF THE LIST
► Alabama DE Jonathan Allen
► Auburn RB Kamryn Pettway
► LSU RB Leonard Fournette
► Michigan LB Jabrill Peppers
► North Carolina QB Mitch Trubisky
► Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield
► Oklahoma WR Dede Westbrook
► Penn State RB Saquon Barkley
► Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett
► Virginia Tech QB Jerod Evans
► Washington State QB Luke Falk
► Western Michigan QB Zach Terrell
HEISMAN CONTENDERS