Contender or Pretender?: Heisman Stock Watch Week 10
Brendan Smith
Kind of a light week in college football, as there were only three upsets, as Mississippi State took down Texas A&M so Washington can rightfully claim its spot in the CFB Playoff top 4, Arkansas dismantled Florida, and TCU embarrassed Baylor in Waco. MACtion is finally back in full swing, and gives us something to do on a Tuesday night. It’s nice that Western Michigan is relevant and making the MACtion games semi-watchable. Let’s take a look at how my top 5 Heisman contenders fared in week 10.
Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
It’s really not fair anymore. For the third time all season, Jackson totaled 7 touchdowns in a game, this time around it came in a 52-7 beatdown of Boston College. Jackson did not even play the whole game, as he left with what is being called hand/arm cramps, but still managed to throw for 231 yards and 4 touchdowns, and also rush for 185 yards and 3 touchdowns. His QBR, which is measured out of 100, was a near-perfect 99.8, failing to reach 100 only because of a second quarter interception. On the season, Jackson has accounted for 2753 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, 1181 rushing yards, and 19 rushing touchdowns. Most quarterbacks would be thrilled to end their season with those kinds of passing numbers, and plenty of running backs that won’t match Jackson’s production on the ground. Oh, and he’s still only played 9 games. Can we just give him the trophy already?
Stock: Soaring
Jake Browning, QB, Washington
Jake Browning continued his dominance of the Pac-12, this time throwing for 378 yards and 6 touchdowns in Washington’s convincing 66-27 victory over Cal. Browning has made incredible strides from last year, as he has thrown just 3 interceptions through his first nine games, compared to 9 by his ninth game last year. Some of the turnover struggles last year could be chalked up to the fact that he was a true freshman starting in a big-time, high-pressure conference. Naturally, as he matured, Browning’s play has improved significantly, and the results are astounding for Washington, who currently sits at 9-0 heading into a match-up with my beloved USC Trojans. Browning has accounted for 38 total touchdowns (34 passing, 4 rushing) this season, compared to just 17 all of last year. Unfortunately, I’m heading into next Saturday with low expectations for USC, and rightfully so, Jake Browning is a beast.
Stock: Rising
Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Watson once again was the leader of the high-powered Clemson offense, as the Tigers destroyed Syracuse 54-0. Side note, so much for Syracuse’s bowl hopes. They need to win 2 of their next 3 against NC State, Florida State, and Pitt. Ouch. Anyway, Watson put on a show again, passing for 169 yards and 2 touchdowns and adding 39 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown on the afternoon. A scary moment for Clemson fans occurred in the first half, when Watson landed awkwardly on his throwing shoulder after scrambling, and actually had to leave the game. Fear not Tigers fans, Watson was diagnosed with only a bruised shoulder, and was actually available for the second half, but was not needed due to the score. It looks like Watson will be back in action this week, as Clemson aims for 10-0 when they take on Pitt.
Stock: Holding
Jabrill Peppers, DB/LB/RB/WR/KR/PR, Michigan
It truly is amazing what this young man can do on a football field. Whether it’s being a ball-hawking safety, a run-stuffing linebacker, or lining up in the backfield on offense, no one is more involved in Michigan’s gameplan than Jabrill Peppers. This time out, Peppers totaled 5 tackles on defense, including one that went for a loss, and also gained 19 yards on the ground. He also returned a kickoff for the Wolverines, who took care of business against Maryland, securing a 59-3 victory. Peppers has been all over the field this year, taking snaps on offense, defense, and special teams every week. On the season, Peppers has rushed for 150 yards and 3 touchdowns, returned a punt for a touchdown, and recorded 53 tackles, 13.5 TFL, and 3.5 sacks. Just incredible. There is no other word to describe what he does on a field.
Stock: Holding
Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State
For those of you who doubt that Pumphrey can stay in contention for the Heisman, you better start believing in him. In a 55-0 victory against Hawai’i, Pumphrey rushed for 112 yards, but unfortunately could not find the endzone. Still, the senior currently leads all of the FBS in rushing yards with 1,581, and is tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns with 13. All of this while playing in the obscurity of the Mountain West Conference, with most games beginning after 10 pm on the East Coast. San Diego State is quietly sitting at 8-1, good for first place in the MWC West division. Come bowl season, the Aztecs could be a sleeper for an upset against a Power 5 team.
