2014 College Football Heisman Trophy Odds and Power Rankings: Week 7

2014 College Football Picks: Week 7 Odds and Predictions – Free College Football Picks 10/11/14: While the national title picture was drastically altered by last weekend’s rash of upsets, the race for the Heisman Trophy was also impacted as several early favorites were saddled with losses. Granted, the Heisman Trophy doesn’t have to go to a player on an undefeated team, but a bad performance in a loss or multiple losses will kill a Heisman campaign in a hurry. Similarly, a player can play themselves into the Heisman mix be leading their team to an upset or two and helping them overachieve. With that in mind, here is how I see the Heisman race stacking up heading into Week 7 of the college football season.

1. Dak Prescott, Quarterback, Mississippi State Bulldogs

In the last two weeks, Prescott has helped the Bulldogs knock off a pair of top-10 SEC foes, gashing LSU for 373 total yards and three scores in “Death Valley” and torching Texas A&M for 385 total yards and five scores. On the year, Prescott has 1,687 total yards and 19 scores, and he has the Bulldogs up to No. 3 in the polls. His dual-threat ability has been a nightmare for opposing defenses, and he has been a one-man wrecking crew on offense at times for Mississippi State. With games against Auburn, Alabama, and Ole Miss still remaining, Prescott will have plenty of chances to deliver another statement performance or two to secure himself the Heisman Trophy.

2. Todd Gurley, Running Back, Georgia Bulldogs

Gurley has been plugging along as the workhorse for the Bulldogs, and he currently ranks sixth in the country in rushing with 773 yards despite basically skipping the blowout against Troy. In fact, Gurley has carried the ball just 95 times this year and is averaging an impressive 8.2 yards per carry. He has also scored eight times and aside from the Troy game, he has run for at least 130 yards in every game. Gurley’s combination of size, strength and speed is unmatched, and with a first-year starter at quarterback, Georgia is going to go as far as Gurley carries them. His remaining schedule includes games against Auburn and Missouri, and his performance in those two games could determine his Heisman fate and whether or not the Bulldogs are in the title mix.

3. Marcus Mariota, Quarterback, Oregon Ducks

Although the Ducks’ national title hopes took a huge blow after the loss to Arizona, Mariota’s Heisman hopes aren’t dead yet. After all, he still has 15 touchdowns and zero interceptions on the year and is completing 71.1 percent of his passes. He also has three rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown. Meanwhile, Mariota has continued to pile up strong numbers despite being sacked seven times in each of the past two games behind an offensive line that has been plagued by injuries. Yes, his Heisman campaign has hit a hurdle, but with games against UCLA, Stanford and a surprising Utah team still left, Mariota can push his name back to the top of the list with a strong finish to the season.

4. Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver, Alabama Crimson Tide

Even in Alabama’s loss to Ole Miss, it was clear the Cooper is the closest thing the Crimson Tide have to a go-to weapon on offense this year. He finished with nine catches for 91 yards, and on the year, his 52 catches and 746 receiving yards are both second in the country. His role in the offense isn’t going to diminish, and although a loss in ever a good thing, Cooper and the Crimson Tide still control their own destiny for the most part. After all, Alabama’s remaining schedule includes Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Auburn so the Crimson Tide and Cooper can still work their way back to the top.

5. Nick Marshall, Quarterback, Auburn Tigers

Marshall has quietly led the Tigers up to No. 2 in the polls, engineering Auburn’s powerful rushing attack and beating opponents with his arm when need be. He has eight passing touchdowns compared to just one interception, and he threw for a season-high 231 yards in Auburn’s toughest test to date on the road against a ranked Kansas State team. He was also brilliant in Auburn’s destruction of LSU last weekend, throwing for 207 yards and two scores and running for 119 yards and two scores. Meanwhile, five of the Tigers’ final seven games are against teams ranked in the top 10, including three currently ranked seventh or better. If Marshall continues to show his dual-threat ability and Auburn navigates its brutal schedule with minimal hiccups, he will have a strong case for the Heisman.