2014 College Football Picks: Heisman Trophy Power Rankings – Week 3

2014 College Football Picks: Heisman Trophy Power Rankings – Week 3: The 2014 college football season is only a couple of weeks old, but with the new four-team playoff format encouraging teams to play tougher opponents outside of their own conferences, there have already been several marquee matchups. As a result, several preseason Heisman candidates have already had a chance to make a statement, and several have taken advantage with impressive showings. Meanwhile, some unexpected names have also thrust themselves into the conversation with big games on big stages. With that in mind, here are my Heisman Trophy power rankings heading into Week 3 of the 2014 college football season.

1. Marcus Mariota, Quarterback, Oregon Ducks

Mariota came up big in the biggest non-conference game of the year, and he helped guide the Ducks to a win over No. 7 Michigan State in Week 2. He threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns, adding 42 yards on the ground. In the team’s opener, he piled up 310 yards of total offense and four scores in a single half of play. Mariota is an efficient passer and an explosive runner, and he gets to run one of the most fast-paced offenses in the country. Big numbers are a given, and with one statement win already under his belt, he is on great position to make a run at the Heisman.

2. Todd Gurley, Running Back, Georgia Bulldogs

He has only played one game, but Gurley came up huge in Georgia’s win against a ranked Clemson team that has one of the better defensive fronts in the country. He ran for 198 yards and three touchdowns, averaging a ridiculous 13.1 yards per carry. He also had a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown. By the way, the Bulldogs are also breaking in a new quarterback so Clemson knew exactly where the ball was going and still couldn’t slow down Gurley. His combination of power and speed is almost unfair, and if he stays healthy the entire season, an epic stat line could be on tap.

3. Kenny Hill, Quarterback, Texas A&M Aggies 

All Hill did in his first start for the Aggies was break Johnny Manziel’s record for passing yards, and he did it on the road against a South Carolina team that was ranked in the top 10 at the time. Overall, Hill has thrown for 794 yards and seven scores in two games, and he ranks third in the country in passing yards despite playing just one half in the team’s Week 2 contest against Lamar. Hill’s big performance on a big stage against the Gamecocks has jumpstarted his Heisman campaign, and he will have plenty of other opportunities to showcase his talents against ranked competition in the SEC the rest of the way.

4. Everett Golson, Quarterback, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

It looks like Golson spent his time off wisely, and he has returned from his one-year suspension in midseason form. In two games, he has thrown for five touchdowns and run for three more. He is also completing 66.1 percent of his passes and has yet to throw an interception. Golson’s dual-threat ability has instantly taken Notre Dame’s offense to another level, and after getting trounced by Michigan without him last season, Golson and company crushed the Wolverines 31-0 in Week 2. If he is able to continue to throw the ball efficiently, Notre Dame’s brutal schedule will provide him with multiple opportunities to impress Heisman voters with statement games.

5. Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver, Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama is still trying to decide on a starting quarterback, but in the meantime, both Jake Coker and Blake Sims have relied heavily on Cooper as their safety net. He had 12 catches in the season opener and 13 receptions in Week 2, and Cooper currently leads the country with 319 receiving yards. Perhaps more impressively, he has been piling up catches and yards despite facing frequent double teams and despite being forced to go over the middle for many of his catches. Once Alabama decides on a quarterback and starts opening up the playbook, Cooper’s numbers could really take off.