2016 College Football Heisman Watch – Favorites and Contenders after Week 4: Conference play is in full swing, and upsets are the norm as college football teams begin to sort out their pecking order. The Heisman Trophy race is no different, and with every week that goes by, the list of a realistic contenders starts to become clearer. Heading into a big week of games, here is a closer look at the current frontrunners for the top individual honor in college football
2016 College Football Heisman Watch: Favorites and Contenders after Week 4
The Favorites
In what is becoming a typical game for Louisville QB Lamar Jackson, he lit up Marshall for more than 400 passing yards and seven total scores. He now has a ridiculous 25 touchdowns in just four games, and the Cardinals have been ahead by such big margins that he has yet to play an entire game. Jackson has evolved into a complete dual-threat weapon, and with him at the helm, Louisville’s offense looks unstoppable. He would hoist the Heisman if the season ended today.
It wasn’t his best game by any means, but Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey grinded out 138 yards as the Cardinal survived a road matchup with UCLA. His contributions as a runner, receiver and returner epitomize the spirit of the Heisman Trophy, and his do-it-all style has him ahead of many of the other contenders and within striking distance of Louisville QB Lamar Jackson.
The Contenders
With the Ohio State Buckeyes on bye, QB J.T. Barrett didn’t have a chance to improve his stock. However, his destruction of Oklahoma a couple of weeks ago still looms large, and the OSU offense should only get better as all the new starters develop chemistry. Big numbers could continue.
He put up big numbers in a win over Texas State, but at this point in the season, Houston QB Greg Ward Jr. just has to keep the Cougars undefeated to keep his Heisman hopes alive. He needs big numbers and big wins for the next several weeks.
It is going to take a bunch of big performances for RB Dalvin Cook to leap to the top of the Heisman race. His 329 total yards of offense against South Florida were a nice start, and his 267 rushing yards in that game were a reminder of his explosiveness. If he starts ripping off 200-yard rushing games, Cook has a fighting chance.
Big things were expected from the Clemson Tigers and their QB Deshaun Watson, but thus far, neither Watson nor the team has lived up to the hype. Still, Watson’s performance against Alabama in last year’s title game remains fresh in the minds of Heisman voters, so he is one or two big games away from being back in the hunt. With games against Louisville and Florida State still to come, Watson could easily be at the top of the list of candidates in the coming weeks.
The Sleepers
He continues to thrive since his move to linebacker in the offseason, and Jabrill Peppers currently leads the country in tackles for loss after his latest performance against Penn State. Unfortunately, playing on the defensive side of the ball gives him an uphill battle. He will need some highlight-reel plays on defense and special teams on the biggest stages to jump to the head of the pack.
If there is a newcomer to the part after Week 4, it is Tennessee QB Joshua Dobbs. Staring at a double-digit deficit against a Florida team that had beaten Tennessee 11 straight times, Dobbs delivered a huge second half. He finished with 319 passing yards and four scores and 80 rushing yards and another score. If Dobbs can build on this performance and keep Tennessee in the SEC title hunt, he could make a surprise Heisman run.
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