2017 College Football Predictions – Top 5 Heisman Trophy Candidates: The 2017 College Football season is flying by, and we are already entering the final month of the regular season. While the top teams are busy battling for conference crowns and a spot in the College Football Playoffs, the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy are starting to separate themselves.
Yes, there is technically still time for a player to deliver a few overwhelming performances and play their way into the mix, but the truth is that most Heisman voters are lazy, and at this point in the year, they have already narrowed their list of candidates down and only pay attention to those players.
As a result, I’d be shocked if the eventual winner isn’t among the five players in my rankings this week. Probably the biggest name not on this list is Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson. The dual-threat dynamo is still putting up insane offensive numbers, but the Cardinals’ four losses are too many to ignore.
With the defending winner out of the picture, here is a closer look at how I see the top Heisman Trophy candidates stacking up as the calendar turns to November.
2017 College Football Predictions: Top 5 Heisman Trophy Candidates
- Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State Nittany Lions
Barkley was the clear frontrunner heading into Penn State’s showdown with Ohio State, and while he did score a rushing touchdown and return a kickoff for a score, his worst rushing performance of the year in the loss opened the door for the rest of the contenders. He finished the game with 44 rushing yards and managed just 2.1 yards per carry. Barkley is still the leader in the clubhouse, but his coronation is no longer a foregone conclusion.
- Bryce Love, RB, Stanford Cardinal
It’s not often a player boosts his Heisman stock by sitting out a game, but with Love sidelined with an injured ankle, Stanford’s offense looked completely inept against a terrible Oregon State team. Even after missing a game, Love still leads the country with 1,387 rushing yards, and he is averaging a ridiculous 10.3 yards per carry. He is a highlight reel waiting to happen, and now it’s clear that he has also been carrying Stanford’s offense. As long as he is the same player he was before the ankle injury, Love has a great chance to top 2,000 rushing yards and take home the Heisman.
- Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma Sooners
Mayfield kept chugging along last weekend, tossing four touchdowns and running for another as he led the Sooners past Texas Tech. He now has 23 touchdown passes and four rushing scores for the year, and he has Oklahoma barreling toward a spot in the College Football Playoffs. If Mayfield keeps putting up gaudy offensive numbers and the Sooners keep winning, he has a good chance to jump to the top of the list with marquee games against Oklahoma State and TCU coming up.
- J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State Buckeyes
Welcome to the party, Mr. Barrett. The Big Ten’s all-time leader in touchdowns led an epic comeback to save Ohio State’s season, completing his final 16 passes and connecting on three fourth quarter scores in a 39-38 win over No. 2 Penn State. He has somewhat quietly tossed 25 touchdowns to just one interception while completing 69.5 percent of his passes, and he has also rushed for more than 400 yards and five scores. Barrett revived Ohio State’s title hopes and his Heisman chances with a huge performance on one of the biggest stages of the year. If Barrett and the Buckeyes keep on rolling, he could have a shot at stealing the Heisman, especially with a head-to-head win over the current frontrunner.
- Josh Adams, RB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
There is nothing media members like more than being able to vote Notre Dame high in the polls and vote for Notre Dame players for the Heisman, so Adams’ recent surge is going to garner plenty of attention. He has rushed for more than 100 yards in four straight games, scoring seven times in that span. One week after lighting up USC for 191 yards in a battle of ranked teams, Adams went off for 202 yards against a ranked N.C. State club. If Adams powers Notre Dame into the playoffs, I wouldn’t be surprised if he swoops in and grabs the Heisman.
Get the latest odds to win the 2018 College Football National Championship. Also, get expert college football predictions against the spread this Saturday from the nation’s best handicappers.
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