2018 College Football Picks and Predictions: Week 6 Heisman Trophy Rankings

2018 College Football Picks and Predictions – Week 6 Heisman Trophy Rankings: The 2018 College Football season is heading into the heart of conference play, and while out-of-conference wins can be nice resume boosters, this is the time of year that really defines a team’s season. It is also the time of year when players can solidify themselves as frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy.

Of course, some players have already put their names in the conversation, especially the quarterbacks from the top teams in the country. Whether or not they stay at the top of the list remains to be seen, but in the meantime, here is a closer look my top-five Heisman Trophy contenders after Week 5 of the season.

2018 College Football Picks and Predictions: Week 6 Heisman Trophy Rankings

1. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama Crimson Tide 

The now unquestioned leader of the Alabama offense has the Crimson Tide putting up 54.2 points per game, the most of any team in the country. He has throw 14 touchdown passes this year without an interception, and he is completing 75.0 percent of his passes. Tagovailoa has also added a couple of rushing scores. The games against LSU and Auburn could ultimately define his Heisman hops, but he has put himself in prime position to take home the award.

2. Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma Sooners

How does a Heisman candidate bounce back from a short benching for a violation of team rules? If you are Murray, you enter the game and pile up 477 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns. The dual-threat quarterback currently has 1,460 yards passing to go with 17 touchdowns, two interceptions and a 70.6 completion percentage, and he has rushed for 285 yards and four more scores. With games against Texas, Oklahoma State and West Virginia still to come, Murray will have the platform to make a strong Heisman push if he continues to put up huge offensive numbers.

3. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State Buckeyes

He had the first true Heisman moment among the frontrunners when he led the Buckeyes back from the dead in the fourth quarter of a road win against Penn Stater last weekend. Haskins actually played better than his numbers suggest, and if it weren’t for a couple of drops by his receivers, he might not have needed the comeback in the first place. Either way, he is sitting on 19 touchdown passes and just two picks, heading into a friendly portion of the schedule when he should put up some big numbers. After that, Haskins will have big games against Michigan State and Michigan to try to lock down the Heisman for himself and playoff spot for his team.

4. Will Grier, QB, West Virginia Mountaineers

Grier just keep singing touchdowns as the engine that drives West Virginia’s high-powered scoring attack. He has thrown for 1,487 yards and 17 touchdowns in just four games, and he is completing 72.1 percent of his passes. The big numbers are likely to continue because of the nature of the offense, but if Grier can help the Mountaineers make a run at the Big 12 title, it will really push his Heisman campaign into high gear. Matchups against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to end the season could definite his Heisman hopes and West Virginia’s season.

5. Trace McSorley, QB, Penn State Nittany Lions

His team came out on the wrong end of a classic against Ohio State last weekend, but McSorley made the most of his time on the national stage. His 461 yards of offense in that game were a school record, and he kept the Buckeyes off balance all night with 175 rushing yards to go with his big plays in the passing game. McSorley has now rushed for 410 yards and six scores this year, and he has thrown for another 10 scores. With games against Michigan State, Michigan and Wisconsin still to come, McSorley has the big stages to keep himself relevant, especially if he keeps the Nittany Lions in the playoff mix as a one-loss team. He will probably need a really special performance or two if he wants to jump to the top of the list, but he is capable of just that.

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