Jonathan Taylor is waiting for one of these quarterbacks to lose.
The junior running back for Wisconsin is the heart and soul of the program and despite closing in on a third consecutive 1,000-yard season, he continues to trail five signal callers in this year’s race for the Heisman Memorial Trophy.
While the University of Alabama was off last week, Tua Tagovailoa continues to be the leader for the coveted bronze award after six weeks.
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He will lead the Crimson Tide back into the Southeastern Conference play this weekend versus Texas A&M inside Kyle Field at College Station, Texas. With the likes of Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields and Sam Ehlinger all in action last week, listed below is the updated version of Touchdown Alabama Magazine’s Heisman race as we started the second half the season.
Heisman Update: Week 6
1. Tua Tagovailoa, QB – Alabama
Even with him not playing last week, one would be hard-pressed to say Tagovailoa isn’t the leader in the clubhouse for the Heisman.
The junior quarterback spearheads one of the most entertaining offenses in college football, as Alabama is averaging 51.8 points per game.
Tagovailoa has guided the team to 40-plus points in all five contests and is the lone trigger man to not have an interception. He’s completed 76.4 percent of his throws (113-for-148) for 1,718 passing yards with 23 touchdowns. The former five-star from Hawaii totals 343.6 yards passing per game and is the school’s career leader in total scores (86), while sharing the record for scoring tosses with AJ McCarron (77).
Tagovailoa can have that mark as well with at least one touchdown pass versus the Aggies.
2. Jalen Hurts, QB – Oklahoma
Les Miles and Kansas had the college football masses a little nervous when it took a 7-0 lead over Oklahoma to start the game; however, Jalen Hurts instantly removed the Jayhawks confidence and put on a show.
He totaled 284 yards offensively (56 yards rushing) with four touchdowns to one interception in a 45-20 win for the Sooners.
Hurts completed 16 of 24 passes for 228 yards and made light work of the Jayhawks.
Despite having two picks, the senior is responsible for 21 scores and still averages 300 yards passing and 100 yards rushing a game. He takes an offense that’s averaging 53.4 points/game into a major rivalry, as Oklahoma battles Texas this week in the Red River shootout.
3. Justin Fields, QB – Ohio State
Beating a ranked opponent convincingly is why Fields is above Joe Burrow.
Ohio State squared off against No. 25 Michigan State and Fields posted three scores. The sophomore threw for 206 yards in a 34-10 victory and is propelling an offense that’s recording 49.3 points a game. Fields has 26 touchdowns (eight rushing) on the season to one interception.
The Buckeyes travel to Northwestern this week.
4. Joe Burrow, QB – LSU
Utah State was simple, but Joe Burrow is about to battle his toughest defensive challenge this weekend.
After a win over Auburn, the Florida Gators will travel to Tiger Stadium with much confidence and its defense is headlined by Jonathan Greenard – a force on the front line.
Burrow is coming off another marquee performance with 344 passing yards and five scoring tosses in the Tigers’ 42-6 win over the Aggies.
He has 22 touchdown passes to just three interceptions and has this offense scorching (54.6 ppg) as the calender is now in October.
5. Sam Ehlinger, QB – Texas
Defense stepped up for the Longhorns against West Virginia, but Ehlinger still managed to collect four touchdowns in a 42-31 win.
He completed 18 of 33 passes for 211 yards with two scoring tosses and a pair of rushing scores. The junior has 20 total scores (three rushing) in five weeks with two interceptions and has a major contest this week versus the Oklahoma Sooners.
Players still in the Hunt
Jonathan Taylor, RB – Wisconsin
J.K. Dobbins, RB – Ohio State
Jake Fromm, QB – Georgia
Travis Etienne, RB – Clemson
Justin Herbert, QB – Oregon
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
