By Rich Eldridge
RICH’S WEEKLY HEISMAN TROPHY BALLOT
1. Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma (508 total offensive yards and 6 TDs responsible for in the Sooners’ 49-31 home win over Houston. Passed 20-23, 332 yards, and 3 TDs. Rushed 16 carries, 176 yards, and 3 TDs of 1,3, and 1 yards. Also had a 43-yard carry.)
2. Travis Ettienne, RB, Clemson (Rushed 12 carries, 205 yards, and 3 TDs of 90, 14, and 48 yards in the Tigers’ 52-14 home win over rival Georgia Tech.)
3. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama (Passed 26-31, 336 yards, and 4 TDs in the Crimson Tide’s 42-3 neutral-site win over Duke in Atlanta, GA.)
RICH’S TOP TEN
1. Clemson
2. Alabama
3. Georgia
4. Texas
5. Oklahoma
6. Ohio State
7. Michigan
8. LSU
9. Stanford
10. UCF
OTHER TEAMS TO MENTION: Cincinnati, Notre Dame, and Penn State
RANKINGS ANALYSIS:
What a great first full week we had to kickoff the 2019 college football season we had here. As you can see, all teams ranked remain the same. Had to change teams in the OTMs section…No surprise that Clemson defeated Georgia Tech, 52-14, in a season-opening home win over their rivals to help get that new ESPN-launched ACC Network. Until some team defeats the Tigers, Clemson will remain #1 in the nation. The Tigers will host Texas A&M this SAT (12:30 PM, ABC)…What Alabama lacked in the 1st quarter, the Crimson Tide sure as hell made up for it in the next three quarters in a 42-3 neutral-site win over Duke in Atlanta, GA. Alabama really has persevered following that disappointing 44-16 playoff final loss against Clemson. The Crimson Tide will have their home-opening game against New Mexico State this SAT (4 PM, SECN)…The winner of the LSU at Texas game this SAT (7:30 PM, ABC) should definitely be in the top five rankings in every official and unofficial poll…Oklahoma did better as expected in their 49-31 home win over Houston. That Sooners defense will need to make more improvements and also they need a new PK who can kick FGs. Oklahoma will have a road game against UCLA this SAT (8 PM, FOX)….Ohio State continues to get better as the Ryan Era has kicked off. The Buckeyes have their hands full with a home game against Cincinnati, who will look to be the first fellow OH team in over 100 years to beat Ohio State, this SAT (Noon, ABC). If these Cincy Bearcats upset the Buckeyes, Cincinnati should be ranked everywhere in the top ten…#7 Michigan will have their hands full against a talented Army football team, who is coming off their best season in years with an 11-2 mark from last season. The Army offense had more trouble than expected to get the ball moving in a 14-7 home win over Rice…#9 Stanford is coming off a 17-7 home win over Northwestern. That Cardinal defense are ready to take on the new starting USC QB who has little experience for a road game against the Trojans this SAT (10:30 PM, ESPN)…#10 UCF is coming off a 62-0 home win over Florida A&M in their quest to three-peat in winning the AAC Championship. The Golden Knights have a road game against Florida Atlantic this SAT (7:30 PM, CBSSN)…Penn State deserves to be among my OTMs because I don’t see them losing a game until an October road game against Iowa. The Nittany Lions are coming off a 79-7 home win over Idaho. Penn State will have a home game against Buffalo this SAT (7:30 PM, FOX)… As expected, Notre Dame was victorious in a 35-17 road win over Louisville. The Fighting Irish will play against their former Head Coach Bob Davie, who brings New Mexico into his former workplace a week from this SAT (2:30 PM, NBC). N-D better not look past those Lobos for their upcoming showdown against (at) Georgia on Sept.21. If the Irish get onto a 3-0 start, I will have to put N-D in my top ten rankings….Speaking of Georgia, the Bulldogs are coming off a 30-6 road win over Vanderbilt. Those ‘Dawgs have an easy home game against Murray State this SAT (4 PM, ESPN2)
GAMEBALLS and HELMET STICKERS
North Carolina Head Coach Mack Brown and Kansas Head Coach Les Miles- Victorious in their first game back as a college football head coach in their new head coaching jobs. Auburn QB Bo Nix- First career start. Passed 13-31, 177 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 INTs in the Tigers’ 27-21 comeback neutral-site win over Oregon. Had a 26-yard passing TD (received by WR Seth Williams with 0:09 remaining) to eventually win this game. Oklahoma WR Charleston Rambo- Received 3 catches, 105 yards, and 1 TD (56 yards) in the Sooners’ 49-31 home win over Houston.
Oklahoma LB Kenneth Murray- Produced 13 tackles (led team; 7 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Sooners’ home win over Houston.
Oklahoma DE Ronnie Perkins- Produced 7 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble in the Sooners’ home win over Houston.
Cincinnati LB Perry Young- Produced 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 INT, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Bearcats’ 24-14 home win over UCLA.
Boston College CB Tate Haynes- Produced 9 tackles (6 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 forced fumble in the B.C Eagles’ 35-28 home win over Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech LB Rayshard Ashby- Produced 13 tackles (led team; 7 solo), 3 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 PBU in the Hokies’ road loss against Boston College.
Notre Dame LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah- Produced 9 tackles (6 solo), 2 TFLs, and 1 QB hurry in the Fighting Irish’s 35-17 road win over Louisville.
Notre Dame QB Ian Book- 274 total offensive yards and 2 TDs responsible for in the Fighting Irish’s road win over Louisville. Passed 14-23
Michigan CB Ambry Thomas- Produced 2 tackles (all solo), 1 TFL, 1 INT (2 yards), and 1 fumble recovery in the Wolverines’ 40-21 home win over MTSU.
Georgia RB D’Andre Swift- Rushed 16 carries for 149 yards, including a 36-yard carry, in the Bulldogs’ 30-6 road win over Vanderbilt.
Iowa LB Dijmon Colbert- Produced 8 tackles (led team; 6 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 PBU in the Hawkeyes’ 38-14 home win over Miami (OH).
Syracuse P Sterling Hofrichter- Had 6 punts with 49.2 yards per punt in the Orange’s 24-0 road win over Liberty. Had 4 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 39-yard punt landing on the 6-yard line.
Texas QB Sam Ehlinger- Passed 28-38, 276 yards, and 4 TDs in the Longhorns’ 45-14 home win over La Tech
Texas S Chris Brown- Produced 6 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 PBU in the Longhorns’ home win over La Tech.
Texas A&M P Braden Mann- Had 3 punts with 43.3 yards per punt in the Aggies’ 41-7 home win over Texas State. Each punt landed inside the 20-yard line, including a 29-yard punt landing on the 10-yard line.
Texas A&M CB Roney Elam- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 1 TFL/sack, 1 INT (24 yards), and 2 PBUs in the Aggies’ home win over Texas State.
Texas A&M Isaiah Spiller- Rushed 7 carries for 106 yards, including an 85-yard carry, in the Aggies’ home win over Texas State.
LSU QB Joe Burrow- Passed 23-27, 278 yards, and 5 TDs in a 55-3 home win over Georgia Southern.
LSU DE Neil Farrell, Jr- Produced 8 tackles (2 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 PBU.
Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman- Received 5 catches, 132 yards, and 1 TD (42 yards) in the Golden Gophers’ 28-21 home win over South Dakota State.
Utah RB Zack Moss- Rushed 29 carries, 187 yards, and 1 TD (from 4 yards out) in the Utes’ 30-12 road win over rival BYU. Also had a 28-yard carry.
Utah S Julian Blackmon- Produced 5 tackles (co-led team; 4 solo), 1 INT (39-yard TD), and 1 PBU in the Utes’ road win over BYU.
Utah LB Francis Bernard- Produced 4 tackles (2 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 INT (58-yard TD) in the Utes’ road win over BYU.
USC RS/WR Velus Jones, Jr- Returned 4 kickoffs, 161 yards, and 1 TD (100 yards) in the Trojans’ 31-23 home win over Fresno State.
Wake Forest LB Justin Strand- Made that game-winning INT (with 0:17 remaining) to seal the Demon Deacons’ 38-35 home win over Utah State. Also produced 12 tackles (led team; 9 solo) and 1 PBU.
Wake Forest QB Jamie Newman- Passed 34-47, 401 yards, and 3 TDs in the Demon Deacons’ home win over Utah State. Also scored a 1-yard rushing TD. Had a 2-yard passing TD (received by WR Kendall Hinton with 1:08 remaining) to eventually win this game.
Nevada QB Carson Strong- Led the Wolfpack from a 31-14 deficit to a 34-31 comeback home win over Purdue. Passed 30-51, 295 yards, and 3 TDs. Had 4 punts with 45 yards per punt. Had 3 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 53-yard punt landing on the 1-yard line.
Nevada PK Brandon Talton- Scored 10 points in the Wolfpack’s home win over Purdue. Scored on all 2 FG and 4 XPK attempts. Scored a 56-yard FG on last play to win that game.
Nevada CB Daniel Brown- Produced 5 tackles (1 solo), 1 TFL, 2 INTs, and 2 PBUs in the Wolfpack’s home win over Purdue.
Purdue WR Rondale Moore- 180 all-purpose running yards in the Boilermakers’ road loss against Nevada. Received 11 catches, 124 yards, and 1 TD (39 yards).
Wyoming S Alijah Halliburton- Produced 17 tackles (led team; 13 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 fumble recovery (79 yards) in the Cowboys’ 37-31 home win over Missouri.
California RB Christopher Brown, Jr- Rushed 36 carries, 197 yards, and 1 TD (from 5 yards out) in the Golden Bears’ 27-13 home win over UC-Davis.
California LB Kunoy Deng- Produced 12 tackles (led team; 9 solo), 2 PBUs, and 2 QB hurries in the Golden Bears’ home win over UC-Davis.
Virginia S Joey Blount- Produced 7 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFLs/sacks, and 1 INT (9 yards) in the Cavaliers’ 30-14 road win over Pittsburgh.
Virginia P Nash Griffin- Had 4 punts with 45.5 yards per punt in the Cavaliers’ road win over Pittsburgh. Had 3 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 49-yard punt landing on the 10-yard line.
The Michigan State defense- Allowed 80 total yards (such as -73 rushing yards) and 8 1st downs in the Spartans’ 28-7 home win over Tulsa. Produced 13 TFLs (including 6 sacks). Those (-73) rushing yards allowed is a new single-game school record for least rushing yards allowed.
Michigan State DE Kenny Willekes- Produced 7 tackles (1 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 2 fumble recoveries (including scoring a TD in the endzone) in the Spartans’ home win over Tulsa.
Michigan State LB Antijuan Simmons- Produced 6 tackles (2 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 INT (13 yards) in the Spartans’ home win over Tulsa.
Michigan State PK Matt Coghlin- Scored 14 points in the Spartans’ home win over Tulsa. Scored on all 4 FG (including a 47-yard FG) and 2 XPK attempts.
Washington QB Jacob Eason- Passed 27-36, 349 yards, and 4 TDs in the Huskies’ 47-14 home win over Eastern Washington.
Arizona State WR Brandon Alyuk- Received 4 catches, 140 yards, and 1 TD (77 yards) in the Sun Devils’ 30-7 home win over Kent State.
Arizona State LB Khalan Kearse-Thompson- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 3 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumbles in the Sun Devils’ home win over Kent State.
The Wisconsin defense- Allowed 157 total yards (including 131 passing yards) and 9 1st downs in the Badgers’ 49-0 road win over South Florida.
Wisconsin DE Matt Henningsen- Produced 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 fumble recovery (16-yard TD) in the Badgers’ road win over South Florida.
Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor- 183 all-purpose running yards and scored 4 TDs in the Badgers’ road win over South Florida. Rushed 16 carries, 135 yards, and 2 TDs (37 and 38). Received 2 catches, 48 yards, and 2 TDs (36 and 12-each scored in the 2nd quarter).
Wisconsin P Anthony Lotti- Had 5 punts with 40.8 yards per punt in the Badgers’ road win over South Florida. Had 3 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 28-yard punt landing on the 9-yard line.
Penn State RB Devyn Ford- Rushed 6 carries for 107 yards, including a 81-yard carry, in the Nittany Lions’ 79-7 home win over Idaho.
Boise State QB Hank Bachmeier- First carer start. Led the Broncos from a 31-13 deficit to a 36-31 comeback road win over Florida State.
Boise State NB Kekaula Kaniho- Produced 6 tackles (all solo), 4 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble in the Broncos’ road win over Florida State.
Georgia State LB Ed Curney- Produced 8 tackles (led team; 4 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 fumble recovery in the Panthers’ 38-30 upset road win over Tennessee.
Memphis DE Bryce Huff- Produced 5 tackles (all solo), 2 TFLs, and 1 sack/safety in the Tigers’ 15-10 home win over Mississippi.
Iowa State WR Deshaunte Jones- Received 14 catches for 126 yards, including a 20-yard catch, in the Cyclones’ 29-26 home win (3 OTs) over Northern Iowa.
Army CB Elijah Riley- Produced 4 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 PBU in the Black Knights’ 14-7 home win over Rice.
Rice P Adam Nunez- Had 4 punts with 46 yards per punt in the Owls’ road loss against Army. Each punt landed inside the 20-yard line, including a 40-yard punt landing in the 4-yard line.
Stanford LB Jordan Fox- Made that game-winning fumble recovery (scored a TD in the endzone with 0:20 remaining) to seal the Cardinal’s 17-7 home win over Northwestern. Also produced 2 tackles (all solo).
Stanford CB Paulson Adebo- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 1 INT, and 2 PBUs in the Cardinal’s home win over Northwestern.
North Carolina LB Chazz Surrratt- Produced 12 tackles (led team; 3 solo), 1 TFL/sack, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Tar Heels’ 24-20 neutral-site win (in Charlotte, N.C) over South Carolina. Made that game-winning sack (on last play) to seal this neutral-site win.
North Carolina S Myles Wolfolk- Produced 6 tackles (3 solo) and 2 INTs (each in the 4th quarter) in the Tar Heels’ neutral-site win over South Carolina.
Nebraska RS/WR J.D Speilman- Returned 4 kickoffs, 80 yards, and 1 TD (76 yards) in the Cornhuskers’ 35-21 home win over South Alabama.
Nebraska CB Cam Taylor-Produced 5 tackles (2 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 INT (48 yards) in the Cornhuskers’ home win over South Alabama.
Oklahoma State RB Chubba Hubbard- Rushed 26 carries, 221 yards, and 3 TDs (6,2, and 53) in the Cowboys’ 52-36 road win over Oregon State.
Miss. State RB Kylin Hill- Rushed 27 carries, 197 yards, and 1 TD (from 5 yards out) in the MSU Bulldogs’ 38-28 road win over Louisiana. Also had a 20-yard carry.
Miss. State CB Cam Dantzler- Produced 7 tackles (all solo), 1 INT, and 1 fumble recovery in the Bulldogs’ road win over Louisiana.
Indiana WR Nick Westbrook- Received 3 catches, 103 yards, and 1 TD (75 yards) in the Hoosiers’ 34-24 neutral-site win (in Indianapolis, IN) over Ball State.
Kentucky P Max Duffy- Had 6 punts with 54 yards per punt in the Wildcats’ 38-24 home win over Toledo. Had 2 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 46-yard punt landing on the 3-yard line.
Northern Illinois WR Tyrice Ritchie- Received 3 catches, 102 yards, and 2 TDs (22 and 68) in the NIU Huskies’ 24-10 home win over Illinois State.
Colorado RB Alex Fontenot- Rushed 19 carries, 125 yards, and 3 TDs (7,14, and 22) in the Buffaloes’ 52-31 neutral-site win (in Denver, CO) over Colorado State. Also had a 32-yard carry.
TCU P Jordy Sandy- Had 4 puntds with 35.5 yards per punt in the Horn Frogs’ 39-7 home win over UAPB. Had 3 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 45-yard punt landing on the 6-yard line.
Texas Tech LB Jordyn Brooks- Produced 11 tackles (led team; 4 solo), 1 TFL, and 2 QB hurries in the Red Raiders’ 45-10 home win over Montana State.
Rutgers RB Isaih Pacheo- Rushed 20 carries, 156 yards, and 4 TDs (2, 57,2, and 7) in the Scarlet Knights’ 48-21 home win over Massachusetts.
Rutgers RB Raheem Blackshear- Received 9 catches, 126 yards, and 1 TD (28 yards) in the Scarlet Knights’ home win over Massachusetts. Also had a 30-yard catch.
Illinois LB Jake Hansen- Produced 7 tackles (5 solo), 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery in the Fighting Illini’s 42-3 home win over Akron.
Washington State RB Max Borghi- Rushed 10 carries, 128 yards, and 1 TD (12 yards) in the Cougars’ 58-7 home win over New Mexico State. Also had a 54-yard carry.
Maryland QB Josh Jackson- Passed 15-24, 245 yards, and 4 TDs in the Terrapins’ 79-0 home win over Howard.
North Texas QB Mason Fine- Passed 28-37, 383 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT in the Mean Green’s 51-31 home win over Abilene Christian.
North Texas WR Rico Bussey- Received 4 catches, 156 yards, and 1 TD (49 yards) in the Mean Green’s home win over Abilene Christian. Also had a 56-yard catch.
UNLV QB Armani Rogers- First game played after coming off a season-ending toe injury last year. 258 total offensive yards and 3 TDs responsible for in a 56-23 home win over Southern Utah. Passed 11-17, 144 yards, and 1 TD. Rushed 11 carries, 114 yards, and 2 TDs (1 and 66).
Tulane LB Marvin Moody- Produced 7 tackles (led team; 3 solo), 2 PBUs, and 1 QB hurry in the Green Wave’s 42-14 home win over FIU.
San Diego State S Tariq Thompson- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 1 INT, and 3 PBUs in the Aztecs’ 6-0 home win over Weber State.
Southern Miss NB DQ Thomas- Produced 7 tackles (led team; 5 solo), 2 TFLs, and 1 INT in the Golden Eagles’ 38-10 home win over Alcorn State.Appalachian State LB Akeem Davis-Gaither- Produced 7 tackles (1 solo), 1 TFL, and 2 PBUs in the Mountaineers’ 42-7 home win over ETSU.
UL-Monroe RB Jabari Johnson- Rushed 10 carries, 173 yards, and 2 TDs (51 and 37) in the ULM Warhawks’ 31-9 home win over Grambling.
Western Michigan QB Jon Wassink- Passed 20-25, 368 yards, and 5 TDs in the WMU Broncos’ 48-13 home win over Monmouth.
Charlotte DE Alex Highsmith- Produced 7 tackles (3 solo), 2 TFLs/sacks, and 2 QB hurries in the 49ers’ 49-28 home win over Gardner-Webb.
