By Rich Eldridge
| RICH’S WEEKLY HEISMAN TROPHY BALLOT 1. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State(Rushed 20 carries, 223 yards, and 2 TDs of 92 and 62 in the OSU Cowboys’ 34-27 home win over TCU. On a current streak of 7 straight games with 100 rushing yards. His 1,604 yards and 18 TDs lead the nation among these rushing categories.) 2. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson(Rushed 9 carries, 212 yards, and 2 TDs of 47 and 86 in the Tigers’ 59-14 home win over Wofford. His 48 career rushing TDs is a new school record. His 8.9 rushing yards per carry leads the nation.) 3. A.J Dillon, RB, Boston College(Rushed 35 carries, 242 yards, and 3 TDs of 51,5, and 2 in the B.C Eagles’ 58-27 road win over Syracuse. His 37 career scoring TDs, including 35 career rushing TDs, is a new school record. His 1,286 rushing yards lead the ACC and 2nd nationally.) RICH’S TOP TEN 1. Alabama 2. Clemson 3. Ohio State 4. LSU 5. Penn State 6. Baylor 7. Georgia 8. Oregon (10) 9. Utah 10. Oklahoma (8) OTHER TEAMS TO MENTION (OTM):Minnesota, Memphis, Cincinnati, Boise State, and San Diego State RANKINGS ANALYSIS:As you can see, the top six remain the same…I moved Oregon from #10 to #8 because of their impressive 56-24 road win over USC at the Coliseum, which is why I leapfrogged the Ducks past Utah, who wasn’t able to beat the Trojans in that same venue this past September. I can see Oregon winning out before the Ducks play (against likely Utah) in the Pac-12 Championship Game. #9 Utah is coming off a 33-28 road win over upset-minded Washington. The Ducks and the Utes have a bye-week before a Nov.16 home game against their respective opponent…#3 Ohio State is coming off a bye-week and will have a home game against Maryland, who is currently on a four-game losing streak, this SAT (Noon, FOX)…#2 Clemson is coming off an easy 59-14 home win over Wofford,. The Tigers have a road game against N.C State this SAT ((7:30 PM, ABC)…#6 Baylor is lucky with a capital L. TRICK OR TREAT! If there was another proven undefeated team from a power conference (besides Minnesota), I definitely would’ve ranked the Bears #7 or lower. Baylor needed to block a FG in a 17-14 home win over West Virginia, who gave these Bears a uprising scare on Halloween night, to eventually win this game. The Mountaineers would get one more chance but wouldn’t be able to score anyway. The Bears have a road game this SAT (Noon, FS1). The Bears are currently on a four-game losing streak against these Horn Frogs… #7 Georgia is coming off a tough as expected 24-17 neutral-site win (in Jacksonville, FL) over rival Florida.The Bulldogs have a home game against Missouri this SAT (7 PM, ABC). These ‘Dawgs better not look past these Tigers for their Nov.16 road game against rival Auburn…#10 Oklahoma is using the bye-week to get that disappointing 48-41 upset road loss against Kansas State out of their system and get ready for a home game against Iowa State this SAT (FOX, 8 PM). What happened the last time the Sooners had a home game against Iowa State in Norman, OK? Oklahoma blew a 31-14 lead and allowed Iowa State to come back and upset the Sooners (led by eventual 2017 Heisman trophy-winning QB Baker Mayfield) during that 2017 season. Oklahoma rebounded last season with a 37-27 road win over Iowa State. The Sooners are good enough to rebound from that disappointing loss and better not look past those Cyclones for a Nov.16 road game against Baylor…I am not surprised that Memphis had 54-48 home win over then-undefeated SMU. I knew the Tigers would stop those Mustangs dead at their tracks. Memphis has a bye-week prior to a Nov.16 road game against Houston while SMU will have a home game against East Carolina this SAT (Noon, ESPNU)… Cincinnati survived a scare following a 46-43 road win over upset-minded East Carolina. The Bearcats still control their destiny if they keep winning, they will win the AAC East Division and play in the AAC Championship Game. Cincinnati will have a homecoming game against Connecticut this SAT (3:30 PM, CBSSN)…Boise State is another team who survived an unexpected scare as the Broncos had a 52-42 road win over San Jose State. The Broncos have a home game against Wyoming this SAT (10:15 PM, ESPN). The winner of that game could have their ticket punched for the MW Championship Game…. San Diego State continues to have a greater season than expected. The Aztecs are coming off a bye-week and have a home game against Nevada this SAT (10:30 PM, ESPN 2)…Judgement Day is coming upon us because we have two games with two undefeated teams, who are all coming a bye-week this past weekend, playing each other. #5 Penn State at Minnesota, who is among my OTMs (Noon, ABC) and #4 LSU, who is ranked #1 in thew AP Sportswriters’ poll, will play against (at) #1 Alabama (3:30 PM, CBS). Alabama and Penn State are favored to win. If LSU wins, I will have to consider ranking the Tigers #1 in my rankings. If Minnesota wins, I will have to rank them somewhere in my top ten and a PROVEN team before the Golden Gophers finally lose a game. Someone WILL win and some team WILL lose. Come this SAT, there will be a shake-up in my top ten rankings and my OTMs. GAMEBALLS and HELMET STICKERS Central Michigan, Florida Atlantic, Kansas State, Liberty, Louisiana, Marshall, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh, Texas A&M, Tulane, and Virginia- Wins over respective opponents made them bowl eligible this season. Georgia WR Lawrence Cager- Received 7 catches,132 yards, and 1 TD (52 yards) in the Bulldogs’ 24-17 neutral-site win (in Jacksonville, FL) over rival Florida. Georgia PK Rodrigo Blankenship- Scored 10 points in the Bulldogs’ neutral-site win over Florida. Scored on all 3 FG attempts (including a 37-yard FG). His 389 career scoring points are sixth-most in SEC history. Utah S Julian Blackmon- Made that onside kick recovery to seal the Utes’ 33-28 road win over Washington. Also produced 8 tackles (5 solo) and 1 INT. Memphis WR/RS Antonio Gibson- 386 all-purpose running yards and scored 3 TDs in the Tigers’ 54-48 home win over undefeated SMU. Received 6 catches, 130 yards, and 1 TD (50 yards). Returned 3 kickoffs, 159 yards, and 1 TD (97 yards). Rushed 3 carries, 97 yards, and 1 TD (78 yards). His 386 all-purpose running yards is a new single-game school record. Memphis WR Damontie Coxie- Received 7 catches, 143 yards, and 2 TDs (24 and 49) in the Tigers’ home win over SMU. Baylor DT Bravvion Roy- Made that game-saving blocked FG attempt (on 4th and 7 with 3:33 remaining to prevent OT) in the Bears’ 17-14 home win over West Virginia. Also produced 2 tackles (all solo) and 1 TFL. Baylor QB Charlie Brewer- Passed 20-26, 277 yards, and 2 TDs. Baylor LB Blake Lynch- Produced 5 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 PBU in the Bears’ home win over West Virginia. Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton- Made that game-winning INT (on 3rd and 10 with 0:02 remaining) to seal the Fighting Irish’s 21-20 home win over Virginia Tech.Also produced 4 tackles (2 solo) and 1 PBU. Notre Dame QB Ian Book- 391 total offensive yards and 3 TDs responsible for in the Fighting Irish’s home win over Virginia Tech. Rushed 13 carries, 50 yards, and 1 TD (from 7 yards out). Scored that 7-yard rushing TD (on 3rd and Goal with 0:29 remaining) to eventually win this game. Passed 29-53, 341 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 INTs. Notre Dame OT Robert Hainsey- 22nd consecutive start. Got injured during the Fighting Irish’s home win over Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech LB Dax Hollifield- Produced 7 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 INT in the Hokies’ road loss against Notre Dame. Virginia QB Bryce Perkins- 490 total offensive yards and 5 TDs responsible for in the Cavaliers’ 38-31 road win over North Carolina. Passed 30-39, 378 yards, and 3 TDs. Rushed 24 carries, 112 yards, and 2 TDs (1 and 65). Virginia DE Mandy Alonso- Produced 4 tackles (2 solo), 2 TFLs, and 2 QB hurries in the Cavaliers’ road win over North Carolina. North Carolina WR Dyami Brown- Received 6 catches, 202 yards, and 3 TDs (47 and 34-each scored in the 2nd quarter) in the Tar Heels’ home loss against Virginia. North Carolina LB Chazz Surratt- Produced 15 tackles (13 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 forced fumble, and 1 QB hurry in the Tar Heels’ home loss against Virginia. Auburn LB Christian Tutt- Made that game-winning INT (57 yards; on last play) to seal the Tigers’ 20-14 home win over Mississippi. Also produced 4 tackles (all solo). Oregon QB Justin Herbert- Passed 21-26, 225 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT in the Ducks’ 56-24 road win over USC. Also scored a 10-yard rushing TD. Oregon WR Juwan Johnson- Received 7 catches, 106 yards, and 3 TDs (5,11, and 37) in the Ducks’ road win over USC. Oregon S Brady Breeze- Produced 7 tackles (led team; 3 solo), 1 INT (32 yard TD), and 1 fumble recovery (3 yards) in the Ducks’ road win over USC.Clemson LB Jake Venables- Produced 8 tackles (5 solo) and 3 TFLs in the Tigers’ 59-14 home win over Wofford. Michigan S Josh Metellus- Produced 9 tackles (led team; 8 solo), 2 TFLs, and 1 INT in the Wolverines’ 38-7 road win over Maryland. Wake Forest CB Amari Henderson- Produced 6 tackles (led team; 5 solo), 1 TFL, 2 INTs, and 4 PBUs in the Demon Deacons’ 44-10 home win over N.C State. Wake Forest P Dom Maggio- Had 6 punts with 41.2 yards per punt in the Demon Deacons’ home win over N.C State. Had 5 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 48-yard punt landing on the 2-yard line. Texas A&M RB Isaiah Spiller- Rushed 30 carries, 217 yards, and 3 TDs (60,50, and 8) in the Aggies’ 45-14 home win over UTSA. Oklahoma State S Kolby Harvell-Peel- Produced 6 tackles (5 solo), 2 INTs, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 PBUs in the OSU Cowboys’ 34-27 home win over TCU. Purdue DE Derrick Barnes- Made that game-winning PBU (on 4th and 3 with 0:26 remaining) to seal the Boilermakers’ 21-17 home win over Nebraska. Also produced 5 tackles (3 solo), 2 TFLs, and 1 sack. The Miami defense- Held Florida State RB Cam Akers to 66 rushing yards in 22 carries in the Hurricanes’ 27-10 road win over rival Florida State. Miami DE Greg Rousseau- Produced 8 tackles (7 solo), 5 TFLs, and 4 sacks in the Hurricanes’ road win over Florida State. Pittsburgh LB Kylan Johnson- Produced 5 tackles (all solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 forced fumble in the Pitt Panthers’ 20-10 road win over Georgia Tech. Pittsburgh LB Cam Bright- Produced 2 tackles (all solo) and 1 fumble recovery (to prevent a D from being scored and returned it for 79 yards to set up a FG) in the Panthers’ road win over Georgia Tech. South Carolina LB T.J Brunson- Produced 6 tackles (led team; all solo), 1 TFL, and 1 INT (5 yards) in the Gamecocks’ 24-7 homecoming win over Vanderbilt. Oregon State QB Jake Luton- Passed 20-26, 328 yards, and 3 TDs in the OSU Beavers’ 56-38 road win over Arizona. Oregon State WR Isaiah Hodgins- Received 7 catches, 150 yards, and 2 TDs (21 and 25) in the Beavers’ road win over Arizona. Also had a 39-yard catch. Oregon State LB Omar Speights- Produced 10 tackles (led team; 6 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 PBU in the Beavers’ road win over Arizona. Tennessee CB Bryce Thompson- Produced 3 tackles (2 solo), 3 INTs (28 yards, including a 23-yard INT return), and 1 QB hurry in the Volunteers’ 30-7 homecoming win over UAB. Tennessee PK Brent Cimaglia- Scored 12 points in the Volunteers’ home win over UAB. Scored on all 3 FG (including a 53-yard FG) and 3 XPK attempts. Kansas State QB Skylar Thompson- Rushed 17 carries, 127 yards, and 3 TDs (1,12, and 4) in the K-State Wildcats’ 38-10 road win over Kansas. Also had a 34-yard carry. Also passed 9-16, and 129 yards. Illinois LB Dele Harding- Produced 12 tackles (led team; 7 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 INT (54-yard TD), and 1 forced fumble in the Illini’s 38-10 home win over Rutgers. UCLA LB Krys Barnes- Produced 7 tackles (4 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 INT (4 yards) in the Bruins’ 31-14 home win over Colorado. Boston College RB David Bailey- Rushed 16 carries, 172 yards, and 2 TDs (29 and 74) in the B.C Eagles’ 58-27 road win over Syracuse. Boston College LB Max Richardson- Produced 8 tackles (led team; 7 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 forced fumble in the Eagles’ road win over Syracuse.Indiana P Haydon Whitehead- Had 5 punts with 35.6 yards per punt in the Hoosiers’ 34-3 home win over Northwestern. Had 4 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 35-yard punt landing on the 4-yard line. Georgia Southern CB Jessie Liptrot- Produced 2 tackles (1 solo) and 2 PBUs in the Eagles’ 24-21 road win over Appalachian State. Georgia Southern RB Wesley Kennedy III- Rushed 13 carries, 145 yards, and 2 TDs (2 and 68) in the Eagles’ road win over Appalachian State. Georgia Southern P Anthony Beck- Had 6 punts with 38.7 yards per punt in the Eagles’ road win over Appalachian State. Had 4 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 44-yard punt landing inside the 5-yard line.Cincinnati QB Desmond Ridder- 307 total offensive yards in the Bearcats’ 46-43 road win over East Carolina. Passed 12-24, 161 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs. Rushed 12 carries for 146 yards, including a 32-yard carry. Cincinnati RB Michael Warren- Rushed 18 carries, 141 yards, and 3 TDs (1,1,and 3) in the Bearcats’ road win over East Carolina. Also had a 40-yard carry. Cincinnati CB Ahmad Gardener- Produced 3 tackles (all solo), 1 INT (62-yard TD), and 2 PBUs in the Bearcats’ road win over East Carolina. East Carolina PK Jake Verity- Scored 13 points in the ECU Pirates’ home loss against Cincinnati. East Carolina QB Holton Ahlers- Passed 32-52, 535 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT in the Pirates’ home loss against Cincinnati. East Carolina WR C.J Johnson- Received 12 catches, 283 yards, and 1 TD (75 yards) in the Pirates’ home loss against Cincinnati. Fresno State PK Cesar Silva- Scored 11 points in the Bulldogs’ 41-38 road win over Hawaii. Kicked 2-4 FGs and scored on all 5 XPK attempts. Missed first 2 FG attempts before scoring the last 2 FG attempts. Scored a 37-yard FG (on last play) to win this game. Fresno State RB Ronnie Rivers- Rushed 19 carries, 103 yards, and 2 TDs (44 and 4) in the Bulldogs’ road win over Hawaii. Fresno State S JuJu Hughes- Produced 10 tackles (led team; 7 solo) and 2 PBUs in the Bulldogs’ road win over Hawaii. Air Force FB Timothy Jackson- Rushed 20 carries, 155 yards, and 1 TD (from 3 yards out) in the Falcons’ 17-13 home win over rival Army. Also had a 40-yard carry. Air Force P Charlie Scott- Had 5 punts with 44 yards per punt in the Falcons’ home win over Army. Had 2 punts land inside the 20-yard line-each landing on the 14-yard line. FIU S Olin Cushion III- Made that game-winning INT (on 2nd and 10 with 1:00 remaining) to seal the FIU Panthers’ 24-17 home win over Old Dominion. Also produced 2 tackles (all solo) and 1 PBU. FIU DT Teair Tart- Produced 3 tackles (all solo), 3 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble in the FIU Panthers’ home win over Old Dominion. Arkansas State WR Omar Bayless- Made that onside kick recovery (with 2:21 remaining) to seal the Red Wolves’ 48-41 road win over UL-Monroe. Arkansas State RB Marcel Murray- Rushed 24 carries, 175 yards, and 3 TDs (57,35, and 6) in the Red Wolves’ road win over UL-Monroe. U-L Monroe QB Caleb Evans- 363 total offensive yards and 5 TDs responsible for in the Warhawks’ homecoming loss against Arkansas State. Boise State RB George Holani- Rushed 28 carries, 126 yards, and 4 TDs (1,6,6, and 8) in the Broncos’ 52-42 road win over San Jose State. Boise State NB Kekaula Kaniho- Produced 9 tackles (led team; 6 solo), 2 PBUs, and 1 QB hurry in the Broncos’ road win over San Jose State. UCF WR Tre Nixon- Received 6 catches, 123 yards, and 2 TDs (32 and 34) in the Golden Knights’ 44-29 home win over Houston. Also had a 38-yard catch. UCF NB Aaron Robinson- Produced 5 tackles (3 solo), 2 TFLs, and 2 PBUs in the Golden Knights’ home win over Houston. Florida Atlantic LB Akileis Leroy- Produced 12 tackles (led team; 5 solo), 2 TFLs/sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 PBU in the FAU Owls’ 35-24 road win over Western Kentucky. Nevada WR Romeo Doubs- Received 11 catches, 167 yards, and 1 TD (57 yards) in the Wolfpack’s 21-10 home win over New Mexico. Tulane RB Stephon Huderson- Rushed 7 carries for 100 yards, including a 55-yard carry, in the Green Wave’s 38-26 homecoming win over Tulsa. Colorado State S Jamal Hicks- Produced 11 tackles (led team; 4 solo), 2 PBUs, and 1 QB hurry in the CSU Rams’ 37-17 home win over UNLV. BYU WR Lopini Katoa- 171 all-purpose running yards in the BYU Cougars’ 42-14 road win over Utah State. Rushed 7 carries, 42 yards, and 1 TD (from 6 yards out). Also had a 14-yard carry. Received 4 catches for 129 yards, including a 77-yard catch. North Texas QB Mason Fine- Passed 24-39, 332 yards, and 7 TDs in the Mean Green’s 52-26 home win over UTEP. Louisiana RB Elijah Mitchell- Rushed 13 carries, 126 yards, and 1 TD (39 yards) in the Ragin’ Cajuns’ 31-3 homecoming win over Texas State. Navy FB Nelson Smith- Rushed 5 carries, 86 yards, and 1 TD (from 1 yard out) in the Midshipmen’s 56-10 road win over Connecticut. Also had a 77-yard carry. Navy DE Jackson Perkins- Produced 6 tackles (1 solo), 1 TFL,1 INT (10 yards), and 1 PBU in the Midshipman’s road win over Connecticut. Buffalo RB Jaret Patterson- Rushed 33 carries, 160 yards, and 2 TDs (each from 1 yard out) in the Bulls’ 43-14 road win over Eastern Michigan. Also had a 23-yard carry. Bowling Green LB Brandon Perce- Produced 8 tackles (led team; 4 solo), 2 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and 1 PBU in the Falcons’ 35-6 home win over Akron. Central Michigan RB Kobe Lewis- Rushed 17 carries, 143 yards, and 1 TD (75 yards) in the CMU Chippewas’ 48-10 home win over Northern Illinois. Central Michigan DE LaQuan Johnson- Produced 2 tackles (all solo), 2 TFLs/sacks, and 1 forced fumble in the Chippewas’ home win over Northern Illinois. Liberty QB Stephen Calvert- Passed 20-27, 474 yards, and 4 TDs in the Flames’ 63-21 road win over Massachusetts. Liberty WR Antonio Gandy-Golden- Received 6 catches, 137 yards, and 1 TD (60 yards) in the Flames’ road win over Massachusetts. |
