RICH’S WEEKLY HEISMAN TROPHY BALLOT
1. Mac Jones, QB, Alabama(Passed 18-26, 302 yards, and 5 TDs in the Crimson Tide’s 42-13 home-finale win over in-state rival Auburn. His 76.2 completion percentage and 208 efficiency rating lead the SEC and second nationally.)
2. DeVonta Smith, RB, Alabama(Received 7 catches, 171 yards, and 2 TDs of 66 and 58 in the Crimson Tide’s home win over Auburn. His 72 catches and 1,074 yards are second in the SEC and third nationally.)
3. Kyren Williams, RB, Notre Dame(Rushed 23 carries, 124 yards, and 2 TDs of 1 and 2 yards in the Fighting Irish’s 31-17 road win over North Carolina. Also had a 47-yard carry. Received 4 catches, 20 yards, and 1 TD from 4 yards out. Also had an 11-yard catch. His 901 rushing yards are second in the ACC and seventh nationally.)
RICH’S TOP TEN
1. Alabama
2. Notre Dame
3. Cincinnati
4. Ohio State
5. Clemson (8)
6. Marshall
7. BYU
8. Miami (9)
9. Texas A&M
10. Florida (OTM)
OTHER TEAMS TO MENTION (OTM):Coastal Carolina, Tulsa, and Liberty
RANKINGS ANALYSIS:As you can see, the top four remain the same. A lot of upsets took place and teams dropped out of my top ten rankings and among my OTMs. Oregon, who ranked #5 in my rankings, had a 41-38 road loss against rival Oregon State. Northwestern, who was undefeated (5-0) and among my OTMs, had a 29-20 road loss against Michigan State. Nevada, who was also undefeated (5-0) and among my OTMs, had a 24-21 road loss against Hawaii…#1 Alabama showed how great they are-minus Head Coach Nick Saban on the sidelines- in their 42-13 home-finale win over in-state rival Auburn. The Crimson Tide will take on another team called The Tigers with ‘Bama having a road game against LSU this SAT (8 PM, CBS)….Clemson moved up from #8 to #5 because they are really better and more dominant since that 47-40 road loss against Notre Dame and with starting QB Trevor Lawrence back in the starting lineup. I can’t see the Tigers losing before the playoff pairings. I could see Clemson defeating Notre Dame in a rematch for the ACC Championship Game. The Tigers are coming off a 52-17 home-finale win over Pittsburgh (including a 31-0 lead to end the 1st quarter). The Tigers have a road game against Virginia Tech this SAT (7:30 PM, ABC) before their rematch against Notre Dame in the ACC Championship Game…. #3 Cincinnati is coming off another unexpected bye after their road game against Temple was cancelled due to CO-VID19. The UC Bearcats will have another bye-week before a Dec.12 road game against Tulsa, who is 5-1 and coming off an unexpected bye-week too. The Golden Hurricanes are among my OTMs because they are on a current five-game winning streak after having a 16-7 season-opening road loss against Oklahoma State. If Cincy wins, they remain undefeated and will host the AAC Championship Game. If Tulsa wins, they have Cincinatti coming back to their home stadium for a second straight week for the AAC Championship Game…#4 Ohio State is coming off an unexpected bye-week because their road game against Illinois was cancelled due to COVID19. The Buckeyes will have a road game against Michigan State this SAT (Noon, ABC). These Buckeyes better not take these MSU Spartans lightly because of their upset win over Northwestern this past SAT and have a history of upsetting undefeated Ohio State a few times….Undefeated Marshall remains ranked at #6. Their home game against Charlotte was postponed because of CO-VID19. The Thundering Herd have a home game against Rice this SAT (Noon)…Undefeated BYU remains ranked at #7. The BYU Cougars will have another bye-week before a Dec.12 home game against San Diego State…Miami moves up from #9 to #8 after another unexpected bye-week. The Hurricanes have another bye-week after a Dec.4 road game against Wake Forest was postponed because of CO-VID19. The ‘Canes will have a home game against North Carolina on Dec.12… Texas A&M is coming off a tough 20-7 home-finale win over rival LSU. Both teams played sluggish and sloppy in that game. If it wasn’t for a home win over Florida, I wouldn’t have the Aggies ranked in my top ten or should be ranked in the top five in the other major polls. Texas A&M will have a road game against Auburn, who has upset on their minds, this SAT (Noon, ESPN). The Aggies are on a current three-game losing streak against the Tigers…Florida moves up from OTM to #10. The Gators keep winning by more than 20 points in their last three games. Had the Gators defeated Texas A&M, Florida would obviously be undefeated and be in the top five in all rankings. The Gators have a road game against Tennessee this SAT (3:30 PM, CBS)…Coastal Carolina remains undefeated and among my OTMs. The Chanticleers are coming off a 49-14 road win over Texas State to clinch the SBC East Division title. Coastal Carolina will have a home-finale game against Liberty this SAT (2 PM).I have the Liberty Flames among my OTMs because they have enough talent, including QB Joshua Mack, to possibly defeat the Chanticleers before Coastal Carolina plays in the SBC Championship Game…
GAMEBALLS and HELMET STICKERS
Boston College, Georgia, Memphis, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, and UCF- Wins over respective opponents made them bowl eligible this season.
Oregon State RB Jermar Jefferson- Rushed 29 carries, 226 yards, and 2 TDs (82 and 2) in the OSU Beavers’ 41-38 comeback home win over rival Oregon. His 2,740 career rushing yards are fifth-most in school history.
Iowa State RB Breece Hall- Rushed 20 carries, 91 yards, and 1 TD (from 3 yards out) in the Cyclones’ 23-20 comeback road win over Texas. Scored that 3-yard rushing TD (on 2nd and 1 with 1:25 remaining) to eventually win this game. Also had an 18-yard carry.
Iowa State TE Charlie Kolar- Received 6 catches for 131 yards, including a 44-yard catch, in the Cyclones’ road win over Texas.
Iowa State LB Mike Rose- Produced 13 tackles (led team; 4 solo),1 TFl, and 1 PBU in the Cyclones’ road win over Texas.
Texas WR Brennan Eagles- Received 5 catches for 142 yards, including a 59-yard catch, in the Longhorns’ home-finale loss against Iowa State.
Notre Dame WR Javon McKinley- Received 6 catches for 135 yards, including a 53-yard catch, in the Fighting Irish’s 31-17 road win over North Carolina.
Notre Dame LB Drew White- Produced 5 tackles (3 solo), 2 TFLs, and 1 PBU in the Fighting Irish’s road win over North Carolina.
Alabama LB Christopher Allen- Produced 4 tackles (3 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 2 QB hurries in the Crimson Tide’s 42-13 home-finale win over in-state rival Auburn.
Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence- First game back after missing two games because he tested positive for CO-VID19. Passed 26-37, 403 yards, and 2 TDs in the Tigers’ 52-17 home-finale win over Pittsburgh. His 10,001 career total offensive yards are third-most in school history.
Clemson WR Cornell Powell- Received 6 catches, 176 yards, and 1 TD (43 yards) in the Tigers’ home win over Pittsburgh. Also had a 70-yard catch.
Michigan State CB Shakur Brown- Produced 2 tackles (all assisted), 2 INTs (including a 54-yard INT return), and 1 QB hurry in the MSU Spartans’ 29-20 home win over Northwestern.
Michigan State PK Matt Coghlin- Scored 11 points in the Spartans’ home win over Northwestern. Kicked 3-4 FG (including a 48-yard FG) and scored on all 2 XPK attempts. Scored that 48-yard FG (on 4th and 3 with 3:35 remaining) to eventually win this game.
Florida TE Kyle Pitts- First game back after sitting out two games because of multiple injuries. Received 5 catches, 99 yards,and 3 TDs (56,2, and 7) in the Gators’ 34-10 home win over Kentucky.
Florida S Shawn Davis- Produced 7 tackles (1 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 INT (8 yards) in the Gators’ home win over Kentucky.
Washington- Overcame a 21-0 deficit and scored 24 unanswered points in the Huskies’ 24-21 home win over Utah.
Washington LB Zion Tupuola- Fetui- Produced 6 tackles (4 solo), 3 TFLs/sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery (29 yards) in the Huskies’ home win over Utah.
Washington NB Elijah Molden- Produced 8 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 INT (24 yards) in the Huskies’ home win over Utah.
Oklahoma State RB Dezmon Jackson- Rushed 36 carries, 235 yards, and 3 TDs (1,7, and 7) in the OSU Cowboys’ 50-44 home-finale win over Texas Tech. Also had a 23-yard carry.
Oklahoma State S Tre Sterling- Produced 9 tackles (6 solo), 1 TFL, 1 INT (65-yard TD), 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 PBU in the Cowboys’ home win over Texas Tech.
Mississippi WR Elijah Moore- Received 12 catches for 139 yards, including a 53-yard catch, in the Ole Rebels’ 31-24 home win over Miss. State.
Mississippi CB A.J Finley- Made that game-winning PBU (on last play) to seal the Rebels’ home win over Miss. State. Also produced 6 tackles (5 solo) and 1 TFL.
Iowa PK Keith Duncan- Scored 14 points in the Hawkeyes’ 26-20 home win over rival Nebraska. Kicked 4-5 FGs (including a 48-yard FG) and scored on all 2 XPK attempts.
Iowa DT Daviyon Nixon- Produced 8 tackles (5 solo), 3 TFLs, and 1 sack in the Hawkeyes’ home win over Nebraska.
Baylor PK John Mayers- Scored 8 points in the Bears’ 32-31 comeback home win over Kansas State. Scored on all 2 FG (including a 30-yard FG) and 2 XPK attempts. Scored that 30-yard FG (on last play) to win this game.
Baylor QB Charlie Brewer- 405 total offensive yards and 4 TDs responsible for in the Bears’ home win over Kansas State. Passed 31-39, 349 yards, and 2 TDs. Rushed 23 carries, 56 yards, and 2 TDs (7 and 1). Also had a 20-yard carry.
Stanford DE Thomas Booker- Produced 2 tackles (1 solo), 1 TFL, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 blocked XPK attempt in the Cardinal’s 24-23 road win over rival California. Made that blocked XPK attempt (with 0:58 remaining) to eventually win that game.
Stanford LB Curtis Robinson- Produced 8 tackles (6 solo), 2 TFLs, and 1 blocked FG attempt in the Cardinal’s road win over California.
N.C State WR Thayer Thomas- Received 9 catches, 102 yards, and 3 TDs (15,31, and 9) in the Wolfpack’s 36-29 road win over Syracuse.
N.C State LB Payton Wilson- Produced 10 tackles (led team; 8 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 QB hurry in the Wolfpacks’ road win over Syracuse.
N.C State P Trenton Gill- Had 4 punts with 51.2 yards per punt in the Wolfpack’s road win over Syracuse. Had 3 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 47-yard punt landing on the 9-yard line.
Boston College DE Shitta Sillah- Made that game-winning INT (on 2nd and 2 with 1:42 remaining) to seal the BC Eagles’ 34-27 home-finale win over Louisville. Also produced 3 tackles (1 solo).
Texas A&M LB Buddy Johnson- Produced 9 tackles (led team; 5 solo), 1 INT (15-yard TD), and 1 PBU in the Aggies’ 20-7 home win over LSU.
Penn State RB Keyvone Lee- Rushed 22 carries, 134 yards, and 1 TD (from 6 yards out) in the Nittany Lions’ 27-17 upset road win over Michigan. Also had a 24-yard carry.
The Colorado defense- Held the San Diego State offense to 155 total yards (including 79 rushing yards) and 10 1st downs in the Buffaloes’ 20-10 home win over San Diego State. Also produced 11 TFLs.
Colorado LB Nate Landman- Produced 11 tackles (led team; 9 solo), 3 TFLs/sacks, and 1 PBU in the Buffaloes’ home win over San Diego State.
Indiana LB Micah McFadden- Produced 3 tackles (all solo), 1 TFL/sack, 1 INT, and 1 QB hurry in the Hoosiers’ 27-11 home win over Maryland.
UCLA RB Demetric Felton- Rushed 32 carries, 206 yards, and 1 TD (from 1 yard out) in the Bruins’ 27-10 home win over Arizona. Also had a 35-yard carry.
UCLA LB Mitchell Agude- Produced 4 tackles (all solo), 1 TFL/sack, 2 forced fumbles, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Bruins’ home win over Arizona.
UCLA P Luke Ayers- Had 6 punts with 39.5 yards per punt in the Bruins’ home win over Arizona. Had 4 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 36-yard punt landing on the 1-yard line.
The Georgia Tech offensive line- Helped this offense have 523 total yards (including 377 rushing yards) and 23 1st downs in the Yellow Jackets’ 56-33 home win over Duke.
Georgia Tech S Tariq Carpenter- Produced 5 tackles (all solo), 2 TFLs, 1 INT (43 yards), and 2 PBUs in the Yellow Jackets’ home win over Duke.
Georgia RB James Cook- Rushed 6 carries, 104 yards, and 2 TDs (5 and 29) in the Bulldogs’ 45-16 road win over South Carolina. Also had a 44-yard carry.
TCU LB Dee Winters- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 3 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 fumble recovery (2-yard TD) in the Horn Frogs’ 59-23 road win over Kansas.
TCU LB Garrett Wallow- Produced 10 tackles (led team; all solo), 1 TFL, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Horn Frogs’ road win over Kansas.
TCU P Jordy Sandy- Had 7 punts with 34 yards per punt in the Horn Frogs’ road win over Kansas. Had 4 punts landing inside the 20-yard line, including a 32-yard punt landing on the 7-yard line.
Missouri RB Larry Roundtree- Rushed 21 carries, 160 yards, and 3 TDs (7,7, and 25) in the Tigers’ 41-0 home win over Vanderbilt. Also had a 27-yard carry.
Missouri LB Nick Bolton- Produced 9 tackles (led team; all solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 PBU in the Tigers’ home win over Vanderbilt.
Western Michigan CB Patrick Lupro- Made that game-winning PBU (on 4th and 7 with 0:59 remaining) to seal the WMU Broncos’ 30-27 comeback home win over Northern Illinois. Also produced 8 tackles (6 solo).
Western Michigan S Bricen Garner- Produced 10 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL, and 3 PBUs in the Broncos’ home win over Northern Illinois.
Western Michigan WR D’Wayne Eskridge- 285 all-purpose running yards in the Broncos’ home win over Northern Illinois. Received 7 catches for 134 yards, including a 57-yard catch. Returned 3 kickoffs, 124 yards, and 1 TD (100 yards).
Northern Illinois CB Jordan Gandy- Produced 7 tackles (led team; 6 solo) and 5 PBUs in the NIU Huskies’ road loss against Western Michigan.
Northern Illinois WR Tyrice Richie- Received 12 catches, 131 yards, and 1 TD (from 3 yards out) in the Huskies’ road loss against Western Michigan. Also had a 39-yard catch.
Memphis S Sanchez Blake- Produced 12 tackles (co-led team; 7 solo), 1 forced fumble, 1 PBU in the Tigers’ 10-7 road win over Navy.
Memphis P Adam Williams- Hd 6 punts with 40.2 yards per punt in the Tigers’ road win over Navy. Had 4 punts landing inside the 20-yard line, including a 34-yard punt landing on the 9-yard line.
Ball State S Bryce Crosby- Made that game-winning fumble recovery (on 2nd and 10 with 1:04 remaining) to seal the Cardinals’ 27-24 road win over Toledo. Also produced 4 tackles (all assisted), 1 INT, and 2 PBUs.
Central Michigan CB Donte Kent- Made that game-winning INT (on 1st and Goal with 0:53 remaining) to seal the CMU Chippewas’ 31-23 road win over Eastern Michigan.
Central Michigan LB Troy Hairston II- Produced 11 tackles (led team; 2 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 fumble recovery in the Chippewas’ road win over Eastern Michigan.
Central Michigan RB Lew Nichols III- Rushed 29 carries, 196 yards, and 2 TDs (9 and 1) in the Chippewas’ road win over Eastern Michigan. Also had a 36-yard carry.
Georgia State WR Cornelius McCoy- Received 5 catches, 111 yards, and 1 TD (45 yards) in the Panthers’ 30-24 season-finale home win over Georgia Southern.
Georgia Southern RB Logan Wright- Rushed 8 carries, 143 yards, and 2 TDs (63 and 5) in the Eagles’ road loss against Georgia State.
South Alabama WR Jalen Tolbert- Received 10 catches, 252 yards, and 3 TDs (42,37, and 51) in the USA Trojans’ 38-31 road win over Arkansas State.
UCF RB Bentavious Thompson- Rushed 16 carries, 110 yards, and 2 TDs (27 and 2) in the Golden Knights’ 58-46 road win over rival South Florida.
UCF DE Landon Woodson- Produced 7 tackles (6 solo) and 3 TFLs/sacks in the Golden Knights’ road win over South Florida.
East Carolina QB Holton Ahlers- Passed 20-29, 298 yards, and 4 TDs in the ECU Pirates’ 52-38 season-finale home win over SMU.
East Carolina WR Blake Proehl- Received 6 catches, 152 yards, and 2 TDs (11 and 35) in the Pirates’ home win over SMU. Also had a 38-yard catch.
East Carolina CB Ja’Q McMillian- Produced 5 tackles (all solo), 2 INTs (including a 31-yard INT return), and 1 PBU in the Pirates’ home win over SMU.
Utah State QB Andrew Peasley- 357 total offensive yards and 4 TDs responsible for in the Aggies’ 41-27 home win over New Mexico. Passed 14-21, 239 yards, and 3 TDs. Rushed 11 carries, 118 yards, and 1 TD (62).
Utah State LB Nick Heninger- Produced 8 tackles (4 solo), 3 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 QB hurry in the Aggies’ home win over New Mexico.
Buffalo RB Jaret Patterson- Rushed 36 carries, 409 yards, and 8 TDs (3,31,42,49,1,7,11,and 58) in the Bulls’ 70-41 home win over Kent State. His 8 rushing TDs tied an NCAA Division I FBS single-game record. His 409 rushing yards are second-most for a single-game in NCAA Division I FBS history.
Miami (OH) WR Jack Sorenson- Received 8 catches, 177 yards, and 4 TDs (61,29, 28, and 15) in the Redhawks’ 38-7 road win over Akron.
Miami (OH) DE Kam Butler- Produced 5 tackles (3 solo), 3 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Redhawks’ road win over Akron.
Coastal Carolina RB C.J Marble- Rushed 16 carries, 157 yards, and 3 TDs (14,9, and 23) in the Chanticleers’ 49-14 road win over Texas State. Also had a 42-yard carry.
UTSA RB Sincere McCormick- Rushed 23 carries, 251 yards, and 2 TDs (65 and 18) in the Roadrunners’ 49-17 home-finale win over North Texas.
UTSA RB Frank Harris- Rushed 6 carries, 113 yards, and 1 TD (19 yards) in the Roadrunners’ home win over North Texas. Also had a 71-yard carry.
UTSA LB Trevor Harmanson- Produced 9 tackles (led team; 4 solo), 1 forced fumble, 1 pBU, and 2 QB hurries in the Roadrunners’ home win over North Texas.
Liberty RB Peytton Pickett- Rushed 10 carries, 125 yards, and 1 TD (16 yards) in the Flames’ 45-0 home-finale win over Massachusetts. Also had a 42-yard carry.
Liberty S Javon Scruggs- Produced 7 tackles (led team; 4 solo), 1 TFL, 1 forced fumble, and 1 PBU in the Flames’ home win over Massachusetts.
Appalachian State QB Zac Thomas- Passed 22-29, 279 yards, and 4 TDs in the App State Mountaineers’ 47-10 home win over Troy.
Ohio RB De’Monte Tuggle- Rushed 15 carries, 185 yards, and 3 TDs (8,70, and 43) in the Bobcats’ 52-10 home win over Bowling Green.
Wyoming RB Trey Smith- Rushed 22 carries, 164 yards, and 1 TD (28 yards) in the Cowboys’ 45-14 road win over UNLV.
Wyoming RB Xazavian Valladay- Rushed 6 carries,94 yards, and 1 TD (78 yards) in the Cowboys’ road win over UNLV.
Wyoming LB Chad Muma- Produced 10 tackles (led team; 6 solo) and 3 TFLs/sacks in the Cowboys’ road win over UNLV.
