RICH’S WEEKLY HEISMAN TROPHY BALLOT
1, Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma(366 total offensive yards and 4 TDs responsible for in the Sooners’ 34-27 neutral-site win over rival Texas in Dallas, TX. Passed 16-28, 235 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT. Rushed 17 carries, 131 yards, and 1 TD from 3 yards out. Also had a 27-yard carry. His 215.9 pass efficiency rating leads the Big 12 and 2nd nationally.)
2. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU(336 total offensive yards in the Tigers’ 42-28 homecoming win over Florida. Passed 21-24, 293 yards, and 3 TDs. Rushed 6 carries for 43 yards, including a 19-yard carry. His 218.1 pass efficiency rating leads the nation.)
3. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama(Passed 21-24, 293 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT in the Crimson Tide’s 47-28 road win over Texas A&M. His 81 career passing TDs is a new school record. His 27 passing TDs lead the nation.)
RICH’S TOP TEN
1. Alabama
2. Clemson (3)
3. Oklahoma (4)
4. Ohio State (5)
5. LSU (6)
6. Penn State (7)
7. Wisconsin (8)
8. Boise State (10)
9. Baylor (OTM)
10. Georgia (2)
OTHER TEAMS TO MENTION (OTM):Notre Dame, Michigan, and Utah.
RANKINGS ANALYSIS:As you can see, there is a shake-up in my rankings with SEC East Division teams, such as then-#2 Georgia and then-#9 Florida losing an SEC conference game against their respective opponents… Georgia moved from #2 to #10 by losing a 20-17 home loss (2 OTs) against South Carolina. The Bulldogs were 20 point favorites over those Gamecocks. The Dawgs will use a home game against Kentucky, which will be an opportunity to redeem themselves, this SAT (6 PM, ESPN)…Florida moves from #9 to OTM because of their 42-28 road loss against LSU, who moved from #6 to #5 with this home win over the Gators. Florida will have an opportunity to redeem themselves from that recent loss with a road game against South Carolina this SAT (Noon, ESPN) while the LSU Tigers have a road game against Miss. State this SAT (3:30 PM, CBS)…Oklahoma moves from #4 to #3 because of their annual 34-27 neutral-site win (in Dallas, TX) over rival Texas. It was expected that we’d have a tough matchup between the Sooners and the Longhorns. It was no surprise that Oklahoma beat Texas. A rematch between these rivals in the Big 12 Championship Game, which is less than eight weeks away, could be in the cards. The Sooners will have a home game against West Virginia this SAT (Noon, FOX)…#4 Ohio State is coming off a bye-week for a road game against Northwestern, which will be a rematch from the Big Ten Championship Game last season, this FRI (8:30 PM, FS1)…Penn State moves from #7 to #6 because of a tough as expected 17-12 road win over Iowa. The Nittany Lions have another prime time night game with a home game against Michigan, who is among my OTMs, this SAT (7:30 PM. ABC). If the Wolverines win over those PSU Nittany Lions, U-M Will have a spot in my top ten rankings…Wisconsin is on their second 6-0 start in three seasons as the Badgers move from #8 up to #7 after an easy 38-0 homecoming win over Michigan State. The Badgers will go through a breeze an easy road trip against Illinois this SAT (Noon, BTN)…Baylor is on a surprising 6-0 start as the Bears came off as a tough as expected 33-30 homecoming win (2 OTs) over upset-minded Texas Tech. Baylor has another tough game with a road game against Oklahoma State this SAT (4 PM, FOX) with more offensive fireworks than last week… Boise State moves from #10 to #8 with a 59-37 home win over Hawaii this past SAT. The Broncos are clearly the best non-power conference team. Boise State will have a road game against BYU this SAT (10:15 PM, ESPN2)…Utah continues to be reborn football team following a road loss against USC from a few weeks ago. The Utes ruined homecoming for OSU Beavers as Utah had a 52-7 road win over Oregon State. The Utes have a home game against Arizona State, who also has one loss this season, this SAT (PAC-12N).. Defending National Champions Clemson has apparently got their act together following a bye-week and a tougher than expected 21-20 road win over North Carolina, which experts considered a weak performance by a team in a road win. As expected, the Tigers had another decisive win over Florida State, which was a 45-14 road win over the Seminoles. Clemson has a road game against upset-minded Louisville, who haven’t beaten the Tigers since the Cardinals have joined the ACC, this SAT (Noon, ABC). The Tigers better not count those Cards out because Louisville is coming off a 62-59 upset road win over then-undefeated Wake Forest, who was among my OTMs.. Alabama came off a bye-week to have a 47-28 road win over Texas A&M. In that game, anytime the Crimson Tide and the Aggies scored, they both responded back but as expected ‘Bama prevailed…GAMEBALLS and HELMET STICKERS
Alabama, Baylor, Boise State, Clemson, LSU, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Penn State, Wisconsin, Wins over respective opponents made them bowl eligible this season.The Oklahoma defense- Produced 15 TFLs (including 9 sacks) in the Sooners’ 34-27 neutral-site win (in Dallas, TX) over rival Texas.Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb- Received 10 catches, 171 yards, and 3 TDs (1, 51, and 27) in the Sooners’ neutral-site win over Texas.Oklahoma RB Kennedy Brooks- Rushed 10 carries for 107 yards, including a 42-yard carry, in the Sooners’ neutral-site win over Texas.Texas RB Roschon Johnson- Rushed 8 carries, 95 yards, and 1 TD (from 4 yards out) in the Longhorns’ neutral-site loss against Oklahoma.The South Carolina defense- Produced 6 PBUs and prevented 2 FGs from being scored in the Gamecocks’ 20-17 upset road win (2 OTs) over rival Georgia. Prevented a 42-yard FG being scored (on last play in 2nd OT) to win this game. South Carolina CB Israel Mukuamu- Produced 11 tackles (7 solo) and 3 INTs (including a 53-yard INT) in the Gamecocks’ road win over Georgia. Made that game-saving INT (on last play in regulation) to force OT.South Carolina LB Ernest Jones- Produced 12 tackles (led team; 4 solo) and 3 PBUs in the Gamecocks’ road win over Georgia.South Carolina P Joseph Charlton- Had 7 punts with 45.4 yards per punt in the Gamecocks’ road win over Georgia. Had 5 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 42-yard punt landing on the 4-yard line.Penn State DT Robert Windsor- Produced 6 tackles (1 solo), 2 TFls, 1.5 sacks, and 2 QB hurries in the Nittany Lions’ 17-12 road win over Iowa. Penn State P Blake Gillikin- Had 7 punts with 42.1 yards per punt in the Nittany Lions’ road win over Iowa. Had 5 punts land on the 20-yard line, including a 43- yard punt landing on the 3-yard line. Notre Dame RB Tony Jones,Jr- Rushed 25 carries for 176 yards, including a 43-yard carry, in the Fighting Irish’s 20-13 home win over rival USC.Notre Dame PK Jonathan Doerer- Scored 11 points in the Fighting Irish’s home win over USC. Scored on all 3 FG attempts (including a 53-yard FG).Notre Dame DE Khalid Kareem- Produced 7 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 3 QB hurries in the Fighting Irish’s home win over USC.Baylor QB Charlie Brewer- 407 total offensive yards in the Bears’ 33-30 homecoming win (2 OTs) over Texas Tech. Passed 24-37, 352 yards, and 3 INTs. Rushed 15 carries, 55 yards, and 3 TDs (4,1,and 1). Also had a 10-yard carry.Baylor LB Clay Johnston- Produced 10 tackles (led team; 8 solo), 1 TFL, 1 INT (8 yards), and 1 PBU (before suffering a season-ending knee injury) in the Bears’ home win over Texas Tech.Texas Tech WR R.J Turner- Received 7 catches for 138 yards, including a 79-yard catch, in the Red Raiders’ road loss against Baylor.Louisville RB/RS Hassan Hall- 250 all-purpose running yards and scored 2 TDs in the Cardinals’ 62-59 road win over undefeated Wake Forest. Returned 4 kickoffs, 220 yards, and 1 TD (100 yards). Rushed 11 carries, 30 yards, and 1 TD (from 8 yards out).Louisville WR Dez Fitzpatrick- Received 5 catches, 125 yards, and 2 TDs (15 and 50) in the Cardinal’s road win over Wake Forest.Louisville LB Rodjay Burns- Produced 16 tackles (led team; 10 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 forced fumble, and 1 INT (4 yards) in the Cardinals’ road win over Wake ForestWake Forest WR Sage Surratt- Received 12 catches, 196 yards, and 3 TDs (12,3, and 47) in the Demon Deacons’ home loss against Louisville.Arizona State DE Jermayne Lole- Made that game-winning PBU (on last play) to seal the Sun Devils’ 38-34 comeback home win over Washington State. Also produced 2 tackles (all assisted).Arizona State QB Jayden Daniels- Passed 26-36, 363 yards, and 3 TDs in the Sun Devils’ home win over Washington State. Scored a 17-yard rushing TD (on 1st and 10 with 0:34 remaining) to eventually win this game.Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk- Received 7 catches, 196 yards, and 3 TDs (40, 86, and 33) in the Sun Devils’ home win over Washington State.Arizona State CB Jack Jones- Produced 11 tackles (led team; 10 solo) and 5 PBUs in the Sun Devils’ home win over Washington State.Arizona State P Michael Turk- Had 5 punts with 38.8 yards per punt in the Sun Devils’ home win over Washington State.Washington State QB Anthony Gordon- Passed 44-64, 466 yards, and 3 TDs in the Cougars’ road loss against Arizona State.LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire- Rushed 13 carries, 134 yards, and 2 TDs (39 and 5) in the LSU Tigers’ 42-28 homecoming win over Florida. Also had a 57-yard carry.LSU WR Ja’marr Chase- Received 7 catches, 127 yards, and 2 TDs (9 and 54) in the Tigers’ home win over Florida. Scored that 54-yard receiving TD (on 1st and Goal with 5:43 remaining) to eventually win this game. LSU S Grant Delpit- Produced 8 tackles (led team; 7 solo) and 2 PBUs in the Tigers’ home win over Florida.Alabama LB Anfernee Jennings- Produced 8 tackles (co-led team; 6 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 PBU in the Crimson Tide’s 47-28 road win over Texas A&M.Alabama WR/RS Jaylen Waddle- 176 all-purpose running yards in the Crimson Tide’s road win over Texas A&M. Returned 4 punts for 128 yards, including a 43-yard punt return. Received 3 catches, 48 yards, and 1 TD (31 yards).Alabama S Shyhein Carter- Produced 7 tackles (5 solo), 1 forced fumble, and 2 PBUs in the Crimson Tide’s road win over Texas A&M.Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons- Produced 8 tackles (led team; 7 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery in the Tigers’ 45-14 home win over Florida State.The Washington defense- Produced 9 TFLs in the Huskies’ 51-27 road win over Arizona.Wisconsin LB Chris Orr- Produced 6 tackles (led team; 4 solo), 1 TFL/sack, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Badgers’ 38-0 homecoming win over Michigan State.Miami S Bubba Bolden- Made that game-winning PBU (on last play) to seal the Hurricanes’ 17-9 home win over Virginia. Also produced 2 tackles (all solo).Miami DE Gregory Rousseau- Produced 7 tackles (4 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble,. and 1 QB hurry in the Hurricanes’ home win over Virginia.N.C State LB Louis Acceus- Produced 14 tackles (led team; 10 solo) and 3 TFLs/sacks in the Wolfpack’s 16-10 home win over Syracuse.Syracuse LB Andrew Armstrong- Produced 14 tackles (led team; 6 solo), 2 TFLs, and 1 INT (6 yards) in the Orange’s road loss against N.C State.Missouri S Joshuah Bledsoe- Produced 7 tackles (all solo), 1 forced fumble, and 2 PBUs in the Tigers’ 38-27 home win over Mississippi. Michigan RB Hassan Haskins- Rushed 12 carries, 125 yards, and 1 TD (29 yards) in the Wolverines’ 42-25 road win over Illinois.Michigan LB Jordan Glasgow- Produced 11 tackles (co-led team; 8 solo), 1 fumble recovery, 1 PBU, and 1 blocked punt in the Wolverines’ road win over Illinois.Michigan LB Josh Uche- Produced 5 tackles (all solo), 5 TFLs, and 3 sacks in the Wolverines’ road win over Illinois.Iowa State S Braxton Lewis- Produced 4 tackles (1 solo), 1 INT (23 yards), 1 fumble recovery, and 1 PBU in the Cyclones’ 38-14 road win over West Virginia.Minnesota DT Sam Renner- Produced 4 tackles (2 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 2 PBUs in the Golden Gophers’ 34-7 home win over Nebraska.Minnesota WR Tyler Johnson- Received 5 catches for 109 yards, including a 45-yard catch, in the Golden Gophers’ home win over Nebraska.Purdue CB Cory Trice- Produced 6 tackles (led team; all solo), 2 INTs (40 yards, including a 37-yard TD), and 1 PBU in the Boilermakers’ 40-14 homecoming win over Maryland.Purdue TE Brycen Hopkins- Received 10 catches for 140 yards, including a 38-yard catch, in the Boilermakers’ home win over Maryland.Purdue WR David Bell- Received 9 catches, 138 yards, and 2 TDs (23 and 8) in the Boilermakers’ home win over Maryland. Also had a 30-yard catch.Oregon RB C.J Verdell- Rushed 14 carries for 171 yards, including a 70-yard carry, in the Ducks’ 45-3 home win over Colorado.Oregon CB Verone McKinnley- Produced 5 tackles (3 solo) and 2 INTs (including a 53-yard INT return) in the Ducks’ home win over Colorado.Kentucky WR/RS/QB Lynn Bowden- First career start under center as a QB. 274 total offensive yards and 3 TDs responsible for in the Wildcats’ 24-20 home win over Arkansas. Rushed 24 carries, 196 yards, and 2 TDs (3 and 24). Scored that 24-yard rushing TD (on 2nd and 13 with 6:53 remaining) to eventually win this game. Passed 7-11, 78 yards, and 1 TD.Kentucky DE Calvin Taylor, Jr- Produced 1 solo tackle, 1 TFL/sack, and 2 PBUs in the Wildcats’ home win over Arkansas. Made that game-winning PBU (on 4th and 15 with 2:32) to win this game.Tennessee LB Darrell Taylor- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 2 TFLs/sacks, and 1 forced fumble in the Volunteers’ 20-10 home win over Miss. State.Duke DE Victor Dimukeje- Produced 6 tackles (3 solo), 1 forced fumble, and 2 QB hurries in the Blue Devils’ 41-23 homecoming win over Georgia Tech.Indiana RB Stevie Scott III- Rushed 12 carries for 164 yards, including a 57-yard carry, in the Hoosiers’ 35-0 homecoming win over Rutgers.Indiana WR Whop Philyor- Received 10 catches for 182 yards, including a 56-yard catch, in the Hoosiers’ home win over Rutgers.Indiana DT Demarcus Elliott- Produced 3 tackles (all solo), 3 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble in the Hoosiers’ home win over Rutgers.Utah RB Zack Moss- Rushed 5 carries, 121 yards, and 2 TDs (91 and 6) in the Utes’ 52-7 road win over Oregon State.Utah LB Devin Lloyd- Produced 4 tackles (1 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 INT (64-yard TD) in the Utes’ road win over Oregon State.Utah CB Jaylon Johnson- Produced 8 tackles (led team; 7 solo), 1 TFL, and 2 PBUs in the Utes’ road win over Oregon State.Temple CB Harrison Hand- Produced 9 tackles (led team; 6 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, and 1 PBU in the Owls’ 30-28 home win over Memphis. Made that game-winning TFL (on last play) to win this game.Memphis RB Kenneth Gainwell- 204 all-purpose running yards in the Tigers’ road loss against Temple. Rushed 19 carries, 106 yards, and 1 TD (25 yards). Received 6 catches for 98 yards, including a 22-yard catch.Cincinnati WR Rashad Medaris- Received 3 catches, 121 yards, and 1 TD (75 yards) in the Bearcats’ 38-23 road win over Houston.Cincinnati S Ja’Von Hicks- Produced 3 tackles (1 solo), 2 INTs (including a 22-yard INT return), and 1 fumble recovery in the Bearcats’ road win over Houston.Cincinnati P James Smith- Had 5 punts with 41.2 yards per punt in the Bearcats’ road win over Houston. Had 2 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 39-yard punt landing on the 9-yard line. South Florida S Devin Studstill- Made that game-winning PBU to seal the Bulls’ 27-23 homecoming win over BYU. Also produced 7 tackles (5 solo).South Florida RB Jordan Cronkrite- Rushed 26 carries, 158 yards, and 2 TDs (1 and 3) in the Bulls’ home win over BYU. Also had a 41-yard carry.Northern Illinois RB Tre Harbison- Rushed 25 carries, 113 yards, and 3 TDs (4,1, and 3) in the NIU Huskies’ 39-36 road win over Ohio. Ball State WR Justin Hall- Received 11 catches, 109 yards, and 1 TD (46 yards) in the Cardinals’ 29-23 road win over Eastern Michigan.Eastern Michigan LB Kobie Beltram- Produced 12 tackles (led team; 4 solo), 1 TFL, 1 fumble recovery (19 yards), and 1 PBU in the Eagles’ home loss against Ball State.Nevada PK Brandon Talton- Scored 11 points in the Wolfpack’s 41-38 home win over San Jose State. Scored on all 2 FG and 5 XPK attempts. Scored a 40-yard FG (on last play) to win this game.Nevada WR Romeo Doubs- Received 5 catches, 146 yards, and 1 TD (75 yards) in the Wolfpack’s home win over San Jose State.UL-Monroe S Austin Hawley- Produced 7 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery in the Warhawks’ 24-14 road win over Texas State.UL-Monroe DE Kerry Starks- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 3 TFLs, 2 sacks, and 1 QB hurry in the Warhawks’ road win over Texas State.UL-Monroe P Jerry Porter- Had 7 punts with 44.3 yards per punt in the Warhawks’ road win over Texas State. Had 3 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 41-yard punt landing on the 10-yard line.Bowling Green QB Grant Loy- 332 total offensive yards in the Falcons’ 20-7home win over rival Toledo. Passed 14-21, 185 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. Rushed 19 carries, 137 yards, and 1 TD (15 yards). Also had a 56-yard carry.Bowling Green WR Bryson Denley- Received 6 catches, 100 yards, and 1 TD (66 yards) in the Falcons’ home win over Toledo.Bowling Green S Jamari Bozeman- Produced 3 tackles (1 solo), 1 INT, and 2 PBUs in the Falcons’ home win over Toledo.Marshall DE Darius Hodge- Produced 7 tackles (4 solo) and 4 TFLs/sacks in the Thundering Herd’s 31-17 home win over Old Dominion.Colorado State QB Patrick O’Brien- Passed 25-34, 420 yards, and 3 TDs in the CSU Rams’ 35-21 road win over New Mexico.Colorado State WR Warren Jackson- Received 9 catches, 214 yards, and 2 TDs (87 and 26) in the Rams’ road win over New Mexico. Scored that 26-yard receiving TD (on 3rd and 9 with 5:58 remaining) to eventually win this game.Colorado State LB Dejuan Jackson- Produced 9 tackles (3 solo) and 2 fumble recoveries in the Rams’ road win over New Mexico. Made that game-winning fumble recovery (on 1st and 10 with 3:00 remaining) to win this game.Central Michigan RB Kobe Lewis- Rushed 23 carries, 161 yards, and 2 TDs (57 and 20) in the CMU Chippewas’ 42-28 homecoming win over New Mexico State.Florida Atlantic CB Meiko Dotson- Produced 2 INTs and 1 PBU in the Owls’ 28-13 home win over MTSU.Florida Atlantic P Matt Hayball- Had 6 punts with 42 yards per punt in the Owls’ home win over MTSU. Had 4 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 48-yard punt landing on the 1-yard line.Southern Miss WR Quez Watkins- Received 8 catches, 198 yards, and 1 TD (14 yards) in the USM Golden Eagles’ 45-27 home win over North Texas. Also had a 72-yard catch.Air Force LB Kyle Johnson- Produced 6 tackles (4 solo), 1 TFL/sack, 1 INT (24-yard TD), and 1 PBU in the Falcons’ 43-24 home win over Fresno State. UAB LB Kristopher Moll- Produced 7 tackles (led team; 5 solo), 1 TFL, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Blazers’ 33-14 road win over UTSA.UAB WR Austin Watkins- Received 6 catches, 167 yards, and 1 TD (67 yards) in the Blazers’ road win over UTSA.UNLV LB Javin White- Produced 7 tackles (4 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 INT (44 yards), and 1 PBU in the Runnin’ Rebels’ 34-10 upset road win over Vanderbilt. FIU DE Alexy Jean Baptiste- Produced 6 tackles (4 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 forced fumble in the FIU Panthers’ 48-23 home win over Charlotte.FIU RB Anthony Jones- Rushed 16 carries, 117 yards, and 3 TDs (5,5, and 13) in the Panthers’ home win over Charlotte. Also had a 41-yard carry.Boise State WR John Hightower- Received 7 catches, 141 yards, and 2 TDs (26 and 42) in the Broncos’ 59-37 home win over Hawaii.Western Michigan CB Patrick Lupro- Produced 9 tackles (co-led team; 6 solo),1 INT (24 yards), and 4 PBUs in the WMU Broncos’ 38-16 homecoming win over Miami (OH). Navy QB Malcolm Perry- Rushed 20 carries, 218 yards, and 3 TDs (29,35, and 3) in the Midshipmen’s 45-17 road win over Tulsa.Navy CB Michael McMorris- Produced 8 tackles (led team; 5 solo) and 3 PBUs in the Midshipmen’s road win over Tulsa.La Tech RB Justin Henderson- Rushed 11 carries, 137 yards, and 3 TDs (74,4, and 3-each scored in the 1st quarter) in the Bulldogs’ 69-21 home win over Massachusetts.La Tech LB Willie Baker- Produced 6 tackles (4 solo), 3 TFLs, and 1 QB hurry in the Bulldogs’ home win over Massachusetts.
