RICH’S WEEKLY HEISMAN TROPHY BALLOT
1. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson(187 all-purpose running yards in the Tigers’ 41-23 home win over Virginia. Received 5 catches, 114 yards, and 1 TD from 4 yards out. Also had a 46-yard catch. Rushed 14 carries, 73 yards, and 1 TD of 16 yards. Also had a 17-yard carry. His 390 career scoring points are second-most in school history. His 5,581 career all-purpose running yards are second-most in school history and fourth-most in ACC history.)
2. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson(365 total offensive yards in the Tigers’ home win over Virginia. Passed 25-38, 329 yards, and 3 TDs. Rushed 6 carries for 36 yards, including a 22-yard carry. His 9 career games with 300 passing yards are third-most in school history.)
3. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama(Received 5 catches, 142 yards, and 1 TD of 87 yards in the Crimson Tide’s 52-24 home win over Texas A&M.)
RICH’S TOP TEN
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. Georgia
5. Florida (6)
6. North Carolina (8)
7. Cincinnati (10)
8. Oklahoma State (OTM)
9. Miami (OTM)
10. Tennessee
OTHER TEAMS TO MENTION (OTM):SMU, BYU, Louisiana, and Virginia Tech
RANKINGS ANALYSIS:
More moving and shaking with three ranked teams losing this past SAT in my top ten rankings. Whether the jury is in or out, almost all undefeated teams are ranked or mentioned but there are a couple teams, such as Florida Atlantic, Marshall, Air Force, and Coastal Carolina who have to really prove themselves this week and so on….TCU shocked the world by having a 33-31 upset road win over undefeated Texas, who was ranked #5 in my rankings. The Longhorns heated some advice of looking past those Horn Frogs for that upcoming annual Red River showdown against rival Oklahoma, who is coming off a tough 37-30 road loss against Iowa State, this SAT (Noon, FOX)…No surprise that #1 Alabama has a 52-24 home win over Texas A&M. The Crimson Tide will have a road game against Mississippi this SAT (6 PM, ESPN)…As expected, #2 Clemson had a 41-23 home win over Virginia. Tigers will have a home game against #9 Miami, who are coming off a bye-week, this SAT (7:30 PM, ABC). I predict Clemson will beat Miami…I was impressed with how #4 Georgia took care of business in a 27-6 home win over rival Auburn, which was the 125th meeting in this rivalry. The Bulldogs have a road game against #10 Tennessee, who has moved into my top ten because of a current eight-game winning streak the Volunteers are on, this SAT (3:30 PM, CBS)…#3 Notre Dame is coming off another bye-week with a 2-0 start. The Fighting Irish will have a prime time night game against Florida State (7:30 PM, NBC)…Florida moves up from #6 to #5. The defense has a lot of improvements to make. The Gators has a road game against upset-minded Texas A&M this SAT (Noon, ESPN)…North Carolina moves up from #8 to #6 after a hard-fought 26-22 road win over Boston College. The Tar Heels will have a home game against Virginia Tech, who is among my OTMs and on a current four-game winning streak over these Heels, this SAT (Noon, ABC)….Cincinnati moves up from #10 to #7 after a 28-7 home win over South Florida. This Bearcats defense had 5 INTs in that win. The Bearcats will have a bye-week before an Oct.17 road game against upset-minded Tulsa…I can’t believe UCF, who was ranked #7 in my rankings, had a 34-26 home loss against Tulsa. That loss ended the Golden Knight’s 21-game winning streak in home games. UCF will have a bye-week before an Oct.17 road game against Memphis…Oklahoma State moves up from OTM to #8 after a 47-7 road win over Kansas. I am glad key players such as RB Chuba Hubbard WR Tylan Wallace are making things happen for this OSU Cowboys. Oklahoma State will have a bye-week before an Oct.17 road win against Baylor…SMU moved in among my OTMs after a 30-27 home win over Memphis, which finally ended a six-game losing streak against the Tigers. A lot of doors are open for these Mustangs after taking that win. SMU, who is the only team on a 4-0 start this season, will have a bye-week before an Oct.16 road game against upset-minded Tulane…I have BYU among my OTMs because the BYU Cougars have been dominating all their opponents, including a 45-14 home win over La Tech, in their 3-0 start. BYU has a home game against UTSA this SAT (3:30 PM, ESPN2)…..Louisiana is coming off a bye-week with a 3-0 start. The Ragin’ Cajuns have built on a season-opening upset road win over Iowa State (2-1) and survived two tough SBC conference games to remain undefeated. Louisiana will have a home game against Coastal Carolina, who is also undefeated on a 3-0 start, this SAT (8 PM, CBSN)…I should be able ranking or mentioning teams with one loss soon.
GAMEBALLS and HELMET STICKERS
TCU DT Corey Bethley- Made that game-winning fumble recovery (on 1st and Goal with 2:32 remaining) to eventually seal the Horn Frogs’ 33-31 upset road win over Texas. Also produced 1 solo tackle.
TCU QB Max Duggan- 310 total offensive yards in the Horn Frogs’ home win over Texas. Rushed 17 carries, 79 yards, and 2 TDs (5 and 26). Scored that 26-yard rushing TD (on 2nd and 5 with 4:01 remaining) to eventually win this game. Passed 20-30 and 231 yards.
TCU PK Griffin Kell- Scored 15 points in the Horn Frogs’ home win over Texas. Scored on all 4 FG (including a 49-yard FG) and 3 XPK attempts.
Texas LB Joseph Ossai- Produced 11 tackles (2 solo), 3 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 QB hurry in the Longhorns’ home loss against TCU.
Iowa State RB Breece Hall- Rushed 28 carries, 139 yards, and 2 TDs (2 and 8) in the Cyclones’ 37-30 home win over Oklahoma. Also had a 36-yard carry.
Clemson CB Andrew Booth Jr- Produced 3 tackles (all solo), 1 INT, and 2 PBUs in the Tigers’ 41-23 home win over Virginia.
Alabama QB Mac Jones- Passed 20-27, 435 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT in the Crimson Tide’s 52-24 home win over Texas A&M.
Alabama WR John Metchie- Received 5 catches, 181 yards, and 2 TDs (78 and 63) in the Crimson Tide’s home win over Texas A&M.
Alabama S Malachi Moore- Produced 6 tackles (4 solo), 1 INT, and 2 PBUs in the Crimson Tide’s home win over Texas A&M.
Georgia WR Kearis Jackson- Received 9 catches for 147 yards, including a 49-yard catch, in the Bulldogs’ 27-6 home win over rival Auburn.
LSU DE Andre Anthony- Produced 6 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL/sack, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the LSU Tgers’ 41-7 road win over Vanderbilt.
North Carolina LB Chazz Surratt- Made that game-winning onside kick recovery (with 0:42 remaining) to seal the Tar Heels’ 26-22 road win over Boston College. Also produced 8 tackles (led team; all solo), 1 TFL/sack, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry.
SMU PK Chris Naggar- Scored 12 points in the Mustangs’ 30-27 home win over Memphis. Scored on all 3 FG and 3 XPK attempts. Scored a 43-yard FG (with 0:09 remaining) to eventually win this game.
SMU WR Reggie Robertson- Received 5 catches, 243 yards, and 2 TDs (70 and 85-before leaving this game) in the Mustangs’ home win over Memphis.
Arkansas WR Devion Warren- Received 4 catches, 100 yards, and 1 TD (19 yards) in the Razorbacks’ 21-14 upset road win over Miss. State. Also had a 52-yard catch.
Arkansas LB Bumper Pool- Produced 20 tackles (led team; 7 solo) and 2 PBUs in the Razorbacks’ road win over Miss. State.
Arkansas P George Caratan- Had 7 punts with 42.9 yards per punt in the Razorbacks’ road win over Miss. State. Had 3 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 48-yard punt landing on the 9-yard line.
West Virginia S Tykee Smith- Made that INT to prevent a score (on 1st and 10 in 2nd OT) in the Mountaineers’ 27-21 home win over Baylor. Also produced 6 tackles (2 solo).
West Virginia LB Tony Fields- Transfer from Arizona. Produced 10 tackles (led team; 5 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 PBU, and 2 QB hurries in the Mountaineers’ 27-21 home win over Baylor.
N.C State WR Emeka Emezie- Received 7 catches, 101 yards, and 2 TDs (35 and 13) in the Wolfpack’s 30-29 comeback road win over Pittsburgh. Scored that 13-yard receiving TD (on 1st and Goal with 0:23 remaining) to eventually win this game.
N.C State QB Devin Leary- Passed 28-44, 336 yards, and 4 TDs in the Wolfpack’s road win over Pittsburgh.
N.C State CB Cecil Powell- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 1 TFL, and 2 PBUs in the Wolfpack’s road win over Pittsburgh.
N.C State P Trenton Gill- Had 6 punts with 44.3 yards per punt in the Wolfpack’s road win over Pittsburgh. Had 3 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 60-yard punt landing on the 7-yard line.
Pittsburgh WR/RS D.J Turner- 223 all-purpose running yards in the Pitt Panthers’ home loss against N.C State. Received 8 catches for 186 yards, including a 50-yard catch. Returned 2 kickoffs for 37 yards, including a 25-yard kickoff return.
Florida CB Kaiir Elam- Produced 8 tackles (co-led team; 6 solo), 1 TFL, and 2 PBUs in the Gators’ 38-24 home win over South Carolina.
Kansas State RB Deuce Vaughn- 194 all-purpose running yards and scored 2 TDs in the K-State Wildcats’ 31-21 home win over Texas Tech. Received 3 catches, 81 yards, and 1 TD (70 yards). Scored that 70-yard receiving TD (on 3rd and 5 with 2:05 remaining) to win this game. Rushed 16 carries, 113 yards, and 1 TD (18 yards). Also had a 22-yard carry.
Kansas State CB Ekow Boye-Doe- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 1 TFL, and 2 PBUs in the Wildcats’ home win over Texas Tech.
Mississippi QB Matt Coral- Passed 24-29, 320 yards, and 4 TDs in the Ole Miss Rebels’ 42-41 road win over Kentucky.
Mississippi WR Jonathan Mingo- Received 8 catches, 128 yards, and 2 TDs (24 and 16) in the Rebels’ road win over Kentucky.
Virginia Tech RB Khalil Herbert- Rushed 20 carries, 208 yards, and 2 TDs (23 and 60) in the Hokies’ 38-31 home win over Duke.
Virginia Tech S Tyler Matheny- Produced 7 tackles (6 solo), 2 TFLs, and 1 INT (16 yards) in the Hokies’ home win over Duke.
Oklahoma State WR Tylan Wallace- Received 9 catches, 148 yards, and 2 TDs (55 and 14) in the OSU Cowboys’ 47-7 road win over Kansas.
Wake Forest RB Christian Beal-Smith- Rushed 20 carries, 130 yards, and 3 TDs (2,10, and 5) in the Demon Deacons’ 66-14 home win over Campbell. Also had a 23-yard carry.
Wake Forest DE JaCorey Johns- Produced 7 tackles (co-led team; 5 solo), 3 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 QB hurry in the Demon Deacons’ 66-14 home win over Campbell.
Wake Forest S Zion Keith- Produced 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 INT (45 yard-TD), and 1 fumble recovery in the Demon Deacons’ home win over Campbell.
Wake Forest RS/WR Donovan Greene- 187 all-purpose running yards in the Demon Deacons’ home win over Campbell. Returned 3 kickoffs, 147 yards, and 1 TD (96 yards). Received 2 catches for 40 yards, including a 34-yard catch.
Tulsa LB Zaven Collins- Produced 10 tackles (led team; 7 solo), 3 TFLs, 1 INT (13 yards), 2 PBUs, and 1 QB hurry in the Golden Hurricanes’ 34-26 upset road win over UCF.
Tulsa P Lachlan Wilson- Had 7 punts with 45.1 yards per punt in the Golden Hurricanes’ road win over UCF. Had 4 punts landing inside the 20-yard line, including a 43-yard punt landing on the 1-yard line.
Florida Atlantic LB Leighton McCarthy- Produced 10 tackles (5 solo), 4 TFLs, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in the FAU Owls’ 21-17 home win over Charlotte.
UAB RB Spencer Brown- Rushed 26 carries for 144 yards, including a 73-yard carry, in the UAB Blazers’ 21-13 homecoming win over UTSA.
Cincinnati CB Coby Bryant- Produced 4 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL, 2 INTs, and 1 PBU in the UC Bearcats’ 28-7 homecoming win over South Florida.
BYU QB Zach Wilson- 370 total offensive yards and 5 TDs responsible for in the BYU Cougars’ 45-14 home win over La Tech. Passed 24-26, 325 yards, and 2 TDs. Rushed 8 carries, 45 yards, and 3 TDs (9,1,and 14). His 92.3 pass completion percentage is a new single-game school record.
BYU DE Tyler Batty- Produced 6 tackles (5 solo), 3 TFLs/sacks, and 1 QB hurry in the Cougars’ home win over La Tech.
Air Force PK Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl- Scored 15 points in the AFA Falcons’ 40-7 home win over Navy. Scored on all 4 FG (including a 48-yard FG) and 33 3
Army QB Jemel Jones- 190 total offensive yards in the Black Knights’ 55-23 home win over Abilene Christian. Rushed 14 carries, 138 yards, and 2 TDs (3 and 39). Passed 4-7, 52 yards, and 1 TD.
Liberty LB Anthony Butler- Produced 9 tackles (led team; 5 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 2 INTs (including a 14-yard INT return) in the Flames’ 28-7 home win over North Alabama.
MTSU LB DQ Thomas- Produced 10 tackles (led team; 5 solo), 2 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in the Blue Raiders’ 20-17 home win over Western Kentucky.
Georgia Southern RB J.D King- Rushed 21 carries, 196 yards, and 1 TD (from 3 yards out) in the Eagles’ 35-30 road win over UL-Monroe. Also had a 62-yard carry.
Georgia State WR Sam Pinckney- Received 7 catches, 134 yards, and 2 TDs (38 and 13) in the Panthers’ 49-29 home win over East Carolina. Also had a 42-yard catch.
Georgia State CB Jaylon Jones- Produced 7 tackles (led team; 6 solo) and 4 PBUs in the Panthers’ home win over East Carolina.
Georgia State S Antavious Lane- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 1 INT (34-yard TD), and 2 PBUs in the Panthers’ home win over East Carolina.
Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall- Passed 20-29, 322 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT in the Chanticleers’ 52-23 home win over Arkansas State.
