RICH’S WEEKLY HEISMAN TROPHY BALLOT
1. J.K Dobbins, RB, Ohio State(Rushed 24 carries, 172 yards, and 1 TD of 67 yards in the Buckeyes’ 34-10 home win over Michigan State. His 826 rushing yards lead the Big Ten and 2nd nationally.)
2. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin(225 all-purpose running yards and scored 5 TDs in the Badgers’ 48-0 home win over Kent State. Rushed 19 carries, 186 yards, and 4 TDs of 6, 19, 4, and 48 yards. Received 3 catches, 29 yards, and 1 TD of 18 yards. His 4,916 career rushing yards are third-most in school history. His 745 rushing yards are 2nd in the Big Ten and tied 3rd nationally.)
3. Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame(Passed 16-20, 261 yards, and 5 TDs in the Fighting Irish’s 52-0 home win over Bowling Green. His 36 career passing TDs are eighth-most in school history.)
RICH’S TOP TEN
1. Alabama
2. Georgia
3. Clemson
4. Oklahoma
5. Ohio State
6. LSU
7. Penn State
8. Wisconsin
9. Florida
10. Boise State (OTM)
OTHER TEAMS TO MENTION (OTM):Wake Forest, Texas, Baylor, Notre Dame, and Michigan
RANKINGS ANALYSIS:As you can see, the top nine remain the same as Boise State moves from my OTMs to replace Auburn to be ranked #10 in my rankings…#1 Alabama and #3 Clemson are coming off bye-weeks. The Crimson Tide will have a road game against Texas A&M this SAT (3:30 PM, CBS) and the Tigers have a home game against rival Florida State this SAT (3:30 PM, ABC)… #2 Georgia had a sluggish 1st half against Tennessee, including spotting the Volunteers a 14-13 lead, and made up for it in the 2nd half to have a 43-14 road win over Tennessee. The Bulldogs have a home game against South Carolina this SAT (Noon, ESPN)…#6 LSU came off a bye-week to have an easy than anticipated 42-6 home win over Utah State while #9 Florida had a 24-13 homecoming win over Auburn like I expected the Gators would because of their defense. ESPN College Gameday will be in Baton Rouge as the LSU Tigers will host the Florida Gators this SAT (8 PM, ESPN)…#4 Oklahoma has a big game against rival Texas (at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX) this SAT (Noon, FOX). Both teams are coming off road wins over their respective opponents. The Sooners had a 45-20 road win over Kansas while the Longhorns had a 42-31 road win over West Virginia. The winner will likely play in the Big 12 Championship Game. Last season, Texas won the annual Red River Showdown while Oklahoma won that rematch in the Big 12 Championship Game. If the Longhorns beat the Sooners, expect Texas to be in the top ten. If Oklahoma beats Texas, expect the Sooners to remain at #4 or move up. Regardless of what happens, a rematch in the Big 12 Championship Game could be in the cards…I have to put undefeated Baylor among my OTMs because the Bears are on a 5-0 start and they had an impressive 31-12 road win over Kansas State, who was favored to win this game by a close margin…Wake Forest is coming off a bye-week before a home game against Louisville this SAT (7:30 PM, ACCN)… As expected, #5 Ohio State had a decisive 34-10 home win over Michigan State. The Buckeyes will have a bye-week before an Oct.18 road game against Northwestern (8:30 PM, FS1)…As expected, #8 Wisconsin had an easy 48-0 home win over Kent State. The Badgers have a homecoming game against Michigan State this SAT (3:30 PM, BTN)…#7 Penn State is coming off a 35-7 road win over Purdue. This Nittany Lions defense produced 10 sacks. One reason why Penn State is among my top ten teams is they haven’t allowed a score of any points in the 1st quarter during their current 5-0 start. The Nittany Lions have a road game against Iowa, who is coming off a 10-7 road loss against Michigan, this SAT (7:30 PM, ABC)…#10 Boise State moved from OTM to #10. The Broncos took care of business on their trip to Sin City (Las Vegas, NV) as they had a 38-13 road win over UNLV. Boise State has a home game against Hawaii this SAT (10:15 PM, ESPN2)…Notre Dame and Michigan are coming off home wins over their respective opponents. The Fighting Irish are better than the U-M Wolverines on paper. You can’t count Michigan out because they are one of those teams who can find ways to win. Notre Dame is coming off a 52-0 home win over Bowling Green, who came, saw, and collected another big payday from another major college football team, and will play a prime-time home game against USC this SAT (7:30 PM, NBC). Michigan is coming off a homecoming win over then-undefeated Iowa, who was among my OTMs and will play a road game against Illinois this SAT (Noon, ABC)…Florida remains at #9 after a 24-13 homecoming win over then-undefeated Auburn, who was ranked #10 in my rankings.
GAMEBALLS and HELMET STICKERS
Florida, Ohio State, and SMU- Wins over respective opponents made them bowl eligible this season.
Michigan LB Jordan Glasgow- Produced 9 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFLs/sacks, and 1 QB hurry in the Wolverines’ 10-7 homecoming win over Iowa.
Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson- Produced 6 tackles (1 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 PBU in the Wolverines’ home win over Iowa.
Cincinnati RB Michael Warren- Rushed 23 carries for 133 yards, including a 60-yard carry, in the Bearcats’ 27-24 home win over UCF.
Cincinnati LB Jarrell White- Produced 7 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL, 1 INT (5 yards), and 1 forced fumble in the Bearcats’ home win over UCF.
UCF WR Gabriel Davis- Received 13 catches for 170 yards, including a 29-yard catch, in the Golden Knights’ road loss against Cincinnati.
Virginia Tech LB Alan Tisdale- Made that game-winning PBU (on last play) to seal the Hokies’ 42-35 road win over Miami. Also produced 9 tackles (4 solo).
Virginia Tech NB Chamarri Conner- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 1 TFL/sack, 1 forced fumble, and 3 PBUs in the Hokies’ road win over Miami.
Miami WR Jeff Thomas- Received 6 catches, 124 yards, and 2 TDs (13 and 25) in the Hurricanes’ home loss against Virginia Tech. Also had a 39-yard catch.
Oregon LB Isaac Slade-Matautia- Produced 7 tackles (led team; 4 solo), 1 TFL/sack, 1 PBU, and 2 QB hurries in the Ducks’ 17-7 home win over California.
Florida RB Lamical Perine- Rushed 14 carries, 130 yards, and 1 TD (88 yards) in the Gators’ 24-13 homecoming win over Auburn. Scored that 88-yard rushing TD (on 1st and 10 with 9:04 remaining) to eventually win this game.
Florida S Donovan Stiner- Produced 4 tackles (1 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 INT in the Gators’ home win over Auburn.
Florida P Tommy Townsend- Had 7 punts with 47.1 yards per punt in the Gators’ home win over Auburn. Had 3 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 62-yard punt landing on the 7-yard line before that all was fumbled and recovered by one of his teammates.
Texas CB D’Shawn Jamison- Produced 4 tackles (all solo) and 2 INTs (including a 12-yard INT return) in the Longhorns’ 42-31 road win over West Virginia.
Texas P Ryan Bujevski- Had 7 punts with 41.3 yards per punt in the Longhorns’ road win over West Virginia. Had 2 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 44-yard punt landing on the 8-yard line.
Ohio State CB Shaun Wade- Produced 5 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL/sack, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Buckeyes’ 34-10 home win over Michigan State.
Oklahoma RB Rhomondre Stevenson- Rushed 5 carries, 109 yards, and 1 TD (61 yards) in the Sooners’ 45-20 road win over Kansas.
Georgia QB Jake Fromm- Passed 24-29, 288 yards, and 2 TDs in the Bulldogs’ 43-14 road win over Tennessee.
Georgia CB Eric Stokes- Produced 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 TFL/sack, 1 forced fumble, and 3 PBUs in the Bulldogs’ 43-14 road win over Tennessee.
Penn State S Lamont Wade- Produced 11 tackles (led team; 4 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 PBU in the Nittany Lions’ 35-7 home win over Purdue.
LSU WR Justin Jefferson- Received Received 9 catches, 155 yards, and 2 TDs (4 and 39-each scored in the 3rd quarter) in the Tigers’ 42-6 home win over Utah State.
Wisconsin LB Zach Baun- Produced 3 tackles (all solo), 3 TFLs/sacks, and 1 QB hurry in the Badgers’ 48-0 home win over Kent State.
Notre Dame RB Tony Jones, Jr- Rushed 7 carries for 102 yards, including a 36-yard carry, in the Fighting Irish’s 52-0 home win over Bowling Green.
Notre Dame CB Tariq Bracy- Produced 4 tackles (3 solo), 1 forced fumble, and 2 PBUs in the Fighting Irish’s home win over Bowling Green.
Pittsburgh LB Phil Campbell- Made that game-winning fumble recovery (with 3rd and 10 with 0:22 remaining) to seal the Pitt Panthers’ 33-30 road win over Duke. Also produced 3 tackles (1 solo) and 1 QB hurry.
Pittsburgh S Paris Flord- Produced 12 tackles (co-led team; 8 solo), and 2 INTs (48 yards, including a 26-yard TD) in the Panthers’ road win over Duke.
Pittsburgh DE Patrick Johnson II- Produced 6 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFLs/sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 QB hurry in the Panthers’ road win over Duke.
Louisville PK Blanton Creque- Scored 11 points in the Cardinals’ 41-39 home win over Boston College. Kicked 2-3 FGs and scored on all 5 XPK attempts. Scored a 41-yard FG (on 4th and 11 with 1:02 remaining) to eventually win this game.
Louisville QB Micale Cunningham- 331 total offensive yards and 2 TDs responsible for in the Cardinals’ home win over Boston College. Passed 13-18, 288 yards, and 1 TD. Rushed 6 carries, 43 yards, and 1 TD (from 3 yards out). Also had a 13-yard carry.
Louisville WR Seth Dawkins- Received 6 catches, 170 yards, and 1 TD (59 yards) in the Cardinals’ home win over Boston College. Also had a 77-yard catch.
Nebraska S JoJo Domann- Produced 7 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFLs, and 1 PBU in the Cornhsukers’ 13-10 homecoming win over Northwestern.
Northwestern DE Joe Gaziano- Produced 7 tackles (4 solo), 3 TFLs, and 1 sack in the Wildcats’ road loss against Northwestern.
Arizona QB Khalil Tate- Passed 31-41, 404 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT in the Wildcats’ 35-30 road win over Colorado.
Arizona LB Tony Fields II- Produced 11 tackles (led team; 10 solo) and 1 PBU in the Wildcats’ road win over Colorado.
Stanford RB Cameron Scarlett- Rushed 33 carries, 151 yards, and 1 TD (from 1 yard out) in the Cardinal’s 23-13 home win over Washington.
Stanford CB Paulson Adebo- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo) and 4 PBUs in the Cardinal’s home win over Washington.
Stanford PK Jet Toner- Scored 11 points in the Cardinal’s home win over Washington. Scored on all 3 FG attempts (including a 36-yard FG).
North Carolina RB Javonte Williams- Rushed 20 carries, 144 yards, and 1 TD (from 3 yards out) in the Tar Heels’ 38-22 road win over Georgia Tech. Also had a 32-yard carry.
Oregon State QB Jake Luton- 312 total offensive yards and 6 TDs responsible for in the Beavers’ 48-31 road win over UCLA. Passed 18-26, 285 yards, and 5 TDs. Rushed 5 carries, 27 yards, and 1 TD (19 yards). Scored that 19-yard rushing TD (on 2nd and 15 withOregon State WR Isaiah Hodgins- Received 10 catches, 123 yards, and 3 TDs (4,5, and 22) in the Beavers’ road win over UCLA. Also had a 24-yard catch.
Oregon State LB Avery Roberts- Produced 8 tackles (5 solo), 3 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Beavers’ road win over UCLA.
Baylor RB JaMycal Hasty- Rushed 8 carries for 87 yards, including a 33-yard carry, in the Bears’ 31-12 road win over Kansas State.
Baylor S J.T Woods- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 fumble recovery in the Bears’ road win over Kansas State.
Minnesota RB Rodney Smith- 237 all-purpose running yards in the Golden Gophers’ 40-17 homecoming win over Illinois. Rushed 24 carries, 211 yards, and 1 TD (from 8 yards out). Also had a 64-yard carry.
Iowa State QB Brock Purdy- 349 total offensive yards and 4 TDs in the Cyclones’ 49-24 home win over TCU. Passed 19-24, 247 yards, and 2 TDs. Rushed 12 carries, 102 yards, and 2 TDs (10 and 9). Also had a 44-yard carry.
Iowa State LB O’Rien Vance- Produced 8 tackles (led team; 6 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 forced fumble in the Cyclones’ home win over TCU.
Mississippi QB John Rhys Plumee- Rushed 22 carries, 165 yards, and 1 TD (33 yards) in the Ole Miss Rebels’ 31-6 home win over Vanderbilt.
Mississippi DT Benito Jones- Produced 4 tackles (3 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 4 QB hurries in the Rebels’ home win over Vanderbilt.
Missouri LB Cale Garrett- Produced 5 tackles (all solo), 2 TFLs, and 2 INTs (59 yards, including a 33-yard TD) in the Tigers’ 42-10 home win over Troy.
Texas Tech WR T.J Vasher- Received 5 catches, 110 yards, and 1 TD (21 yards) in the Red Raiders’ 45-35 home win over Oklahoma State. Also had a 36-yard catch.
Texas Tech LB Jordyn Brooks- Produced 19 tackles (led team; 8 solo), 4 TFLs, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 QB hurry in the Red Raiders’ home win over Oklahoma State.
Texas Tech S Douglas Coleman- Produced 7 tackles (4 solo), 2 INTs (9 yards, including a 5-yard INT return), and 1 PBU in the Red Raiders’ home win over Oklahoma State.
Maryland RB Anthony McFarland- Rushed 7 carries, 87 yards, and 2 TDs (2 and 80) in the Terrapins’ 48-7 road win over Rutgers.
Maryland RB/RS Javon Leake- 190 all-purpose running yards and scored 3 TDs in the Terrapins’ road win over Rutgers.
Maryland LB Ayinde Eley- Produced 12 tackles (led team; 4 solo), 1 TFL, 1 INT (39 yards), 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Terrains’ road win over Rutgers.
SMU WR James Proche- Received 11 catches, 153 yards, and 2 TDs (30 and 25) in the Mustangs’ 43-37 comeback home win over Tulsa.
SMU CB Ar’mani Johnson- Produced 3 tackles (2 solo), 2 INTs (including a 64-yard INT return), and 2 PBUs in the Mustangs’ home win over Tulsa.
Toledo RB Bryant Koback- Rushed 21 carries for 177 yards, including a 33-yard carry, in the Rockets’ 31-24 homecoming win over Western Michigan.
Toledo LB Sheed Holt- Produced 12 tackles (led team; 7 solo) and 1 TFL in the Rockets’ home win over Western Michigan. Made that game-winning solo tackle (on 4th and 22 with 1:44 remaining) to win this game.
Ball State RB Caleb Huntley- Rushed 35 carries, 157 yards, and 2 TDs (3 and 45) in the Cardinals’ 27-20 road win over Northern Illinois.
Northern Illinois LB Antonio Jones-Drew- Produced 17 tackles (led team; 9 solo), 1 TFL/sack, and 1 INT in the NIU Huskies’ home loss against Ball State.
Liberty S Tayvon Land- Made that game-winning fumble recovery (on 2nd and Goal with 3:15 remaining) to seal the Flames’ 20-13 road win over rival New Mexico State. Also produced 4 tackles (1 solo).
Navy LB Tony Brown- Made that game-winning fumble recovery (8-yard TD on last play) to seal the Midshippmen’s 34-25 home win over rival Air Force.
Tulane RB Amare Jones- 249 all-purpose running yards and scored 2 TDs in the Green Wave’s 42-33 road win over Army. Received 6 catches,104 yards, and 1 TD (15 yards). Also had a 50-yard catch. Rushed 9 carries, 65 yards, and 1 TD (from 1 yard out). Also had a 20-yard carry. Returned 4 kickoffs for 80 yards, including a 23-yard kickoff return.
Tulane DE Cameron Sample- Produced 7 tackles (2 solo), 1 TFL, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the Green Wave’s road win over Army.
Temple RB Re’Mahn Davis- Rushed 24 carries, 157 yards, and 1 TD (from 1 yard out) in the Owls’ 27-17 road win over East Carolina.
Temple DT Ifeanyi Maijeh- Produced 6 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 2 QB hurries in the Owls’ road win over East Carolina.
UTSA RB Sincere McCormick- Rushed 22 carries, 189 yards, and 1 TD (51 yards) in the Roadrunners’ 26-16 road win over UTEP. Scored that 51-yard rushing TD (on 1st and Goal with 4:02 remaining) to eventually win this game.
MTSU S Jovante Moffatt- Produced 14 tackles (led team; 13 solo), 2 INTs, and 1 PBU in the Blue Raiders’ 24-13 home win over Marshall.
MTSU LB DQ Thomas- Produced 9 tackles (6 solo), 1 forced fumble, and 4 QB hurries in the Blue Raiders’ home win over Marshall.
San Jose State WR Tre Walker- Received 7 catches for 130 yards, including a 39-yard catch, in the SJSU Spartans’ 32-21 home win over New Mexico.
San Jose State LB Kyle Harmon- Produced 7 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL, and 2 forced fumbles in the Spartans’ home win over New Mexico.
San Jose State LB Rico Tolefree- Produced 6 tackles (3 solo), 1 INT (14 yards), 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery in the Spartans’ home win over New Mexico.
San Jose State PK Matt Mercurio- Scored 14 points in the Spartans’ home win over New Mexico. Kicked 4-5 FGs (including a 49-yard FG) and 2-3 XPKs.
UAB WR Kendall Parham- Received 3 catches, 109 yards, and 2 TDs (46 and 57) in the Blazers’ 35-20 home win over Rice.
UAB LB Kristopher Moll- Produced 14 tackles (led team; 10 solo), 2 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 QB hurries in the Blazers’ home win over Rice.
Georgia State RB Tra Barnett- Rushed 14 carries, 139 yards, and 1 TD (from 3 yards out) in the Panthers’ 52-38 home win over Arkansas State. Also had a 56-yard carry.
San Diego State WR Kobe Smith- Received 7 catches, 101 yards, and 2 TDs (each from 8 yards out) in the Aztecs’ 24-10 road win over Colorado State. Also had a 42-yard catch.
San Diego State LB Kyahva Tezino- Produced 13 tackles (led team; 4 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble in the Aztecs’ road win over Colorado State
San Diego State CB Luq Barcoo- Produced 6 tackles (4 solo), 3 INTs (including a 5-yard INT return), and 1 PBU in the Aztecs’ road win over Colorado State.
Memphis RB Kenneth Gainwell- Rushed 14 carries, 209 yards, and 2 TDs (40 and 68) in the Tigers’ 52-33 home win over UL-Monroe.
Memphis S La’Andre Thomas- Produced 9 tackles (led team; 7 solo), 1 INT (33-yard TD), and 1 forced fumble in the Tigers’ home win over UL-Monroe.
Memphis DT Joseph Dorceus- Produced 7 tackles (4 solo), 4 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks in the Tigers’ home win over UL-Monroe.
Western Kentucky DE DeAngelo Malone- Produced 9 tackles (led team; 6 solo), 4 TFLs, 3 sacks, and 3 QB hurries in the Hilltopppers’ 20-3 road win over Old Dominion.
Boise State NB Kekaula Kaniho- Produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 PBU in the Broncos’ 38-13 road win over UNLV.
Boise State WR John Hightower- 176 all-purpose running yards in the Broncos’ road win over UNLV. Received 4 catches, 105 yards, and 1 TD (76 yards). Rushed 2 carries for 51 yards, including a 35-yard carry.
Boise State P Joel Velazquez- Had 8 punts with 42.9 yards per punt in the Broncos’ road win over UNLV. Had 3 punts land inside the 20-yard line, including a 49-yard punt landing on the 5-yard line.
Central Michigan RB Jonathan Ward- 205 all-purpose running yards and scored 3 TDs in the Chippewas’ 42-16 home win over Eastern Michigan. Rushed 12 carries, 132 yards, and 2 TDs (3 and 86). Received 3 catches, 73 yards, and 1 TD (64 yards).
Central Michigan WR Kalil Pimpleton- Received 5 catches, 112 yards, and 1 TD (80 yards) in the Chippewas’ home win over Eastern Michigan.
South Florida RB Jordan Cronkrite- Rushed 20 carries for 148 yards, including a 28-yard carry, in the Bulls’ 48-22 road win over Connecticut.
FIU S Olin Cushion III- Produced 4 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 PBU, and 1 QB hurry in the FIU Panthers’ 44-0 home win over Massachusetts.
