How does the race for the Heisman Trophy stack up after nine weeks of college football action?
Week nine might just go down as the most pivotal week of the 2019 college football season. Auburn, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma all saw their playoff hopes take a huge hit after losses over the weekend. This weekend also saw the biggest change in the Heisman standings since Week three. Here are the updated standings in the race for the Heisman Trophy:
Honorable Mention
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Last week vs. (13) Wisconsin: 12-for-22 (54.5%)| 167 yards| 2 TD| 0 INT| 13 rushes| 28 yards| 1 TD
Season Stats: 128-for-186 (68.8%)| 1,659 yards| 24 TD| 1 INT| 76 rushes| 319 yards| 9 TD
Justin Fields has been among the top five contenders for the Heisman Trophy for most of the season due to his incredible touchdown production. While he still scored three total touchdowns on Saturday against Wisconsin, the lack of consistent yardage production has caught up to him for now. Part of the reason for his drop in the rankings is also due to the impressive performances by the other contenders, including his teammates JK Dobbins and Chase Young. As long as he continues to play at a high level and lead the Buckeyes to wins, Fields will remain at least on the fringe of the Heisman conversation. Fields and the Buckeyes will enjoy and BYE week before returning to host Maryland on November 9th.
Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State
Last week at (23) Iowa State: 22 att.| 116 yards| 5.3 ypa| 1 TD| 65 Long| 2 receptions| 11 yards| 0 TD
Season Stats: 216 att.| 1,381 yards| 6.4 ypa| 16 TD| 84 Long| 8 receptions| 35 yards| 0 TD
Chuba Hubbard is the only player on this list that doesn’t play for a ranked team, but it’s for good reason as Hubbard has been beyond impressive all season. Hubbard had a solid day against Iowa State with 116 yards on the ground and one touchdown. Believe it or not, the 116 yards he racked up is actually his 2nd-lowest rushing total on the season! While it is more likely Hubbard will win the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back than be invited to the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York, he still definitely deserves to be mentioned as a fringe Heisman contender. Hubbard will be the only Heisman contender in action this weekend when his Cowboys host TCU on Saturday.
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
Last week at (3) Ohio State: 20 att.| 52 yards| 2.6 ypa| 0 TD| 14 Long| 1 reception| 5 yards| 0 TD
Season Stats: 177 att.| 1,009 yards| 5.7 ypa| 15 TD| 72 Long| 17 receptions| 143 yards| 4 TD
Jonathan Taylor and the Wisconsin offense had, by far, their worst day of the year against Ohio State. It was the first game this season in which Taylor failed to find the end zone. While part of the problem was the offensive line not consistently opening a lanes for him, Taylor looked hesitant at times against the speed of Ohio State’s defense. Even with the poor performance, Taylor is still among the top five in the country in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns this season. That keeps him on the fringe of the Heisman race, but he will need to finish the season strong in order to get to New York for the trophy presentation in December. Taylor and the Badgers will return to the field on November 9th to take on Iowa after a BYE this week.