With the 2014 Heisman Trophy ceremony less than two weeks away, several hardware hopefuls will make their final cases on Championship Saturday this weekend.
Let’s take a look at who alligatorSports believes has the best chance at winning the award, and preview what stands between them and a trip to New York City.
Marcus Mariota — Quarterback, Oregon: Marcus Mariota has been playing as the best, most consistent quarterback in the country all season.
He has thrown just two interceptions all season and didn’t throw his first one until Week 9 against California.
Last week against Oregon State in the annual Civil War game, he threw four touchdowns and ran for another two in a 47-19 victory.
The Ducks get a rematch against Arizona in the Pac-12 Championship game this weekend — the Wildcats gave the Ducks their only loss of the season in early October.
Mariota was without his two offensive tackles in the loss, and it was reported after the loss that he wasn’t fully healthy after being sacked seven times the week before.
Mariota, now fully healthy and with his two tackles back, gets an opportunity to avenge that loss on Saturday in Levis Stadium.
Melvin Gordon — Running back, Wisconsin: Melvin Gordon is the only running back in our top five for a reason.
His numbers are nothing short of ridiculous — his 2,260 rush yards lead the country by a margin of greater than 200 yard, and he has 24 touchdowns on the year.
His most impressive performance came three weeks ago against Nebraska as he rushed for 408 yards on 25 carries in the third quarter alone.
Last week against Minnesota, he tweaked his ankle late in the game, but reports say he should be fine.
Wisconsin will face Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game Saturday, which comes in with the 40th ranked rushing defense in the country.
If Gordon can have a day like he did against Nebraska and the Badgers upset the No. 5 Buckeyes, that could move him ahead of Mariota.
Amari Cooper — Wide receiver, Alabama: If the Heisman Trophy weren’t traditionally given to quarterbacks and running backs, Cooper would be a shoo-in for the award.
He’s coming off of a record-breaking game against Auburn, where he set an Iron Bowl record with 224 receiving yards in the Crimson Tide’s 55-44 win.
The 224 yards also matches his season-high which he reached against Tennessee last month. He’s averaging 15 yards per reception and has 14 touchdowns on the year.
Cooper and the Crimson Tide will face Missouri in Atlanta for the SEC Championship on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers’ secondary gives up over 200 yards in the air per game, but their pass rush along the defensive line could give quarterback Blake Sims some trouble finding Cooper.
Trevone Boykin — Quarterback, TCU: Trevone Boykin is a big reason why the TCU Horned Frogs are the No. 5 team in the country.
He already has over 3,000 in the air, and another 598 on the ground.
He does have six interceptions, but he has not thrown more than one interception in a game.
Although TCU is ranked ahead of No. 7 Baylor currently, their 61-58 loss to the Bears in October will allow Baylor to win the Big 12 with a win over Kansas State Saturday.
Though if the Bears lose, TCU will win the Big 12 and could earn a spot in the playoff.
TCU has to beat Iowa State on Saturday first for that to happen, though.
Dak Prescott — Quarterback, Mississippi State: A previous Heisman frontrunner has dropped to the last spot in our rankings thanks to poor performances the last three weeks in which he’s thrown six interceptions.
The Bulldogs have dropped two of their last three games to Alabama and Ole Miss.
Follow Morgan Moriarty on Twitter @Morgan_Moriarty
