AlligatorSports casted its third round of Heisman ballots on Tuesday. Here are the results.
1.) Marcus Mariota, quarterback, Oregon
Why He’s Here: In his third season at Oregon, Marcus Mariota has proved why he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the country. He has completed 68 percent of his passes and is averaging 10 yards per attempt in the air. He’s also tied for third in the country in passing touchdowns. And he doesn’t turn the ball over either. His first interception on the season came against Cal in Week 9. Last week, he beat Stanford for the first time in his career. He accounted for two passing and two rushing touchdowns against the Cardinal defense, which is ranked sixth in the country.
What Lies Ahead: The Ducks travel on the road to No. 17 Utah this week, followed by games against Colorado and a road game against Oregon State. He’ll get a chance to solidify his name on the Heisman ballot during the Pac-12 Championship game, where he’ll likely face either the Arizona State Sun Devils or the USC Trojans.
2.) Dak Prescott, quarterback, Mississippi State
Why He’s Here: Dak Prescott is a big reason why the Mississippi State Bulldogs are the No. 1 ranked team in the country. He has accounted for more than 2,000 yards in the air along with 16 touchdowns, and he’s second on the team in rushing averaging 5.3 yards per carry, and has 10 touchdowns on the ground. He’s defeated three top-10 teams, including then-No. 8 LSU, then No.-6 Texas A&M and current No. 3 Auburn.
What Lies Ahead: Prescott and the Bulldogs have one of the toughest roads ahead, including road tests against No. 5 Alabama and No. 11 Ole Miss in Oxford. Both of those schools have defenses that rank inside the top 20 teams in the country.
3.) Melvin Gordon, running back, Wisconsin
Why He’s Here: Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon is a big reason why the Badgers have just one loss in the Big Ten. He is third in the country in rushing yards per game, averaging about 162 each week. He’s also putting up those numbers by not taking as many carries as you’d expect — his most carries was in week four against South Florida, where he had 32 carries for 181 yards. The Badgers probably would have beaten LSU in the opening week had it not been for Gordon being benched in the fourth quarter due to injury.
What Lies Ahead: Gordon did not finish last week’s game against Rutgers after hurt his knee, but Coach Gary Anderson expects him to be 100 percent for this week’s game against Purdue. Wisconsin’s next big test is against No. 13 Nebraska in a couple of weeks. A win over the Cornhuskers at home could improve their odds to represent the West in the Big Ten Championship game.
4.) Amari Cooper, wide receiver, Alabama
Why He’s Here: Alabama’s Amari Cooper has established himself as one of the most lethal wideouts in all of college football this season. His numbers are ridiculous, averaging 16 yards per reception and nine touchdowns. If that isn’t enough for you, consider this: Cooper ranks in the top four in every single receiving category in the country including receiving touchdowns, yards, yards per game and receptions per game. A receiver hasn’t won the Heisman since Michigan’s Desmond Howard did it in 1991. Cooper has certainly made the plays to be a legitimate contender this season.
What Lies Ahead: Alabama has one of the more manageable schedules remaining, with home games against Mississippi State and Auburn looming in the month of November. This week they get a big test going on the road to No. 16 LSU, who has a pretty talented secondary.
5.) Everett Golson, quarterback, Notre Dame
Why He’s Here: Golson and No. 10 Notre Dame have just one loss, coming from Florida State which they lost in the last second. Golson is also a big reason Notre Dame won this past weekend on the road against Navy, leading the Irish to three touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to hold off Navy 49-39. Not to mention Golson has lost just two games as a starter in his entire collegiate career at Notre Dame.
What Lies Ahead: Notre Dame has just one ranked opponent remaining on its schedule — No. 9 Arizona State this weekend, which means his numbers could increase and improve his Heisman chances.
Follow Morgan Moriarty on Twitter @Morgan_Moriarty
Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) looks to throw towards the end zone during the first quarter against Stanford in an NCAA college football game in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014.
