Now that we’re midway through the season, it’s time to look at the five biggest names on that list who won’t win the Heisman this season.
QB Jameis Winston, Florida State
No matter how well Winston plays the rest of the season, it’s not going to matter in the Heisman race. For him, the damage has been done. He was suspended one game — a game against Clemson that the Seminoles should have lost — and all his off-the-field stuff has piled up to the point it can’t be ignored. Bo and Herschel aren’t the only two who feel that way.
But, let’s look at what Winston’s done on the field. His numbers are slightly down from what they were through six games last season when he was just a redshirt freshman. His completion percentage (71.3 in 2013 vs. 70.6 in 2014, through six games) and yards per game (314.1 vs. 313.0) are nearly identical. But Winston had 20 TDs with just three interceptions at this point a year ago. This season, that’s 13-6. FSU doesn’t have a ranked team remaining on the schedule, another big deterrent.
Those numbers are good, but they’re not great. Eight players average more passing yards this season and 30 have thrown for more TDs. It’s a shame, too, because being 20-0 as a starter should keep Winston in the conversation.
RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
Considered the most complete running back in college football, Gurley’s season turned upside down when he was indefinitely suspended for an alleged violation of NCAA rules pertaining to signing autographs for pay.
In five games, his season was very much Heisman worthy. He is averaging 154.6 yards per game and 8.2 yards per carry. He also has a kickoff return for a touchdown. In his absence, freshman Nick Chubb has been a workhorse, piling up a lot of carries and yards, putting a small damper on Gurley’s accomplishments this season.
Even if Gurley returns and the Bulldogs win the SEC East and reach the CFB playoffs, he won’t be in New York when the Heisman is awarded.
QB Brett Hundley, UCLA
One of the most talented players in the country, Hundley started the season slow, overcame an injury in Week 3 against Texas and worked his way into the Heisman conversation with a 355-yard, 4-TD, zero interception (and 72 rushing yards) performance in a rout of Arizona State. That win also thrust the Bruins into the playoff discussion.
But back-to-back losses at home against Utah and Oregon will make it difficult for him to get back in the picture. The loss to the Ducks — and one of the Heisman frontrunners Marcus Mariota — also hurts. Being outplayed by another Heisman candidate on your home turf is not a recipe for winning the award.
QB Bryce Petty, Baylor
Petty is having a fine season. He’s thrown for 1,757 yards, 17 TDs and three interceptions. That’s not near the pace he was on last season and it’s possible a back injury suffered early in the season could be affecting him more than the hard-nosed, gutsy QB will ever let anyone know.
His 7 for 22, 111-yard game against Texas — a Baylor victory — was enough to question if he was Heisman material. But his 16 for 36 game last week in the loss to West Virginia has ruined his chances. He totaled 223 yards and had two TDs (no interceptions), but he misfired on multiple throws downfield.
Can Petty work his way back into the mix? His best hope is to put up big numbers, the Bears win every week and the season finale places Baylor against a one-loss Kansas State team with a potential playoff spot at stake.
RB T.J. Yeldon, Alabama
Yeldon is one of college football’s best backs. He has size, speed and make-you-miss ability like few in the game possess. He’ll be on an NFL roster next season. But he won’t be Alabama’s second Heisman winner in 2014.
He has three 100-yard games this season, 566 yards and four TDs, but has shared the spotlight with Derrick Henry (452 yards, three TDs). On top of that, the Crimson Tide’s real Heisman prospect is WR Amari Cooper, who has 908 receiving yards and seven TDs in becoming first-year starting QB Blake Sims’ go-to teammate.
As long as Alabama is in the playoff hunt, Yeldon will continue being a big part in the Tide’s season. But on an offense that is built around balance and wearing down opponents in multiple ways, it’s unlikely Yeldon will put up the eye-popping stats to garner serious Heisman consideration.
