Jameis Winston, 5 players to watch in Week 5

College Football: Jameis Winston, 5 players to watch in Week 5

Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) who returned to the field after warming up in pads during pre game before their game against the Clemson Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium. Winston was suspended for Saturday s game against Clemson pending an investigation into some alleged lewd comments he made on campus. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Ameer Abdullah (8) runs for a 57 yard touchdown against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first quarter at Bulldog Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Ameer Abdullah, RB Nebraska

Don’t look now, but the Nebraska Cornhuskers (quietly) have it going in Lincoln. Nebraska is currently 4-0 and while they don’t exactly have a “huge” game this weekend as they host Illinois, the Cornhuskers boast a Heisman Trophy candidate at the running back position in the form of senior Ameer Abdullah.

The 5-foot-9, 195-pound Abdullah is currently the nation’s second-leading rusher with 625 yards (6.8 yards per carry) through four games, and with an additional 108 yards through the air, he is on pace to easily eclipse the 2,000-yard mark in total offense. This week’s match-up sets up beautifully for Abdullah for a number of reasons, but the exposure and opposition are the two strongest measures.

The Huskers are playing in a “prime time” spot at 9:00 pm ET, and while the game is on the Big Ten Network, it lands in such a way where Abdullah could easily put together a “Heisman moment” if things go as planned. The senior running back has already crossed the 200-yard mark twice this season, and it is certainly possible that this could be the third. Illinois currently stands as the 83rd-ranked rushing defense in the country, allowing 172.5 yards per game on the ground, and if there was ever a perfect storm for an explosive, Heisman-worthy effort, this is it.

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