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Heisman Watch 2017: Week 6

By Cody Williams

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Penn State RB Saquon Barkley (26) runs for a gain past Indiana defenders. The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Indiana Hoosiers 45-14 on September 2, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in State College, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Penn State RB Saquon Barkley (26) runs for a gain past Indiana defenders. The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Indiana Hoosiers 45-14 on September 2, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in State College, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Sam Darnold suffered a tough loss in Week 5 of the college football season, and now the 2017 Heisman Trophy race has some new contenders.

Oh, how things can change in an instant — or at least seemingly so. Entering the season, USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold appeared as close to a lock as possible to win the 2017 Heisman Trophy. Had he started all 13 games last season and produced at the clip he did for the 10 he actually started, it would have been hard to not have a conversation between his work and Lamar Jackson’s. So as he entered his redshirt sophomore season, the spotlight was firmly on him.

However, Darnold hasn’t been what most expected this season. His eight interceptions are both troubling and seemingly uncharacteristic after he was careful with the ball last season. What’s more, he’s just not been the dominant force that the Trojans hoped he’d be. And that all came to a head on Friday night in Week 5 as he and USC went to Pullman and didn’t have enough as they were knocked off by Washington State while Darnold played his worst game of the season.

The argument can be easily made as to what’s happening with Darnold right now. If you look at the tape and the situation, it’s not all on him. In the Wazzu upset, he was dealing with three injuries on the offensive line while also playing without two of his best targets. And that also is in addition to this Trojans team not having the overall talent that the 2016 squad did.

Regardless of why it’s happening, though, it’s safe to consider Darnold out of the 2017 Heisman Trophy race, a wild thought after just five games. With him dropping out, though, who takes his place? Let’s dive into the Heisman Watch entering Week 6.

5. Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

In truth, figuring out who deserved to be in the fifth spot on these rankings was harder than determining any other spot in the Heisman Watch. Whereas the top of the rankings is ultimately pretty apparent at this point and time, the same can’t be said for the mid-to-lower levels of the race. Guys like 2016 winner Lamar Jackson or San Diego State running back Rashaad Penny both have claims to be at No. 5. But after his Week 5 showing, Mason Rudolph takes it.

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Rudolph was much more heavily in the mix prior to Week 4, but he and the Oklahoma State Cowboys came back down to earth in a big way with their 44-31 defeat at the hands of TCU. The veteran quarterback threw for 398 yards and had three total touchdowns on the day, but also threw two interceptions (half his total for all of last season) and barely completed more than 50 percent of his throws. Subsequently, he needed to bounce back in Week 5 against Texas Tech.

Lo and behold, that’s exactly what the 6-foot-5 Rock Hill, SC native did. In a battle of high-powered passing offenses, Rudolph did admittedly throw another pick. However, when that interception was accompanied by going 27-of-38 for 376 and three touchdowns while also accruing 50 rush yards and two more scores on the ground, it can be much more easily forgiven. Rudolph not only rebounded, but he stepped up in a big moment on the road to get the Cowboys the win. Now with a matchup in Stillwater against Baylor, expect some more gaudy numbers on Saturday.

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