Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
August 27th 2017, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia; College Football Sydney Cup; Rice University v Stanford University; Standford Cardinals running back Bryce Love makes a break; (Photo by Nigel Owen/Action Plus via Getty Images)
August 27th 2017, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia; College Football Sydney Cup; Rice University v Stanford University; Standford Cardinals running back Bryce Love makes a break; (Photo by Nigel Owen/Action Plus via Getty Images) /

3. Bryce Love, RB, Stanford

In a general sense, the Stanford Cardinal certainly appeared less exciting than they were a year ago entering the 2017 season. With the departure of Christian McCaffrey, it seemed as if they were losing their biggest spark plug. After all, one of the things the now-Carolina Panther was lauded for throughout his time with Stanford was his all-purpose yardage. Thus, removing him from the occasion makes it a massive loss.

Though the team has started a disappointing 3-2, they haven’t missed McCaffrey as much as some may have thought thanks to junior Bryce Love. The 5-foot-10, 196-pound running back has been electric from the onset this season. In the first three games, however, he was being limited in terms of touches in the Cardinal offense. But on a per-carry basis, his numbers were unreal as he had 43 carries for 624 yards and four touchdowns.

Subsequently, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to any that, as David Shaw has begun to feature him more in the offense over the past two weeks, he’s used that increased workload to insert himself thoroughly into the Heisman Trophy conversation.

Love started this mini-run against UCLA in Week 4 as he took 30 carries on the night for 263 yards and a touchdown. And while that was a massive total, the Bruins got off easy compared to what he did to Arizona State. Last Saturday, the Sun Devils overdosed on Love as the back took 25 carries for 301 yards and three touchdowns.

That monster game made him the first 1,000-yard rusher this season (in five games!), in addition to giving him a 275-yard cushion on the next closest running back in college football. No one may have saw it coming, but the Bryce Love show is live and thriving.

Home/College Football