Heisman Watch 2018: Benny Snell Jr. leaps into contention, outlook for top hopefuls

Heading into the fifth week of the 2018 college football season, the list of Heisman Trophy hopefuls has some new blood, and some bunching near the top.

With four weeks of the 2018 college football season in the books, the list of Heisman Trophy candidates is beginning to really take form, but the top few candidates are still extremely close in stats and impressions.

ALSO READ: AP Poll Winners and Losers Entering Week 5

Conference play has begun in the Power-5 leagues, and with that, we are seeing a very different look at some of the best teams and best players in the nation. Some have fallen from grace since the early weeks, while others have suddenly made their presence known to voters and pollsters.

The Top 10 has shifted somewhat this week, with a couple of players who had been hovering inside the Top 5 suddenly dropping out.

Coming in at 10-6:

10. Eric Dungey: Quarterback, Syracuse Orange
9. Alan Bowman: Quarterback, Texas Tech Red Raiders
8. Trace McSorley: Quarterback, Penn State Nittany Lions
7. Justin Herbert: Quarterback, Oregon Ducks
6. Ed Oliver: Defensive Tackle, Houston Cougars

The number five spot this week is making his debut in this year’s Heisman Trophy watch, and after the last two games he and his Kentucky Wildcats have had, there’s no reason Benny Snell Jr. shouldn’t be on this list.

2018 Stats: 541 rush yds, 6.21 ypc, 7 rush TD, 1 pass TD
Next Game: vs South Carolina

Benny Snell Jr. has come into his own this season, and is leading the 4-0 Kentucky Wildcats to heights they haven’t seen in some time with this week’s No. 17 AP Poll ranking.

Snell has been a leader for the Wildcats both with his play and his emotions, charging up the Cats when they seem to need it most. He took over the game against Mississippi State (a team who was supposed to have the answer for Snell defensively) rushing for 165 yards and four touchdowns.

Coming up against South Carolina you can probably look for more of the same from Snell. The Gamecocks were gouged for 271 yards on the ground against Georgia earlier this season, and the Kentucky offensive line will move the overmatched South Carolina d-line with some ease.

Snell may top 200 yards in this game, which will look to be a blowout by the Wildcats.

Then again, its almost October, and we’ve seen hot starts from Kentucky before. This does seem like a very different team than past years, however.