Heisman rankings - Week 5: Kyler Murray makes a statement

Heisman rankings – Week 5: Kyler Murray makes a statement

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the sideline against the Baylor Bears at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Baylor 66-33. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

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LUBBOCK, TX – SEPTEMBER 29: Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker, Dakota Allen (40), sacks West Virgina quarterback, Will Grier (7), during the college football game between the West Virginia Mountaineers versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders on September 29th, 2018, at Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX. (Photo by Travis Tustin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Will Grier

Just looking at the box score, you’re probably questioning why West Virginia quarterback Will Grier has dropped three spots from the top of these Heisman Trophy rankings after this week. After all, the Mountaineers gunslinger finished the win over the 25th-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders with 370 yards passing, three touchdowns and no interceptions. That all looks good, but Grier did not in the second half of this game.

Grier came out of the gates on fire in this game and put his team in a commanding lead. However, with Texas Tech having an injury at quarterback, Grier seemed to let off the gas almost entirely in the third and fourth quarters, which almost allowed the Red Raiders to come back. At the very least, the lackluster play of Grier made that possible and he has to be penalized in such a tight race after a performance like that.

3. Dwayne Haskins

Much like is the case with Grier, when you look at the final stat-line for Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins in their comeback win over Penn State, it looks quite good. The redshirt sophomore finished the night going 22-of-39 for 270 yards with three touchdowns and just one interception. However, as is sometimes the case in football, what the box score says doesn’t give you the whole story.

Haskins, to put it simply, was awful in the first half against Penn State. The Nittany Lions got pressure on him and he was clearly rattled. While he improved in the second half, it’s also worth noting that a lot of his yardage actually came as yards after the catch with great plays by his receiving corps. So yes, he led the comeback, but his stock in this race takes a slight hit after this game.

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