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Heisman rankings – Week 9: D’Eriq King surges into the mix

By Cody Williams

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 27: Houston Cougars quarterback D'Eriq King (4) gains nine rushing yards on a key third down conversion late in the game during the football game between the USF Bulls and Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 27: Houston Cougars quarterback D'Eriq King (4) gains nine rushing yards on a key third down conversion late in the game during the football game between the USF Bulls and Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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As several players dropped and fell out of the 2018 Heisman Trophy rankings, Houston’s D’Eriq King made himself undeniable to shake things ups.

There were undoubtedly some big games on the slate for Week 9 of the 2018 college football season. We saw a top-10 showdown between two rivals in the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs, and also a top-20 matchup with the Penn State Nittany Lions and Iowa Hawkeyes going head-to-head. While that may have been the case, though, what we didn’t see was all of the top 2018 Heisman Trophy candidates in action.

The most notable in this group was obviously Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The sophomore signal-caller has been near perfect this season and, as such, has pretty obviously established himself as the top Heisman Trophy candidate through the first nine weeks of the season. Having said that, he and the Tide were out of action, as were the likes of Dwayne Haskins and McKenzie Milton.

With some players in the race out of action this week, though, some others established themselves in big ways. This was no more prevalent than with the Houston Cougars and quarterback D’Eriq King. Houston took on an undefeated South Florida Bulls team and handled them with authority, due in no small part to what the quarterback was able to do, entrenching him in the Heisman conversation.

King wasn’t the only player to make a move in the latest 2018 Heisman Trophy conversation, though. There are other newcomers and plenty of movement throughout. But specifically, how do things stand? Let’s take a look at the Heisman rankings after Week 9 of the 2018 season.

10. Zack Moss, RB, Utah

Sitting at 6-2 on the season and having well cracked the top 25 poll, the Utah Utes still aren’t getting much publicity at this point. Having said that, they pulled off another impressive Pac-12 victory this past week, dismantling a UCLA team that looked to be getting momentum going on their side. And junior running back Zack Moss is a major reason why that’s the case.

On Friday night in a win over Chip Kelly’s Bruins, Moss rushed for 211 yards on 26 carries and found the end zone on three separate occasions, and added two catches for 14 yards for good measure. That now gives him 964 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the season to go with a receiving touchdown and 50 more yards through the air. If he can stay this consistent and keep Utah moving up, he’ll get some of the spotlight.

9. Trace McSorley, QB, Penn State

Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley is one of the most enigmatic players in all of college football. His impact may not always fully show up in the box score, but what he does on the field is impressive as he’s the unquestioned leader of the offense who makes so many big plays for this team. The win over Iowa in a huge top-20 matchup this week is a prime example.

McSorley finished the game going just 11-of-25 for 167 yards, one touchdown and one interception, though he did rush for 63 yards and another score. However, he was still a catalyst for the offense in helping to propel them to a 30-24 victory. That’s why he stays in the Heisman picture, but he may need to pick up the statistical production moving forward.

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