Top 10 college football players of Week 6: Joe Burrow adds to Heisman resume

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor added to their Heisman resumes in Week 6 and headline our players of the week.

Utah State is no slouch and Joe Burrow made them look like an FCS team with an unreal game compiling six total touchdowns. College football’s top running backs Jonathan Taylor and Chuba Hubbard continue their phenomenal seasons each having another multi-touchdown day on Saturday.

In a week without Clemson and Alabama who were both on bye, the door was wide open for some newcomers to join the list. Memphis, Miami (FL) and others are all well-represented.

College football players of the week

Honorable Mentions:

• Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas – 18/33 att, 211 yds, 2 TD, Int, 9 car, 45 yds, 2 TD
• Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU – 9 rec, 155 yds, 2 TD
• Khalil Tate, QB, Arizona – 31/41 att, 404 yds, 3 TD, Int
• Kelly Bryant, QB, Missouri – 12/19 att, 221 yds, 3 TD, 6 car, 20 yds, TD

10. Brock Purdy, QB, Iowa State

• 19/24 att, 247 yds, 2 TD
• 12 car, 102 yds, 2 TD

Iowa State’s veteran quarterback struggled to repeat last year’s success early on this season, but Brock Purdy has rebounded as of late for the Cyclones. Using his legs as a versatile weapon against an underrated TCU team, Purdy led the charge in the touchdown department.

9. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis

• 14 car, 209 yds, 2 TD

The young freshman running back Kenneth Gainwell had a fantastic game against a weak Louisiana-Monroe defense. Gainwell became the first freshman running back with three consecutive 100-yard games in school history with a 209-yard game on Saturday.

8. Jett Duffey, QB, Texas Tech

• 26/44 att, 424 yds 4 TD

Big-time players come up clutch in big-time games. Jett Duffey went ballistic in an upset win for the Red Raiders against Oklahoma State. In a game where Hubbard continued his brilliance, Duffey stayed composed and delivered several touchdown strikes in the team’s air raid attack.

7. N’Kosi Perry, QB, Miami (FL)

• 28/47, 422 yds, 4 TD, Int

Coming off the bench as a backup quarterback and looking sharp is one arduous task but throwing four touchdowns without a proper warmup is an entirely different challenge. N’Kosi Perry revived a Hurricanes team that saw starter Jarren Williams throw three interceptions. The Hurricanes still lost, but they may have found the answer at quarterback.

6. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

• 33/51, 376 yds, 4 TD, Int

Following a disappointing loss to Clemson after failing a two-point conversion, North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell responded with a Roethlisberger-like stat line against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

5. Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

• 16/24 att, 228 yds, 2 TD, Int
• 10 car, 56 yds, 2 TD

A familiar name on this list, Jalen Hurts continues a phenomenal run in Lincoln Riley’s offense. Hurts’ ability to run and throw the football is a valuable asset as the Sooners head closer to a possible playoff bid.

4. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State

• 34 att, 156 yds, 3 TD

Quietly contending with the unreal season Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor is having, Hubbard is making a name for himself this season. Turning in another three-touchdown day, Hubbard now has 10 touchdowns in five games for the Cowboys.

3. Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame

• 16/20 att, 251 yds, 5 TD

Ian Book is becoming one of my favorite players this season after turning in his second five-touchdown game of the season. Through all the Notre Dame criticism and worry, Book continues to grind through and spit out big numbers in big wins for the Irish.

2. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

• 19 att, 186 yds, 4 TD
• 3 rec, 29 yds, TD

Jonathan Taylor is approaching Saquon Barkley level territory after another incredible performance this season, this time against Kent State. Taylor, the focal point of the Badgers offense, is on a run of 16 total touchdowns in five games. Taylor is now a lock when it comes to being a first-round pick in the next NFL Draft.

1. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

• 27/38 att, 344 yds, 5 TD, Int
• 10 car, 42 yds, TD

Talk about not messing around against Utah State, Joe Burrow came out firing darts against the Aggies. Burrow is quickly becoming the Gardner Minshew of college football with his performance, swagger and competitive attitude. With his second straight six touchdown outing, Burrow is becoming a clear Heisman favorite for LSU.

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