Heisman rankings Week 9: Joe Burrow leads, Chase Young enters mix

6. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Before anything else is said, Justin Fields has been phenomenal this season at the helm of Ryan Day’s Ohio State offense. He’s made every throw he’s needed to, has provided a dynamic element with his ability to tuck the ball and run and has proven to be a leader on the field. Having said that, the Heisman case for Fields has been lacking simply because he hasn’t been putting up the impressive yardage totals you want to see and, despite the big win over Wisconsin, that continued in Week 9.

Field again found the end zone on three occasions, twice through the air and once on the ground. At the end of the day, though, Fields only threw for 167 yards and rushed for 28 yards on the day. That gives him only 1,659 yards through the air this season, even with 24 scores and only one interception. Put simply, that’s just not enough production to compete with the heavy-hitters in this race.

5. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State

Continuing a run on candidates from Ohio State, running back J.K. Dobbins has overtaken his quarterback in these rankings and for good reason. Dobbins has been a revelation over the past few weeks for the Buckeyes and, on the biggest stage to date for him and his team and up against a defense that had been stout, the ball-carrier went to work in a huge way.

Dobbins rushed the ball 20 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns in the emphatic win for Ohio State, making his day even more impressive with three receptions for 58 yards on the day as well. That now gives Dobbins four-straight games with 120 yards rushing or more and his fifth game this season with at least 140 yards rushing. He now has 1,110 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground this year to go with two receiving scores as well. He can’t be stopped and that’s why he’s climbing these rankings so steadily.