Heisman watch: Trevor Lawrence opens door for Justin Fields, Mac Jones; welcome Graham Mertz

Heisman watch candidate No. 2: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

In a 48-17 rout of the Volunteers, Mac Jones failed to throw a touchdown pass. And that’s legitimately the only negative thing you can say about the Alabama quarterback on Saturday and for the entirety of the 2020 season. Even without a passing score, Jones still went 25-of-31 for 387 yards and added a rushing touchdown to his credit just for good measure.

Jones is putting up truly eye-popping numbers this season, especially considering the questions about him taking over as the Crimson Tide’s starter. He’s now thrown for 1,905 yards through five games with 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions to his name. Though he lost Jaylen Waddle for the season, the Alabama quarterback seemingly has no intention of slowing down his elite production and staying on track to be a Heisman Trophy finalist at the very least.

Heisman watch candidate No. 1: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

Perhaps the biggest news item of Week 8 was that Trevor Lawrence and the Clemson Tigers are mortal. The quarterback threw the first pick-six of his college football career while Syracuse also was within six points at one point in the second half. Of course, Lawrence ended up with an overall impressive performance and the Tigers pulled away for another emphatic ACC win.

Lawrence going 27-of-43 for 289 yards, two touchdowns and one pick against the Orange is his worst game of the season to this point but that largely speaks to how great the quarterback has been. He may not quite be running away with the Heisman Trophy like it seemed he might through his first five games but he remains the favorite, without question.

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