Ranking The Top Five Heisman Trophy Candidates After College Football's Week 9

This year's title for nan Heisman Trophy is opening to return shape. The nation's apical quarterbacks are rising to nan apical and immoderate person moreover started to abstracted themselves from nan remainder of nan pack.

Six undefeated teams remain, including Ohio State, Indiana and Texas A&M who lead nan measurement atop nan AP poll. Julian Sayin and nan top-ranked Buckeyes had nan week disconnected arsenic Fernando Mendoza continued to radiance for nan No. 2 Hoosiers, who are now 8-0 aft a 56-6 demolition of UCLA. IU's prima backmost accounted for 4 scores earlier calling it a time early and handing nan keys to his brother. Yes, really.

In nan SEC, much apical QBs proceed to make their ain lawsuit for nan Heisman. Last week, Diego Pavia stepped connected nan scene pinch 3 full touchdowns and a Heisman airs in Vanderbilt's large triumph complete LSU. The stumbling Tigers took connected different Heisman hopeful successful Texas A&M's Marcel Reed this week, who didn't disappoint pinch 4 scores and complete 100 yards connected nan ground. Alabama continues to rotation down Ty Simpson, too, though nan Crimson Tide had a scare against South Carolina this week.

Elsewhere, Georgia Tech remains undefeated down nan unthinkable play of Haynes King. He's different Heisman hopeful arsenic we creep toward nan extremity of nan regular season—and his coach Brent Key wants you to cognize it.

Without further ado, let's get into it. Here are nan top-five Heisman Trophy candidates classed successful bid pinch Week 9 successful nan rearview mirror:

Simpson and nan Tide survived connected nan roadworthy against South Carolina / Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Simpson and Indiana's Fernando Mendoza are correct adjacent to each different astatine nan apical of nan Heisman chase. I springiness nan flimsy motion to Simpson owed to Alabama's reliable wins complete classed SEC opponents 4 weeks successful a statement heading into Week 9. This week, nan Crimson Tide survived connected nan roadworthy against South Carolina, who's now 3-5. Their inferior backmost has been astir cleanable complete Alabama's seven-game winning streak pursuing a stinker successful their opener to Florida State, though he's had a insignificant fumble problem recently. Even so, Simpson has thrown conscionable 1 prime this twelvemonth and looks highly poised successful nan pouch each week. The Tide person a week disconnected earlier they play LSU and Oklahoma successful consecutive weeks, giving Simpson much opportunities to make his Heisman case.

2. Fernando Mendoza — QB, Indiana

Fernando Mendoza and nan Hoosiers rolled astatine location against UCLA / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

The leader of nan undefeated and second-ranked Hoosiers is nan different apical Heisman campaigner arsenic we presently stand. Mendoza accounted for 4 touchdowns arsenic Indiana stomped connected UCLA astatine location pinch a 56-6 win, which allowed him to extremity his time early and cheer connected his brother, Alberto, who entered astatine quarterback. Sitting astatine 8-0, nan Hoosiers are connected nan roadworthy for 3 of their last 4 regular-season games. Mendoza has proven he tin lead Curt Cignetti's programme to moreover greater heights, highlighted by IU's signature triumph astatine Oregon. The Cal transportation is scoring successful bunches arsenic he leads 1 of nan champion teams successful nan federation and surely deserves his spot toward nan apical of Heisman conversations.

Ohio State had an disconnected week aft they routed Wisconsin / Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

The Buckeyes had nan week disconnected aft their sophomore QB put up 400 yards of full discourtesy and 4 scores arsenic top-ranked Ohio State crushed Wisconsin connected nan road. Sayin has looked amended each week successful his first play arsenic nan starter. He's yet to propulsion an interception complete their Big Ten slate and has aggregate touchdown passes successful each crippled too Ohio State's 14-7 triumph complete Texas to unfastened nan season. Sayin, Jeremiah Smith and Co. return to action adjacent week astatine location against Penn State, who's connected a four-game skid arsenic they woody with James Franklin's firing.

4. Marcel Reed — QB, Texas A&M

Marcel Reed rushed for complete 100 yards connected nan crushed against LSU / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

How astir a 41-yard touchdown tally to make a statement?

Reed's large tally to commencement Texas A&M's nighttime group nan reside for a connection 49-25 triumph against LSU connected nan road, which was the last straw for Brian Kelly pinch nan Tigers aft losing 3 of their past 4 games. Although its a triumph complete a stumbling LSU, nan Aggies stay cleanable astatine 8-0 pinch different roadworthy trial against Missouri successful their adjacent game. Reed's capacity wasn't cleanable arsenic he threw 2 picks, but his 4 full touchdowns connected nan time support him connected nan emergence arsenic 1 of nan apical players crossed assemblage football.

Vanderbilt has 2 classed wins successful a statement aft they took down Missouri astatine location / Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Pavia didn't ray it up statistically this week, but he came up clutch and led Vanderbilt to its 2nd classed triumph successful a statement and scored nan game-winning touchdown pinch conscionable nether 2 minutes near to unafraid a 17-10 triumph against Mizzou. Vandy's triumph comes a week aft their elder QB rushed for 2 scores and hit nan Heisman pose successful a 31-24 triumph complete LSU. The Commodores are 7-1 and a existent threat for nan College Football Playoff successful large portion owed to Pavia's play. Next week, they look a trial connected nan roadworthy against Texas, who had a thrilling comeback overtime triumph over Mississippi State Saturday.

Others considered: Haynes King (QB, Georgia Tech), Gunner Stockton (QB, Georgia), Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame), Trinidad Chambliss (QB, Ole Miss)
Under-the-radar candidate: Bear Bachmeier (QB, BYU)

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