Heisman Watch: Ameer emerges
Marcus Mariota remains atop theScore's Heisman Watch for the fourth consecutive week. After a week off, the pivot's accomplishments this season remain sparkling.
Georgia running back Todd Gurley stays put at the runner-up spot after another dominant performance, this time against Tennessee. He'll have some competition from Heisman Watch newcomer Ameer Abdullah though. The NCAA rushing leader and Nebraska running back pounded the opposition for over 200 yards for the second straight week Saturday.
Finally, Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson jumped back into the Heisman race with a convincing four-touchdown, team record-setting performance Saturday.
1. Marcus Mariota, QB - Oregon (1)
Mariota holds on to his Heisman-leading spot even after a week off. It doesn't matter: the 20-year-old's spotless touchdown-to-interception ratio can't be ignored, having thrown 13 scores and zero interceptions.
Just one other quarterback in college football who has thrown for at least 800 yards has gone without a pick, USC's Cody Kessler. But Kessler hasn't racked up the 214 yards and three touchdowns rushing that Mariota has.
This week he'll lead the No. 2 Ducks against an unbeaten Arizona squad that's giving up a lackluster 27.3 points-per-game.
2. Todd Gurley, RB - Georgia (2)
Gurley might be the best running back in the nation, and every week he seems to prove that he's not letting up.
He piled up 208 yards and two scores against Tennessee on Saturday, including a monster 51-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the No. 13 Bulldogs up by 11.
Gurley is averaging 8.8 yards-per-carry for 610 yards and six touchdowns this season, and he isn't slowing down.
3. Kenny Hill, QB - Texas A&M (3)
Kenny "Trill," as he's called, led the No. 6 Aggies to a come-from-behind defeat over a feisty Arkansas squad Saturday night, showing the world that the sophomore possesses more than just arm strength. Arkansas led Texas A&M 28-14 heading into the fourth quarter, and Hill fired three straight touchdowns of 86, 59 and 25 yards to win the game.
Hill's 1,745 yards passing on the season is good for third in the nation, but what's more impressive is that he's only thrown two picks on 17 touchdowns.
College Station might already be forgetting about Johnny Manziel.
4. Ameer Abdullah, RB - Nebraska (NR)
Ameer Abdullah, welcome to the big leagues. The senior from Homewood, Ala., has rushed the ball 114 times this season for No. 19 Nebraska, recording an NCAA-leading 833 yards, to go along with eight touchdowns.
He's even caught two receiving scores as well.
Saturday night will be huge for the running back, as his perfect Cornhuskers (5-0) head to East Lansing to take on Big Ten juggernauts No. 10 Michigan State. All eyes will be on Abdullah.
5. Everett Golson, QB - Notre Dame (NR)
Following a brief one-week absence from the Heisman Watch, No. 9 Notre Dame's Everett Golson takes the fifth spot in the Heisman Watch this week.
His performance on Saturday night against Syracuse was historic, at times brilliant and other times frustrating.
Despite throwing two picks, one of which went for a Syracuse touchdown, Golson missed just seven passes on 39 attempts, accumulating 383 total yards and four touchdowns.
Golson has led his Irish to an impressive perfect 4-0 record this season, but his real test comes Saturday when the Irish take on No. 14 Stanford.
Regardless, the senior pivot deserves to be on the Heisman Watch this week.