Brett McMurphy’s Heisman Ballot: Washington State and Purdue Candidates Rising

Another week, another Alabama blowout and another fourth quarter with Tua on the sideline.

This week, Tua Tagovailoa won’t play in the fourth quarter either. OK, so the Crimson Tide is off Saturday. But Tagovailoa’s right knee strain can use the rest.

While Tagovailoa gets a week off, I don’t have that luxury. Here’s my ballot if the Heisman Trophy was awarded this week.

I will update my list each Tuesday. However, I will not reveal my official Heisman ballot in the first week of December. The Heisman trust prohibits Heisman voters from disclosing their ballot until after the Heisman ceremony on Dec. 8.

 

My current top three:

1. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama

Tagovailoa exited Alabama’s blowout of Tennessee in the third quarter after throwing four more touchdowns. For the season: 25 TD passes and zero interceptions, while completing 70 percent of his passes.

Up next: Alabama visits LSU on Nov. 3.

2. Kyler Murray, Oklahoma

If Tagovailoa slips up, Murray is creeping into position to give Oklahoma a second consecutive Heisman winner. Murray ranks fifth nationally, averaging 344 yards a game in total offense. He also has 25 TD passes and only three interceptions.

Up next: Oklahoma hosts Kansas State Saturday.

3. Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State

Don’t blame Haskins for the Buckeyes’ blowout loss at Purdue. Haskins threw for a career-high 470 yards. He’s averaging 446 yards in his last three games and for the season, he has thrown a national-best 30 TD passes.

Up next: Ohio State hosts Nebraska on Nov. 3.

 

If the Heisman would expand its ballot to five players (something I’ve been a proponent for to get more players to New York and asked the Heisman trust to consider – unfortunately they said no):

4. Gardner Minshew, Washington State

I don’t want to say I told you so – but, yes I do; I told you so. Minshew, No. 5 on my Heisman list, is up to No. 4 after leading the Cougars past Oregon last week. For the season directing Mike Leach’s offense, Minshew is averaging 392 yards per game, the nation’s best, with 23 TDs and six interceptions.

Up next: Washington State visits Stanford Saturday.

5. Rondale Moore, Purdue

The electric freshman wide receiver made a huge splash in last week’s rout of Ohio State. Moore had 12 receptions for 170 yards, both career-highs. Moore ranks seventh nationally in both receptions (57) and yards per game (104).

Up next: Purdue visits Michigan State Saturday.

 

Others who could move into my top five (in alphabetical order):

Travis Etienne, Clemson

Will Grier, West Virginia

Trace McSorley, Penn State

McKenzie Milton, UCF

Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin

 

My Heisman winner for last week:

Tyler Trent, Purdue*

*Trent is a student at Purdue and does not play for the Boilermakers, but his inspiration was a huge part of Purdue’s victory, so he’s my Heisman winner for the week. If you don’t know Trent’s story, Google him. You’ll be glad you did.