College football has officially wrapped up its first round of games which means Heisman trophy predictions are in full swing. Every year there are a few early season favorites while at least one unknown emerges mid-season to throw off everyone's bracket. Last season, most assumed Matt Barkley or possibly Manti Te'o would take home the top honor in college football until Johnny Manziel jumped on the scene mid-season and won the trophy. This year the dark horse might be emerging sooner rather than later.
Prior to the season, Manziel was naturally the favorite to win the trophy in back-to-back years. Returning to Texas A&M for another season before likely leaving for the NFL, Manziel sounded like a lock to win. While he may not take any teams by storm this year, the talent is still there. However, Manziel's poor on-the-field and off-the-field decisions could possibly hurt his status. While he may put up some of the best numbers, voters may consider his attitude. He only played one half on Saturday, making him irrelevant in this round of predictions.
Teddy Bridgewater did the job to cement himself in the conversation for the Heisman. The Louisville quarterback threw two touchdown passes before recording his first incompletion. His first nine passes went for 122 yards and the two scores as the team routed Ohio 49-7. Those numbers may make Bridgewater the overwhelming favorite, but Louisville's schedule makes the Heisman race an uphill climb for the quarterback.
Louisville has no ranked opponents on their schedule. They play one SEC team this season while competing against the lackluster AAC conference. Big wins against teams like Temple, Florida International and Memphis will not help his case. Point to Manziel.
Tahj Boyd also did his part to get himself into the conversation with Clemson's win over Georgia. The quarterback appeared every bit the veteran senior leading his team to a win over the ranked SEC team at home. He threw for 270 yards while rushing for another 47 yards. Clemson has the schedule to keep Boyd a steady contender.
The dark horse for the trophy appears to have emerged in the first week of the season. Replacing EJ Manuel, Jameis Winston burst out of the gates in Florida State's win against Pittsburgh. Most college football fans were unfamiliar to Winston, only to hear later their school passed up on recruiting him.
The freshman was almost flawless in his performance going 25-for-27 for 356 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for another. Yes, it was simply against Pitt, like Bridgewater's performance was only against Ohio, but it was enough to get his name in the papers. Voters have not seen enough from Winston to consider him a true option, but if he keeps it up, he could be earning a trip to New York in December.
