After an offseason dominated by two teams and two players, the actual season has expanded the races for college football's most coveted trophies.
The field of legitimate national championship contenders includes more than Clemson and Alabama. The field of legitimate Heisman Trophy contenders includes more than Trevor Lawrence and Tua Tagovailoa. Though Tagovailoa remains among the favorites to win the Heisman after finishing second in 2018, Lawrence's shaky start has set him back.
Tagovailoa instead must fend off a familiar face, Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts, and several other capable challengers.
After I watched Hurts on Saturday in Dallas, it's time to examine the path to the Heisman for the nation's top candidates. In ESPN's latest Heisman Watch, five players received all but one vote, so I'm going to stick with this group for now.
Let's get started.
Heisman path: Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts
Numbers: 71.5% completions, 17 touchdowns, three interceptions, team-high 630 rush yards, eight rushing touchdowns, 1,758 pass yards, 94.9 total QBR (second)
Spotlight games: Nov. 9 vs. Iowa State, Nov. 16 at Baylor, Nov. 30 at Oklahoma State
Following two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks, Hurts has maintained Oklahoma's excellence in his own way. A gifted athlete, Hurts allows coach Lincoln Riley more options with the quarterback run, which, in turn, have opened up easy chunk plays through the air. As a Texas assistant told me before Saturday's game, "He's a running back who can throw it around, too."
Hurts' performance against Texas shouldn't hurt his Heisman profile, but he didn't get a major boost, either. His overall numbers were solid: 235 pass yards and three touchdowns, 131 rush yards (most ever by an OU quarterback against Texas) and another score. He also went behind his back to avoid a sack.
Jalen Hurts really went behind the back while avoiding a sack 😦 #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/GAluTPti9z
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 12, 2019
But Hurts had two red zone turnovers: a first-quarter fumble when Oklahoma had total control, and an ill-advised throw on third-and-8 from the Texas 11. He nearly had a third giveaway, as his underthrown pass on third-and-6 deflected off of the hands of Texas safety D'Shawn Jamison. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was OU's best offensive player against Texas. After a spotless first three games, Hurts has thrown an interception in three consecutive contests.
Hurts needs big numbers but also cleaner performances, especially if he intends to outlast Tagovailoa. Oklahoma's schedule lacks many marquee games, although both Baylor and Iowa State have solid defenses that should provide good tests. Hurts could use another matchup with Texas in the Big 12 title game -- and even better numbers the second time around.
Heisman path: Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa
Numbers: 73.6% completions, 27 touchdowns, one interception, two rushing touchdowns, 2,011 pass yards, 96.1 total QBR (first)
Spotlight games: Nov. 9 vs. LSU, Nov. 30 at Auburn
Tagovailoa threw his first interception of the season Saturday at Texas A&M, but his overall performance has been virtually spotless. He now owns Alabama's career touchdowns record (81) and continues to carve up defenses with the nation's best receiving corps. Tagovailoa has three or more touchdown passes in all six games, completing at least two-thirds of his attempts in the first five contests.
His path to the Heisman is pretty straightforward: continue to dominate weaker opponents, outplay LSU's Joe Burrow on Nov. 9 at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and avoid a setback against Auburn's attacking defense in the Iron Bowl. A strong finish is particularly important for Tagovailoa, who led the Heisman race for much of last year before falling off a bit in November, when Kyler Murray's otherworldly numbers pushed him to the award.
Still, when the Alabama quarterback sets records, leads his team to another SEC title and outduels one of his primary competitors, he'll probably gain hardware Dec. 14 in New York.
Heisman path: LSU QB Joe Burrow
LSU QB and clear-cut Heisman candidate Joe Burrow shares his many sides with Tom Rinaldi.
Numbers: 79.6% completions, 25 touchdowns, three interceptions, 105 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 93.3 total QBR (fourth)
Spotlight games: Oct. 26 vs. Auburn, Nov. 9 at Alabama, Nov. 30 vs. Texas A&M
Burrow is the surprise superstar leading the most surprising offense in college football. As good as Tagovailoa has been for Alabama, Burrow's big-play brilliance makes it hard to put anyone else atop the Heisman candidate list. His performance Saturday against a very talented Florida defense -- 21 of 24 passing, 293 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, 43 rush yards -- further legitimizes his candidacy.
If Burrow maintains this pace and leads LSU to its first CFP appearance, he'll have a great chance to become the Tigers' first Heisman winner since Billy Cannon in 1959. Like Tagovailoa, Burrow has put up incredible numbers while limiting mistakes (three interceptions in 186 pass attempts) and maximizing an incredible group of receivers.
His path to the Heisman goes through Tua and Tuscaloosa. If Burrow outshines Tagovailoa and LSU ends an eight-game losing streak to Alabama, the Heisman would be his to lose. Before the Alabama showdown, Burrow has another chance to impress against an excellent defense as Auburn visits Baton Rouge on Oct. 26.
Heisman path: Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor
Numbers: 129 carries, 825 rush yards, 14 touchdowns, 15 receptions, 136 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns, five 100-yard rushing performances
Spotlight games: Oct. 26 at Ohio State, Nov. 9 vs. Iowa, Nov. 30 at Minnesota
Taylor is well on his way to a historic career. He needs four yards to become only the fourth player in FBS history -- Herschel Walker, LaDainian Tomlinson, LaMichael James -- to reach 5,000 before the end of their junior season. He leads the nation in scoring. But his Heisman path is rocky.
The Heisman has become a quarterback's award, and there are three incredibly dynamic ones ahead of Taylor. He's the Badgers' biggest star, but he also could be partially eclipsed by a defense that has shut out four of its first six opponents.
Taylor must outplay Justin Fields in Columbus, ideally in a Wisconsin win. Without a signature performance at Ohio Stadium, he's not getting the Heisman. A repeat performance against the Buckeyes in the Big Ten title game also might be required. He needs to put up massive yardage totals against weaker defenses -- Illinois, Nebraska and Purdue -- and impress against rivals Iowa and Minnesota. Taylor is helped by his new role in Wisconsin's passing game. Before this season, he had 16 catches (no touchdowns).
"If it's good for the player and good for the team, then that's a no-brainer," coach Paul Chryst told me last week. "How can the team be better? If we can find more ways to get JT involved. It's also good for JT's growth."
Heisman path: Ohio State QB Justin Fields
Numbers: 69.5% completions, 18 touchdowns, one interception, 283 rush yards, eight rushing touchdowns, 1,298 passing yards, 94.4 total QBR (third)
Spotlight games: Oct. 26 vs. Wisconsin, Nov. 23 vs. Penn State, Nov. 30 at Michigan
Fields is the only first-year starter on this list, but he hasn't looked like it. The Georgia transfer has made good decisions in Ryan Day's offense, both with where to throw the ball and when to take off and run. He has only one interception in 141 attempts, easing the primary concern when he arrived from Georgia (and even during spring practice at Ohio State).
The challenge for Fields will be outshining three other quarterbacks who are putting up loftier numbers. Ohio State's overall dominance also might work against him. Fair or not, it's hard to win the Heisman when you aren't viewed as the primary reason for your team's success. Coaches I've talked to about Fields like him but want to see more.
"They've gotten him completing like 70 percent of his balls," an FBS coordinator told me. "The issue for them, when it gets to third down for the game, can the quarterback stand in there and deliver and make the plays? Will he be ready to do that?"
Fields should be helped by several national showcase opportunities against excellent defenses. He faces Wisconsin at least once, along with Penn State and Michigan. For a candidate who needs a Heisman moment or two, the schedule sets up well.
Heisman path: The field
Can anyone challenge the top five? Probably not. Clemson's Lawrence took a positive step against Florida State, but 170 passing yards, even with three touchdowns, doesn't jump out in a race like this. Lawrence must capitalize on a soft ACC schedule and put up Tagovailoa/Burrow/Hurts-like numbers every week.
If a running back wins the Heisman, Taylor probably will be the choice. Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard has incredible numbers (1,094 rush yards and 13 touchdowns) but doesn't play for a CFP contender. Clemson's Travis Etienne has had too many sub-100-yard games.
Oregon's Justin Herbert (1,602 pass yards, 17 touchdowns, one interception) could enter the radar with a big performance this week at Washington. Texas' Sam Ehlinger is excellent but lacks the supporting cast to compete with the top quarterbacks. Georgia's Jake Fromm probably saw his chances end with Saturday's loss to South Carolina.
Week 7 notes
Louisville takes a 62-52 lead over Wake Forest after Evan Conley takes off on 4th-and-1 to score a 41-yard touchdown late in the 4th quarter.
• Louisville's Scott Satterfield had all the first-year coach excuses at his disposal. The program culture needed a total overhaul. The personnel cupboard wasn't bare but lacking up front and on defense.
But rather than using 2019 as a reset season, Satterfield is multitasking. He has brightened a beaten-down locker room, while finding ways to win. Louisville is 4-2 and in second place in the ACC's Atlantic Division. The Cardinals on Saturday outlasted Wake Forest 62-59, snapping a 10-game losing streak against ranked opponents.
"I came from App State and we're used to winning," Satterfield told me Sunday. "I brought a bunch of the [assistants] from that program. It's been our DNA to win football games. It's not one of these seasons where, 'All right, this is Year 0 and we're going to try to fix some things and it's going to take a long time.'
"I'm not one to come in and think, 'OK, let's set something up for two years from now.' I want to win now. Next year, we're going to want to win."
Satterfield expected more talent when he arrived at Louisville. He notes that many of his Appalachian State defenders could start for the Cardinals. But unlike some first-year coaches, he truly embraced whom he inherited. After watching the team challenge Notre Dame in the opener -- "We realized we've got some guys who are going to fight around here" -- Satterfield and his staff have found creative ways to help players succeed.
Louisville quarterbacks Micale Cunningham and Evan Conley, neither of whom started the season, combined for 295 yards and four touchdowns at Wake Forest. Wide receivers Dez Fitzpatrick and Seth Dawkins both had receptions of 50 yards or longer. Tutu Atwell continued to surge, recording five or more receptions for the fifth time in six games. Others are contributing behind the scenes, like H-back Marshon Ford, a former walk-on whose blocking has stood out.
"We've had a lot of big plays this year, the whole season," Satterfield said. "Plays over 30 yards, over 40 yards, over 50 yards. We're ranked top eight or nine in all three of those categories in the country. Big plays are a part of our offense.
"We've found that we've got some playmakers."
• Oregon's offense finally stirred Friday against Colorado, piling up 45 points and 527 yards. But the game reiterated why the Ducks are a defense-driven team this season.
They had more interceptions (four) than points allowed (three). They overcame key personnel losses, like lineman Gus Cumberlander (season-ending knee injury last week against Cal) and star safety Jevon Holland (leg injury in the first half against Colorado).
After giving up 21 second-half points to Auburn in a season-opening loss, Oregon has clamped down, holding five straight opponents to single-digit point totals for the first time since 1958. The defense has given up only one touchdown in 63 drives, and no touchdowns in the past 33 second-half drives. First-year coordinator Andy Avalos inherited a talented group but has made upgrades both up front (15 players with at least half a sack) and in the secondary (nine players with an interception).
"We have the ability to be really, really aggressive, play physical, play with a mentality," Avalos told me. "We're building that confidence and that consistency. When we're on, we're on."
Avalos has installed 70%-75% of his scheme -- "A fair amount" -- but seems most pleased with the discipline players have shown with assignments and techniques.
"Fits mean the world to us, owning our gap means the world to us," Avalos said. "It's got to be there in practice, so when the games come on, we're just reacting. We've had to grow our discipline a ton, and guys are buying into how we're playing fronts, how we're playing techniques."
Avalos liked the defense's effort against Auburn but said the loss reinforced the importance to "stay in the fight," a motto for the unit that has been reflected during the win streak.
"That's really competing with yourself to stay focused, no matter the circumstances," he said. "We're not where we need to be, but we're headed down the path we need to be on."
• I didn't expect to be discussing the UNLV-Vanderbilt result in this week's hot-seat note, but I also didn't expect UNLV to win. By 24. UNLV coach Tony Sanchez, facing significant job pressure, led the Rebels to their first road win against an SEC opponent and their first against a Power 5 foe since 2008. Sanchez still probably needs to make a bowl game to keep his job.
This could be a pivotal moment for Vanderbilt's Derek Mason, a nice guy who has done a nice job but lacks a winning season with the Commodores. First-year athletic director Malcolm Turner didn't hire Mason, and already made one big move in firing basketball coach Bryce Drew.
Vanderbilt is 1-5 and has only one sure-fire win (East Tennessee State) left on its schedule. Mason in February received a contract extension, but he's now 25-41. Would Turner make another change and pursue a candidate like Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott? We could soon find out.