UCLA junior QB Josh Rosen stood tall against Texas A&M's pressure and a seemingly insurmountable deficit, leading the Bruins from 34 points down in the second half to a 45-44 last-minute victory.
by Jack Kerwin | ydkjack1@gmail.com
It's early, sure, but ...
If we're gonna look at the 2017 Heisman race anytime this campaign, this is what the view looks like from here after the first full week of the college football season.
Call it our Super Six. In order:
Josh Rosen, UCLA QB. Yeah, he benefited from a Texas A&M meltdown that included one ridiculous “right through the hands” interception that resulted instead in a Bruins' touchdown, but, still, you can't exactly downplay him throwing for 292 yards and four scores JUST IN THE FOURTH QUARTER to lead UCLA to the biggest comeback in FBS action since 2006. The Bruins were down, at home, 44-10, with 4:08 remaining before Rosen started rolling ... and the Aggies could do nothing to stop him as the Bruins won 45-44. All told, the junior threw for 491 yards – third-best in school history. He is legit, having been arguably the nation's No. 1 recruit three years ago.
Lamar Jackson, Louisville QB. Those expecting a drop-off by the reigning Heisman winner may have a long wait. Dude went off against Purdue, and had to in order for the 16th-ranked Cardinals to prevail, 35-28. Finished 30-for-46 through the air for 378 yards and two TDs, and added another 107 yards on the ground with 21 carries. Most “takes” on this performance is that it was sluggish, which just goes to show you what the standard is for this guy. Thing is, push came to shove, he took over when the game mattered, rallying Louisville to victory. Just electric every time he takes the snap. Watch out, Archie Griffin. This kid could repeat.
Penn State Option: QB Trace McSorley or RB Saquan Barkley. Take your pick. You gotta have one, if not both, on this list after the Nittany Lions' 52-0 blowout of Akron Saturday's 52-0. Obviously, the one problem with either of them truly vying for the sport's top individual honor is that they could cancel each other out. But, man, what a 1-2 punch. McSorley completed 18 of r25 passes for 280 yards and two TDs, and ran for another 48 yards and a score on 12 carries. Barkley, perhaps the most impressive physical specimen in college football, merely rattled off 172 yards and two scores on just 14 carries, then added another 54 yards on three receptions.
Will Grier, West Virginia QB. Came up on the short end of the stick as the 22nd-ranked Mountaineers lost to No. 21 Virginia Tech, 31-24, in a scintillating spectacle at Landover, Md., Sunday night to what could be the rebirth of a great rivalry. Still, he was brilliant from about the second quarter on, and, at times, positively, break-taking. His supposed lack of touch on the long ball disappeared after intermission en route to a 371-yard, three-TD passing performance. The Florida transfer added 52 rushing yards on 11 totes, too ... and he has the added bonus of hot wife that will draw further TV attention to him and his free-flowing mane.
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma QB. One of the favorites coming into the season, the senior did not disappoint, completing all but one of his 20 passing attempts in a 56-7 annihilation of UTEP for 329 yards and three TDs ... in one half. He'll be a mainstay here all fall. Should be no surprise there to anyone.
Josey Jewell, Iowa LB. Would say this is the “obligatory” defensive player pick, but that would be an insult to the senior's dominating performance in the Hawkeyes' 24-3 win against Wyoming and projected No. 1 NFL Draft QB prospect Josh Allen. Had 14 tackles, two sacks and a pass defensed.
It's early, sure, but ...
If we're gonna look at the 2017 Heisman race anytime this campaign, this is what the view looks like from here after the first full week of the college football season.
Call it our Super Six. In order:
Josh Rosen, UCLA QB. Yeah, he benefited from a Texas A&M meltdown that included one ridiculous “right through the hands” interception that resulted instead in a Bruins' touchdown, but, still, you can't exactly downplay him throwing for 292 yards and four scores JUST IN THE FOURTH QUARTER to lead UCLA to the biggest comeback in FBS action since 2006. The Bruins were down, at home, 44-10, with 4:08 remaining before Rosen started rolling ... and the Aggies could do nothing to stop him as the Bruins won 45-44. All told, the junior threw for 491 yards – third-best in school history. He is legit, having been arguably the nation's No. 1 recruit three years ago.
Lamar Jackson, Louisville QB. Those expecting a drop-off by the reigning Heisman winner may have a long wait. Dude went off against Purdue, and had to in order for the 16th-ranked Cardinals to prevail, 35-28. Finished 30-for-46 through the air for 378 yards and two TDs, and added another 107 yards on the ground with 21 carries. Most “takes” on this performance is that it was sluggish, which just goes to show you what the standard is for this guy. Thing is, push came to shove, he took over when the game mattered, rallying Louisville to victory. Just electric every time he takes the snap. Watch out, Archie Griffin. This kid could repeat.
Penn State Option: QB Trace McSorley or RB Saquan Barkley. Take your pick. You gotta have one, if not both, on this list after the Nittany Lions' 52-0 blowout of Akron Saturday's 52-0. Obviously, the one problem with either of them truly vying for the sport's top individual honor is that they could cancel each other out. But, man, what a 1-2 punch. McSorley completed 18 of r25 passes for 280 yards and two TDs, and ran for another 48 yards and a score on 12 carries. Barkley, perhaps the most impressive physical specimen in college football, merely rattled off 172 yards and two scores on just 14 carries, then added another 54 yards on three receptions.
Will Grier, West Virginia QB. Came up on the short end of the stick as the 22nd-ranked Mountaineers lost to No. 21 Virginia Tech, 31-24, in a scintillating spectacle at Landover, Md., Sunday night to what could be the rebirth of a great rivalry. Still, he was brilliant from about the second quarter on, and, at times, positively, break-taking. His supposed lack of touch on the long ball disappeared after intermission en route to a 371-yard, three-TD passing performance. The Florida transfer added 52 rushing yards on 11 totes, too ... and he has the added bonus of hot wife that will draw further TV attention to him and his free-flowing mane.
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma QB. One of the favorites coming into the season, the senior did not disappoint, completing all but one of his 20 passing attempts in a 56-7 annihilation of UTEP for 329 yards and three TDs ... in one half. He'll be a mainstay here all fall. Should be no surprise there to anyone.
Josey Jewell, Iowa LB. Would say this is the “obligatory” defensive player pick, but that would be an insult to the senior's dominating performance in the Hawkeyes' 24-3 win against Wyoming and projected No. 1 NFL Draft QB prospect Josh Allen. Had 14 tackles, two sacks and a pass defensed.
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