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Heisman Watch Week 7: What running backs can make a move?

Each week through the rest of the season, we will highlight the five players we think are the top Heisman Trophy contenders. The list will likely change often before the true candidates separate themselves from the pack.

Previously: Week 4, Week 5, Week 6

From a Heisman Trophy perspective, the 2018 season has been all about the quarterbacks to this point. You know the names. Tua Tagovailoa, Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins — all first-year starters — have put up insane numbers while succeeding QBs who have also garnered some Heisman hype in the past.

But what about the running backs? In the last decade only two running backs — Alabama’s Derrick Henry (2015) and Mark Ingram (2009) — have won college football’s most prestigious award. That’s obviously evidence of the way the game has changed. But last year’s voting, with Stanford’s Bryce Love and Penn State’s Saquon Barkley finishing second and fourth, respectively, shows that there’s still room for the running back in the Heisman race. The Henry-McCaffrey race of 2015 shows that, too.

Who are the backs with a chance to make some noise this year? We’ve listed a few below. But for now, it’s still the quarterbacks leading the way.

(Amber Matsumoto/Yahoo Sports)
(Amber Matsumoto/Yahoo Sports)

1. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

What can be said about Tua Tagovailoa that hasn’t already said? Even coming off his worst game of the season, a solid 12-of-22 for 265 and three touchdowns vs. Missouri, Tagovailoa is on a record-setting pace for efficiency in his first season as Alabama’s starter. He still hasn’t had a game with an efficiency rating lower than 200. He’s even had two above 300, including a ridiculous 394.3 mark against Arkansas. He’s at 248.1 for the season, well ahead of Baker Mayfield’s Heisman-winning (and eventual record-setting) pace from 2017, along with 1,760 yards, 21 touchdowns and a completion percentage of 71.5.

One cause for concern, however, is a knee sprain he suffered vs. Arkansas. He hasn’t missed any time, but he eventually left the Missouri game because of. Nick Saban said Tagovailoa could have re-entered the game if necessary, but the Tide had a comfortable lead.

(Last week: 1)

2. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

Haskins continues to put up huge numbers in Ohio State’s new pass-happy attack. In Saturday’s unimpressive win over Minnesota, Haskins completed 33-of-44 passes for 412 yards and three touchdowns. It was his second 400-yard performance in a row and put him third in the country with 2,331 yards. His 28 touchdowns leads the nation. His 72.3 completion percentage is third, one spot ahead of Tagovailoa.

With the Buckeyes now 7-0 and ranked No. 2 in the country, Haskins will have plenty of opportunities to pad his Heisman residency as the season progresses.

(Last week: 2)

Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins leads the nation with 28 TD passes. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins leads the nation with 28 TD passes. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)

3. Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

Murray and the Sooners, now ranked No. 9, got a week off to re-calibrate following the loss to Texas in Week 6. Expect Murray, who is second behind Tagovailoa with 227.8 rating, and the OU offense to come back firing on Saturday against a vulnerable TCU team.

To this point in the season, Murray has been better than most could have envisioned. He has completed 71.1 percent of his passes for 1,764 yards, 21 touchdowns and only three interceptions. As evidenced by his ridiculous 67-yard touchdown run against Texas, Murray is a big threat on the ground, too. His 377 rushing yards ranks 13th among quarterbacks. He also has five scores on the ground.

(Last week: 3)

4. Darrell Henderson, RB, Memphis

Henderson may not be a name fans outside the American Athletic Conference are familiar with. He was fourth in the AAC with 1,154 rushing yards last fall. Through seven games this year, he is only 22 yards away from passing that mark.

Henderson currently leads the nation with 1,133 yards — 183 more than Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor, who is second. And Henderson has put that yardage up on just 110 carries (33 fewer than Taylor). That’s an average of 10.3 yards per attempt. Henderson, a 5-foot-9 junior, is also second in the country with 12 touchdowns. If you see a Memphis game on your TV, make sure you stop and watch Henderson.

(Last week: unranked)

5. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

Feaster has, far and away, established himself as the premier back for Clemson. His breakout performance came when the Tigers needed him most. With QB Trevor Lawrence out with an injury against Syracuse, Etienne stepped up and was instrumental in a come-from-behind victory. He set career highs with 27 carries for 203 yards and three touchdowns, including the winning score in the final minutes. He followed that up with another huge game, putting up 167 yards and three touchdowns on just 10 carries in a blowout win over Wake Forest.

Etienne is now up to 761 yards (sixth nationally) and 11 touchdowns (tied-fourth nationally) on 83 carries (9.2 avg). Following a bye week, expect a heavy dose of Etienne as the No. 3 Tigers host No. 16 NC State in a battle of ACC unbeatens.

(Last week: unranked)

Clemson’s Travis Etienne (9) celebrates his touchdown run against Wake Forest during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Clemson’s Travis Etienne (9) celebrates his touchdown run against Wake Forest during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Also considered:

Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado: Shenault had another good game — nine catches for 72 yards, plus a 49-yard touchdown run — in the Buffs’ first loss of the season, a 31-20 decision on the road against USC. But Shenault, who is second in the country in catches (60) and third in yards (780), was banged up in the loss. His status is up in the air heading into another big game, this time against No. 15 Washington in Seattle.

(Last week: 4)

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin: Already with 950 rushing yards, Taylor is well on his way to another wildly productive season. He was a lone bright spot (101 yards) for the Badgers offense Saturday night against Michigan, but was nowhere near productive enough to keep his team in the game, a 38-13 Wolverines victory.

Will Grier, QB, West Virginia: West Virginia’s first loss of the season featured a miserable performance from Will Grier. Grier could muster only 100 yards and a touchdown on 11-of-15 throwing in the 30-14 loss to Iowa State in Ames. It was a disappointing game all around for WVU, but Grier will have plenty of opportunities to get back in the Heisman race as the season progresses.

(Last week: 5)

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