Here’s a little mid-season Heisman Hype 
 In the thick of things… 
 Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson, Sr.: Boyd (1,783 yards, 15 TDs, 2 INT) doesn’t get the Heisman Hype other players get because he plays in the ACC. But the Tigers are 6-0 and have an excellent chance of making a BCS bowl appearance. Winning the ACC conference championship in addition to an undefeated regular season would raise Boyd’s stock in a big way. Saturday could be the ultimate test for Boyd as the Tigers host Florida State. 
 Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA, So.: Hundley had a marvelous performance in a 28-21 win over Cal, completing 31 of 41 passes for 410 yards and 3 TDs. Hundley (1,469 yards, 12 TDs, 4 INT) put himself on the Heisman map after the Bruins’ dismantling of Nebraska last month. He’ll need to do a little more to earn a trip to New York City, though. 
 Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon, So.: Mariota threw for 366 yards, 3 TDs and no interceptions in a 45-24 win at Washington. He also ran for 88 yards and a score. For the season, he’s completed 100 of 165 passes for 1,724 yards, 17 TDs and no interceptions. Rushing: 426 yards and 8 scores. There’s no doubt winning at Washington boosted Mariota’s Heisman profile. With Stanford being stunned by Utah, the Pac-12 North regular season title is Oregon’s to lose. Mariota would benefit from an undefeated conference season. 
 Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State, Fr.: (1,441 yards, 17 TDs, 2 INT): Winston was hyped as a prodigy before he even took his first snap. The redshirt freshman has lived up to the hype so far. The Seminoles are undefeated and he’s a big reason why. Winston blitzed Maryland for 393 yards and 5 TDs on October 5. A big game against Clemson on Saturday could cement Winston’s name as a true Heisman hopeful. No, his freshman status has no bearing on him winning. Johnny Manziel broke the mold last year. 
 Work to do… 
 Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville, Sr.: Bridgewater wasn’t at his best in a 24-10 win over Rutgers, throwing for 310 yards, 2TDs and 1 INT. The problem with Bridgewater (1,872 yards, 18 TDs, 2 INTs) is Louisville’s schedule is so weak he can’t afford to have a subpar game. Louisville needs to win big and Bridgewater needs to be the catalyst in every victory. Bridgewater was so-so against Kentucky last month. Another pedestrian effort will doom his candidacy. 
 Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&amp;M, So.: Speaking of Johnny Football, he threw for 346 and 1 INT in a win at Ole Miss. He was actually more impressive running the ball, gaining 124 yards and 2 TDs on 19 carries. Although the off-the-field stuff is sure to have an impact on the voters, Manziel (1,835 yards, 14 TDs, 5 INT) is still a worthy candidate. But he will need to do more down the stretch. 
 Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia, Sr.: Murray played himself into the Heisman race after a 309-yard, 4-TD performance against South Carolina, and a 298-yard, 4-TD game vs. LSU. He might have played himself out of the race after tossing 2 INTs in a brutal 41-26 home loss to Missouri 
 On the rise… 
 Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington, Jr.: Although it’s unlikely Sankey (899 yards, 9 TDs; 14 rec. 134 yards, 1 TD)S) will win the award or even get invited to Manhattan as a finalist, he’s had an excellent season. He had his best games against Washington’s top opponents. He ran for 161 yards and 2 TDs in a win over Boise State, he totaled 167 yards and 2 scores in last week’s loss to Oregon and he ran for 125 and 2 TDs in a loss at Stanford on Oct. 5. Sankey has been a major force in Washington’s resurgence. 
 J.W. Walsh, QB, Oklahoma State, So.: Walsh (1,209 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INTs) has almost equaled last season’s passing numbers (1,564, 13 TDs, 3 INTs). What makes him a Heisman candidate is his running ability. Walsh has run for 265 yards and 3 TDS. At 4-1 (1-1 Big 12) in a weak Big 12, Walsh will have a hard time climbing the ladder. The Cowboys are currently 5th in the Big 12, but they play every team ahead of them. A strong finish coupled with some big games from Walsh will boost his candidacy. 
 Fading hopes… 
 Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina, Jr.: Sorry Gamecock fans, Jadeveon has no chance at Manhattan… &nbsp;

Here’s a little mid-season Heisman Hype In the thick of things… Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson, Sr.: Boyd (1,783 yards, 15 TDs, 2 INT) doesn’t get the Heisman Hype other players get because he plays in the ACC. But the Tigers are 6-0 and have an excellent chance of making a BCS bowl appearance. Winning the ACC conference championship in addition to an undefeated regular season would raise Boyd’s stock in a big way. Saturday could be the ultimate test for Boyd as the Tigers host Florida State. Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA, So.: Hundley had a marvelous performance in a 28-21 win over Cal, completing 31 of 41 passes for 410 yards and 3 TDs. Hundley (1,469 yards, 12 TDs, 4 INT) put himself on the Heisman map after the Bruins’ dismantling of Nebraska last month. He’ll need to do a little more to earn a trip to New York City, though. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon, So.: Mariota threw for 366 yards, 3 TDs and no interceptions in a 45-24 win at Washington. He also ran for 88 yards and a score. For the season, he’s completed 100 of 165 passes for 1,724 yards, 17 TDs and no interceptions. Rushing: 426 yards and 8 scores. There’s no doubt winning at Washington boosted Mariota’s Heisman profile. With Stanford being stunned by Utah, the Pac-12 North regular season title is Oregon’s to lose. Mariota would benefit from an undefeated conference season. Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State, Fr.: (1,441 yards, 17 TDs, 2 INT): Winston was hyped as a prodigy before he even took his first snap. The redshirt freshman has lived up to the hype so far. The Seminoles are undefeated and he’s a big reason why. Winston blitzed Maryland for 393 yards and 5 TDs on October 5. A big game against Clemson on Saturday could cement Winston’s name as a true Heisman hopeful. No, his freshman status has no bearing on him winning. Johnny Manziel broke the mold last year. Work to do… Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville, Sr.: Bridgewater wasn’t at his best in a 24-10 win over Rutgers, throwing for 310 yards, 2TDs and 1 INT. The problem with Bridgewater (1,872 yards, 18 TDs, 2 INTs) is Louisville’s schedule is so weak he can’t afford to have a subpar game. Louisville needs to win big and Bridgewater needs to be the catalyst in every victory. Bridgewater was so-so against Kentucky last month. Another pedestrian effort will doom his candidacy. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M, So.: Speaking of Johnny Football, he threw for 346 and 1 INT in a win at Ole Miss. He was actually more impressive running the ball, gaining 124 yards and 2 TDs on 19 carries. Although the off-the-field stuff is sure to have an impact on the voters, Manziel (1,835 yards, 14 TDs, 5 INT) is still a worthy candidate. But he will need to do more down the stretch. Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia, Sr.: Murray played himself into the Heisman race after a 309-yard, 4-TD performance against South Carolina, and a 298-yard, 4-TD game vs. LSU. He might have played himself out of the race after tossing 2 INTs in a brutal 41-26 home loss to Missouri On the rise… Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington, Jr.: Although it’s unlikely Sankey (899 yards, 9 TDs; 14 rec. 134 yards, 1 TD)S) will win the award or even get invited to Manhattan as a finalist, he’s had an excellent season. He had his best games against Washington’s top opponents. He ran for 161 yards and 2 TDs in a win over Boise State, he totaled 167 yards and 2 scores in last week’s loss to Oregon and he ran for 125 and 2 TDs in a loss at Stanford on Oct. 5. Sankey has been a major force in Washington’s resurgence. J.W. Walsh, QB, Oklahoma State, So.: Walsh (1,209 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INTs) has almost equaled last season’s passing numbers (1,564, 13 TDs, 3 INTs). What makes him a Heisman candidate is his running ability. Walsh has run for 265 yards and 3 TDS. At 4-1 (1-1 Big 12) in a weak Big 12, Walsh will have a hard time climbing the ladder. The Cowboys are currently 5th in the Big 12, but they play every team ahead of them. A strong finish coupled with some big games from Walsh will boost his candidacy. Fading hopes… Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina, Jr.: Sorry Gamecock fans, Jadeveon has no chance at Manhattan…

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