By Jacob Murphy
Week seven in college football was dominated with upsets, as four teams in the top ten collected a loss. For the Heisman chase, columnist Jacob Murphy included a couple of “upsets” as well, as two new players have joined the list.
Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama QB
Week 7 vs. Missouri: 12-22, 265 yards and 3 touchdowns
Tagovailoa showed the Missouri Tigers what he was about in week seven, as he came out firing, completing an 81-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy on the second play of the game. Tagovailoa was taken out of the game in the third quarter due to injury, but not before putting up three touchdowns leading to a 27-10 Crimson Tide advantage. The Crimson Tide went on to win comfortably, and now sit with a 7-0 record and the number one spot on the country. Tagovailoa and the Crimson Tide will be on the road next week, as they head to Tennessee to match up against the 3-3 Volunteers. Tagovailoa is expected to play despite his knee injury, which means he’ll probably be on this list.
Dwayne Haskins, Ohio St. QB
Week 7 vs. Minnesota: 33-44, 412 yards and 3 touchdowns
Haskins was not his usual self on Saturday, which is saying something- considering the fact that he threw for over 400 yards. Unlike previous weeks, Haskins started off slow, waiting until the last minute of the first quarter to throw his first touchdown, which was a picture perfect 41-yard pass to receiver Terry McLaurin. Haskins continued to pick apart the Minnesota defense, but couldn’t find the end zone consistently. He eventually threw for two more touchdowns, leading the Buckeyes to a 30-14 win. The second ranked Buckeyes will head into Purdue in week eight to face off against the 3-3 Boilermakers.
Justin Herbert, Oregon QB
Week 7 vs. Washington: 18-32, 202 yards and 2 touchdowns
Herbert did not have the eye popping stats in week seven, but led the No. 17 Ducks to a 30-27 win against No. 7 Washington. Herbert threw for his two touchdown passes in the first half, both coming in the red zone to Jaylon Redd and Dillon Mitchell. Herbert then led the Ducks on an 88-yard drive in the third quarter to give the Ducks a 24-17 lead. After the Huskies scored to tie it up, both teams went scoreless in the fourth quarter to set up overtime. After a Washington field goal, the Ducks scored on a five play drive, highlighted by a 17 yard completion from Herbert to Mitchell on a crucial 3^rd-and-11. Herbert and the Ducks, now ranked No. 12 will go on the road next weekend to face No. 25 5-1 Washington State. Herbert and the Ducks will be tested, as the Cougars only loss this season came against USC in September
Darrell Henderson, Memphis RB
Week 7 vs. UCF: 31 attempts, 199 yards and 1 touchdown
Henderson is making his first appearance on the list after an impressive stat line against the No. 10 Central Florida Knights. He ran for a 25-yard touchdown in the first quarter, where he split the defense and turned on a second gear to explode past the Knight safeties. Henderson has had a stellar season thus far, running for over 1100 yards and finding the end zone 13 times. Henderson will look to expand on these numbers in week eight, as the Tigers will travel to Columbia to face Missouri, who are coming into the game on a three game losing streak. Expect Henderson to get plenty of carries in Columbia which could ultimately lead to a repeat appearance on the week nine list.
Edited by Garrett Jones | [email protected]