Heisman Hopefuls at the Quarter Pole.

I have complained for years about the incessant Heisman Trophy talk in September and October. So, here I am talking Heisman on September 22nd. Here are my five favorites and five of my darkhorses.

5 Jake Browning

QB Washington

We are still waitingto see Browning break out. He has his first chance at Colorado this weekend. He has completed 74.4 percent of his passes for 798 yards with 8 touchdowns to a single interception. Brownings' quarterback rating is 191.6.

The Huskies schedule is backloaded starting with UCLA, October 28th.

4 Saquon Barkley

RB Penn State

The only running back on this list and the best running back in the country. He has 38 rushes for 307 yards for an 8.1 yards per carry average against marginal competition. Barkley is an effective pass catcher, with 11 catches for 241 yards.

Iowa; this week, is the first tricky game for Penn State. Indiana follows next week. Late October makes or breaks the Nittany Lions where they host Michigan on October 21st and travel to Ohio State, October 28th.

3 Sam Darnold

QB USC

Darnold and USC have been tested with wins over Stanford and Texas. Darnold has a 66.7 completion percentage and a 154.9 rating. His 6 interceptions are problematic.

USC is in a tough stretch with road games with California and Washington State.

2 Mason Rudolph

QB Oklahoma State

The general of the most explosive passing game in the country. Rudolph has a 72.3 completion percentage with 11 touchdowns. The problem is that his numbers are against mismatched competition. That changes this Saturday with TCU coming to Stillwater. They appear on easy street until October 21st against Texas.

1 Baker Mayfield

QB Oklahoma

The red side of Oklahoma has the current Heisman leader. He has already had a Heisman moment win the win over Ohio State and the subsequent flag planting. Mayfield has a 76.8 completion percentage and 10 touchdowns. He has a huge 224.2 rating.

The Red River Rivalry is October 14th and the Sooners have a tough November with a trip to Stillwater, then host TCU and West Virginia.

The darkhorses

- Kelly Bryant

- Lamar Jackson

- Justin Herbert

- Luke Falk

- Nick Fitzgerald