Heisman Watch: It's Lamar Jackson's to lose, by a wide margin

Lamar Jackson threw for 181 yards and one touchdown, completing half of his 26 attempts, in Louisville’s 24-14 win against Duke last Friday. He added another 144 yards and a score on the ground to maintain the Cardinals’ spot in the College Football Playoff.

In total, that’s 332 yards of total offense and two touchdowns. That’s pretty good. It was also Jackson’s worst performance of the season.

Why is Jackson the overwhelming leader in the Heisman Trophy race at the midway point of the 2016 season? Because a game in which he threw for 181 yards, ran for 144 and accounted for two scores was his worst showing of the regular season.

That’s saying something. As the calendar moves through October and the games become bigger and bigger, Jackson is the player to beat for the Heisman.

Heisman Survey: Constant shuffling behind Lamar Jackson

Here’s this week’s top five and players just off the list:

1. Louisville QB Lamar Jackson

This weekend’s matchup with North Carolina State — which just gave Clemson all it could handle — suddenly becomes interesting. That N.C. State is on the national radar is also good for Jackson: A big performance against a solid defense will only boost his already substantial lead.

2. Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett

Barrett rebounded from his career-worst passing performance against Indiana to throw for 226 yards in the Buckeyes’ win against Wisconsin, but his biggest impact came on the ground: 92 yards on 21 carries to go with two key touchdowns. But the win itself is the biggest thing for Barrett, who moves up to second place behind Jackson.

3. Washington QB Jake Browning

After a bye week, Browning and the Huskies take on Oregon State on Saturday before wrapping up October with a key road trip to Utah. To remain in the thick of the hunt, Browning must continue his torrid stretch of play against a largely unintimidating schedule: Utah is the only future opponent currently ranked, though USC and Washington State could crack the Amway Coaches Poll before the season is through.

4. San Diego State RB Donnel Pumphrey

Pumphrey is leading the nation’s second-best rusher, Brigham Young’s Jamaal Williams, by nearly 200 yards – and has played one fewer game. So he’s been outstanding, clearly.

5. Clemson QB Deshaun Watson

There’s been something just a little off about Watson this fall. Not that he’s been noticeably worse than last season; he just hasn’t been noticeably better. Watson is still ranked sixth nationally in touchdown passes and is the undisputed leader of one of the nation’s top-ranked teams, so he remains in the top five.

Nine teams in the Power Five remain winless in conference games

JUST OFF THE LIST

Alabama QB Jalen Hurts

Baylor QB Seth Russell

Boise State QB Brett Rypien

Brigham Young RB Jamaal Williams

Florida State RB Dalvin Cook

Houston QB Greg Ward Jr.

Michigan LB Jabrill Peppers

Nebraska QB Tommy Armstrong Jr.

Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett

Western Michigan QB Zach Terrell

AMWAY COACHES POLL TOP 25