Where do Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin rank among Heisman contenders?
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Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has been putting up numbers worthy of a Heisman Trophy. Where do he and quarterback Julian Sayin rank among contenders for the award?
Smith is coming off another 200-yard receiving performance, which powered Ohio State to a 31-14 win against Iowa on Oct. 3. During the game, Smith broke the Ohio State records for career receiving touchdowns and receptions.
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After finishing as a Heisman Trophy finalist last season, Sayin has put together another strong start. He had 324 yards and three passing touchdowns against the Hawkeyes.
With plenty of season left, here's where the Ohio State duo ranks in the Heisman Trophy contenders list.
The top 10 Heisman Trophy candidates after Week 5
10. Jaden Baugh, Florida RB
Florida had a stunning 45-17 loss against Missouri and held star running back Jadan Baugh to a baffling 12 rushes for 13 yards. He can bounce back into the Heisman contenders, but his candidacy has plummeted.
9. Gunner Stockton, Georgia QB
Georgia is undefeated, and quarterback Gunner Stockton is improving. He had 295 yards and three touchdowns against Vanderbilt and only has one interception on the season. He faces his toughest opponent yet when Georgia plays Alabama in prime time, pending weather conditions in Tuscaloosa.
8. Julian Sayin, Ohio State QB
Since losing to Texas, Sayin has thrived. It helps when you're throwing to the best player in college football, but Sayin has shown growth in his rushing ability and once again leads the Big Ten in completion percentage. A strong second half against a difficult schedule could boost his chances of being a finalist for a second year in a row.
7. Malachi Toney, Miami WR
One of three non-quarterbacks on the list, Toney was not entirely involved in Miami's offense during a 41-13 win over Clemson on Oct. 3, catching five passes for 40 yards. Toney is fourth in the FBS in receiving yards through five games.
6. Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State QB
Kamario Taylor threw two interceptions against Alabama in the Bulldogs' 56-23 loss to Alabama. He still threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns and is one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in college football with a formidable deep ball. He'll need to limit turnovers and get some assistance from his defense to go toe-to-toe with Lane Kiffin's LSU next week.
5. CJ Carr, Notre Dame QB
Notre Dame has been cruising with Carr under center. A projected first-round NFL draft pick, Carr completed 21 of 29 passes for four touchdowns and a rushing touchdown against Bill Belichick's North Carolina to reach 5-0. After Stanford, the Fighting Irish have a difficult road game against No. 8 BYU before their bye week. Look for Carr to improve his candidacy then.
4. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss QB
Ole Miss faces unranked Vanderbilt before a tough stretch of games coming up, but Chambliss had arguably the most impressive win for a quarterback this season when he beat his former coach Lane Kiffin and LSU. Ole Miss lost to Florida the following week, but Chambliss has not wavered and can still rise in the rankings.
3. Darian Mensah, Miami QB
Miami did not face a challenging opponent through four weeks, but quarterback Darian Mensah holds an 84.2% completion rate and leads the ACC in passing touchdowns and yards per attempt. The Duke transfer has a natural connection with Toney and steady play will keep him in the Heisman mix. He'll also go toe-to-toe with Notre Dame and Carr on Nov. 7, which will make or break either quarterback's chances to be a Heisman finalist.
2. Keelon Russell, Alabama QB
Alabama steamrolled Mississippi State in a battle between two of the most exciting quarterbacks in the SEC. Crimson Tide quarterback Keelon Russell played a flawless game against the Bulldogs, completing 16 of 22 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns; he also rushed for a score. His true test comes this week against Georgia. A strong performance in a win will legitimize his candidacy.
1. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State WR
The distance between Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and the runner-up is the widest gap between any two players on the list. Smith holds the receiving triple crown and became the second Big Ten wide receiver with back-to-back 200-yard games. If he keeps this pace, no one can catch Smith on the way to his first Heisman Trophy.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Where do Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin rank among Heisman contenders?