Every College Football Power 5 Conference Team's September MVP
As the calendar turns from September to October, we're officially through a month of the college football season.
What have we learned? Some teams and players have surprised us. Some have disappointed us. Others have done exactly what we thought they'd do, for better or worse.
With a month of statistics and observations on file, it is the perfect time to look at each power-five program's September MVP. These players were chosen for their on-field efforts, their stats and their relative value to their programs.
Alabama WR Amari Cooper
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Entering this season, there were questions about Alabama’s quarterback. Would it be senior Blake Sims or junior Jake Coker? Sims has emerged as the Crimson Tide’s starter, but right from the start, there were no worries about who his top target would be.
Junior wideout Amari Cooper has been the Tide’s top receiver and one of the nation’s best receivers. Through four games, Cooper has 43 receptions for 655 yards and five touchdowns, surpassing 100 yards in each game.
Last week, matching up against an All-America corner in Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves III, Cooper torched the Gators defense for 10 receptions, 201 yards and three touchdowns in Alabama’s 42-21 win, including a season-long 79-yard score. Cooper is athletic with excellent hands and leaping ability, and this looks like his final season in an Alabama uniform.
Arizona State TB D.J. Foster
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Arizona State was exposed Thursday night in an ugly 62-27 loss to No. 11 UCLA, playing without senior quarterback Taylor Kelly (who missed the game with a foot injury). However, Kelly has not been the Sun Devils’ most impressive player through four games. That honor goes to junior tailback D.J. Foster, who is having a breakout season.
Foster was held to 30 yards on nine carries as ASU consistently played from behind, but he did have five receptions for 68 yards. It marked the first time this season he’d been held under 147 yards rushing.
He has 540 yards rushing and five touchdowns, as well as 16 receptions for 240 yards and a touchdown. Foster is an electric two-way player, and he averages 8.6 yards per carry. If the Sun Devils hope to make a Pac-12 title run this fall, they’ll lean heavily on Foster, and with good reason. He’s an impressive talent.
Arizona QB Anu Solomon
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This fall, Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez ran a large competition to determine the Wildcats’ third starting quarterback in as many years. Chances are, he won’t need to run a similar competition for several years.
Redshirt freshman Anu Solomon emerged as the starter and has since made his mark as one of the top freshmen in college football.
Solomon has thrown for 1,454 yards with 13 touchdowns against three interceptions, completing 63.3 percent of his passes. In his debut, he threw for a Arizona freshman-record 425 yards in a 58-13 whipping of UNLV.
Last week, Solomon looked like a veteran against Cal. Arizona trailed 31-13 entering the fourth quarter before Solomon and the Wildcats rallied for 36 points in a 49-45 win. Solomon completed 47 of 73 passes for 520 yards and five touchdowns, including a 47-yard Hail Mary score to Austin Hill on the game’s final play. He is also capable of moving the ball on the ground, with 167 yards on 39 carries.
You might not know Solomon yet, but you will soon enough.
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Arkansas TB Alex Collins
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At Arkansas, Bret Bielema has followed the blueprint for success he authored at Wisconsin: a big, bruising offensive line that allows tailbacks to thrive. You need a talented tailback, and Bielema has found one in Alex Collins.
Collins has excellent speed, but he also has great physicality and is capable of breaking tackles. He had 212 yards rushing in the Razorbacks’ breakthrough win over Texas Tech and had 131 and a score Saturday against Texas A&M.
With Jonathan Williams, Collins comprises one of the nation’s best backfield duos. If Arkansas hopes to make a bowl game this season, the Hogs will need to call Collins’ name over and over again.
Auburn QB Nick Marshall
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Last season, transfer quarterback Nick Marshall was the engine that made Gus Malzahn’s hurry-up, no-huddle offense go for Auburn. He ran. He passed. He made smart decisions on read-options, handing off or keeping the ball in the backfield, and he was a huge reason why the Tigers went from 3-9 to national runner-up.
This fall, Marshall has been similarly impactful. He has moved the ball on the ground and through the air for Auburn, which remains a College Football Playoff contender entering a tough stretch against six consecutive teams currently ranked in the top 17 nationally (LSU, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Georgia).
While backup Jeremy Johnson performed capably while Marshall sat out the first half of the opener against Arkansas as punishment for a citation for marijuana possession, Marshall is the one player Auburn can’t afford to lose going forward.
Baylor QB Bryce Petty
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Art Briles has stocked Baylor’s offense with talented players like tailbacks Shock Linwood and Johnny Jefferson and wideout KD Cannon, but you need a triggerman to tie it all together, to make the system go.
That man, for Briles, is senior quarterback Bryce Petty. Petty led the Bears to their first outright league title in 33 years last fall, and he has picked up right where he left off this season.
Petty missed a game with a fractured transverse process in his back, but he has been exceptional when needed. Saturday night, he torched Iowa State’s defense for 336 yards in an 49-28 rout. If Baylor hopes to challenge for its second consecutive Big 12 championship, Petty will be the man who’ll orchestrate a potent, impressive system.
Boston College QB Tyler Murphy
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Boston College has been up and down through the season’s first month. The Eagles have experienced highs (an upset of then-No. 9 Southern California) and lows (a home loss to Mountain West foe Colorado State), but they’ve had solid play at quarterback from Florida transfer Tyler Murphy.
Murphy has 491 yards passing and is the Eagles’ leading rusher, with 500 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. He had 191 yards rushing and a touchdown on the ground in the USC upset, and he has been a stabilizing force for the offense. He must improve his passing (three touchdowns against five interceptions), but if BC makes a bowl for a second consecutive season, Murphy will lead the way.
Cal QB Jared Goff
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Cal has already tripled its win total from a disastrous 2013 season, and sophomore quarterback Jared Goff is a big reason why. With a defense that still has a propensity to give up points, the Bears need offense in a big way, and Goff has taken a step forward in his second season running Sonny Dykes’ offense.
Following Saturday’s 59-56 double-overtime win over Colorado, Goff has 17 touchdowns and three interceptions with 1,339 yards. He has thrown for at least 225 yards in every game and has shown significant improvement from 2013 (18 touchdowns, 10 interceptions).
If Cal makes a run at a bowl game, the Bears offense must be counted upon, and Goff’s improvement will be pointed to as a major factor.
Clemson QB Deshaun Watson
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After Saturday’s 50-35 win over North Carolina, we have only one question for Dabo Swinney and Chad Morris: Why didn’t you start Deshaun Watson sooner?
The true freshman quarterback had one of the best first starts in recent memory in the Tigers’ win. He threw for 435 yards (20 short of Clemson’s all-time single-game passing record) and tossed a Clemson-record six touchdowns.
Watson can throw short but possesses excellent touch on the deep ball, and he can run, too. He is a perfect fit for Morris’ offense. While the Tigers are unlikely to win the ACC title, 10 wins are well within their grasp with Watson running the offense.
Colorado WR Nelson Spruce
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Junior receiver Nelson Spruce entered 2014 as a nice, but not dominant piece of Colorado’s offense: A year ago, he caught 55 passes for 650 yards and five touchdowns. He is blowing right past those numbers this season with a breakout year.
Following Saturday’s 59-56 double-overtime loss at Cal, Spruce has 56 catches for 694 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has four 100-yard games and has been an impressive long-range threat with receptions of 54, 70 and 71 yards. He is quarterback Sefo Liufau’s favorite target, and he should receive major attention from opposing secondaries going forward. Although given his stats, that might not matter. Spruce is the real deal.
Duke QB Anthony Boone
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After playing the No. 1 role in a two-quarterback system with Brandon Connette a year ago, Boone is the Blue Devils’ clear No. 1 man under center following Connette’s transfer to Fresno State.
He has been a steady leader for Duke, which was unbeaten and on the cusp of the Top 25 before Saturday’s 22-10 loss at Miami.
Boone has seven touchdowns against three interceptions with 1,055 yards, and while his stats aren’t eye-popping, he has been a solid force for the Blue Devils offense. With him, the Blue Devils can challenge for their second consecutive ACC Coastal Division title. Without him, they’ll find that to be a difficult proposition.
Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves III
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Saying it has been a difficult start for Florida is an understatement. The Gators had their opener against Idaho wiped out by a lightning storm, struggled to beat Kentucky in triple overtime and took one on the proverbial snout at No. 3 Alabama with a disheartening 42-21 defeat.
The Gators’ revamped offense with new coordinator Kurt Roper has had its issues, and quarterback Jeff Driskel has struggled. But sophomore cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III has been a major bright spot.
While he wasn’t perfect against Alabama standout Amari Cooper, Hargreaves is an All-American and a shutdown corner that the Gators defense can rely on. If the Gators hope to make a run and save Will Muschamp’s job, the defense will have to do its part. And it will rely on its best player: Hargreaves.
Florida State WR Rashad Greene
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There have been several key bumps in the defending BCS national champions’ title defense, most notably Jameis Winston’s suspension for yelling a vulgarity on Florida State’s campus. But one constant has remained in senior wide receiver Rashad Greene.
Greene has been FSU’s leading receiver for the past three seasons, and he looks like a lock to repeat that feat this season. He has 35 receptions for 543 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 15.5 yards per catch. Greene is an outstanding deep threat; his 74-yard touchdown helped send the Seminoles to overtime against Clemson, where they eventually won the game. If Florida State makes the first College Football Playoff, the steady, speedy Greene will be a huge reason why.
Georgia TB Todd Gurley
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There is little question about Georgia’s most valuable player, and perhaps the most valuable player in college football: junior tailback Todd Gurley. Gurley is a quick, violent runner, and following an injury-plagued sophomore season, he is showing his value in the Bulldogs’ backfield.
Gurley has 69 carries for 610 yards and six touchdowns, averaging an impressive 8.8 yards per carry. Saturday, he had perhaps his best day as a college tailback, carrying 22 times for 208 yards and two touchdowns in Georgia’s 35-32 win over Tennessee.
Georgia has a deep backfield and an impressive offense, but Gurley is its clear leader. There’s little doubt that this will be his final season in Athens, and he has earned that honor.
Georgia Tech QB Justin Thomas
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Georgia Tech is 4-0 and appears to be one of the ACC Coastal’s best teams, and sophomore quarterback Justin Thomas is a huge reason why. Thomas stepped into the Yellow Jackets’ starting lineup this season following Vad Lee’s transfer to James Madison, and he has proved a quick study.
In Paul Johnson’s flexbone offense, the quarterback plays a critical role both running and passing. Thomas has completed only 49 percent of his passes, but he has seven touchdowns against only one interception.
He is also Tech’s leading rusher, with 443 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The Yellow Jackets should challenge for the Coastal Division title, and Thomas, a versatile performer, will improve by the game. His ceiling is very high.
Illinois QB Wes Lunt
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At 3-2, Illinois appears to be improved and on pace for a postseason berth. How do you explain the Fighting Illini’s improvement? Sophomore quarterback Wes Lunt has played a huge role. The Oklahoma State transfer has taken over under center and stabilized Illinois’ offense.
Lunt missed Saturday’s 45-14 loss at Nebraska with an injury, but he was impressive over his first four games, throwing for 1,237 yards with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. Lunt has also completed 65.3 percent of his passes and proven a capable downfield passer. He had 456 yards and three touchdowns against Western Kentucky. Lunt will be a big piece of Illinois’ push for a bowl bid, which could save coach Tim Beckman’s job.
Indiana TB Tevin Coleman
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Despite Saturday’s 37-15 loss to Maryland, at 2-2, Indiana is in the mix for a bowl bid. The Hoosiers have a high-powered rush offense, and junior tailback Tevin Coleman is the guy who makes that offense go.
Through four games, Coleman has 691 yards and seven touchdowns, and he averages a very impressive 7.9 yards per carry. He has rushed for at least 122 yards in all four games and scored a touchdown in every game. Coleman is a tough, productive runner and appears on pace to smash his career highs of 958 yards and 12 touchdowns, set last season. If he keeps up this pace, he’d rush for 2,073 yards with 21 touchdowns.
Iowa DE Drew Ott
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Iowa’s 4-1 start has been fueled largely by defense, and the Hawkeyes, as always, have a strong, active defensive line.
One of the biggest keys to that strong D-line is junior defensive end Drew Ott. At 6’4”, 270 pounds, Ott is a load for opposing offensive linemen to handle, and he has been productive so far this fall. Ott has 26 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
Ott leads the Hawkeyes in both tackles for loss and sacks and ranks fifth in tackles. He also has four quarterback hurries, which leads Iowa’s roster. Without Ott, the Hawks defense would be far less productive.
Iowa State QB Sam Richardson
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At 1-3 following Saturday’s 49-28 loss to Baylor, Iowa State is struggling (as expected) in the loaded Big 12. But you have to wonder where the Cyclones would be without quarterback Sam Richardson. Richardson won the starting role in preseason and has been a steadying force for the offense.
Richardson is completing 61 percent of his passes with 803 yards and five touchdowns against four interceptions, and he has 218 rushing yards and a touchdown, averaging 54.5 yards rushing per game. He is actually the Cyclones’ leading rusher. Iowa State might not make a bowl this season, but it has found a quarterback in Richardson.
Kansas TB De'Andre Mann
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Suggesting that it has been a difficult season in Lawrence would be a massive understatement. Sunday, Kansas coach Charlie Weis was fired 28 games into his career with a 6-22 record, including just three wins over FBS opponents.
Kansas’ offense has struggled to generate points, but junior tailback De’Andre Mann has been a solid force. Mann leads the Jayhawks with 295 yards rushing, averaging 5.7 yards per attempt. He’ll be an excellent piece for Kansas’ new coach (whoever he might be) to build around as he tries to turn KU into a winner on the gridiron.
Kansas State QB Jake Waters
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Kansas State finished 2013 strong, with wins in six of its final seven games, and the Wildcats have built on that success this fall: Saturday’s 58-28 rout of UTEP moved K-State to 3-1 on the season. Senior Jake Waters emerged as the starting quarterback midway through last season and has been impressive thus far.
Waters is a dual threat who can move the chains both rushing and passing. He has 916 yards passing with three touchdowns against three interceptions and is also K-State’s second-leading rusher with 215 yards and five touchdowns. Now that the Wildcats have found a quarterback, they can contend for the Big 12 championship.
Kentucky QB Patrick Towles
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Kentucky appears much improved from a year ago. Following Saturday’s 17-7 win over Vanderbilt, the Wildcats are 3-1 and have already passed their win total of 2013. Sophomore quarterback Patrick Towles is a big reason why.
Towles won the starting quarterback role in August following a hotly contested competition and hasn’t looked back. He has thrown for 1,117 yards with six touchdowns against four interceptions and is also capable of moving the ball on the ground.
But he is clearly best as a passer. He threw for 377 yards in the opener against Tennessee-Martin and added 369 in a triple-overtime loss at Florida. As Kentucky grows under coach Mark Stoops, Towles will lead the way.
Louisville DE Lorenzo Mauldin
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Louisville has enjoyed a solid debut in the ACC. Saturday’s 20-10 win over Wake Forest pushed the Cardinals to 4-1, with the only loss coming on the road at Virginia. There were question marks about the Cardinals defense, which returned only four starters from a year ago, but it has been solid under new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.
Senior defensive end Lorenzo Mauldin has been a key force. He has nine tackles for loss and four sacks, both of which lead the Cardinals defense. His size and speed make him a difficult assignment for any opposing defensive tackle, and his 23 tackles ranks second on Louisville’s roster.
Louisville has difficult games ahead against Florida State, Notre Dame and Clemson, and Mauldin will play a big role in any success the Cards will have against those highly thought-of foes.
LSU WR Travin Dural
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Five games into the season, LSU can’t seem to decide on a starting quarterback. Is it sophomore Anthony Jennings? Is it freshman Brandon Harris? The debate rages on. However, there’s no doubt who the Tigers’ best offensive player is. It’s sophomore receiver Travin Dural.
Following a solid freshman season, the 6’2”, 192-pound wideout has broken out this fall. He has 21 receptions for 534 yards and five touchdowns, passing 100 yards receiving in three of five games. Dural is a big-time deep threat who is capable of scoring on any play, with a long reception of 94 yards on the season.
Whoever emerges as LSU’s quarterback would be wise to know where Dural is on every play. He’ll be an outstanding piece of the Tigers offense moving forward.
Maryland QB C.J. Brown
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Following this week’s 37-15 demolition of Indiana, Maryland is off to a solid start in its first season of Big Ten play. The Terrapins go to No. 20 Ohio State 4-1, 1-0 in the Big Ten, and appear well positioned for a second consecutive postseason berth.
Dual-threat senior quarterback C.J. Brown has been a rock for the Terrapins offense. Brown has 996 yards passing with seven touchdowns against three interceptions and also leads Maryland with 266 yards rushing and five scores on the ground.
Opposing defenses have to account for Brown at all times, which makes him dangerous. If Maryland makes a bowl this season, the Terps will have Brown’s solid play to thank.
Miami RB Duke Johnson
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Following Saturday’s 22-10 win over Duke, the Hurricanes are 3-2 and are still in contention in the wide-open ACC Coastal Division. To make a run, they’ll need a solid ground game to complement freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya.
That means junior tailback Duke Johnson must continue his solid play. So far, so good for Johnson, who looks healthy following a broken ankle that prematurely ended his 2013 season. Johnson has 525 yards rushing with four touchdowns.
Saturday was his best game of the season, with 155 yards rushing and a touchdown. Johnson averages 6.1 yards per carry, and the Hurricanes would be wise to lean heavily on him going forward.
Michigan LB Jake Ryan
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It has been a difficult September in Ann Arbor. Saturday’s loss to Minnesota dropped Michigan to 2-3 and raised serious questions about Brady Hoke’s job security. The Wolverines offense hasn’t performed as expected under new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, with senior Devin Gardner giving way to sophomore Shane Morris this week. Following a controversy surrounding Morris' concussion, USA Today's George Schroeder says it's time for Hoke to go.
Michigan’s defense has been ahead of its offense, and senior middle linebacker Jake Ryan has been an active force. Ryan is healthy after missing half of last season with an injury, and he has been all over the field. He has 38 tackles, tied with Joe Bolden for the team lead. His four tackles for loss are second on the Wolverines’ roster. It’s unclear if Hoke will be able to save his job, but it won’t be Ryan’s fault if he doesn’t.
Michigan State QB Connor Cook
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A year ago, Connor Cook emerged as Michigan State’s starter, pushing the Spartans to a Big Ten championship, Rose Bowl victory and 13-1 record. The Spartans are again on a strong track with a 3-1 record entering this week’s visit from No. 19 Nebraska, with their only loss coming at Oregon.
Cook is a big reason why. He has 837 yards passing with nine touchdowns against two interceptions and has completed 69.2 percent of his passes. Cook has an excellent arm and is a great leader for Michigan State. The Spartans still have an outside shot at making the College Football Playoff if they win out, and Cook’s presence will be very important going forward.
Minnesota TB David Cobb
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Following Saturday’s 30-14 rout of Michigan, Minnesota is 4-1 and solidly on track to make a bowl game. Senior tailback David Cobb has played a huge role in the offense’s success: Cobb has 722 yards rushing and four touchdowns, averaging 5.8 yards per attempt.
He has also proven that he can carry a large load. Over the past two weeks, Cobb has carried 66 times for 390 yards and two touchdowns in wins over San Jose State and Michigan. A year ago, Cobb had 1,202 yards rushing, and he appears on pace to blow past that mark this fall. He’ll be a major factor in the Golden Gophers’ push for postseason play.
Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott
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Four games into the season, Mississippi State appears to have its best team in recent memory. The Bulldogs are 4-0 entering a key two-game homestand against No. 6 Texas A&M and No. 5 Auburn and own the program’s first win over LSU in 15 seasons.
Senior quarterback Dak Prescott has been the unquestioned star of the Bulldogs’ impressive start. Prescott is a dual threat, with 964 yards passing and 11 touchdowns against two interceptions, while completing 60.4 percent of his passes. He is also MSU’s No. 2 rusher with 378 yards and three touchdowns.
He has surpassed 100 yards rushing in each of the Bulldogs’ last three games, accounting for 373 yards of total offense in the win at LSU. If the Bulldogs make an unlikely bid for the SEC West title, they’ll do so with Prescott leading the way.
Missouri QB Maty Mauk
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Following Saturday’s last-second 21-20 win at South Carolina, Missouri is in prime position for its second consecutive SEC East championship. Sophomore quarterback Maty Mauk has done an excellent job in his first season as the Tigers’ full-time starter.
Mauk has thrown for 1,110 yards with 14 touchdowns against four interceptions, and he's surpassed 300 yards passing twice. He is completing 56 percent of his passes. Mauk has a strong arm and has adjusted well to working with a new group of Missouri receivers. While he isn’t perfect (he was 12-of-34 against the Gamecocks defense), he has done an excellent job leading and should only improve.
North Carolina State QB Jacoby Brissett
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Jacoby Brissett transferred to NC State for a chance to start. Now that he’s received it, he is clearly making the most of it.
While NC State fell to 4-1 following Saturday’s 56-41 loss to No. 1 Florida State, the Wolfpack appears to be much improved, and that’s largely thanks to Brissett, who looks like an excellent fit in Dave Doeren’s offense.
Brissett has 1,364 yards passing with 13 touchdowns against one interception, and he is completing 68.9 percent of his passes. Saturday, he had 359 yards passing with three touchdowns against no interceptions versus the Seminoles’ tough defense. He can run a little, too: Brissett has 156 yards rushing. It’ll be exciting to see how he continues to develop this season.
Nebraska TB Ameer Abdullah
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At 5-0 entering October, Nebraska looks like the class of the Big Ten West Division. The Cornhuskers are certainly happy that senior tailback Ameer Abdullah decided to return for his final season of college football.
Abdullah looks like one of the best tailbacks in the college game, with 833 yards and eight rushing touchdowns. He has surpassed 200 yards rushing three times this season and has 437 yards rushing and five touchdowns over the past two weeks in wins over Miami (Fla.) and Illinois.
Abdullah has excellent speed and athletic ability and has put himself in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy as the latest in Nebraska’s long line of strong tailbacks. If the Cornhuskers remain in Big Ten contention, he should receive an invitation to New York for the Heisman ceremony.
North Carolina WR Ryan Switzer
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At 2-2 following Saturday’s 50-35 loss at Clemson, North Carolina is one of the nation’s more disappointing teams. The Tar Heels have failed to build on last season’s strong finish and have yielded a total of 120 points in their last two games.
However, they still have one of the nation’s most exciting players in sophomore receiver Ryan Switzer. A returning first team All-American punt returner, Switzer has yet to score on kick returns this season but has contributed in other ways. Saturday night, he caught a ball in space and raced for a 75-yard touchdown. He also has a 35-yard touchdown pass this season. He has 19 receptions for 202 yards, both team highs.
North Carolina’s defense means the Tar Heels offense will be on the field plenty this season. That’s fine. Just more opportunities to watch Switzer.
Northwestern LB Chi Chi Ariguzo
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Northwestern is off to a disappointing 2-2 start, but the Wildcats have won their last two games, including Saturday’s 29-6 demolition of Penn State, NU’s first win in State College since 2004.
Over the past two weeks, Northwestern has allowed a total of 13 points on defense, and senior linebacker Chi Chi Ariguzo has been a major factor. Ariguzo leads the Wildcats with 35 tackles, and he also has 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. If NU hopes to make the postseason following a one-year absence, it will lean on its defense with Ariguzo leading the way.
Notre Dame QB Everett Golson
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At 4-0, Notre Dame is off to a strong start and appears to have rebounded from last year’s disappointing season. How do you explain the resurgence? Start with the return of senior quarterback Everett Golson.
Golson led the Irish to the BCS title game in 2012, but he missed last season following an academic suspension. He has picked up right where he left off, with 1,142 yards passing and 11 touchdowns against two interceptions, completing 69.6 percent of his passes. That’s a big jump from 2012, when he completed 58.8 percent of his attempts.
Golson also has 104 yards rushing and four rushing scores. He is a versatile threat who is a solid leader for the Fighting Irish’s offense, and he’ll need to keep improving as Notre Dame moves through its typically difficult schedule. The Irish have some tough games, with No. 14 Stanford and No. 1 Florida State on tap this month.
Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett
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J.T. Barrett was thrown into a difficult situation in August. Expected to only battle for the backup job, Barrett was thrust into the spotlight after star quarterback Braxton Miller’s shoulder injury forced him into a redshirt year.
Barrett struggled at first, but he has only improved with experience. He has 1,087 yards passing with 13 touchdowns against five interceptions, and his last two weeks have been his best yet.
He torched Kent State for 312 yards passing and six touchdowns against one interception, and he followed that up with 330 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Cincinnati. The Buckeyes might not be College Football Playoff contenders, but they can certainly win the Big Ten, especially if Barrett continues his rapid rate of improvement.
Oklahoma TB Samaje Perine
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Entering this season, one of the bigger questions surrounding Oklahoma was who would emerge as a dominant tailback. Four games into the season, the Sooners appear to have an answer in freshman Samaje Perine.
Perine leads OU with 419 yards rushing and five touchdowns. He had a breakout game last week at West Virginia, carrying 34 times for 242 yards and four touchdowns. He is a physical, impressive runner who averages 6.3 yards per carry.
Oklahoma is in position to challenge for a College Football Playoff berth, and while the continued development of sophomore quarterback Trevor Knight is important, if the Sooners can get more big efforts from the likes of Perine, they’ll be in excellent shape.
Oklahoma State QB Daxx Garman
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With starting quarterback J.W. Walsh sidelined indefinitely by a foot injury, Oklahoma State was forced to turn to backup Daxx Garman. With Garman under center, the Cowboys haven’t missed a beat. Garman has started the last two games, and he has 929 yards passing with eight touchdowns against two interceptions.
The Cowboys have won their past three games, scoring at least 40 points in each game. In Thursday’s 45-35 win over Texas Tech, Garman threw for 370 yards with four touchdowns against two interceptions. He has the ability to throw deep, and if he keeps this up, Mike Gundy will have a difficult choice to make when Walsh returns.
Ole Miss QB Bo Wallace
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At 4-0, Ole Miss is in the Top 10 and looking like an SEC West contender entering this week’s huge visit from No. 3 Alabama. The Rebels have the league’s most experienced quarterback in senior Bo Wallace, and he has played like it thus far.
Wallace has six interceptions, but he does have 11 touchdowns. He has thrown for 1,271 yards and has completed 71 percent of his passes. And until Saturday’s 248-yard effort in a win over Memphis, he had thrown for 300-plus yards in each of the Rebels’ first three games.
If the Rebels contend for an SEC West title and a College Football Playoff berth, they’ll be led by Wallace. And that’s a good place to be.
Oregon QB Marcus Mariota
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Oregon looks like a strong College Football Playoff contender, and the reasons for that start with junior quarterback Marcus Mariota, one of college football’s most electric players. Mariota can beat you with his arm, and he can beat you with his legs, too.
Mariota is a Heisman Trophy candidate, and he has certainly played like it this season for the undefeated Ducks. He has 1,135 yards passing with 13 touchdowns against no interceptions, and he has completed 74 percent of his passes. He also has 214 yards rushing and is Oregon’s No. 2 rusher.
Expect the Ducks to make a strong case for the national title, and if they do so, Mariota will be front and center.
Oregon State QB Sean Mannion
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Oregon State was not impressive as a team Saturday night, dropping a 35-10 decision to Southern California. And while senior quarterback Sean Mannion struggled, completing 15 of 32 passes for 123 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions, he is the Beavers’ best player.
On the season, Mannion has 1,026 yards with four touchdowns against four interceptions, and he is completing 62.8 percent of his passes. While he’ll have to improve for Oregon State to make noise in the Pac-12, it is hard to imagine Mike Riley’s team doing anything of note without its senior leader.
Penn State WR DaeSean Hamilton
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Despite Saturday’s 29-6 loss to Northwestern (the first time Penn State had been held without a touchdown at home since 2004), 2014 has been a step forward for James Franklin and the Nittany Lions, particularly with the development of sophomore quarterback Christian Hackenberg.
Hackenberg’s favorite target has been sophomore receiver DaeSean Hamilton. Hamilton has been a true go-to receiver for Hackenberg, with 36 receptions for 502 yards. He has yet to reach the end zone but has reached 100 yards receiving in three of five games, including a 165-yard effort in the opener against Central Florida.
Hamilton will surely find the end zone soon, and he’ll be a key weapon for the Nittany Lions down the stretch of the Big Ten season.
Pitt RB James Conner
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Pitt has been up and down this season, with Saturday’s 21-10 home loss to Akron an embarrassing moment. But there’s no denying the force of nature that has emerged in sophomore tailback James Conner.
Conner has 791 yards rushing and nine touchdowns; he has already surpassed his touchdown total from all of last season and is eight yards away from matching his 2013 total. Saturday marked the first time he has been held under 100 yards, with a 214-yard effort against Boston College a particular highlight.
Conner is a physical, violent runner who is difficult to tackle, and there’s no doubt that Pitt will lean on him heavily in its quest for an ACC Coastal Division title.
Purdue S Landon Feichter
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At 2-3, Purdue has already doubled its win total from last season. The Boilermakers do not look like a bowl team, but they are improving under second-year coach Darrell Hazell.
The Boilermakers secondary is a strength of the defense, and senior safety Landon Feichter is having a very good season. He was Purdue’s best defender in 2012, but he struggled with injuries last season. He appears to be healthy this fall, and the Boilermakers are better for it. He has a team-leading 44 tackles and has also added an interception.
Rutgers QB Gary Nova
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The Scarlet Knights are off to a solid start to their Big Ten tenure. Saturday’s win over Tulane improved their record to 4-1, with the only loss a 13-10 defeat at Penn State’s hands.
Their offense has been very good, scoring at least 31 points in each win. The biggest catalyst is senior quarterback Gary Nova. Nova is a capable pocket passer, with 10 touchdowns against seven interceptions. When Nova is good, so is Rutgers.
When he isn’t, well…
Five of his interceptions came in the Penn State defeat. Rutgers appears very capable of making a bowl, and Nova will lead the way.
Southern California QB Cody Kessler
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Southern California is 3-1, and despite a loss to Boston College, it remains a serious Pac-12 contender. A big reason why is junior quarterback Cody Kessler. Kessler has been outstanding this season, throwing for 10 touchdowns against no interceptions and 1,107 yards.
A great pocket passer, Kessler has completed 72 percent of his passes and is capable of throwing both short and long routes. He’ll be a big part of Steve Sarkisian’s plan to restore the Trojans to national glory.
South Carolina QB Dylan Thompson
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When this season began, there were questions about how South Carolina would replace gritty quarterback Connor Shaw. Following Saturday’s 21-20 home loss to Missouri, the Gamecocks are 3-2 and out of the Top 25.
But that certainly isn’t senior quarterback Dylan Thompson’s fault. Thompson has 1,359 yards passing with 12 touchdowns against three interceptions and is a very capable pocket passer.
He has thrown a touchdown in each game and completed 60.9 percent of his passes. The Gamecocks are not out of the SEC East chase yet, and they’ll lean on Thompson going down the stretch.
Stanford QB Kevin Hogan
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Despite a loss to Southern California, Stanford still has hopes of winning a third consecutive Pac-12 championship. And there are far worse players to lead the chase than senior quarterback Kevin Hogan.
At 6’4”, 228 pounds, Hogan is a capable pocket passer who has thrown for more than 4,600 yards in his career. This season, he has 883 yards with eight touchdowns against two interceptions while completing 71 percent of his passes.
Stanford’s wins aren’t always pretty, but coach David Shaw has to feel great with a leader like Hogan at his team’s helm.
Syracuse LB Cameron Lynch
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Syracuse is off to a 2-2 start following Saturday’s loss to Notre Dame, but the Orange have received solid production from their defense.
Syracuse has been able to count on senior outside linebacker Cameron Lynch, who has been playing all over the field. Lynch has piled up 33 tackles, which leads the team. He also has 5.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, both of which also lead the team.
The Orange still appear capable of making a bowl this season, and Lynch and the defense will play a huge role in the push for postseason eligibility.
TCU QB Trevone Boykin
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A new uptempo offense has helped TCU rebound nicely from a down 2013: The Horned Frogs are 3-0 heading into this week’s Big 12 opener, a visit from No. 4 Oklahoma. Quarterback Trevone Boykin won a quarterback battle in the preseason and appears ensconced in the position.
He has 858 yards passing with eight touchdowns against one interception and is also TCU’s leading rusher with 183 yards and three touchdowns.
Boykin is a versatile player who has also spent time at receiver in his career, but it’s hard to imagine him fitting in better than he has this fall under center.
Tennessee QB Justin Worley
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At 2-2, Tennessee looks to be improved over 2013. The Volunteers put a serious scare into Georgia before falling 35-32, and there’s little doubt they will beat a team they aren’t supposed to beat before this season ends.
Senior quarterback Justin Worley is an example of that improvement. Last fall, he threw 10 touchdowns against eight interceptions. Through four games this fall, Worley has nine touchdowns against three interceptions.
He also has 985 yards passing and is completing 60 percent of his passes. If the Vols make a bowl, they’ll do so thanks to improved play from Worley and a group of talented young receivers.
Texas WR John Harris
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It hasn't been an easy start to the Charlie Strong era in Austin. Strong has taken a discipline-first approach and has booted nine players from the Longhorns' roster for various violations.
On the field, the Longhorns are 2-2, and starting quarterback David Ash was forced to give up the game due to concussions. Bright spots can be hard to find, but senior receiver John Harris is certainly one of them.
Harris entered this season with nine career receptions for 190 yards and three touchdowns. In just four games, he has blown past those numbers. Harris has 25 receptions for 336 yards and four touchdowns and has caught a touchdown pass in every game.
He is a favorite target of new starting quarterback Tyrone Swoopes, and he figures to add to his numbers significantly over the final two-thirds of the season.
Texas A&M QB Kenny Hill
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Entering this season, there were serious questions about how Texas A&M would replace Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel, one of the most electric players in recent memory.
As the season’s first month wraps up, those questions no longer exist. Sophomore Kenny Hill has taken over and made the position his own. Hill has thrown for 1,745 yards with 17 touchdowns against two interceptions, showing the capability to throw the ball deep and lead the Aggies in solid fashion.
Saturday, he erased a two-touchdown fourth-quarter deficit against Arkansas with touchdown throws of 59 and 86 yards and won the game in overtime with a 25-yard touchdown toss to Malcome Kennedy. A&M looks like a bona fide College Football Playoff contender, and Hill’s presence is a huge reason why.
Texas Tech QB Davis Webb
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2014 certainly hasn’t unfolded as Texas Tech had hoped, but that’s no fault of sophomore quarterback Davis Webb.
Webb emerged as the quarterback late last season, and he has made the position his own this fall. He has 1,356 yards passing with 13 touchdowns against six interceptions and has surpassed 300 yards passing in all but one game.
Webb has the capability to throw deep and throw it often, and if the Red Raiders are to make this season special, they’ll do so with him at the helm of the offense.
UCLA QB Brett Hundley
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UCLA is 4-0 and ranked in the Top 10, and while the Bruins have been tested, they look like a Pac-12 and College Football Playoff contender. Just ask Arizona State, victim of a 62-27 beating at the Bruins’ hands this week.
Junior quarterback Brett Hundley has lived up to the lofty expectations he set for himself with his solid play last season. He has 1,041 yards passing with seven touchdowns against just one interception and torched ASU for 355 yards passing.
He is also a very capable mobile quarterback with 146 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. This might be Hundley’s last season in Westwood, as he is a solid NFL draft prospect. If so, he’s making it special.
Utah QB Travis Wilson
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At 3-1, Utah appears to have rebounded from last season’s 5-7 record and is poised to return to the postseason.
Junior quarterback Travis Wilson has played a huge role in that turnaround. Wilson has thrown for seven touchdowns with no interceptions and has passed for 783 yards. The Utes struggled last season when Wilson was injured, and now that he is healthy, he has looked like the missing piece in Salt Lake City.
Vanderbilt TB Ralph Webb
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Derek Mason’s Vanderbilt debut has been ugly. The Commodores are 1-4 and would have to win their final eight games to match the standard set over the past three seasons by James Franklin of nine wins and a bowl win.
Mason has used three different quarterbacks, but he has found some consistency in freshman tailback Ralph Webb. The 5’11", 196-pound runner has 422 yards rushing and a touchdown, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
While this might be a rebuilding season in Nashville, Mason appears to have a piece to build with in Webb.
Virginia QB Matt Johns
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Virginia appears to be taking a step forward with coach Mike London fighting for his job. At 3-2, the Cavaliers have already surpassed last season’s win total. They upset Louisville and put a major scare into UCLA before falling in the season opener.
Now, London needs to realize who his best quarterback is. It’s Matt Johns. Johns has shared time with Greyson Lambert but has clearly been the better of the two QBs, throwing six touchdowns against four interceptions, while Lambert has thrown two scores against four interceptions.
He is a talented passer, and if the Cavaliers hope to make postseason play, they’d be best advised to turn the offense over to Johns.
Virginia Tech LB Chase Williams
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September hasn’t been kind to Virginia Tech. The Hokies are 3-2 with losses to East Carolina and Georgia Tech, and transfer quarterback Michael Brewer has thrown nine touchdowns against 10 interceptions.
However, the Hokies have found a defensive playmaker in senior linebacker Chase Williams. Williams has 42 tackles (including 17 against Georgia Tech) and a team-leading 8.5 tackles for loss, as well as 3.5 sacks.
He has made plays all over the field, just the latest in a long line of talented defenders under Bud Foster.
Wake Forest LB Brandon Chubb
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Under first-year coach Dave Clawson, Wake Forest has struggled to a 2-3 record and looks to be an ACC cellar dweller. However, that isn’t the fault of the Demon Deacons defense, which is allowing 20.2 points per game.
The defense is led by junior linebacker Brandon Chubb, who has been a very prolific player. Chubb leads Wake’s defense with 52 tackles and has two tackles for loss and a sack. With the Demon Deacons offense struggling, their defense will spend plenty of time on the field, which means it’s a good thing Chubb is playing well.
Washington QB Cyler Miles
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At 4-1 following a narrow 20-13 defeat to Stanford, Washington doesn’t appear to have missed much of a beat following Steve Sarkisian’s departure.
The Huskies have broken in a new quarterback in sophomore Cyler Miles, and while Stanford’s defense harassed him Saturday, he has largely played well. Miles has thrown for 623 yards and six touchdowns against no interceptions, taking good care of the ball.
Miles will grow as the season goes on, and the Huskies will grow with him.
Washington State QB Connor Halliday
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It’s no secret that Mike Leach’s offenses like to throw. And throw. And throw.
Quarterback is a crucial position in Leach’s offense, and he has found a good one in senior Connor Halliday. Halliday has thrown for 2,318 yards with 20 touchdowns against seven interceptions for the 2-3 Cougars.
He has surpassed 500 yards passing twice and 400 yards passing twice: His season single-game low is 389 yards. Halliday is capable of throwing short, deep and often. You have to wonder where the Cougs would be without him.
Wisconsin TB Melvin Gordon
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Wisconsin looks every bit like a Big Ten contender at 3-1, and the Badgers are fueled by their star tailback, junior Melvin Gordon. Gordon has 612 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, averaging 7.8 yards per carry. He ripped Bowling Green for 253 yards and five touchdowns.
He is a speedy, talented runner who is very difficult to bring down. As the weather gets colder in Madison, he’ll become an even more powerful weapon as the Badgers battle for a league championship.
West Virginia QB Clint Trickett
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West Virginia is 2-2, but the Mountaineers look like one of the nation’s most improved teams following last season’s 4-8 debacle. Both losses have come to Top 5 teams in Alabama and Oklahoma, and Dana Holgorsen’s group hung with both into the second half.
The Mountaineers’ passing offense has been potent, and senior quarterback Clint Trickett makes it go. Trickett has thrown for 1,600 yards (he’s averaging 400 yards passing per game) with nine touchdowns against three interceptions. The Florida State transfer threw for 511 yards in a 40-37 win over Maryland, and WVU will ride him hard if it has hopes of a special season this fall.
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