Heisman Watch 2014: Analyzing Top Contenders in Race After Week 13

An absence of massive upsets last Saturday created rare stability in the college football rankings. As a result, the race for the Heisman Trophy remained relatively unchanged.

The top contenders either bolstered their respective stock with stellar outings or did little to hurt their chances to walk away with the college game's most celebrated individual accolade.

Since quarterbacks have won the award 12 of the last 14 times, it only makes sense that the leader in the clubhouse is a signal-caller. That distinction belongs to Oregon's Marcus Mariota, but two offensive playmakers at other positions have shots of their own to hoist the Heisman.

1. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

Mariota isn't one to play down to the level of his competition. He proved that in a magnificent display Saturday in the Ducks' 44-10 victory over Colorado, accounting for four total touchdowns.

ESPN Stats & Info accentuated the impact Mariota has had at the helm of Oregon's uptempo, explosive offense in a historic 2014 season:

Since the Ducks are also inside the Top Four of the College Football Playoff picture, there is no reason Mariota shouldn't garner serious consideration for the Heisman—if he isn't already the prohibitive favorite.

Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel hinted at how Mariota has created such high expectations and continued to meet them:

Football is a quarterback-driven sport, and Mariota has handled the spotlight and performed so consistently well that he deserves to become the fresh face of college football.

As system-driven as critics may view Oregon's offense to be, they shouldn't be offended when Mariota tunes that sort of talk out.

"That's other people's opinions," said Mariota, per the New York Post's Steve Serby. "I'm not gonna let that affect how I play or how I play as an individual player. I'm just gonna continue to do what I feel is best for the team and find ways to win."

The Ducks wouldn't be where they are now without Mariota's talents. Heisman voters should know that. Nothing that happened in Week 13 suggested he belongs anywhere but the top of the Heisman conversation.

2. Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama 

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

It was scary stuff for the Crimson Tide in Week 13, when Cooper left an otherwise stress-free win over Western Carolina in the first quarter with a knee injury.

Cecil Hurt of The Tuscaloosa News relayed an encouraging update on Cooper's status after the game from Alabama head coach Nick Saban:

Before exiting the field, Cooper still managed three receptions for 46 yards. To say he has been fifth-year senior QB Blake Sims' go-to guy is an understatement of stupendous proportions.

If the SEC is the gold competitive standard for evaluating how a player performs and putting his numbers into context, the following tweet from Fox Sports' Knox Bardeen speaks for itself:

Considering the Tide's penchant for running the ball under Saban, it's amazing that Cooper has been able to light it up as he has, especially since Sims locks onto him so often.

If Oregon suffers an upset and Mariota plays poorly, at this late juncture, Cooper appears to be the only Heisman candidate capable of leapfrogging the Ducks star to seize the trophy.

3. Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin

Matthew Holst/Getty Images

The only reason Gordon is slotted this low is because his team isn't in playoff contention, unlike those of Mariota and Cooper. But that might make his sensational season all the more special.

Even with horrific quarterback play from the likes of Joel Stave and Tanner McEvoy, who might be the worst passing QB to merit a major scholarship, Gordon has thrived.

After he set an FBS single-game rushing record with 408 yards against Nebraska (only for it to be broken this week), he followed it up with 200 yards and two TDs in a 26-24 win over Iowa.

NFL Network's Albert Breer noted how Gordon's work may be far from done too:

NFL.com's Gil Brandt observed the significance of Gordon's prolific production:

And look how Gordon made it to the coveted 2,000-yard mark, courtesy of College GameDay:

Even though he's third in the Heisman race and will garner an invitation to the ceremony in New York City, it's a long shot Gordon will win. As a consolation prize of sorts, he has a magnificent opportunity ahead of him in the NFL.

While Mariota should be the first QB selected in the 2015 NFL draft and Cooper the first wideout should both choose to come out, running back has become a far more volatile position. Should Gordon stay healthy and continue putting up such mind-boggling numbers, there is a strong chance he becomes the first player at his position to be chosen in the first round since 2012.

But first, it's important to enjoy the likes of Gordon, Cooper and Mariota regardless of their finish in the Heisman race. They will likely headline what should be a magnificent pool of pro prospects before long.