Heisman Watch 2016: Top Contenders in Race for College Football's Biggest Honor

While the push for the College Football Playoff is certainly heating up, so too is the race for the Heisman Trophy with several top players emerging as contenders.

Five underclassmen have won this honor since Tim Tebow became to first to do so in 2007, and an electric sophomore is seemingly the favorite to take home the Heisman in 2016. Yet, a few upperclassmen are hot on his heels with just a few weeks left before the postseason.

Here is a look at the players with the top odds to win the award, per Odds Shark. Let us take a look at these guys, as well as a few others who could be dark-horse candidates down the stretch.

Player	Year	School	Odds
QB Lamar Jackson	Sophomore	Louisville	1-50
DB Jabrill Peppers	Junior	Michigan	12-1
QB Deshaun Watson	Junior	Clemson	16-1
QB J.T. Barrett	Junior	Ohio State	25-1
QB Jake Browning	Sophomore	Washington	40-1

Lamar Jackson is undoubtedly the Heisman favorite at the moment, as the Louisville quarterback is putting up video game numbers while leading one of the nation's top teams.

Through 10 games, Jackson is completing 58.6 percent of his passes for 2,898 yards and 27 touchdowns to go with a ridiculous 1,334 yards and 19 scores on the ground. He ranks sixth in the FBS in rushing yards while leading the country in rushing touchdowns. Jackson is also tied for ninth nationally is passing scores.

This kid is a threat to score every time he touches the ball, which happens to be every play. Jackson is a solid passer who utilizes a strong receiving group to exploit secondaries, but his running ability is what sets him apart as an elite talent. There may not be a faster, more elusive rusher in the country, which makes Louisville's read-option game so deadly. Take a look at his touchdowns on the ground this season, courtesy of the ACC Digital Network:

As a result, it should be no surprise that Jackson's Heisman odds are overwhelmingly high. Tom Herman, who coaches Louisville's next opponent in Houston, already believes the sophomore is in a class of his own, per the Houston Chronicle's Joseph Duarte:

There are still other players who could challenge for the Heisman if Jackson falters in the season's final weeks. 

For Michigan's Jabrill Peppers and Ohio State's J.T. Barrett, any legitimate chance of pushing for the Heisman will have to come in the two teams' Nov. 26 meeting, which is the highest-profile game on either school's current remaining schedule. Both players will need signature performances to cap off excellent seasons and put their teams in a likely playoff spot.

Peppers is arguably the most versatile player in the country, as the junior lines up all over the field for the Wolverines defense while playing a huge part in the team's return units and Wildcat package offensively. On the season, Peppers has 161 yards and three touchdowns rushing, a punt return for a score, 3.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and a returned two-point conversion while ranking second on Michigan with 59 total tackles.

Here is a brief look into his wide array of skills, per Michigan Football:

On the other hand, Barrett continues to establish himself as arguably the top dual-threat quarterback in college football behind Jackson. The junior is completing 64.7 percent of his throws for 2,218 yards and 23 touchdowns to go with 617 yards and eight scores rushing. However, Barrett's Heisman ceiling may be lower than Peppers', as Ohio State will not play in the Big Ten title game unless Penn State is upset in the final two weeks, which gives the Michigan star an extra chance to impress voters should the Wolverines win the Big Ten East.

The remaining quarterbacks with the highest odds of taking home the Heisman have been great this season, but one has a significantly better chance to win than the other.

Clemson QB Deshaun Watson is in the Heisman chase, even though he is arguably having a worse season than last year. Clemson is coming off its first loss of the season, but Watson has still thrown for 27 touchdowns and run for a pair. His 13 interceptions are holding him back a bit, and he will likely not match the 12 rushing scores he posted last year while running for 1,105 yards.

Watson will have a likely ACC Championship Game to impress voters, and he has the ability himself—along with top-flight surrounding talent—to put up some monster games in the closing weeks of the year. He may not be in the prime position to win the award, but he could contend if other favorites fall off late.

Meanwhile, Washington quarterback Jake Browning's chances took a massive hit after an abysmal passing performance in a home loss to USC: 17-of-36 passing for 259 yards, one touchdown and two picks. His 35 throwing scores this season are impressive, but he will need a lot of help coupled with a big-time game against current Pac-12 North leader Washington State to win the Heisman Trophy.

He could be surpassed by Alabama's Jalen Hurts, who is leading the nation's best team with his dual-threat talents. The true freshman has 16 passing touchdowns and 11 rushing scores with some signature wins over LSU, Tennessee and Texas A&M. An SEC title could land Hurts in New York.

Lastly, a pair of running backs are quietly having big seasons in Texas' D'Onta Foreman and San Diego State's Donnel Pumphrey. Here are their numbers this season:

Player	Carries	Yards	Yards Per Carry	Touchdowns
Foreman	241	1,613	6.7	13
Pumphrey	270	1,779	6.6	14

Given some of the bigger names in front of them and the lack of national attention each player's school is garnering this season, neither of these guys will likely seriously contend for the Heisman. They are still dark horses to earn invites come December after sensational campaigns. 

Offensive statistics are courtesy of ESPN.com. Defensive statistics are courtesy of CFBStats.com.