Heisman Trophy 2017: Ranking the Top 10 Candidates Ahead of Week 9

Saquon Barkley impressed in Penn State's first marquee matchup of the season, but another running back cemented his place as a Heisman Trophy contender entering Week 9.

During a 49-14 smashing of USC, Notre Dame junior Josh Adams put together his best performance of the year on the biggest stage yet.

But his arrival coincided with the exit of Rashaad Penny, the early-season Group of Five darling. Poor showings in two straight San Diego State losses plus Adams' explosion necessitated the switch.

Additionally, West Virginia wideout David Sills V supplanted NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb at the back of the list. Chubb is a key player to watch outside of the top 10, though, as are all-purpose teammate Nyheim Hines, Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts and UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton.

The ranking is subjective and factors in total production, key performances and historical trends, such as position and team record.

10. James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

By the numbers: Among pass-catchers averaging three receptions, James Washington's 24.1-yard clip per catch ranks No. 1 nationally. He also leads the country with 130.6 yards per appearance while ranking second in total receiving at 914.

Signature moment: Washington has posted at least 98 yards in six of Oklahoma State's seven games. And in Week 7, he recorded a season-high 235 yards during a 59-16 triumph over Baylor. It was his third career 200-yard performance.

Week 9 prediction: After an uncharacteristically quiet week vs. Texas (32 yards on four receptions), Washington has a favorable matchup with West Virginia. The secondary ranks 105th in the country at 261.3 passing yards allowed per game, and only three defenses have surrendered more 50-plus-yard receptions this season. Washington looks primed for a massive bounce-back day.

9. David Sills V, WR, West Virginia

By the numbers: When nearly one-third of a player's catches are touchdowns, it either means he doesn't grab many passes or he's scoring at a ridiculous rate. The latter applies to David Sills V, who's notched an FBS-best 15 receiving touchdowns on 46 catches. He's caught two scores against West Virginia's six power-conference opponents.

Signature moment: In Week 7, the Mountaineers assembled an 18-point comeback to beat Texas Tech. Sills—who had already scored once—started and capped the second-half surge with touchdowns and added a two-point conversion to help West Virginia rattle off 29 unanswered points. Sills finished with six catches for 89 yards and three touchdowns in the 46-35 win.

Week 9 prediction: Oklahoma State's secondary is decent (ranked 72d nationally), but the volume of West Virginia's passing attack (top 20 in attempts) will result in good numbers for Sills. Though the streak of multi-touchdown games against FBS teams may end, he should find the end zone once.

8. Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

By the numbers: Despite a quiet scoring day in a 13-10 win over Texas in Week 8, Mason Rudolph held steady in several passing categories. He still leads the country in passing yards per game (378.6) and is third in rating (181.1). The senior is also tied for eighth in touchdowns (19) and 17th in completion percentage (66.5).

Signature moment: Rudolph showed how dynamic Oklahoma State's offense can be in Week 3 at Pitt. He amassed 423 yards and five touchdowns before halftime, guiding the Cowboys to a 59-21 victory. Rudolph finished the day with 497 yards.

Week 9 prediction: If Washington is set for a productive day, it logically follows that Rudolph will have a superb game. West Virginia has ceded 7.9 yards per pass while giving up eight touchdowns through the air and intercepting one pass during the last three weeks. Rudolph's completion percentage won't be stellar, but OSU's explosiveness will stand out.

7. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

By the numbers: Lamar Jackson kept his place in the conversation thanks to Louisville's 31-28 victory at Florida State. The dual-threat quarterback remains the nation's leader in total offensive yards per game (418.3) and is the only player above the 400-yard mark. Jackson has thrown 17 touchdowns and run for 11 more.

Signature moment: Until last Saturday, it was Jackson's six-touchdown explosion against UNC in Week 2 (three rushing, three passing). However, the junior led a game-winning drive on the road against a stout Florida State defense. Jackson's third-down conversion followed by a 13-yard completion were instrumental in setting up the winning field goal.

Week 9 prediction: This may be another difficult week for Jackson, given the combination of a shaky supporting cast and Wake Forest's talent on defense. Still, he should eclipse 300 total yards—and it wouldn't be surprising if most of that production happens with his legs due to constant pressure from the Deacons' pass rush.

6. Josh Adams, RB, Notre Dame

By the numbers: Josh Adams demanded a spot in the conversation following a 191-yard, three-touchdown outburst against USC. It was his fifth 100-plus-yard performance of the season, and Adams lifted his totals to 967 yards and eight scores. His 138.1-yard average ranks sixth in the country.

Signature moment: Notre Dame took a 28-0 lead into halftime, but the Trojans scored on their first two second-half drives. If the defense mustered a stop, USC might've felt life. Instead, Adams responded to the second touchdown with an 84-yard scamper right up the middle, providing the dagger in a rivalry win.

Week 9 prediction: Georgia, which boasts the nation's No. 4 run defense, limited Adams to 53 yards on 19 attempts. North Carolina State has the No. 6 unit against the run. Adams and the offensive line must be prepared for a slugfest in the trenches, though he should break off two 20-yard runs (he has 12 such jaunts in seven games) and approach 100 yards, as he's only failed to do so twice in seven games.

5. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

By the numbers: Another week, another triple-digit output for Jonathan Taylor. The freshman phenom registered 126 yards—his fifth 100-yard performance of the season—and one touchdown in a 38-13 triumph over Maryland. Taylor is third in the FBS with 158.9 rushing yards per game and has scored 11 touchdowns on the ground.

Signature moment: Since the 7-0 Badgers have notched five victories of 17-plus points, Taylor hasn't been needed in crucial moments often. But he took advantage of one opportunity, ripping off a 75-yard score on the first offensive snap after Nebraska had an 80-yard touchdown. Taylor crossed the plane again in the fourth quarter to give Wisconsin a useful road victory in Week 6. He finished with 249 yards on 25 carries to go with the two scores.

Week 9 prediction: Illinois enters the week with the 108th-ranked run defense and has surrendered seven 100-yard rushers during its five-game losing streak. Taylor will cruise past the century mark and lead the Badgers to a painless Big Ten win.

4. J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State

By the numbers: Although J.T. Barrett doesn't lead the nation in anything, he's present in nearly every major category. He's posted a 66.7 completion percentage (T-14th) with 8.9 yards per attempt (T-13th), 262.6 yards per game (27th) and a 173.8 rating (fourth). Plus, Barrett has tossed 21 touchdowns and only one interception.

Signature moment: In Week 7, the senior connected on 81.8 percent of his passes in a 56-14 rout of Nebraska while matching a career-high of seven total touchdowns. He threw for a season-best 325 yards and ran for 48 more, lifting the Buckeyes to 6-1.

Week 9 prediction: Both for Big Ten and College Football Playoff reasons, Ohio State cannot afford another loss. Barrett is bracing for a massive challenge against Penn State, which has surrendered more than six yards per pass attempt just once in 2017. But that was on the road (at Iowa), and this game will be in Columbus. Barrett will redeem himself for 2016's loss against the Nittany Lions and propel the Buckeyes to a massive win.

3. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

By the numbers: Last Saturday, Baker Mayfield cracked the 400-yard passing barrier for the first time in 2017. The senior piled up 410 yards in a 42-35 victory over Kansas State, rising to fifth in yards per game (335.3) nationally. He's atop the FBS in completion percentage (73.8), yards per attempt (11.6) and rating (200.42) and has totaled 22 touchdowns.

Signature moment: Mayfield has a pair of fourth-quarter comebacks—against Texas and Kansas State—to his credit, yet context still favors Oklahoma's triumph at Ohio State. He threw for 386 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-16 win on the road, helping the Sooners upend the then-No. 2 Buckeyes.

Week 9 prediction: Texas Tech's defense is noticeably improved compared to recent years, but Rudolph, West Virginia's Will Grier and Iowa State's Kyle Kempt combined for 920 yards and 11 touchdowns and three interceptions against it. Though the Red Raiders may capitalize on a mistake, Mayfield will notch what has become his signature line: 300 yards and three touchdowns.

2. Bryce Love, RB, Stanford

By the numbers: Stanford had a bye in Week 8, so Bryce Love didn't add any numbers to his season totals. Still, there's nobody close to leaping the junior for the FBS lead in rushing yards. He's amassed 1,387 in seven appearances, leading Navy quarterback Zach Abey by 235 yards. Love also 11 touchdowns this year.

Signature moment: Christian McCaffrey rewrote the record books at Stanford, but Love didn't take long to leap the 2015 Heisman Trophy finalist on the single-game list. Love sliced through the Arizona State defense for a program-best 301 yards and scored three times in the Pac-12 win during Week 5.

Week 9 prediction: Oregon State has ceded 4.8 yards per carry. As long as Love is healthy—and considering the school recently launched an official Heisman campaign, that's likely—he'll rush for at least 147 yards for the eighth straight game.

1. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

By the numbers: Saquon Barkley's Heisman resume is focused on his all-around ability. The junior is pacing the country with 211.1 all-purpose yards per game. Barkley has accumulated 757 rushing yards and 32 receptions for 448 yards, adding 273 yards as a kick returner and a 16-yard passing score. He's responsible for 13 touchdowns.

Signature moment: Penn State had rolled to 6-0 before Week 8, when a stout Michigan defense entered Beaver Stadium. Barkley didn't let the Wolverines' upset dreams stick around for long, though, as he scampered for a 69-yard score on his first offensive touch. He capped the next possession with a 15-yard run and later put the game out of reach with a 42-yard touchdown catch. Barkley finished with 161 yards from scrimmage.

Week 9 prediction: The Nittany Lions will travel to Columbus for what is probably the Big Ten's most important game of 2017. Although Ohio State's talented front seven will limit Barkley overall, he'll create a couple of explosive gains and post 150 all-purpose yards with most of that damage as a runner.