Mississippi State Players Top the Saturday Blitz Heisman Watch for Week 10

Nov 1, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) rolls out of the pocket to pass during the first quarter against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

9. J.T. Barrett, Freshman Quarterback, Ohio State Buckeyes

Last Game: 15-for-24 (62.5%), 167 Yards, 2 TD’s; 7 Carries for 38 Yards (Defeated Illinois Fighting Illini 55-14)

2014 Season: 134-for-207 (64.7%), 1,856 Yards; 105 Carries for 496 Yards; 29 Total TD’s, 7 INT’s

The bad loss to Virginia Tech by Ohio State is the one thing keeping J.T. Barrett out of the Heisman race, but it’s a little unfair. Barrett has the Buckeyes in the heart of the national championship race right now and still undefeated in the Big Ten, and since that loss he has played very well.

That’s an understatement.

Barrett has 26 total touchdowns and 3 interceptions since that day, so in actuality he is playing great. The past two weeks are what put him a little further down on this list because his numbers weren’t great, but he’s still got Heisman-like numbers and is running Urban Meyer’s spread offense to perfection in place of Braxton Miller. Who saw that coming at the beginning of the year?

Now, with a whole month of football to play, Barrett could easily move up this list and get into the real conversation. It starts on Saturday with Ohio State playing Michigan State. That will be his first real chance to prove himself.