Heisman Trophy Watch: Why Marcus Mariota is Not No. 1

Dec 14, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Detailed view the Heisman Trophy awarded to Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (not pictured) after a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis Times Square in New York following the awards ceremony. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

As we’re down to the final week of the college football season, the Heisman trophy race is still up for grabs. And it could take this weekend for us to determine who the real winner is.

This year’s Heisman race is very spread out from multiple running backs to multiple quarterbacks along with wide receivers and defensive players. Well, we at least haven’t ignored those guys on defense.

Plenty of players have put up record-setting numbers this year, others have been great stories this season. But after a long season and a plethora of guys who have deserved credit for their performances this year, we have been able to narrow our Heisman Trophy race down to five people.

And as we’ll get into, we have reasons to go against the grain and not put Marcus Mariota at No. 1. But more on that later.

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The five candidates in our watch are spread out over four positions. Imagine that.

And wouldn’t you know it? Four of the five are playing this weekend as well with a chance to win their conference. And some of them could be playing for something a lot bigger. Unfortunately, we had to kick J.T. Barrett off the list, and it was the worst thing we had to do. He was the greatest story all year and would have easily had a chance to lock up the Heisman race on Saturday, but not being able to play against Wisconsin all but eliminates him from contention.

We still wanted to mention him, though.

So who is the best player this year? Who belongs at the top of the race right now? And as we have trimmed our list down to five people, who remains in the Heisman hunt?

Find out here as we get set to bring you our Heisman Trophy Watch going into Week 15 of the college football season.

Next: Begin Heisman Trophy Watch