Heisman Watch: Dak Prescott is slipping, but opportunity awaits

For the first time this season, the Dr. Saturday Heisman Watch has the same players as it did the week before. The order, however, has changed a bit.

Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott, who was once the clubhouse leader for the Heisman, has fallen to fourth in our rankings simply because his play against his last two SEC opponents hasn’t been great and scoring a few touchdowns against Tennessee-Martin didn’t do much to raise his standing, especially while the players above him excelled against tougher competition.

It’s a good thing Prescott has a couple tough games coming up to regain his spot on the Heisman list.

Here’s a look at Dr. Saturday’s Heisman Poll heading into Week 12:

Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon: Mariota’s fourth-quarter play against Utah last week was simply marvelous. When the Utes crawled within a score heading into the fourth, Mariota went on to lead four scoring drives and throw a touchdown pass and rush for another score. The Ducks are off this week before playing Colorado and Oregon State to end the regular season. If there’s an advantage to those games, it’s a chance to pad the stats.

Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin: We write it every week, but it bears repeating, Gordon is about as reliable a running back as there is in the country. He added another 205 rushing yards and a touchdown, and got involved in the passing game with 44 yards, his most receiving yards this season, and another score. But after playing several weak rushing defenses, Gordon will have to show he can put up the same type of stats against Nebraska and the nation’s No. 20 rushing defense.

Trevone Boykin, QB, TCU: Boykin vowed to his teammates that he would play well against Kansas State and he didn’t disappoint. He threw for 219 yards and a score and rushed for a career-high 123 yards and three scores. The goal now will be to play as well through the end of the season against some less-than-difficult competition. This weekend’s opponent, Kansas, has one Big 12 win (against TCU’s next opponent, Iowa State) and one of the worst defenses in the country.

Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State: As noted above, Prescott has been less than impressive against his past two SEC opponents, which is a little concerning going into an important game against No. 5 Alabama this weekend. Prescott has done his best work against ranked teams this season in completing 63 percent of his passes for 782 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions. But he’ll have his work cut out for him against an Alabama defense that ranks fourth nationally in total defense and second in scoring.

Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama: Not many receivers have fared well against LSU, especially in recent weeks, but Cooper was a bright spot in last week’s overtime win with eight catches for 83 yards and the Tide’s only touchdown in regulation. He should be able to make quite an impression against No. 1 Mississippi State this weekend. The Bulldogs have one of the worst passing defenses in the country, allowing 300 passing yards per game. Also, of the 20 offensive touchdowns Mississippi State has allowed this season, 14 have come in the air.