Weekend Watch List: Jameis' outburst might end Heisman, playoff hopes
Among Jameis Winston's positive traits is his amazing ability of concentration.
Whether it was swarming defenses or the numerous self-inflicted distractions, the Heisman-winning national champion was always able to compartmentalize between the lines. Florida State down by 18 to Auburn? No problem. Oklahoma State cut it to three? Step aside.
The remarkable Jameis could boldly lead a championship-clinching drive with 13 seconds to go. The knuckleheaded Jameis shouted graphic, sexually insensitive comments on campus this week. It comes at the same time the school is being investigated for possible Title IX violations regarding an alleged sexual assault by the quarterback. Winston was investigated but not charged by law enforcement authorities.
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But for the first time in his career the consequences of his actions have bled between the lines. Winston won't play in the first half against Clemson on Saturday night after being suspended by the school for the comments.
Florida State suddenly is not quite the slam dunk it had been against the Tigers.
Never mind Las Vegas reacting immediately to the suspension. (The Noles went from 19½-point favorites to 16½.) This latest misstep gives the Tigers -- and the rest of the country -- further hope. Given its schedule, a 12-1 FSU is not necessarily a shoo-in for the playoff.
A rather significant slip of the tongue could also be bad news for the ACC.
We know the College Football Playoff selection committee will consider injuries and schedule strength. But how would it view a suspension?
"It's not right for me to discuss specific situations," CFP executive director Bill Hancock emailed this week. "But, generally, when distinguishing among the dozens of teams that it will be reviewing all season, the committee will consider each team's full body of work, and every factor that went into building that body of work. Every factor."
Winston also may have also just sunk his chance to make Heisman history.
"Winning that second Heisman was always going to be an uphill climb, but now it becomes that much harder," said the Heisman Pundit, Chris Huston. "Voters gave him the benefit of the doubt last season when he was accused of -- but not charged with -- rape. It's unlikely that they will give him the same leeway after first being caught stealing and, now, after shouting obscenities into a microphone."
Never mind that Winston's season numbers will be impacted in some fashion by missing a half.
For a reference point, consider that the last Heisman winner to get the award despite missing a game was Florida State's Charlie Ward in 1993.
WWL contacted 11 Heisman voters for a straw poll. Seven of them had Winston in their top three last year. Eight of them said they would at least consider this latest incident when casting their 2014 ballot. Some were more strident.
"Don't think I will [vote for him] again, no matter how his season unfolds," said Greg Hansen, columnist at the Arizona Daily Star. "The compilation of his off-field troubles strikes me as unbecoming of someone worthy to represent college football's top award."
Scott Rabalais of the Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate: "While I can't honestly say now how I will vote in December, I can say I won't forget this latest episode when I decide who I will vote for this time. The Heisman voting rules give voters great latitude in deciding what factors to consider. To me, character matters."
Finally, Randy Peterson of the Des Moines Register: "Not planning to vote for him ... unless he promises to sign over one NFL paycheck a month to something related to the prevention of athlete entitlement."
Maybe the most unsettling part of all this is Winston riding in for a second-half comeback against Clemson. Because of his conduct, because of his suspension, there would be some ready to cast Jameis in a familiar, clichéd football role.
Hero.
The rest
Florida at Alabama: The Gators -- and by extension Will Muschamp -- don't have to necessarily win, they just have to play well. The Gators -- and Muschamp's job security -- are still a work in progress. Giving the Tide reason for pause -- definition: playing close -- would be progress.
In a game with two heavily scrutinized quarterbacks -- Jeff Driskel, Blake Sims -- this one might come down to the passing game. That's another way of saying pay attention one of the best individual matchups of the season -- All-American and Heisman candidate Amari Cooper vs. lockdown Florida corner Vernon Hargreaves III.
Oklahoma at West Virginia: Best quarterback in the Big 12? Right now it's West Virginia's Clint Trickett. No question.
Wait, make that Trickett is the best player in the Big 12 at the moment. Once again, no question. A year ago the Florida State transfer started seven games, completed only 52 percent of his passes and didn't qualify to be ranked among the top 100 in efficiency. This season, after shoulder surgery, he leads the Big 12 in yards, accuracy and efficiency. The last Power 5 quarterback to lead a conference in those three categories was one Johnny Manziel -- last season.
He is -- statistically -- the nation's best Power 5 quarterback playing for a winning team after three weeks.
We're not saying Trickett is going to win the Heisman or that West Virginia is even going to beat Oklahoma (an 11½-point favorite) this week. But Dana Holgorsen and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson deserve loads of credit.
Two years ago, OU gave up 778 yards and won by a point (50-49) in Morgantown.
OU defensive end Chuka Ndulue's takeaway on the experience: "They're [fans] loud and rude. Very loud and very rude. I always go back to Florida State. That's the loudest place I've been at. [West Virginia is] disrespectful."
The nation's second-longest winning streak (OU, seven) is at stake.
Mississippi State at LSU : Bulldogs trending up: Dak Prescott just went 200-100 (passing/rushing) vs. South Alabama. Mississippi State's 131 points through three games are its most since 1944. Bulldogs trending down: LSU has won 14 in a row in the series. Dan Mullen is 1-16 against Auburn, Alabama, Texas A&M and LSU.
Northern Illinois at Arkansas: Hogs everywhere are hoping that last week's performance against Texas Tech was a breakthrough for Bret Bielema. The Razorbacks physically dominated the Red Raiders with 438 rushing yards. Rod Carey's Huskies have the look of the 2012 bunch that went to the Orange Bowl.
Two top-10 rushing offenses meet (Arkansas No. 2, NIU No. 7).
Based on the NCAA's future opposition metric, Arkansas has the toughest remaining schedule in the country. Its combined foes are 19-2 at the moment.
Indiana at Missouri: Last nonconference challenge for the Tigers before we find out their SEC East worthiness. Next three games: at South Carolina, Georgia at home, at Florida. For now, why can't Mizzou win the East? Maty Mauk is tied for the national lead in touchdowns (12). Indiana's Tevin Coleman leads the country in rushing (218.5 yards per game).
Miami at Nebraska: A throwback jersey of a game. A game suited for a bobblehead giveaway. Turner Gill! Bernie Kosar!
For those of you without wrinkles, this game nearly 31 years ago in the Orange Bowl started the Miami dynasty. It ushered in a new era in the game. Miami's speed was dominant and took the game by surprise. Tom Osborne going for two earned guts points that night, but the dynastic coach would have to wait 11 years for his first national championship.
About the only thing Tommy Armstrong has in common with Gill is that they play the same position. Brad Kaaya is no Kosar. Sometimes all you can do is reminisce.
Would Bo Pelini have gone for two?
"Yeah," he said this week, "I would have."
North Carolina at East Carolina: The Pirates terrorized South Carolina and then sealed the deal against Virginia Tech. The Tar Heels have been warned. An East Carolina win clearly establishes the Pirates as the Golden Ticket favorite.
Oregon at Washington State: One quarterback -- (Cougs' Connor Halliday) is the nation's leading passer. The other (Marcus Mariota) is the Heisman favorite (at the moment). Halliday is averaging more than 58 throws per game. Only A&M's Kenny Hill has thrown more touchdowns without an interception (11). Mariota has eight TD passes.
Eastern Michigan at Michigan State: If the Spartans and Big Ten are getting back into the playoff race, it starts with a spanking of the Eagles. The Fightin' Dantonios gained a lot of respect in Eugene.
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