Top 10 Heisman Trophy Candidates After College Football Week 7

In one of the most exciting college football games of the season so far, Bryce Petty led a mad rally to keep the No. 4 Baylor Bears perfect in 2014 with a 61-58 win over then-No. 9 TCU. Petty was slinging it with 510 yards passing and six touchdowns on the day to lead the rally as the Bears scored 24-unanswered to close out the game, keeping Baylor in the hunt for the College Football Playoff and jumpstarting Petty's Heisman campaign.

Perhaps falling victim to his phenomenal success in 2013, Jameis Winston has been underwhelming so far this season. He provided a bit of a jolt to his Heisman defense with a strong performance against Syracuse, completing 30-of-36 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns. However, he'll need to do more than just be good against an average team like the Orange if he hopes to take home a second Heisman Trophy.

There's no question that Todd Gurley is one of the elite talents in college football this season but due to his indefinite suspension, he's unable to show that on the field. If you can't get onto the field, you can't win the Heisman. His only hope is to have his NCAA investigation completed quickly and to get back on the field to dominate once again in 2014. Even then, this scandal could ultimately cost him his Heisman candidacy.

It wasn't your typical Bo Wallace performance on Saturday, but the Ole Miss QB found a way to follow up his signature win against Alabama in Week 6 with a strong showing against Texas A&M in Week 7. He finished the game completing just 13-of-19 passes for 178 yards but led the team with 50 yards rushing on 14 carries and scored three total touchdowns in the 35-20 win.

Nebraska was on a bye this week and will be looking to get Ameer Abdullah back on track when the return to the field in Week 8. He had a rough outing against Michigan State in Week 6, averaging just 1.9 yards per carry (though he found the endzone twice) but there's no doubt Abdullah is one of college football's best running backs. If he can carry the Huskers to a Big Ten title this season, he might earn himself some Heisman love.

Amari Cooper ran into the challenge every wide receiver faces when trying to win the Heisman when he was shut out of the Alabama offense on Saturday. Cooper finished with just two catches for 22 yards and was a non-factor in the Tide's narrow 14-13 win over Arkansas. Another disappearing act from Cooper could push him out of the Heisman conversation entirely.

Everett Golson stepped up in a major way to lead Notre Dame past an upset-minded North Carolina ahead of the Irish's big matchup with FSU in Week 8. Golson threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 71 yards on 12 carries to pace ND in their 50-43 shootout win. Since returning from his academic probation, Golson has looked very sharp and the leader of an undefeated Irish team will always get Heisman buzz.

While Wisconsin as a team has been a bit of a disappointment this season, Melvin Gordon is as good as advertised. He continues to put the Badgers offense on his back and carry them to victory, which he did again in Week 7 with 27 rushes for 175 yards and four touchdowns against Illinois. The struggles of the rest of the Wisconsin team could end up costing Gordon, however, as Heisman voters look for impact players on the best teams in the country.

Marcus Mariota and the Oregon offense enjoyed a major bounce-back performance this week against UCLA after suffering their first loss of the season in Week 6. Mariota made it look easy with his smooth playmaking ability, throwing for 210 yards on 17-of-27 passing while rushing for 75 yards on just seven carries and accounting for four total touchdowns. Mariota is the real deal and a strong contender for the Heisman this season.

Another week, another win against a top-10 opponent for Mississippi State and Dak Prescott. No team has enjoyed the meteoric rise of MSU this season and Prescott is a major reason why. Against Auburn, Prescott threw for 246 yards, rushed for another 121 and scored three touchdowns as he led the Bulldogs over the Tigers 38-23. Heisman campaigns are fueled by big-time wins and Prescott now has three of them in his last three games.