Top 5 Maxwell Award Candidates Heading Into Week 13

Dak Prescott took a slight step back in his bid to win the Maxwell this year after suffering a heartbreaking 25-20 loss to Alabama. Although Prescott threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns, he also threw three INTs and completed only 56.3 percent of his passes. He will get an opportunity to get back on track as he faces a much easier opponent in Vanderbilt this Saturday.

The 6-foot-2 junior from Dallas continued his impressive 2014 campaign against the Kansas Jayhawks this past Saturday. He completed 26-of-36 pass attempts for 330 yards, one TD and one INT in TCU's 34-30 victory. He has amassed over 3,500 total yards, 31 total TDs and only five INTs so far this season. His last performance didn't help him move up this list, but it didn't push him down either.

Not only is Amari Cooper the top favorite to win the Fred Biletnikoff Award for the nation's best wide receiver, but he is also a strong candidate for the Maxwell Award. In a marquee matchup against Mississippi State this past Saturday, Cooper recorded eight catches for 88 yards and a TD. This brings his season totals up to 87 receptions, 1,303 receiving yards and 11 TDs. He will add even more to that total against Western Carolina on Saturday.

With over 3,700 total yards, 37 total TDs and only two INTs, Marcus Mariota is a strong favorite to win this award. His last game against Utah helped to solidify his ranking as he threw for 239 yards, three TDs and zero INTs. Additionally, and in the same game, he rushed for 114 yards and a TD. He is the ultimate dual-threat QB in college football this season and will easily add on to his numbers this Saturday against Colorado.

After breaking LaDainian Tomlinson's single-game rushing record of 406 yards by rushing for 408 in three quarters, Melvin Gordon is the clear favorite to win the Maxwell Award now. After his historic performance this past Saturday against Nebraska, Gordon has 1,909 rushing yards and 23 TDs. Look for him to break the 2000-yard barrier this Saturday against Iowa and continue to make his case for winning the Maxwell along with other awards.