2017 Heisman race at the halfway point

2017 stats: 471 yds, 5 TDs, 2 INT, 40% completion passing; 870 yds, 9 TD rushing

Abey isn't your typical quarterback. He isn't much for passing — just 40 pass attempts all season — but he runs that Navy ground attack to precision. He's run for at least two TDs in all but one game this season and has met every challenge thus far. You know he's going to run the ball, but it is so hard to stop it.

2017 stats: 776 yds, 5 TDs rushing; 84 yds, 0 TDs receiving

Notre Dame is having a nice bounce-back season, and Adams is a big reason why. He is sixth in the nation in rushing yards and averaging a whopping nine yards per carry. He has had three games in which he's rushed for at least 159 yards and has broke off runs of 65 yards or more four times. A big-play back on a suddenly big-time offense, don't sleep on Adams.

2017 stats: 649 yds, 6 TDs rushing; 29 receptions, 395 yds, 2 TDs receiving

Barkley may be the favorite right now. He's been electric as the main cog in a very good Penn State offense that sees the Nittany Lions in a great spot to get one of those elusive playoff spots. His Heisman campaign could come down to how he performs down the stretch against Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State. 

2017 stats: 1,513 yds, 16 TDs, 1 INT, 63.8% completion passing; 311 yds, 3 TDs rushing

I know people hear Barrett's name and dismiss him a bit, but he has been damn good all year (OK, save for his performance against Oklahoma). His stats are tremendous, and he's looking a lot like the guy who was in the Heisman race as a freshman. 

2017 stats: 1,466 yds, 14 TDs, 3 INT, 70.5% completion passing; 65 yds, 3 TDs rushing

Browning was solidly in the Heisman race last year and is back at it again in 2017. Other than a tough week against Colorado (which his team won 37-10), Browning has been big every week. While many are sleeping on the consistent Browning, he has some big games coming up to flex his wares.

2017 stats: 1,705 yds, 12 TDs, 9 INT, 64.8% completion passing; 7 yds, 3 TDs rushing

Darnold entered the season with a ton of buzz and the look of a guy who could eventually be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. While Darnold has had a fine year racking up yards, he has made a lot of mistakes. He's thrown a pick in every game this year and was outplayed by Washington State's Luke Falk. But when Sam is on, he looks like one of the best QBs in the country.

2017 stats: 2,000 yds, 19 TDs, 2 INT, 71.8% completion passing

Falk is a gunslinger who just keeps on putting up big numbers. The senior has thrown for nearly 13,000 yards and 108 TDs in his career. He's so consistent, throwing for 38 TDs in each of the last two seasons, and at the midpoint of this season, he has 19. He leads the nation in touchdown passes and is fifth in completion percentage.

2017 stats: 654 yds, 10 TDs rushing; 136 yds receiving

Freeman's shine has fallen off a bit by averaging just 64.7 yards per game and scoring just one TD over the last three weeks. Still, he's scored 10 touchdowns already this season, and Oregon, while not a title contender, is having a bounce-back season. With injuries at the quarterback position, the Ducks will rely on Freeman more as the season goes along. Maybe he can bounce back himself.

2017 stats: 1,740 yds, 16 TDs, 4 INT, 63% completion passing; 140 yds, 2 TDs rushing

Grier has the look and the game of a Heisman Trophy winner. In his first year at West Virginia, he's among the best in the nation in passer rating, passing yards and touchdowns. While he doesn't rely on rushing the ball like some others on this list, he is extremely athletic and does a great job extending plays and picking up first downs with his legs. In the ultra-competitive Big 12, he'll be on some big stages down the stretch. 

2017 stats: 500 yds, 7 TDs rushing; 38 yds receiving

It will be tough for Harris to separate himself from quarterback Jalen Hurts so winning a Heisman is an uphill battle. Still, Harris is having a fine season as the lead back in a stacked backfield. As long as Alabama stays atop the polls, Harris will continue to have eyes on him.

2017 stats: 870 yds, 7 TDs, 0 INT 63.1% completion passing; 517 yds, 5 TDs rushing

Hurts doesn't have the stats his contemporaries have, but he is the quarterback of the No. 1 team in the land and the Tide's offense has been very good. In reality, he may be a year away from being a serious Heisman contender, but he's got 'Bama cruising along toward yet another championship game.

2017 stats: 1,990 yds, 14 TDs, 4 INT, 62.2% completion passing; 510 yds, 7 TDs rushing

Jackson is trying to join Ohio State's Archie Griffin as the only two-time Heisman Trophy winners. The difference between this year and last is Louisville's start — the Cardinals blew out of the gate and were a rankings darling last year. This season, they've stumbled a bit, and Jackson hasn't been headline-grabbing. Still, there's only one player who knows what it takes to win the award, so don't rule Jackson out yet.

2017 stats: 1,240 yds, 9 TDs rushing; 19 yds receiving

Love is the nation's leading rusher, and it isn't even close. He's averaging a stunning 10.5 yards per carry, and he's already carried the ball 118 times. If Stanford can keep relevant, Love stays near the top of the Heisman race.

2017 stats: 1,635 yds, 15 TDs, 0 INT, 74.6% completion passing; 74 yds, 1 TD rushing

Like Barkley, Mayfield is one of the steady leaders heading into the second half of the season. The knock against him thus far is some of his antics and how his team just lost at home to Iowa State. His completion percentage and zero interceptions are most impressive, but he may need to carry the Sooners on his shoulders if he wants to carry the trophy in December.

2017 stats: 1,597 yds, 13 TDs, 4 INT, 67% completion passing; 178 yds, 4 TDs rushing

With Saquon Barkley wowing the country, people tend to forget just how good McSorley is. He's passed for nearly the same amount of yards as Baker Mayfield, more TD passes than Sam Darnold and nearly the same passer rating as Lamar Jackson. Penn State has big plans for the season, and as long as the Nittany Lions are in the title hunt McSorley should be in the Heisman race.

2017 stats: 27 tackles, 2 forced fumbles

Defensive players tend not to fare well when the Heisman is on the line. Only one true defensive player (Charles Woodson) has won the award — and even he returned kicks and played sparingly on offense — and only a handful of defensive players have even been seriously considered. However, Oliver is a beast, and if he continues to dominate games as he has (even with offenses catered to blocking him), his name should stay out there.

2017 stats: 993 yds, 9 TDs rushing; 127 yds, 2 TDs receiving

Penny sat behind Donnel Pumphrey for year and is now breaking out as the Aztecs' starter. He is second in the nation in rushing yards and fourth in TD runs. While it is tough to get attention at San Diego State, Penny has done OK with his big games and the Aztecs' success. If they can keep rising up the polls, Penny's value as a Heisman candidate will improve.

2017 stats: 2,135 yds, 17 TDs, 5 INT, 64.9% completion passing; 23 yds, 1 TD rushing

Rosen has piled up a ton of stats, leading the nation in passing yards, and the Bruins offense has been outstanding. His mistakes usually loom large, and UCLA hasn't had the season many thought it would so he's a bit of a dark horse. Still, Rosen's name should stay in the race for the season as well as around NFL Draft time.

2017 stats: 1,909 yds, 16 TDs, 4 INT, 67.6% completion passing; 60 yds, 5 TDs rushing

Rudolph leads one of the most exciting offenses in the nation, and Oklahoma State is in the running for a Big 12 title. The league is tough this year, which gives Rudolph ample opportunities to make an impression. One drawback is teammate James Washington could split votes with him.

2017 stats: 28 receptions, 647 yds, 5 TDs

Washington is one of the premier pass-catchers in the nation and the lone receiver on this list. This season and throughout his career, Washington has been great at making big plays and racking up a ton of yards. His Heisman candidacy takes a bit of a hit since his quarterback, Mason Rudolph, is also a serious candidate.