By Olin Buchanan

A rash of poor performances by leading Heisman Trophy candidates last Saturday has created a wide-open race for the award.

Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel, Baylor’s Bryce Petty and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota struggled in losses, while the candidacies of Alabama QB A.J. McCarron, Arizona RB Ka’Deem Carey and Boston College’s Andre Williams surged.