The race for 2013 Heisman Trophy continues to gather steam as major FBS programs roll through non-conference play. Marquee early-season victories have boosted the candidacy of several major contenders, like Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd and Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner. Meanwhile, Georgia's Aaron Murray and Todd Gurley have remained in the hunt despite losing to Boyd and the Tigers on the first Saturday of the season.
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Next up: Texas A&M and Alabama – or, for the interest of the Heisman race, Johnny Manziel and AJ McCarron. A win for Manziel could move him back to the forefront of the Heisman conversation. Likewise for McCarron, one of the most successful quarterbacks in FBS history.
With another two or three weeks until the start of conference play, here are 10 leading contenders for the 2013 Heisman:
1. Clemson QB Tajh Boyd
Season stats: 32-of-53 for 439 yards; three touchdowns, zero interceptions
Boyd has the best win of any quarterback in the FBS, beating Georgia in the opener, and will have two more opportunities – against Florida State and South Carolina – to impress the voting public.
2. Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater
Season stats: 46-of-60 for 752 yards; nine touchdowns, one interception
Bridgewater has nine touchdowns against 14 incomplete passes – a pretty good ratio. This Louisville offense shouldn't be overly tested by any opponent on the 2013 schedule.
3. Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel
Season stats: 35-of-50 for 520 yards; six touchdowns, one interception; 13 carries for 55 yards
Manziel has taken a slight hit due to his early-season suspension, but he seemed back to his old self in Texas A&M's rout of Sam Houston State. A win against Alabama would lift Manziel back into the top spot.
4. Georgia RB Todd Gurley
Season stats: 42 carries for 286 yards, three touchdowns
There's been no better back in college football during the first two weeks of the 2013 season. Gurley was a brawler in Saturday's win against South Carolina, toting a career-high 30 carries.
5. Georgia QB Aaron Murray
Season stats: 37-of-52 for 632 yards; four touchdowns, one interception
Murray's woebegone history against South Carolina was reversed during 60 minutes of Heisman-worthy production. Can Georgia's offense put two starters into the Heisman mix? One might fall by the wayside at the expense of the other.
6. Alabama QB AJ McCarron
Season stats: 10-of-23 for 110 yards; one touchdown, one interception
McCarron was not at his best in a season-opening win against Virginia Tech, nor was Alabama's offense as a whole. But he'll rebound, as will his team, and McCarron can easily move ahead of several other contenders with a win at Texas A&M.
7. Oregon QB Marcus Mariota
Season stats: 26-of-49 for 433 yards; three touchdowns, zero interceptions; nine carries for 235 yards, three touchdowns
Mariota's spot could easily go to junior De'Anthony Thomas, who has excelled as the Ducks' new featured back. But for now, Mariota's blend of passing talent and running ability – check out his 71-yard touchdown scamper against Virginia – has him as Oregon's top contender.
8. Michigan QB Devin Gardner
Season stats: 31-of-48 for 456 yards; five touchdowns, three interceptions; 20 carries for 134 yards, three touchdowns
Gardner excelled under the bright lights against Notre Dame, accounting for five touchdowns, and Heisman campaigns have historically been built on far less.
9. Ohio State QB Braxton Miller
Season stats: 17-of-24 for 208 yards; two touchdowns, one interception; 18 carries for 82 yards
Miller missed nearly all of Saturday's win against San Diego State and could potentially miss more time this weekend against California. Though he excels between the white lines, it would hurt Miller's candidacy to miss extended time in September.
10. Miami (Fla.) RB Duke Johnson
Season stats: 40 carries for 245 yards, two touchdowns
Johnson has been as good as advertised since joining the Hurricanes last fall. Although his numbers weren't spectacular against Florida, the Hurricanes' victory gives Johnson a major boost.
Paul Myerberg, a national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports, is on Twitter@PaulMyerberg.
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