Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon Emerging as Heisman Front-Runner?

Sep 21, 2013; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps Montee Ball couldn’t win the Heisman Trophy, even with arguably the greatest single season anyone has seen from a college running back in a long, long time. But maybe he can help Melvin Gordon win one.

Even though Ball didn’t win the Heisman at Wisconsin, he was part of getting the school on the national map, and at least getting SOME Heisman publicity and recognition, winning the Doak Walker award.

Melvin Gordon might not be as famous right now as Johnny Manziel or Marcus Mariota, or some other top Heisman candidates. But Gordon is absolutely dominating college football right now, regardless of what level he’s playing on or who Wisconsin is playing.

In my eyes, he’s established a little Heisman run, and his performance against Purdue has likely catapulted him into the national spotlight.

Gordon ran all over the Boilermakers, racking up 147 yards on 16 carries with three touchdowns, averaging over nine yards per touch. For the season (four games), Gordon is averaging over 12 yards per carry, and he’s run for a grand total of 624 yards and seven touchdowns on a mere 53 carries.

That, my friends, is what we call getting it done.

Gordon has firmly put himself on my personal Heisman radar. Whether or not voters choose to notice him at this point is up to them, but he certainly deserves some national credit for what he’s doing, which is absolutely dominating and running all over folks.