Big Ten Football Heisman Watch: Week 5 edition

Sep 19, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones (12) eludes the tackle of Northern Illinois Huskies defensive end Ben Compton (56) during the first half at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Cardale Jones continues to drop in my Heisman watch each week as the Ohio State quarterback continues to play wild and, at times, lazy. He currently ranks 12th in the conference in passing yards — yes, he’s 12th out of 14 starters — and his four touchdown passes are tied for ninth.

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So why is he even in my Heisman watch at all, you ask? I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: whoever starts at quarterback for Ohio State will end up in the Heisman conversation by the end of the season, and realistically, Jones probably has a better shot at winning the trophy than 10 out of 11 quarterbacks ahead of him in passing yards in the Big Ten.

In my opinion, however, I think J.T. Barrett is the best pure quarterback Ohio State has, but Buckeyes’ head coach Urban Meyer has anointed Jones with starting duties for the second time this year after another sort of controversy.

On the season, Cardale has been a bit erratic, passing for 622 yards and four touchdowns, but he has also thrown four picks and completed just 57 percent of his passes. He needs to really prove he’s deserving of No. 1 QB duties in order for him to move up this list.

Next: 5. C.J. Beathard, Iowa