Theres officially no more drama left in the race for the

Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - While championship weekend caused a big shake up in the College Football Playoff rankings, it was uneventful in the Heisman race as the favorite only separated himself from the field even more. 1. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon (last week: No. 1) -- Theres officially no more drama left in the race for the Heisman Trophy, as Mariota sewed up the award with yet another dazzling performance in the Pac-12 title game against Arizona (51-13). Mariota successfully avenged the Ducks only loss of the season to the Wildcats back in October by completing 25-of-38 passes for 313 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while rushing for an additional three scores. After Mariotas big-game presence was questioned in recent seasons with crucial losses late in the year, the star signal caller has stepped up with one of the greatest seasons in recent memory, passing for 3,783 yards while throwing just two interceptions in 372 attempts, and rushing for 669 yards. Hes accounted for 53 total touchdowns, the most by an FBS player in a single season since 2008 (Chase Clement 57, Sam Bradford 55). Expect a near- unanimous vote in Mariotas favor on Saturday night in an exciting precursor to Oregons College Football Playoff experience. 2. Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin (last week: No. 2) -- It was an anticlimactic finish to the season for Gordon and the Badgers, who were embarrassed in the Big Ten Championship Game by Ohio State, 59-0. For the first time since Sept. 9 (a span of 10 straight games), Gordon failed to top 100 yards rushing in the blowout loss, as he turned 26 carries into only 76 yards. The stud tailback had worked his way into a neck-and-neck competition with Mariota for the award with his outstanding play of late, which was highlighted by a then- FBS single-game record 408 yards against Nebraska on Nov. 15, but he needed a much better performance against Ohio State to earn additional first-place votes. Ending the campaign on a whimper has all but locked up the award for Mariota, but Gordon and his Big Ten-record 2,336 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns is a deserving No. 2. 3. Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama (last week: No 3) -- The Crimson Tide dominated Missouri in the SEC Championship Game with a 42-13 victory, and Cooper capped the regular season with his fifth double-digit reception game of the year, as he finished with 12 catches for 83 yards. The performance left Cooper with 115 receptions on the year, which is not only tops in the nation but an SEC record, breaking Jordan Matthews (Vanderbilt) previous mark of 112 set last season. Cooper is the most dominant receiver in the country -- his 1,656 yards is also most in the FBS and his 14 touchdowns are tied for second. Alabama was heavily reliant on Cooper this season, as the teams 16 other pass-catchers combined for just 153 receptions, and its likely Bama wouldnt be the No. 1 team ready to take on Ohio State in the College Football Playoff without Cooper. 4. Trevone Boykin, QB, TCU (last week: No 4) -- The Horned Frogs have experienced several different emotions over the past week. They were riding high into their matchup with Iowa State as the No. 3 team in the College Football Playoff rankings, and took care of business with a resounding 55-3 victory over the Cyclones, only to get leapfrogged by Ohio State in the final version of the rankings to miss out on the tournament. Its certainly a frustrating time for TCU, but at least it can hang its hat on Boykin as a Heisman finalist. The signal caller saved his best performance for last, as he threw for a career-high 460 yards on 30-of-41 passing against ISU, rushing for 44 yards and even caught a 55-yard touchdown. Boykins not going to win the award, but with more than 4,400 total yards and 39 touchdowns, he deserves to be mentioned among the best of the best. 5. Cody Kessler, QB, USC (last week: No. 5) -- Last year, six players were invited to New York City as finalists, a rarity, but expect the number to go back to the traditional four this year, with Kessler falling just shy of finalist distinction. Kessler was arguably the nations best pocket passer with 3,505 yards on 70.7 percent completions, 36 touchdowns and just four interceptions, and if he decides to return for his senior season he can expect another shot at the award in 2015. 6. Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor (last week: No. 6) -- The Bears have all the same beefs as TCU, a team they defeated on their way to an 11-1 record, but ultimately the College Football Playoff committee punished the Big 12 for not having a conference championship game. Petty ended the year on a high note to give his team the best opportunity to sneak into the field. In a 38-27 victory over nationally-ranked Kansas State, Petty completed 85 percent of his passes (34-of-40) for 412 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while adding a rushing touchdown. Petty failed to make the finalist field last season with 46 touchdowns, and he fell well short of that number this time around with 31, but his accomplishments as the captain of the nations most prolific offense are still worth noting. 7. Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana (last week: No. 7) -- Gordon has cast a large shadow over the running backs this season, but Coleman quietly went about his business for a three-win Indiana team by recording a 2,000-yard season of his own (2,036 to be exact) while scoring 15 touchdowns. The tailbacks accomplishments are even greater considering he chewed up some impressive defenses like Missouri, Michigan State, Ohio State and Iowa in a one- dimensional offense where he was the only weapon. 8. Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State (last week: unranked) -- Its difficult to gauge which is more impressive: the Seminoles undefeated record or their uncanny ability to pull out nail-biting wins without looking very good. FSU was up to their usual shenanigans in the ACC Championship Game, as it held off Georgia Tech for a 37-35 to secure its spot in the College Football Playoff. After struggling mightily leading up to the game with 11 interceptions in the previous five contests, Winston finally looked like his old self in the victory, completing 21-of-30 passes for 309 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. But it was too little, too late for the reigning Heisman winner, who sits with 3,559 yards, 24 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Now well have to see if the Seminoles can continue their magic against Oregon in the playoff, and ultimately if Winston returns for his junior season to try and rebound from a disappointing individual campaign this year. 9. Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State (last week: No. 10) -- All of the momentum Prescott built up while leading his team to a 9-0 start came to a screeching halt once the Bulldogs closed out the regular season with losses in two of three games, but even with a poor finish the quarterback put together a fantastic year with 2,996 passing yards, 939 rushing yards and 38 total touchdowns. If Prescott improves as much next season as he did from his sophomore to junior years, hell be in the thick of the 2015 Heisman race as well. 10. Gerod Holliman, DB, Louisville -- Holliman finally sneaks onto the list after weeks of being relegated to honorable mention status. One of the best defensive players in the nation, Holliman was a game-changer in the secondary for the 9-3 Cardinals with an FBS-record tying 14 interceptions, including two off Winston back on Oct. 30. Holliman will have a chance to break Al Worleys 46-year-old record in the Belk Bowl against Georgia. Dropped Out: Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma; Anu Solomon, QB, Arizona. Honorable Mention: Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska; Nick Marshall, QB, Auburn; Bo Wallace, QB, Ole Miss. Adrian Wilson Youth Jersey .The 24-year-old quarterback spent four seasons at Northern Illinois and in 2013 was a finalist for the Heisman, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in U. Andy Isabella Cardinals Jersey . The rookie is rewarding their faith with a stellar first season. MacKinnon had a goal and two assists, Jamie McGinn had two goals and an assist, and Colorado beat the Buffalo Sabres 7-1 on Saturday. http://www.thecardinalsshoponline.com/Youth-Kurt-Warner-Cardinals-Jersey/ . Two weeks after suffering a concussion, Foles will start in place of Michael Vick, who is out for the second time this season with a hamstring injury. Kurt Warner Cardinals Jersey . -- The Oakland Raiders expect to have starting right tackle Tony Pashos back for Sundays game against the Houston Texans. Arizona Cardinals Jerseys . Edmonton opened the season with 14 straight victories before falling Friday night 10-8 to the host Colorado Mammoth in National Lacrosse League action.DETROIT - Ndamukong Suhs first game this season will be against an injury-plagued offensive line. Not that the Detroit star needs any extra advantages in a Monday night tilt against the visiting New York Giants. You can catch all the action starting at 7pm et/4pm pt on TSN1, TSN3, TSN4 and TSN5. "Im going to treat this team just like any other team," Suh said. "I just expect to have success against them, understand what they do and understand their weaknesses and what their strengths are and try to get them out of their strengths and exploit their weaknesses." Suh and the Lions host the New York Giants on Monday night, and in many ways his contract situation underscores the amount of pressure Detroit is under. This is the final year of his deal, so this may be Detroits last chance to reach its full potential while he is still on the roster. The Giants lost guard Geoff Schwartz to a dislocated toe, and offensive linemen James Brewer (back), Charles Brown (shoulder) and Brandon Mosley (back) have been limited. New York quarterback Eli Manning was sacked 39 times last season. The Lions got to him twice when the Giants beat Detroit in December, with Nick Fairley and Ziggy Ansah contributing those sacks. "Suh is the guy who sticks out to most people but hes not the only guy we are concerned about," Giants guard John Jerry said. "They have a great front four. Theyve got guys who can stop the run and rush the passer, so were definitely going to have to be on top of our game." Suh made an impact immediately when the Lions drafted him in 2010. He has 27 1/2 sacks in four seasons, but Detroit was not able to sign him to a long-term deal this year. That adds at least a bit more urgency to 2014. The Lions collapsed toward the end of last season, wasting a great chance to make the playoffs, and coach Jim Schwartz was fired. Jim Caldwell took over, and Detroit still has an impressive core of talent that includes Suh, Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford. That group has never won a playoff game with Detroit — and has made the post-season only once. Suh is eager to return to the playoffs. "I dont necessarily know that I have goals other than winning and going to the playoffs, and having this defensive line be an exceptional one," Suh said. "We obviously love to get after the quarterback and make big plays, game-changing plays. Sacks without question are huge in our room." Thats especially true because Detroits secondary remains a concern. If Manning has time to throw, it could be a long night for the Lions. The Giants also missed the playoffs last season. Instead of fading down the stretch, they started 0-6, making a post-season appearance almost impossible. Manning threw a career-high 27 interceptions, and New York didnt run the ball very effectively, its backfield plagued by injuries. The blocking will be crucial to improving in both those areas. "It comes down to the offensive line," tackle Justin Pugh said. "We have to come out with the right mentality, be aggressive and physical, and we have to run the ball. Thats our job and we have to get it done." Suh will be there, trying to prevent that. "Every time you step on the football field is an opportunity to make a play, no matter who its going against," he said. "At the end of the day, Ive always kind of seen it as a defensive lineman, they have to block me, and I dont have to block them. I have to go out there and stop that quarterback and that running back. More or less, theyre the ones who have to stop me from doing what I want to do." San Diego Chargers at Arizona Cardinals - 10:15pm et/7:15pm pt (TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5) GLENDALE, Ariz. - A turnaround season under a new coach. That was the story of the San Diego Chargers and Arizona Cardinals a year ago, and both squads begin this season believing they will be even better. Only one of them will kick off the season with success because they meeet in the second half of the NFLs Monday night doubleheader.dddddddddddd. "We can win it all," Chargers safety Eric Weddle said. "We added some pieces we needed both offensively and defensively, got our guys back on special teams. We are a year better under the system. Nothing is impossible if everybody is doing the right thing and preparing the right way, playing together and playing fast." The Cardinals feel they are much better after a year under coach Bruce Arians system. Comparing this years offence to the one that started last season, Arians said, "would be like taking an eighth grader and putting him in the first grade. " Thats particularly true of quarterback Carson Palmer, in his 12th NFL season, second with Arizona. "This is the most comfort I have had in a while going into a season," he said, "and I think thats one of the things that I am so excited about is being comfortable and not having a bunch of unknowns. I think this whole locker room feels that way." There was one big difference in the teams seasons last year: The Chargers went 9-7 and made the playoffs, the Cardinals were 10-6 and didnt. Arizona fell victim to playing in the NFC West. "We know we have the toughest division in football, and we love that," eight-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said. "We love the competition, and we like our odds against the guys in our division." Here are some things to know about Monday nights matchup: ON THE RUN: Both teams want to get their running game going to facilitate their big-play, play-action abilities. "We do take our shots," Palmer said. "A lot of them come out of our play-action game. Those arent there if you arent running the football." The Chargers have three strong running backs in Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead and newcomer Donald Brown. Arizona, though, could be without dynamic running back Andre Ellington because of a foot injury. That would leave Jonathan Dwyer, Stepfan Taylor and Robert Hughes to carry the load. DIFFERENT Defence: The Cardinals will have a handful of new starters on a defence that ranked first against the run and sixth overall last season. The big question is up the middle. Inside linebackers Karlos Dansby and Daryl Washington are gone — Dansby to free agency, Washington to suspension. Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett went down in training camp with a season-ending knee injury. Veteran Larry Foote and second-year pro Kevin Minter are the replacement linebackers. Frostee Rucker, who saw a lot of playing time last season, moves up to start at tackle. NEW COACH, SAME SYSTEM: As offensive co-ordinator last year, Ken Whisenhunt got a lot of credit for quarterback Philip Rivers revival. Whisenhunt is now head coach at Tennessee, and Frank Reich moves up from quarterbacks coach to offensive co-ordinator. Dont expect to see much difference. "The systems in place," Chargers coach Mike McCoy said. "We have a system thats going to survive the long haul." McCoy brought the offence with him from Denver, where he was co-ordinator before being hired in San Diego. "Every co-ordinator has their tweaks and different things they like," Rivers said, "play-calling styles and wrinkles weve added to the offence. But from a system standpoint, we didnt change. Were doing the same thing and trying to build on what we got started in Year 1." CARDINAL SPEED: Arians loves "fast little guys" and he has two of them now: Ted Ginn Jr. and John Brown. The 5-foot-11 Brown, out of little Pittsburg State (Kansas), was the sensation of training camp. NO COMPARISON: The Chargers and Cardinals are playing for the second time in 12 days after they met in San Diego in the preseason finale. But neither team did anything to tip off the other as to what would be coming when the real thing arrived. Almost every starter sat that one out. ' ' '