Burrow pulling ahead in race

USA TODAY Sports Network’s Heisman survey

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow has taken a comfortable lead in the USA TODAY Sports Network’s weekly Heisman survey. Then again, his lead is only as comfortable as his next game.

Burrow was named first on 14 ballots and second on six others in this week’s survey of official Heisman electors who work for USA TODAY Network properties. His passing numbers in the Bayou Bengals’ 23-20 win against Auburn were impressive enough, 32 of 42 for 331 yards and his 30th TD of the season.

But he also demonstrated his toughness in the hard-hitting affair, setting the tone with a third-down scramble in the first half that preserved a scoring drive. That might have helped cement his lead in the survey this week. Well, that and the fact that his nearest pursuer’s team lost.

Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts slid to a more distant second, though he did his best to rescue the Sooners from a 25-point deficit before coming up short 48-41 at Kansas State.

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who didn’t play this weekend while recovering from an ankle procedure, remains in third place. The Crimson Tide handled Arkansas without him, but he is expected to return for Alabama’s head-to-head showdown with Burrow and LSU on Nov. 9.

Three different Ohio State players occupy the fourth through sixth spots following the Buckeyes’ dominant performance against Wisconsin. Defensive end Chase Young was listed most frequently on nine ballots. Running back J.K. Dobbins and QB Justin Fields also earned notice. All of those top six will be off this weekend.