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FSU's Winston Beginning A Heisman Push

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) – Florida State University has had two Heisman Trophy winners in the last 20 years, Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke. Another FSU quarterback is now making his case to join that esteemed group of players.

Jameis Winston has quickly rocketed up Heisman polls as he leads an extremely proficient offense through the first five games of the season. Winston has moved all the way up to third on the straw poll on Heismanpundit.com.

The straw poll is from 10 anonymous Heisman voters who weigh in on who they think will take home college football's top individual award. Currently, Johnny Manziel leads the balloting followed by Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and then Winston.

Winston's completing 73.2 percent of his passes, has thrown for 1,441 yards, has 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions through his first five games as a starter. Projecting his numbers out for a season has him passing for 3,458 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just five interceptions.

While Winston has been stellar through the first part of the season, he's about to hit the most grueling part of FSU's schedule where his Heisman candidacy will be determined. FSU is off this week and then plays third ranked Clemson in what will be a battle of top 10 teams.

After that, FSU gets a little bit of a reprieve with a game against the NC State Wolfpack before another huge game on November 2nd against what will likely be an unbeaten Miami Hurricanes team.

If FSU can get past both Clemson and Miami, Winston will likely have an inside track to the Heisman Trophy. If he adds a victory against Florida and an undefeated season to his list of accomplishments, he'll probably strike the Heisman pose as a redshirt freshman this year.

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