DeSean Bishop Holds Eighth in On3 Heisman Poll After Week 8

Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop remains in the national Heisman Trophy conversation after Week 8, placing eighth in the latest On3 poll with 30 points. The ranking is compiled from ballots submitted by On3's national experts, with each voter listing 10 players and points awarded on a sliding scale, from 10 points for a first-place vote down through the ballot.

Bishop's position comes despite a disappointing weekend for his team. He played well against South Carolina, but Tennessee lost to the Gamecocks 27-24, a result that overshadowed his individual performance. Through eight games this season, Bishop has carried the ball 171 times for 957 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 5.6 yards per carry, and he has added nine catches for 64 yards.

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith leads the poll with 120 points, even though the Buckeyes were off over the weekend. Smith has 52 catches for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. Miami quarterback Darian Mensah is second with 102 points, just ahead of his teammate, wide receiver Malachi Toney, who is third with 100 points after another big game in a blowout win over Pitt.

Oregon State wide receiver Jesse Legree is fourth with 82 points, followed by Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss in fifth with 54 points after the Rebels lost to Texas. Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker, Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson, Bishop, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier and Duke running back Nate Sheppard complete the top 10.

For Tennessee, Bishop's continued presence in the top 10 underlines how productive he has been even as the team's results have fluctuated. Staying there will depend on maintaining that production over the closing stretch, while the race above him is currently led by Smith and the unbeaten Miami pair of Mensah and Toney.