Winston ultimately solidified his status as Heisman front-runner after guiding No. 1 Florida State to a 45-7 blowout of No. 20 Duke to punch the Seminoles' ticket to the BCS national championship game. Winston threw for 330 yards and had three touchdown passes while rushing for a score.

Williams eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards on the season and had at least 200 yards five times this this season, including 339 yards on 42 carries against NC State. The Eagles, who won two games in 2012, finished 7-5 in 2013 and will play Arizona in the AdvoCare V100 Bowl.

Just like Auburn's national championship campaign, Mason's Heisman candidacy gained steam late in the season. In his last five games, Mason has rushed for 868 yards and 13 touchdowns, including 304 yards and four touchdowns in the Tigers' win over Missouri in the SEC championship game.

Carey is second in the country in carries and fourth in both rushing yards and touchdowns. He has rushed for at least 100 yards in every game this season for Arizona and has twice surpassed 200 yards, including a 206-yard, four-touchdown effort in the Wildcats' win over Oregon.

Alabama's three-peat attempt ended at the hands of Auburn, leaving the Crimson Tide with an Allstate Sugar Bowl berth as a consolation prize. McCarron completed 67.6 percent of his passes this season for 26 touchdowns and five interceptions.