It's been a little while since we've heard anything mentioned about America's favorite football-playing, celebrity-hopping, autograph-signing college football player.
So I think it's time we bring up Johnny Manziel again, but not in the way you think. Instead let's talk about the player who has a better chance of winning the Heisman: Oregon's Marcus Mariota.
In Mariota's first three games, he's responsible for more yards per game than Manziel (383.7 to 370.8) and has rushed for more yards in three games (262) than Johnny Football has in four (255).
Mariota is faster than Manziel in straight-line speed and also has a better arm. Mariota is more accurate, has a slightly stronger arm and has better touch on his passes.
Mariota has one other advantage, too: He has the better attitude. You won't see Mariota mingling with stars. You won't see him shoving graduate assistants at practice. instead, his focus will be on whoever he's playing, nothing else.
Manziel-mania took the college football world by storm last year, but it's time we hop on the Marcus Mariota bandwagon.
Reach the columnist at ejsmith7@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @EricSmith_SP
