The Heisman trust announced the six Heisman Trophy finalists Monday afternoon. Florida State QB Jameis Winston, Auburn RB Tre Mason, Alabama QB AJ McCarron, Boston College RB Andre Williams, Northern Illinois QB Jordan Lynch and Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel will be making the trip to New York for the Heisman ceremony.

Here’s what you need to know about this year’s finalists. Each graphic shows five stats for each player. Quartbacks are measured on passing yards (YDS), completion percentage (CMP%), yards per attempt (YPA), passing touchdowns (TD) and passer rating (RAT). Running backs are measured on rushing yards (YDS), rushing attempts (ATT), average (AVG), long (LNG) and rushing touchdowns (TD).

JAMEIS WINSTON

There’s a reason he stands as the prohibitive Heisman favorite heading into Saturday’s ceremony: Winston set NCAA freshman records for passing yards (3,820) and touchdown passes (38) in leading Florida State to a 13-0 regular season and spot in the BCS National Championship Game. For now, the question isn’t whether Winston will win – as that’s a no-brainer – but rather by how wide a margin.

AJ McCARRON

McCarron’s Heisman credentials are stung by Alabama’s one loss, a 34-28 heartbreaker to Auburn in the Iron Bowl, and by his lack of eye-popping passing totals. At the same time, McCarron’s campaign was certainly aided by the entirety of his sterling college career, with voters recognizing the senior’s two national titles and just three loses as a starter. To say that his play in 2013 wasn’t worthy of such recognition would be incorrect, however: McCarron fit Alabama’s system perfectly, throwing 26 touchdowns against only five interceptions and leading the Tide to yet another BCS bowl.

TRE MASON

As of mid-November, Mason wasn’t considered even a borderline Heisman candidate. Much can change in a few weeks: Mason, like Auburn, surged into the national conversation by closing with the best three-game stretch by any running back in college football. What really put Mason on the map was his 304-yard performance in last weekend’s SEC championship game win against Missouri. By shining on a big stage, Mason more than earned an invite to the Heisman ceremony.

ANDRE WILLIAMS

An injury suffered in the season finale against Syracuse – one that limited the senior to less than 30 yards in the loss – likely cost Williams his shot at winning the Heisman. But put simply, his numbers are jaw-dropping. For one, Williams is the first running back in the FBS to rush for 2,000 yards since Connecticut’s Donald Brown did so in 2008. For another, Williams accounted for 47.5% of Boston College’s total yards gained from scrimmage, an astronomically high number in this era of pass-first offensive production.

JORDAN LYNCH

How good was Lynch in 2013? Let’s keep it simple: He was better in 2013 than he was in 2012. That alone should tell the story. Digging deeper, however, you see a quarterback who nearly carried his team to another BCS bowl, coming just short by losing to Bowling Green in the MAC championship game. In addition, Lynch could end his senior season with 2,000 yards rushing and 2,000 yards passing. Twice this season he’s set the FBS record for single-game rushing yards by a quarterback – first setting the mark in October, then breaking his own record in November. Here’s a look at his passing stats.

JOHNNY MANZIEL

Manziel is back in Manhattan after taking home last year’s Heisman, but former Ohio State running back Archie Griffin’s record seems secure – as Manziel is a long shot to take his second trophy in as many years. But voters clearly appreciated the way Manziel improved as a sophomore, making enormous strides as a passer while showcasing the usual highlight-reel, late-game magic that first put him on the map in 2012. While his interceptions were up slightly, Manziel was again one of the nation’s best players.

Throughout the regular season, USA TODAY Sports has conducted a straw poll of Heisman Trophy voters to gauge how voters view the nation’s top contenders. While Winston has been in control for much of the last six weeks, he’s had to fend off challengers like Manziel, McCarron, Lynch and Williams to remain in first place. Here’s how the Heisman straw poll has looked since Week 8: