Heisman Watch: Week 7

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The Heisman Trophy is one of the strangest awards in the sports world. There’s no objective way to win…by default, people vote on the award. So, for the most part, it’s all about perception. Numbers don’t matter as much as winning and having those signature “Heisman” moments. We’re talking about the big time players from the big time teams in the big time conferences.

Which is unfortunate, in my opinion. I’m a strong proponent of everyone at least getting a shot, but that’s just not the way the world works. So, with that in mind, I’m taking a look at who’s who in the 2017 Heisman race so far based on who fits the seemingly arbitrary criteria laid forth by the Heisman Trust. But, if you think I’m wrong to do so, feel free to hit up the comments.

HEISMAN WATCH: WEEK 7

5. Oklahoma QB, Baker Mayfield – I’d love to show NC State’s Ryan Finley some love, because I do believe that NC State’s loss to South Carolina is better than Oklahoma’s loss to Iowa State. But, the facts are that Finley doesn’t have the yardage or overall stats. 0 interceptions is great, but it doesn’t outweigh Mayfield’s 1,937 yards with 17 touchdowns and one interception. Gotta give Mayfield credit, despite him having one of his weaker outings against Texas. On the season, he’s still the highest rated quarterback in college football among qualified quarterbacks.

4. Ohio State QB, J.T. Barrett – I was ready to disqualify Barrett after his dreadful performance in the loss to Oklahoma, but the facts remain that this cat has thrown 21 touchdowns to just one interception. Since that loss to the Sooners, Barrett has had two five-plus touchdown games. Against Nebraska, Barrett accounted for seven total touchdowns. Let’s show the guy some love.

3. Alabama CB, Minkah Fitzpatrick – It’s always difficult to quantify how elite defenders qualify for the Heisman Trophy. But, we, as college football writers, cannot deny the ability of the Alabama defensive back any longer. He may not have the outrageous stats, but no one in college football….yes…I’m ready to say that right now….NO ONE in college football effects a game like Fitzpatrick. He has 4.5 tackles for loss, four passes deflected, but only one interception. He’s blocked a kick and has tallied 32 tackles. I get it – that pales in comparison to these monstrous quarterback numbers, but if the award is supposed to include all of the players, Fitzpatrick deserves some recognition.

2. Oklahoma State QB, Mason Rudolph – I said last week that Rudolph would likely find his way back into the hunt, and here we are. Rudolph had another monstrous game, albeit against Baylor. But, still – four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) helped boost his case for the Heisman. In case you’ve missed it, Rudolph now has 25 total touchdowns on the season. Sick.

1. Stanford RB, Bryce Love – There’s just simply no one else doing what Love is doing right now. It’s unbelievable, and if the season ended today, I think he would be the Heisman Trust’s choice. Like Louisville’s Lamar Jackson, the biggest knock on Love is the team around him. Stanford’s two losses (USC and San Diego State) may be too much for him to overcome in voters’ eyes. But, still – with 1,387 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season, the dude is averaging…AVERAGING….nearly 200 rushing yards per game.

Dropped from Rankings: Saquon Barkley had the week off, so by default, no Heisman points this week. But, to be honest, I’m starting to cool off on Barkley. His last couple of outings have been far inferior to Love’s showings. I’m willing to give Luke Falk some credit – he was sacked approximately 60 times on Friday night. While some of those interceptions were oddly fortuitous bounces for Cal, they still count. But, man – that was just an awful performance overall. Lamar Jackson has the numbers, but the Cardinals keep losing and those with the power to vote don’t like losers.

UPDATED SOBROS HEISMAN POINTS STANDINGS

1. Saquon Barkley – 18
2. Baker Mayfield – 13
3. Mason Rudolph – 11
4. Lamar Jackson, Bryce Love – 10
6. Luke Falk – 8
7. Rashaad Penny, Josh Rosen – 4
9. Minkah Fitzpatrick – 3
10. J.T. Barrett, Ronald Jones – 2
12. Sam Darnold – 1

Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. A strong advocate of GSD (get shit done) and #BeBetter, he’s down to talk Tennessee Titans and Alabama Crimson Tide football over a beer any day. Check him out covering the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley@WrestlingNewsCo

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