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 4
5. Oklahoma State QB, Mason Rudolph (Last Week: NR, Peak: 2) – I’m still not ready to forgive Rudolph for those four interceptions in the last three games. But, the Heisman caliber numbers are still there. The Cowboys survived a sprint with Texas Tech on Saturday in large part because of Rudolph’s five total touchdowns.
4. Stanford RB, Bryce Love (Last Week: NR, Peak: 4) – Love has quietly already amassed 1,088 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the season. But, what lands him on this list is a performance on Saturday that yielded three total touchdowns on a staggering 301 rushing yards. Time to give the kid his due.
3. Washington State QB, Luke Falk (Last Week: NR, Peak: 3) – Why no one is talking about Falk is beyond me. I guess it’s because he’s a “product of Mike Leach’s system” or something. But, I’m not buying that. This kid makes that system better. He’s in college football’s top five in passing yards. He has just as many touchdown passes as Mason Rudolph, and he has the fewest amount of interceptions among all of the major Heisman contenders with only two. Finally, he had a hell of a Heisman moment in taking down #5 USC on Friday night. We have to put Falk in the Heisman conversation.
2. Louisville QB, Lamar Jackson (Last Week: 4, Peak: 3) – Video game numbers yet again for Jackson, though it came against Murray State. Still, 249 passing yards and three passing touchdowns…with 100 rushing yards and rushing touchdown on the board with it….can’t deny the guy’s pure electricity.
1. Penn State RB, Saquon Barkley (Last Week: 1, Peak: 1) – My goodness, it’s like James Franklin is trying to scheme ways for Barkley to show all of his talents. This week, he had just 107 yards rushing and receiving, but he also threw for a touchdown, and ran a kickoff back 98 yards for a touchdown. The dude can do it all.
Dropped from Rankings: One of the frontrunners for the award, Baker Mayfield, did nothing to improve his stock this week. Actually, he literally did nothing. Oklahoma was on a bye….soooo, no points for Mayfield this week. For a “small school” competitor, you have to do something truly incredible to work your way into the hunt. Rashaad Penny has his work cut out for him after Love passed him for the season rushing title. Finally, just when I buy in on Sam Darnold, he goes out and has his worst game of the season against Washington State.
UPDATED SOBROS HEISMAN POINTS STANDINGS
1. Saquon Barkley – 14
2. Baker Mayfield – 10
3. Lamar Jackson – 9
4. Mason Rudolph – 7
5. Rashaad Penny, Josh Rosen – 4
7. Luke Falk – 3
8. Ronald Jones, Bryce Love – 2
10. 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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