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 11
5. Missouri quarterback Drew Lock – At this point, the points don’t mean much and no one’s going to sneak into the top five with only two weeks of the season. I just want to show Lock some love. Missouri looked absolutely atrocious after a 1-5 start. They were the laughing stock of the SEC, and then proceeded to win five in a row to get to bowl eligibility in a season no one thought they would. Lock has thrown 21 touchdowns over this five-game win streak, and has a game with seven touchdown passes under his belt.
4. Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson – Because the Cardinals are 7-4, no one is talking about Jackson this year, but considering the field is thinning rapidly, he’s worth a look here. He had a great game against Syracuse, throwing for 270 yards and two touchdowns, and tacking on 111 more yards and two more touchdowns on the ground. With no one else stepping up, he may get an invite to New York.
3. Stanford running back Bryce Love – Love was like a runaway freight train to start the season, but has cooled off in grand fashion. Still, can’t deny his total body of work. He had just 101 yards and a touchdown against Cal this past weekend, but a string of seven straight games with at least 147, include a 301-yard performance, is going to keep him in the hunt until the end.
2. San Diego State running back Rashaad Penny – Penny now sits atop the the NCAA rushing yards list with 1,824. After a 222-yard performance on Saturday, Penny now has three straight games with at least 200 yards and two touchdowns. I know the Aztecs are out of the hunt, and that’s going to be the biggest knock on Penny, but he deserves some credit for his individual effort.
1. Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield – Don’t snub Mayfield in the pregame handshakes….especially if you’re 1-9. Over the last several weeks, the kid has staked his claim as the best player in college football. He’s running away with the Heisman at this point, and there isn’t even a close second. He had 257 yards and three more touchdowns against Kansas.
Dropped from Rankings: Khalil Tate, arguably the most electric player since October, was bottled up big time in a 20-point loss to Oregon. Jalen Hurts was perfect in limited action, but didn’t see the field enough to really pad his stats on the season. Mason Rudolph has simply thrown too many interceptions and his team has lost too many games to remain in the hunt.
UPDATED SOBROS HEISMAN WATCH POINTS STANDINGS
1. Baker Mayfield – 34
2. Saquon Barkley – 23
3. Bryce Love – 17
4. Lamar Jackson, Mason Rudolph – 15
6. Rashaad Penny – 12
7. Luke Falk – 9
8. J.T. Barrett – 7
9. Ronald Jones, Khalil Tate – 6
11. Josh Adams, Josh Rosen – 4
13. Minkah Fitzpatrick – 3
14. Jalen Hurts, Jonathan Taylor – 2
16. Sam Darnold, Drew Lock – 1
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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