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 10
5. USC RB Ronald Jones – Jones has had a few duds this season, but over the past two weeks, he’s gotten hot, and the Trojans are starting to look like they just may be the best team in the Pac-12. Jones had 233 total yards and three touchdowns against Arizona. That’s coming off a 216-yard, two touchdown performance against Arizona State the week before.
4. Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph – It was statistically his second worst performance of the season, but can someone please point me to someone else more deserving of Heisman love? I mean, my goodness – does anyone not named Baker Mayfield actually want this trophy? Rudolph still had 448 yards and five touchdowns, despite two interceptions, against Oklahoma, and he remains the NCAA leader in passing yards.
3. Arizona QB Khalil Tate – Tate is simply electric, posting 17 total touchdowns over the last five games. That’s right – he’s averaging 3.4 touchdowns per game. He’s a running back playing quarterback, and the Wildcats are 6-3 behind him. It’s time he starts getting some love for this award.
2. San Diego State RB Rashaad Penny – The Aztecs are out of the New Year’s Six despite colossal meltdowns from a host of American Conference teams. But, they are still 8-2. At one point, Penny was legitimately in the hunt, but after San Diego State dropped two in a row, he started to fall off a lot of Heisman lists. Well, given that this year’s field is wide open, his performance over the last two weeks puts him back in the mix. Penny had his second consecutive 200+ yard performance, posting 234 yards and three touchdowns against San Jose State. That puts him at 487 yards and five touchdowns over the last two days.
1. Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield – What is there to say? The Sooners’ season on the line, their biggest rival standing across the field, and Mayfield just goes out and slings it. 598 passing yards. Six total touchdowns. Amazing. Mayfield now has 33 total touchdowns on the season – the Heisman is his to lose.
Dropped from Rankings: Due to injury or not, Josh Adams just didn’t do anything against Wake Forest. He still has an outside shot given an entire season’s body of work. But, he’s out for this week. Likewise, Ohio State was demolished by Iowa, so bye bye J.T. Barrett. It was fun while it lasted.
UPDATED SOBROS HEISMAN POINTS STANDINGS
1. Baker Mayfield – 24
2. Saquon Barkley – 23
3. Mason Rudolph – 14
4. Lamar Jackson – 13
5. Bryce Love – 10
6. Luke Falk – 9
7. Rashaad Penny – 8
8. J.T. Barrett – 7
9. Ronald Jones – 6
10. Josh Adams, Josh Rosen – 4
12. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Khalil Tate – 3
14. Jonathan Taylor – 2
15. 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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