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 13
5. Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor – 149 rushing yards and a touchdown in a dominant win over Minnesota keeps Taylor in the discussion. He has 1,806 on the season to go with 13 touchdowns, but perhaps the biggest thing going for him is that the Badgers are undefeated.
4. Missouri quarterback Drew Lock – I put the Mizzou quarterback on the Heisman Watch last week as more of a nod to his body of work, but damn – the kid’s actually stringing together some damn good games while the Tigers have won six in a row. He’s quietly crept into the top five in passing yards, but his 43 touchdown passes are the most in the country.
3. South Florida quarterback Quinton Flowers – If the Bulls were undefeated, Flowers would be getting a lot more shine. Still, with the lack of candidates this week, I’m willing to give him a spot on this list. 503 passing yards and four touchdowns, with another 102 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown against UCF – that’s just absurd.
2. San Diego State running back Rashaad Penny – For the fourth week in a row, Penny has surpassed 200 yards on the ground and scored multiple touchdowns (203 yds and two touchdowns, to be precise). He now has 2,027 rushing yards on the season. It’s absurd…but, because he plays for the 10-2 Aztecs, he’s not getting the buzz he deserves. These are Heisman numbers, folks.
1. Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson – Does anyone even realize that Jackson’s numbers are pretty damn close to what he had last season? You know – when he actually won the Heisman Trophy? I get that wins matter, but he nearly single handedly carried his team to another winning season. Against Kentucky, he posted 216 passing yards with two touchdowns, and an additional 156 yards on the ground. He’s quietly snuck into the top 10 in the country in rushing yards. He deserves to at least go to New York.
Dropped from Rankings: Let’s face it, folks. On the season, Bryce Love‘s numbers are pretty phenomenal. But, the last couple of weeks, they’ve been pedestrian. Definitely not Heisman-worthy. And, as punishment for his grabbing of his dick, Baker Mayfield was benched in real life and in the SoBros Heisman Watch (really, he’s just so far ahead that it doesn’t even matter if I don’t include him this week).
UPDATED SOBROS HEISMAN WATCH POINTS STANDINGS
1. Baker Mayfield – 34
2. Saquon Barkley – 23
3. Lamar Jackson – 20
4. Bryce Love – 17
5. Rashaad Penny – 16
6. Mason Rudolph – 15
7. Luke Falk – 9
8. J.T. Barrett – 7
9. Ronald Jones, Khalil Tate – 6
11. Josh Adams, Josh Rosen – 4
13. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Quinton Flowers, Drew Lock, Jonathan Taylor – 3
17. Jalen Hurts – 2
18. Sam Darnold – 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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