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 2018 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.
2018 Heisman Watch: Week 9
5. Jordan Love, Utah State QB – Utah State is a good 7-1, and for their efforts, they were awarded the #18 spot in this week’s AP poll. Love had a monstrous game against New Mexico, going 23/34 for 448 yards and five total touchdowns (four passing, one rushing). It was his third game of the season with five total touchdowns.
4. Will Grier, West Virginia QB – Grier has struggled the past couple of weeks, and fallen far behind in the Heisman race as a result. I don’t think I’m ready to declare him “back” in the race, but he had a great game against Baylor, going 17/27 for 353 and three touchdowns, with an additional rushing touchdown. The Mountaineers won 58-14, and have a real shot at winning the Big 12.
3. Kyler Murray, Oklahoma QB – It was his third-highest rated game of the season in terms of QBR. The Sooners quarterback went 19/24 for 352 yards and three touchdowns. Tack on another 46 rushing yards and a score, and it was his FIFTH game of the season with at least four total touchdowns, including a game with seven total touchdowns. I say it’s time Murray be taken a little more seriously in the 2018 Heisman race.
2. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson QB – In his second four-touchdown performance of the year, ol’ “Sunshine” went out and torched the rival Florida State Seminoles. The Tigers can’t slip up, even once, or else they’re out of the CFP barring chaos. That’s how bad the ACC is this year. Lawrence played like a guy who realized that, going 20/37 for 314 yards and four touchdowns.
1. Gardner Minshew, Washington State QB – I wanted to give Minshew some love in last week’s Heisman Watch, but I barely edge him out because of Drew Lock‘s other-worldly performance. Can’t deny the kid any longer, as he is now the FBS leader in passing yards with 3,183 and Washington State is a top 10 team in the nation. Not only that, but they keep getting this clutch wins and now the Cougs find themselves in the driver’s seat in the Pac-12. Pretty wild stuff. In the upset of Stanford, Minshew went 40/50 for a whopping 438 yards and three touchdowns. That puts him at 26 touchdowns on the season, good for 5th in the FBS.
UPDATED SOBROS HEISMAN WATCH POINTS STANDINGS
1. Tua Tagovailoa – 21
2. Dwayne Haskins – 20
3. Kyler Murray – 16
4. Will Grier – 14
5. Jonathan Taylor – 10
6. Travis Etienne, Benny Snell, Jr. – 8
8. Darrell Henderson – 7
9. Gardner Minshew, Jordan Ta’amu – 5
11. Trevor Lawrence, Trayveon Williams – 4
13. Drew Lock, McKenzie Milton – 3
15. David Blough, Jerry Jeudy – 2
17. Jordan Love, Kellen Mond, Laviska Shenault, Jr. – 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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