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 10
5. Gardner Minshew, Washington State QB – Minshew has really come on strong in the last few weeks. He remains the FBS leader in passing yards with 3,517, and his 27 touchdown tosses are tied with Tua Tagovailoa for 7th in the country. On Saturday, he threw a game-winning touchdown pass with 32 seconds left on the clock to get passed Cal 19-13. That helps boost an otherwise mediocre performance. But, he’s really becoming a dark horse candidate to end up in New York come season’s end.
4. Kyler Murray, Oklahoma QB – Murray went 20/35 for 360 yards and three touchdowns, with an additional score on the ground. But two interceptions and the Sooners’ overall struggle to put away Texas Tech on the road knock him down a few pegs this week.
3. Will Grier, West Virginia QB – The Mountaineers quarterback had one of his best games of the season in a monumental win over the Texas Longhorns in Austin. Texas is now cooked in the CFP race, and while I figured Grier to largely be out of the Heisman race, I still think he could end up in New York if he keeps having games like this. 28/42 for 346 yards and three touchdowns – but it was successfully going for two with the game on the line that was most impressive.
2. Drew Lock, Missouri QB – Lock may very well be the first overall pick in the NFL Draft next spring. Hope he likes spending winters in New York. Big Blue may come calling with the draft pick to pull it off. But, what Lock did in the swamp on Saturday was nothing short of amazing. 24/32 for 250 yards and three touchdowns as the Tigers ROUTED the Gators 38-17.
1. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama QB – Finally! FINALLY! The “Heisman moment” I’ve been waiting for all season! People are still giving me shit for thinking Dwayne Haskins had the better body of work for the Heisman Trophy through the first seven games, but maybe now I can clear it up a little bit. Saturday night, in Baton Rouge, against the #3 LSU Tigers – THAT game is what I wanted to see from Tagovailoa. That’s what was missing from his resume.
Technically, it was his worst rated game of the season, too! But, it was the atmosphere, the stage, and how he simply refused to lose that made this performance stand out from the rest of his season. The touchdown to Irv Smith – Heisman throw. The touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle in the Tennessee game – Heisman throw. I said all along that he would have the opportunity to have these games, and now that we’ve gotten to that stretch of the Alabama schedule, he’s performing at an incredible level.
25/42 for 295 yards, two touchdowns, an interception (his first of the season) isn’t exactly going to wow you relative to his season stats. But, it was the 44-yard touchdown run, with Tagovailoa streaking past the secondary of “DBU” with a bad knee to find the end zone that gave me chills. Heisman run. There’s no debate anymore – the Heisman is Tagovailoa’s to lose.
UPDATED SOBROS HEISMAN WATCH POINTS STANDINGS
1. Tua Tagovailoa – 26
2. Dwayne Haskins – 20
3. Kyler Murray – 18
4. Will Grier – 17
5. Jonathan Taylor – 10
6. Travis Etienne, Benny Snell, Jr. – 8
8. Darrell Henderson, Drew Lock – 7
10. Gardner Minshew – 6
11. Jordan Ta’amu – 5
12. Trevor Lawrence, Trayveon Williams – 4
14. 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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