It’s hard to believe another regular season of college football is in the books, but here we are, wrapping up the 2023 Heisman Watch here on SoBros Network. I’ve always thought that they should wait until after the season to pass out the award. I mean, let’s be real…no one’s winning the Heisman on a team that isn’t playing in the postseason, so why exclude the ball games that matter the most? I guess that’s just me, though. Anyway, my final vote is going to Bo Nix, narrowly edging out Jayden Daniels in what had essentially become a two-horse race over the last few weeks.
Nix was 33/40 for 367 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown against Oregon State on Friday night. Nix surpassed Michael Penix Jr. in terms of passing yards, and finishes the season atop the FBS with 3,906 yards on the season. His 37 passing touchdowns are second only to Daniels’ 40. Nix will be playing for a Pac-12 Championship and likely spot in the College Football Playoff on Friday night against Washington.
Daniels has been spectacular in his own right, throwing for 3,812 yards and rushing for 1,134 yards. If you want to say Daniels should take home the hardware, go right ahead. I don’t think I’d put up too much of a fight. From a statistical standpoint, Daniels has the prolific numbers you look for where Nix has the on-field success you look for. It’s a tight race. Daniels had another good night against Texas A&M, going 16/24 for 235 yards and four touchdowns. He also tacked on 120 rushing yards to his season total that leads all quarterbacks in rushing yardage. Daniels finishes the 2023 regular season with 50 total touchdowns.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita gets a shoutout in this season-ending column. As a general rule, if you throw for 500+ yards, you’re going to get a nod in the Heisman Watch. But, Fifita has been playing particularly well beyond this week. The Wildcats have a shot at 10 wins if they can win their bowl game and Fifita’s been a key factor in that. Against the rival Arizona State Sun Devils, Fifita was 30/41 for 527 yards, five touchdowns, and a pick. That was good for a 98.2 QBR.
Mizzou has been a surprising 10-2 this season, and Cody Shrader has been a surprise to go along with it. His 1,489 rushing yards on the season is second in the FBS. The Tigers dominated Arkansas to conclude their season, and in that game, Shrader turned 27 carries into 217 yards and a touchdown. That was his second 200+-yard game this season, and his 8th time rushing for 100+ yards and a touchdown. Ollie Gordon II is the only running back to top Shrader in rushing yards this season, finishing the year with 1,580. His 20 rushing touchdowns are second only to Blake Corum‘s 22. He was fantastic again in the Cowboys’ 40-34 win over BYU, a game that clinched a spot in the Big 12 Championship for them. He took a whopping 34 carries for 166 yards and five rushing touchdowns.
HEISMAN POINTS (WEEK 13)
- Bo Nix
- Jayden Daniels
- Noah Fifita
- Cody Shrader
- Ollie Gordon II
FINAL HEISMAN POINTS (2023 SEASON)
- Bo Nix – 24
- Jayden Daniels – 23
- Michael Penix, Jr. – 16
- Marvin Harrison Jr. – 13
- Jordan Travis – 10
- Jalen Milroe, Shedeur Sanders – 8
- Cody Shrader, Caleb Williams – 7
- Cam Ward – 6
- Quinn Ewers, Dillon Johnson, Drake Maye – 5
- Drew Allar, Jermaine Burton, Ray Davis, Trevor Etienne, Jawhar Jordan, J.J. McCarthy, Tyler Van Dyke – 4
- Brock Bowers, Noah Fifita, Ollie Gordon II, Sam Hartman, Travis Hunter, Jase McClellan, Rome Odunze, DJ Uiagalelei – 3
- Keon Coleman, Taulia Tagovailoa – 2
- Eric Ayomanor, Luther Burden III, Brady Cook, Malachi Corley, Quinshon Judkins – 1
If you haven’t already, be sure to go subscribe to the College Football Roundup Podcast, on which Steven McCash and myself break down all the action from the college football world and look ahead to the week to come.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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