We are quickly closing in on Thanksgiving, which means we are also approaching the end of the NCAA football regular season. With everyone having just 1-2 games remaining on their schedules before Conference Championship Saturday, it is the perfect time to take a look at the Heisman race and who has emerged as the top contenders.
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Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa's hip injury against Mississippi State on Saturday unfortunately ended his chances at this year's Heisman. Tagovailoa was definitely in-line for an invite to New York at season's end, even after missing a game and a half with an ankle injury. He's been spectacular once again, and would have been #2 or 3 on this list if not for the injury. Nonetheless, his remarkable season to this point deserves to be recognized and he comes in at #5 for the time-being.
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With Tua's injury and the early-season struggles of the other preseason Heisman favorite, QB Trevor Lawrence of Clemson, the current Heisman race has really been dwindled down to just two horses - LSU QB Joe Burrow & Oklahoma QB (and former Bama signal-caller) Jalen Hurts.
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Burrow has been nothing short of spectacular all season long, and he's done it against the nation's toughest schedule to date. He's been cool, calm, and collected through the Tigers' first ten games and shown an ability to not get rattled while taking LSU's pro-style passing attack to unchartered territory for a program that traditionally is all about pounding the ball on the ground for 4 quarters.
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Meanwhile, all Hurts has done in his first season at the helm of Lincoln Riley's high-powered O is total 43 TDs through the first 10 games, while quickly closing in on the 1,000-yard rushing mark. He's turned in a heck of a season already and looks downright dynamic at the helm of the Sooners' high-octane offense. It will take one heck of a closing push to catch Burrow, but Hurts has put up monster numbers all season long, so he very well could do it.
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Without further ado, here is how the Heisman Contenders stack up after 12 weeks of action. The list has been dwindled down to 5, along with one 'honorable mention' choice:
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(1) QB JOE BURROW LSU
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Season: (10 G)
Pass: 268-341 (78.6%) 3687yds 38TD/6INT
Rush: 75 - 215yds, 3TD
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All Burrow has done to this point is lead the top-ranked Tigers to victories over Texas, Florida, Auburn, and Alabama while completing nearly 80% - yes you read that correctly - nearly 80% of his passes. His cool and collected demeanor has reminded many of a certain New England Patriots QB, and given way to a "Joe Brady" nickname (which seems extra fitting when taking into account LSU's passing game coordinator happens to be named Joe Brady). He's thrown for over at least 320 yards in 9 consecutive games, and has a pair of 400-yard games as well. He is also a sneaky good runner - rushing for nearly 400 yards last season while adding another 215 yards and 3 scores on the ground thus far this year. He's also been incredibly consistent at putting up big numbers this season - throwing 4 TD passes or more in 6 of 10 games. At this point, it's Burrow's Trophy to lose.
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(2) QB JALEN HURTS OKLAHOMA
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Season: (10 G)
Pass: 181- 248 (73.0%) 3039yds 28TD/5INT
Rush: 152 - 983yds, 15TD
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Hurts is putting together one of the better all-around seasons in the history of college football. He should hit the 30+passing touchdown & 20+rushing touchdown milestones with ease, and is on pace for nearly 5,000 total yards of offense. He's been explosive, and pretty much unstoppable all season long. He's also been very consistent at putting up big numbers week-in and week-out with 3 TD passes or more in 8 of 10 games, and at least 50 yards rushing in 9 of 10 games. Oh and he's done all of that while completing 73% of his passes, while averaging a remarkable 16.8 yards per completion on the season. If it wasn't for Burrow, Hurts would be running away with this thing.
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(3) QB JUSTIN FIELDS OHIO STATE
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Season: (10 G)
Pass: 159-230 (69.1%) 2164yds 31TD/1INT
Rush: 84 - 377yds, 10TD
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The Georgia transfer stepped into a lot of uncertainty when he chose the Buckeyes as his next destination. Former Coach Urban Meyer retired, and a ton of talent was lost to the NFL draft, but OSU has re-tooled quickly. Led by Fields exquisite play at quarterback, and returning leading rusher J.K. Dobbins, the Buckeyes' offense has looked even better than in recent years. Fields has shown off an ability to run the ball (4.9 ypc, 10 rushing TDs) and the fact that he's thrown 31 TD passes and only 1 interception in 10 games certainly merits attention. If it wasn't for the outstanding seasons being turned in by Burrow & Hurts, Fields very well would be hearing his named called at the Downtown Athletic Club in NYC at season's end. He should still easily get an invite as a Heisman Finalist, at the very least.
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(4) HB JONATHAN TAYLOR WISCONSIN
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Season: (10 G)
Rush: 233 - 1463yds, 17TD; 6.3ypc
Rec: 20 - 162yds, 4TD
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Taylor got off to a fast start to the season, but slowed considerably at mis-season point, culminating with the Badgers 38-7 loss at Ohio State where he was held to a season-low 52 yards. After dropping off the radar following the loss the Buckeyes, Taylor has come on strong once again. With back-to-back 200+ yard rushing games - against Iowa and at Nebraska in his last two games, Taylor has reacquainted himself with the Heisman contender list. The 250 yards he gashed the Hawkeyes for 2 weeks ago was especially impressive, given how Iowa came in with a top 10 defense (they just held Minnesota to 19 points while handing the Gophers their first loss of the season in the process). With 8 more 100-yard rushing games this season (including 3 - 200-yard games) he passed OSU legendary HB Archie Griffin for second all-time on the Big TEN career rushing list - trailing only Ron Dayne. It will take a big finish to the season, but Taylor could still find himself as a Heisman finalist at season's end.
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(5) QB TUA TAGOVAILOA ALABAMA
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Season: (9 G)
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Pass: 180-252 (71.4%) 2840yds 33TD/3INT
Rush: 23 - 17yds, 2TD
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Tagovailoa would be in the top 3 on this list even after missing a game and a half due to his ankle injury, but after Saturday's unfortunate hip injury, his season is obviously done. All Tagovailoa did while he was able to be on the field, was complete 71.4% of his passes for 33 TDs and just 3 INTs. He threw for 5 TDs in a game twice and 6 scores once on the season. While he won't be able to continue to add to his stats, he certainly deserves his credit to what he was able to do to this point - which was turn in another high-quality season. Glad he is on his way to a full recovery, and maybe there is still a chance he could get invited to New York for the ceremony as one of the Finalist.
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HONORABLE MENTION:
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QB TREVOR LAWRENCE CLEMSON
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Season: (11 G)
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Pass: 190-279 (68.1%) 2575yds 27TD/8INT
Rush: 63 - 317yds, 7TD
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Lawrence was a Heisman co-favorite heading into the season, but after a slow start in which he struggled in his first 3 games, throwing 5 INTs against just 5 TDs, he quickly fell off the Heisman radar. He is back on the contender list now, though, thanks to his recent hot streak. With 13 TD passes and 0 INTs in his last 4 games, along with a pair of rushing TDs, Lawrence is making one final push for the top 5. With only two games left - including the ACC title game - to add to his stats, he's going to have to keep his hot streak alive to finish as a top 5 finalist.
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