The order for the Heisman race remains the same, but things have tightened up heading into the final weekend for top guys to make their case.
1. Tua Tagovailoa | Alabama QB | Sophomore | Last week: 1
Tua Tagovailoa became the first Crimson Tide player with six touchdowns responsible for in a game, and he did it in his first Iron Bowl start. Other strong candidates behind him make it not a stone-cold lock yet, but Tagovailoa is poised to take home the Heisman unless he has a dreadful performance in the SEC title game while Kyler Murray or Dwayne Haskins puts up spectacular numbers in a big win.
Season stats:
70.3% | 3,189 YDS | 36 TD | 2 INT
45 ATT | 211 YDS | 5 TD | 4.7 AVG
2. Kyler Murray | Oklahoma QB | Senior | Last week: 2
In terms of mass overall statistics, Kyler Murray is the best in the nation this season. He has 47 touchdowns and should hit the 50-plus mark in the Big 12 Championship Game against Texas, the only team that’s beaten Oklahoma this season. 40+ passing touchdowns and 10+ rushing touchdowns would be quite the feat.
Season stats:
70.6% | 3,674 YDS | 37 TD | 7 INT
113 ATT | 853 YDS | 10 TD | 7.5 AVG
3. Dwayne Haskins | Ohio State QB | RS Sophomore | Last week: 3
It helps having so many electric playmakers on the outside, but some people expected Michigan to limit Ohio state’s offense—that didn’t happen, and Dwayne Haskins was a big reason why with his six passing touchdowns. Haskins also has a legit chance at 50 touchdowns before the Heisman voting, as he now gets to play in the Big Ten title game versus Northwestern.
Season stats:
68.9% | 4,003 YDS | 41 TD | 7 INT
63 ATT | 127 YDS | 4 TD | 2.0 AVG
4. Jonathan Taylor | Wisconsin RB | Sophomore | Last week: 4
Wisconsin lost again in what has been a very disappointing season for the program, but Jonathan Taylor had another strong showing (19 carries for 120 yards) to get him within 11 yards of 2,000 rushing yards for the year. The talented sophomore running back isn’t going to win the Heisman, but he’s had another great season to start what looks like will be one of the best careers in college football history.
Season stats:
280 ATT | 1,989 YDS | 15 TD | 7.1 AVG
8 REC | 60 YDS | 7.5 AVG
5. Gardner Minshew | Washington State QB | Senior | Last week: 5
The snowy conditions in the Apple Cup were fun to watch on television, but it led to Gardner Minshew and Washington State’s offense being grounded against a tough defense. Minshew needed a huge individual performance and a win to have a shot at winning the Heisman, but he still could get an invite to New York.
Season stats:
70.6% | 4,477 YDS | 36 TD | 9 INT
52 ATT | 103 YDS | 3 TD | 2.0 AVG
Give it to Tua
Thass rat. Roll Tide, y’all!
Tua played in the equivalent of only 8 full games while Murray played 11. Murray played against 1 Top 30 defense (KU, #28), LOST to the #62 defense of Texas, and was in 4 nail biters including 2 OT games. Tua played against 1 Top 5, 2 Top 10, 3 Top 15, and 4 Top 25 defenses, and blew them all out by at least 20 points.
It isn’t even close in the world of real not flag football.