College Football ’18: Heisman Trophy Predictions

Later tonight, the Heisman Trophy will be awarded in New York City to one of three superior athletes – all quarterbacks. The race will be tight and filled with plenty of intrigue.

While it seems like a two-player competition, all three are worthy of being finalists and have enjoyed seasons that any player would dream a about.

All season, The Game Haus has provided insight regarding the Heisman race, so here’s a look at how we think things will turn out. Numerals indicate place in the final voting.

3. Dwayne Haskins, QB, No. 5 Ohio State

The Numbers: 4,580 yards, 47 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 70.2 completion percentage (348-496), 9.2 yards per attempt, 175.8 passer rating, 122 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns.

Photo by thespun.com

The Breakdown: Maybe any other year and Haskins would be the choice for the Heisman, but right now he’s the third wheel. That’s not to say his season wasn’t spectacular. If it wasn’t for Haskins, Ohio State would likely have more than one loss, considering its running game was sub-par for most of the campaign. Haskins leads the nation in passing yards and touchdowns – both single-season Big Ten records – and he was the league’s offensive player of the year.

2. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, No. 1 Alabama

Photo by sports.yahoo.com

The Numbers: 3,353 yards, 37 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 67.7 completion percentage (199-294), 11.4 yards per attempt, 202.3 passer rating, 190 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns.

The Breakdown: The Heisman front-runner most of the season, Tagovailoa won the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award. To note, the last five Walter Camp winners have also gone on to win the Heisman Trophy. What could cost Tua in this particular race is that he often didn’t need to play a full game, especially early on. And he’s also battled injuries this season, which could play a factor for some voters. Expect the race to be the closest it has been in years, but for the Alabama star to fall short in the end.

1. Kyler Murray, QB, No. 4 Oklahoma

The Numbers: 4,053 yards, 40 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 70.9 completion percentage (241-340), 11.9 yards per attempt, 205.7 passer rating, 892 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns.

The Breakdown: Murray’s versatility and knack for the big play are what set him apart from the rest of the nation’s quarterbacks. There’s also the notion that Murray is more valuable to his team than other players in the country. Alabama has shown this season, in big games, it can win without Tagovailoa. However, it’s unlikely Oklahoma would be in the College Football Playoff sans Murray, especially considering its defense is atrocious, for lack of a better word. His 51 combined passing/rushing touchdowns are the most in college football, and Murray’s overall ability and value should make him the Heisman Trophy choice.

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