The Heisman Trophy calculus shouldn’t just be a comparison of raw statistics. It should also be a measurement of how much a player achieved relative to his workload and to the amount of responsibilities given to him.
Let’s be very clear: Stetson Bennett is in position to be a two-time national champion. He has had a great career and will never have to pay for a meal or a drink in Athens ever again. He wouldn’t want to trade places with anyone. It’s great to see him thrive, especially since he had to deal with a lot of doubters and skeptics last year. Many wondered if he was good enough to win one national title. Now he might win two. He’s a very good player who has done a terrific job for the University of Georgia.
However, the Heisman Trophy is a separate conversation. What a player does statistically is only part of the story. What that player is asked to do for his team, and how well he carries out those tasks, are also part of the conversation. Very clearly, Caleb Williams is asked to do far more for USC than Bennett is asked to do for Georgia.
Stop for a moment and flip the script: What if Stetson Bennett played for USC and Caleb Williams played for Georgia? Would Stetson Bennett be a Heisman Trophy finalist, let alone a winner? Would USC have nine wins? Eight? It really makes you think.
We talked about this with Mark Rogers at The Voice of College Football:
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