Here we go again.
In a year in which nothing is predictable, it seems you have to play a game to get any kind of clout from the national media. Remember, Ohio State was left in the dust by pollsters while it sat and waited for its season to begin. Then, suddenly, and somewhat remarkably, once the Buckeyes showed they were — you know — the Buckeye program, the ranking began to rise. All of that despite Ohio State being a preseason No. 2 without ever playing a game.
That also seems to be the status quo for voters of the Heisman Trophy. Justin Fields is still Justin Fields, yet some voters for the bronze statue wouldn’t even let him sniff chances at the award while he awaited the Big Ten to get back on the field. Once he did, lo and behold, Fields quickly ascended all the Heisman buzz out there.
But wait. Ohio State’s game against Maryland was canceled last week because of a coronavirus outbreak with the Terrapin program, so Fields couldn’t shoot lightning bolts out of his backside again. And, as a result, Florida quarterback Kyle Trask — who did indeed have one whale of a game — passed him up in the USA TODAY Heisman Watch poll.
Kyle Trask’s eye-popping numbers are impossible to ignore. https://t.co/BmFWoGYNsZ
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) November 17, 2020
[lawrence-related id=40093]
[lawrence-related id=40055]
Trask made up so much ground that he’s just one point behind Alabama quarterback Mac Jones now who — wait for it — didn’t play last week.
C’mon voters, get your act together already will you? Justin Fields and Mac Jones are just as good as they were before they had an unofficial bye-week. Trask has been good, but one week shouldn’t result in major fluctuations like we’re seeing. This latest flip was after Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence fell out of the race with a thud because he had to sit out to meet coronavirus protocols.
But back to the Heisman Watch results that go across the USA TODAY Network of actual voters for the award. Jones hangs on to first, followed by Trask, then Fields.
Got it? Don’t worry, it’ll change this week based on what teams are playing, so hang in there.
[listicle id=40229]