Tag: Heisman

On Heisman weekend, Jonathan Taylor deserved better

Reflections on Jonathan Taylor’s exclusion from the Heisman Trophy ceremony.

Joe Burrow of LSU is unquestionably the best football player in the United States for 2019. Even Ohio State fans — who once harbored thoughts that Burrow would be their quarterback — can appreciate and recognize as much. However, it is a shame and an outrage that Jonathan Taylor of the Wisconsin Badgers will not be a finalist on the big stage at the Heisman Trophy Award ceremony on Saturday night at the Downtown Athletic Club in New York.

Outrage, some people might ask? Isn’t that a little too much? You mad, bro? Well, you tell me if a man who rushed for over 1,900 yards and accounted for over 2,100 yards from scrimmage should be excluded from the Heisman ceremony. Do you think that’s fair? Do you think that sends a good message? Do you think that honors his season and how much he gave to the Badgers this year? What would Wisconsin be without him?

Christian McCaffrey of Stanford rushed for just over 2,000 yards in 2015, roughly 100 more than Taylor… and finished second in the Heisman voting. Sure, all seasons are relative to the competition involved, but the idea that Taylor doesn’t even get an invitation to New York while McCaffrey was second four years ago with numbers which were not astronomically better strikes me as weird… and very inconsistent.

Remember: We’re not talking about whether Jonathan Taylor should have WON the Heisman. No, he shouldn’t. That point is not being litigated here. It is the matter of Taylor not getting national publicity and recognition on Heisman night, which his 2019 season and his career fully deserve.

Jonathan Taylor — this season and in his career — clearly deserved better. It is hard to recall another player who had three college seasons as great as Taylor’s, and somehow didn’t make the Heisman ceremony as a finalist in any of those three seasons.

We will have more to say on how the Heisman ceremony and invitation process should be reformed at Badgers Wire. Let’s simply say this much for now: Jonathan Taylor is a foremost casualty of the Heisman Trust’s current — and very inadequate — process.

Ohio State Football makes history with first program with one offensive and one defensive Heisman finalist

It’s not that the Buckeyes just have two finalists, but that they’re the only team in NCAA history with one on both sides of the ball.

It’s not that the Ohio State Buckeyes just have two Heisman finalists, but that they’re the only team in NCAA history with one on both sides of the ball.

Defensively, it was Bronko Nagurski Award winner Chase Young as the nation’s best defender. He was also nominated as the only defensive Heisman finalist, and one of just a few in the history of the award.

Although missing regular-season games, both dominant wins for Ohio State, Young set the university’s single-season sack record. The 6-foot-5 defensive end has a nation-leading 16.5 sacks on the season. He totaled 21 tackles for loss this on the year.

On the other side of the ball, it was star sophomore Justin Fields. He also already has accolades to his name, being dubbed the Offensive Player of the Year for the Big Ten.

Fields, who transferred to Ohio State this season, totaled 40 touchdowns with just one interception. A 40:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio is unheard of and one of many arguments on his Heisman resume.

Adding ten touchdowns and over 470 yards on the ground, Fields has led Ohio State as one of college football’s best dual-threat quarterbacks. But, his toughest matchups are still to come.

The duo has led Ohio State to a perfect 13-0 record, entering the College Football Playoffs as one of three undefeated teams remaining. The Buckeyes will be taking on Clemson in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl on December 28.

As for the Heisman Trophy, it will be awarded in New York City on Saturday, December 14, exactly two weeks before Ohio State’s semifinal game.

Heisman Trophy winner and NFL MVP history could happen this year

Heisman Trophy finalists were announced today and the list didn’t have any surprises. Joe Burrow (Quarterback, LSU), Chase Young (Defensive End, Ohio State), Justin Fields (Quarterback, Ohio State) and Jalen Fields (Quarterback, Oklahoma) will make …

Heisman Trophy finalists were announced today and the list didn’t have any surprises. Joe Burrow (Quarterback, LSU), Chase Young (Defensive End, Ohio State), Justin Fields (Quarterback, Ohio State) and Jalen Fields (Quarterback, Oklahoma) will make their way to New York to find out who wins the prestigious award. Burrow is the odds on favorite to walk away with the award and he may end up being the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft.

The NFL MVP race doesn’t work that way but right now the favorites to win the award essentially comes down to two players: Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson. No one else really has a shot.

That brings up an interesting scenario. For the first time in history, the Heisman Trophy winner could be older than the NFL MVP winner.

Burrow is in his fifth year of college after redshirting his first year at Ohio State. He turns 23 tomorrow on December 10th — happy birthday, Joe! — and is going to win the Heisman Trophy unless something crazy happens with Chase Young becoming the first defensive player since Charles Woodson to win the award.

Jackson is the favorite to win MVP unless Wilson goes on a complete tear in the final three games. Even then, Jackson’s season and story may be too hard for voters to pass up. Jackson doesn’t turn 23 until January.

So, it’s only a few months difference but that means the Heisman Trophy favorite — Burrow — is older than the NFL MVP favorite — Jackson. If things play out as most expect them to, history will be made this year.

Jalen Hurts named Heisman Finalist

On Monday, the Heisman finalists were announced. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, and Ohio State defensive end Chase Young were named the four finalists. Your 2019 Heisman Trophy …

On Monday, the Heisman finalists were announced. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, and Ohio State defensive end Chase Young were named the four finalists.

 

Jalen Hurts, who transferred from Alabama for his senior year, has thrown for 3,634 yards, 32 touchdowns and 7 INT this season at Oklahoma.

Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa who was one of the favorites to win the Heisman early in the season, suffered a season ending hip injury in the middle of November. Tagovailoa finished the season with 2,840 yards passing, 33 TDs, and 3 INT.

The Heisman winner will be announced on Saturday, December 14 at 7PM CT in New York City.

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Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm suffers ankle injury in SEC title game

Three-year starting quarterback Jake Fromm suffered an ankle injury following an awkward landing on a sack.

In the second quarter in today’s SEC Championship game, three-year starting quarterback Jake Fromm suffered an ankle injury following an awkward landing on a sack.

Backup quarterback Stetson Bennett has stepped in but Fromm’s injury appears to be minor and will not keep him out of the game.

Fromm since returned but looks rattled entering the second half.

Bad luck for the Dawgs: Joe Burrow passes to Joe Burrow

Following several dropped passes on offense, Georgia’s luck got worse.

Following several dropped passes on offense, Georgia’s luck got worse.

This prolonged a drive that ultimately led to a questionable catch ruled as a touchdown.

 

How Georgia football’s defense can limit LSU QB Joe Burrow

UGA’s defense allows 10.4 PPG. It’s the best defense LSU has seen all year. The Tigers’ offense is the best the Dawgs will face in 2019.

Georgia’s defense is giving up 10.4 points per game and is by all metrics the best defense LSU has played all year. The Tigers’ offense is the best that the Dawgs have faced in 2019 and is led by Joe Burrow, who will likely have his name inscribed onto the Heisman Trophy in a few short weeks.

Burrow has completed an insane 314 of his 401 passing attempts (78.3%), has thrown an even more insane 44 touchdowns, and has amassed 4366 passing yards, enough to make him the SEC record holder for passing yards in a single season.

Those numbers are staggering and present a daunting task for the Silver Britches. But if any unit can possibly limit Joe Burrow, it’s the Bulldogs’ smothering defense.

The Tigers’ quarterback is poised and methodical with an ability to scramble outside the pocket the extend plays. He keeps his eyes downfield and has the speed to roll out and tuck the ball for quick gains to the sideline.

For the Junkyard Dawgs to diminish Burrow’s prowess, they need to keep him in the pocket. Rushing three men while dropping eight, including a spy linebacker eyeing the quarterback, keeps Georgia’s defense in a man free alignment that can negate big plays and contain Louisiana State’s explosive offense.

In 2019, several SEC West teams have used this formation in attempt to confuse Burrow to no avail, but Georgia’s speedy and physical defense possesses better athletes than any defensive group the Tigers have seen thus far, save for Alabama (which is debatable).

All of this is much easier said than done against a team with the Southeastern Conference’s best performing signal caller and an embarrassment of riches at the wide receiver position, which includes Biletnikoff Award finalists Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. If Georgia’s secondary can maintain man coverage downfield while the front seven can keeping a spy on Burrow, they can hand LSU their first loss of the year.

Matchup preview: Georgia’s defense against LSU’s offense

Georgia enters the SEC Championship ranked fourth in total defense. LSU is ranked second in total offense. Something’s gotta give.

Georgia enters the SEC Championship ranked fourth in total defense behind playoff locks Ohio State and Clemson and playoff hopeful Utah. They’ve given up the fewest touchdowns (12) in FBS.

LSU’s offense is led by Joe Burrow, the Heisman Trophy frontrunner who recently broke the Southeastern Conference record for passing yards in a single season.

The Tigers are ranked second in total offense and thus poses the greatest threat that the historically great 2019 Georgia defense has yet seen.

Something’s gotta give, right?

It’s worth noting that LSU’s main offensive strength plays well against the Georgia defense’s primary weakness whereas the Silver Britches’ defensive strengths play well against LSU’s offensive weakness.

Maybe the Tigers shouldn’t be labeled a “pass first” offense, but they have attempted 25 more passes than runs on the year (438 to 413). The Dawgs’ secondary has been great but is at times prone to giving up chunk yardage in quick passing plays. As we saw against Auburn, Georgia’s cornerbacks tackle well but occasionally have trouble covering in quick-release short-yardage scenarios.

Without opponents stacking the box in anticipation of a possible pass, LSU’s air attack in turn opens things up for a group of tailbacks who have accumulated more yards than any of the Bulldogs’ prior competion excluding Kentucky (who have rushed for over 3000 yards this season despite only gaining 160 ground yards in a rain-plagued contest in Athens).

Behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s 1233 solo rushing yards, the Tigers have combined for 2299 yards on the ground.

Georgia’s defense is second in the nation in rushing defense, giving up 71 ground yards per game and having allowed only 16 plays of over ten yards rushing this season. They’ve given up just 852 yards this year. The Junkyard Dawgs have proven they can contain tailbacks.

With a Heisman hopeful and one of the most talented group of wide receivers in college football, LSU will almost certainly attempt more passes than runs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday. Now more than ever, expect Ed Orgeron’s Tigers to go to the air against a defense that can stop tailbacks before they get a chance to run.

For a full statistical breakdown of how the Dawgs match up against the Tigers, click here.

WATCH: Former Ohio State QB JT Barret discusses Justin Fields’ Heisman chances

Former Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett sat down with CampusLore and discussed the chances of Justin Fields still winning the Heisman.

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There’s not too many former Ohio State players that bleed scarlet and gray more than former quarterback J.T. Barrett. He’s still an all-time favorite of many Buckeye fans, and despite an NFL career that’s yet to come to much fruition, he was about as tough and fiery as they come when he played in Columbus.

In fact, there are a handful of players that had — and still do — a special relationship with Urban Meyer, and he’s one of them.

So, when Barret speaks on all things Ohio State, most of Buckeye nation like to listen to what he has to say. In that case, we’ve got something to point to.

While being interviewed by former Georgia Quarterback Aaron Murray, now with CampusLore, Barrett was asked about the Heisman chances of current Ohio Stat quarterback Justin Fields. Barrett acknowledges that LSU quarterback Joe Burrow is the likely favorite right now, but compliments Fields and believes he’s right there to make a late push if Burrow were to falter.

“I think his ability to just throw the football on time, the things they have set up, the plays they have involved, a great group of receivers they have, said Barrett. “It’s been really great for them. Attacking defenses, whether it be his legs, or like I said throwing the football on time. So, it’s been very tough for defenses to stop him. I think you’re right with saying that I think Joe Burrow right now is the Heisman guy, but then Justin Fields if he continues doing what he’s been doing, he’ll be that next guy up.”

If you remember, Barrett himself flirted with the Heisman Trophy back in 2014 and might have won the thing if not for an injury against Michigan that took him out of the magical run towards a national championship.

For now, any kind of Heisman campaign will live and die by what happens against Penn State on Saturday for Fields. But Barrett and others still believe it’s possible. Just win and the rest will take care of itself.

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