This edition of our Heisman Watch will be a two-for-one special. First, we'll submit our mock Heisman ballot (since we don't have a real vote) and make our predictions for the College Football Playoffs. Before we get started, I want to say thank you to everyone who followed along with our Heisman Watch this season. This blog doesn't really have a big audience, but we want to make every reader matter. Let's get started.
3. Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Statistically speaking, Jackson had just as incredible a season as last year, when he won the Heisman. He's thrown for 3,489 yards (down from 3,543 last year), 25 touchdowns (30 last year), six picks (down from last year's nine), and his rating increased from 148.8 to 151.5. His rushing numbers are also similar: 208 carries for 1,443 yards and 17 touchdowns for a 6.9 average (he accumulated 1,571 yards and 21 touchdowns on 260 carries for a 6.0 average). But the difference this year is the fact that his Louisville Cardinals have struggled mightily, especially against better teams. Were it not for his stellar play, they might not have even reached 8-4. Still, Jackson deserves a ton of credit for his incredible stats and his return trip to New York is well deserved.
2. Bryce Love, Stanford
Love has made Stanford fans forget all about Heisman runner-up Christian McCaffrey. On 237 carries, the explosive back ran for 1,973 yards and 17 touchdowns for an incredible 8.3 average. By the way, his 1,973 rushing yards are second in the nation only to SDSU's Rashaad Penny. His average is fifth in the nation and his Cardinals won the Pac-12 North before falling to USC in the Pac-12 title game.
1. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Unfortunately for our other finalists, the Heisman race has been over for weeks. Baker Mayfield has been sensation all season, even in Oklahoma's solitary loss, and has positioned the Sooners as the #2 team in the country with a shot at winning the program's first national title since 2000. His 4,340 passing yards are second only to in-state rival Mason Rudolph, his 41 passing touchdowns trail only Mizzou's Drew Lock, and his 203.8 rating leads his closest competitor by 19 points. It's not a question of whether Mayfield will win the Heisman, it's by how much.
Playoff Predictions:
#1 Clemson vs. #4 Alabama
In a rematch of last year's national championship, it will be top-ranked Clemson against one-loss Alabama. These two teams match up well but the key for Clemson will be QB Kelly Bryant. Although he has been doing his best Deshaun Watson impression this year, he's not Watson. The Texans star has a much better arm and much more big-game experience. Bryant is by no means a scrub but he isn't equipped to deal with that nasty Crimson Tide D. Expect Minkah Fitzpatrick and company to dominate Bryant and lead their team to victory.
#2 Oklahoma vs. #3 Georgia
It's hard to miss thanks to Baker Mayfield's stellar play, but Oklahoma's offensive line might be one of the country's best. They should be able to stop Georgia's ferocious rush attack, which is definitely their strongest aspect. If you take that away, then Oklahoma definitely has the upper hand. Georgia QB Jake Fromm has played well this season but has tended to make careless mistakes and slip up when the pressure gets to him. Baker Mayfield on the other hand, is playing in his second straight playoffs and shouldn't have any extra pressure. His composure and big-play ability, along with TE Mark Andrews, will give the Sooners the W.
#2 Oklahoma vs. #4 Alabama
This is a dream match: Oklahoma's high-powered offense against Alabama's hard-hitting defense. That being said, this game will likely rest on the shoulders of Alabama's Jalen Hurts. Throughout his collegiate career, Hurts hasn't been asked to do a whole lot. He'll throw about 17 times a game while the offense mainly runs the ball. He has often struggled in big games (like in this year's Iron Bowl) and that could really cost the Tide here.
Winner: Oklahoma Sooners
Thanks for reading everyone
