For the second consecutive year, a quarterback from Oklahoma has claimed the Heisman Trophy. In what is considered one of the closest races in recent history, Kyler Murray edged out Tua Tagovailoa (and to a lesser extent, Dwayne Haskins) as the best player in college football.
Heading into the final weeks of the season, Tagovailoa was considered the favorite to join the exclusive Heisman fraternity. Seemingly, a sub-par showing in the SEC championship damaged his chances. With Tagovailoa leaving the game injured in the second half, Jalen Hurts entered the game to rally the Alabama Crimson Tide to a conference championship.
Murray, meanwhile, was a steady presence for the Oklahoma Sooners, playing at a consistently high level. Leading Oklahoma to a conference championship (while simultaneously avenging their only loss of the season against the Texas Longhorns) was Murray’s crowning achievement.
Truthfully, this was a year where both players had a deserving claim to the Heisman Trophy. Either player would have been a correct choice. Tagovailoa and Murray both put up “video game” numbers for their respective teams. Overall, Murray had better stats on the surface. Many, however, would argue that Tagovailoa had more impressive stats, considering that he rarely played in the fourth quarter. He also played about 200 less snaps than Murray. On the flip side, Murray has broken two FBS records and ends the season with the highest QBR in college football.
These are the two best players in college football. Either could win, and it’s not wrong either way.
The second half of this story is coming on December 29th when the Sooners play the Crimson Tide in the college football playoff. You have to know that Nick Saban is secretly happy that Tua didn’t win the Heisman. If you look to social media, you’ll see that Tua’s teammates are taking his loss of the Heisman personally. It shouldn’t be too difficult for Saban to motivate his defense into terrorizing Murray all night. The offense will want to help demonstrate why their QB should have brought home to gold.
When is the last time you’ve seen a truly motivated and angry Alabama team? It could get ugly.
Of course, Murray is exactly the type of quarterback to give Alabama fits. A mobile player with a great arm that can extend the play with his legs? It’s like kryptonite for Saban and company.
All in all, the Heisman Trophy is just a piece of the story now. It has made the Orange Bowl much more interesting. We’ll all benefit from that.
Poppa Bear is the Lead SEC Analyst for the SoBros Network, and serves as our resident expert on the human anatomy, fixin’ stuff, and tomatoes. Follow on Twitter:@SoBroPoppaBear
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