Heisman Trophy Watch: Tua Tagovailoa, Dwayne Haskins lead race for college football’s top award

Quarterbacks have won the Heisman Trophy every year save three since the turn of the century, and appear poised to have one of their brethren claim college football’s top honor once again this season.

Currently, the two favorites for the Heisman this season are a pair of sophomore slingers; Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins.

The next two strongest candidates are West Virginia senior Will Grier and Oklahoma junior Kyler Murray. Last year’s winner, Baker Mayfield, was the first senior in a dozen years to win the Heisman.

UPDATED November 6, 2018

On the road against the No. 3 team in the country, in arguably the most hostile road environment in college football, Alabama’s Tagovailoa shined in a one-sided affair that saw the No. 1 Crimson tide dominate No. 3 LSU in every facet of the game.

2017 Statistical Overview

The Ohio State Buckeyes overcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ halftime lead to win 36-31 at Ohio Stadium to improve to 8-1. Ohio State quarterback Haskins racked up 252 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

2018 Statistical Overview

With time running out, Grier produced a pair of Heisman moments — a perfect 33-yard TD pass with 16 seconds remaining, then a two-point conversion run off a draw — to lift the Mountaineers to the dramatic comeback victory at Texas.

2018 Statistical Overview

Oklahoma exhibited an ability to both trade and survive big blows, figuratively and literally, in a deceivingly physical win at Texas Tech. That effort started and ended with Murray, who bounced back from a pair of early interceptions that led to a Tech 14-0 lead. Never rattled, he accounted for four touchdowns for the seventh time this season.

2018 Statistical Overview

Still in the hunt for the Heisman are Clemson running back Travis Etienne and Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew.