Heisman Trophy Watch: LSU quarterback Joe Burrow now clear frontrunner for football’s top prize

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

With eight weeks of games in the books, LSU QB Joe Burrow and Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts are vying for Heisman frontrunner status, with Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and Ohio State’s Justin Fields in pursuit.

If Hurts can outshine his fellow quarterbacks, and claim football’s most-hallowed hardware at the conclusion of the season, it will mark the first time in history one school has produced three consecutive Heisman winners.

UPDATED October 31, 2019

For the second week in a row, Burrow is the top dog, powered by his 321 yards passing and two touchdowns in LSU’s 23-20 victory over No. 9 Auburn. Saturday’s game marked Burrow’s eighth career 300-yard passing game for the Tigers.

2019 Statistical Overview

Oklahoma was edged 48-41 by Kansas State after rushing out to a 10-0 lead. Hurts threw for 395 yards and ran for another 96 to tally four TDs in the Sooners first loss of the year.

2019 Statistical Overview

Tagovailoa’s expected to practice by the middle of this week, after spraining his ankle against Tennessee almost two weeks ago. If he can guide the Crimson Tide past LSU the Saturday after their bye week, he will be right back in the thick of the Heisman discussion.

2019 Statistical Overview

Fields is averaging better than four touchdowns per game over his first eight games of the season. In Ohio State’s blowout win over Wisconsin, Fields threw for two TDs and ran for another.

2019 Statistical Overview

In pursuit of the four frontrunners in the hunt for the Heisman are two more Buckeyes: running back J.K. Dobbins and defensive end Chase Young.