Each month, The Franchise’s own Heisman voters, Dylan Buckingham and Ryan Chapman, will give their thoughts on the Heisman race and who’s in the hunt. Presented by Bob Moore Nissan. At Bob Moore Nissan in Norman! We’re calling all the right plays with deals you cannot pass up!
It’s easily the highlight of my career.
I’ve seen Samaje Perine break the NCAA single game rushing record, Justin Blackmon win back-to-back Biletnikoff Awards, and Oklahoma City host an NBA Finals, but nothing compares to voting for the Heisman. The most prestigious award in all of sports.
I was given the opportunity to vote back in 2015. It was shortly after Bob Barry, Jr. passed away. I was asked if I wanted to be a voter which I couldn’t say yes to fast enough. I like to think I get to be the flag bearer for BBJ’s vote.
My philosophy on voting is simple. It’s what the award is. The most outstanding player in college football. I don’t vote for the best player on the best team or the best QB on the best team. It’s who’s the most outstanding. I’ve voted in the past for defensive end Jadeveon Clowny. I would’ve voted for defensive lineman Ndamukong Sue and offensive lineman Orlando Pace if I could go back in time.
As for this season and how the votes are going, Texas QB Quinn Ewers got off to a fantastic start. However, it would be foolish to think the abdominal injury won’t play a part in writing his potential Heisman story.
Another name that was popular entering this fall was OSU running back Ollie Gordon. Gordon has been hampered by stacked boxes in three games. Defenses number one priority to stop. Couldn’t he still garner votes given how teams use nearly 11 players to stop him? Tulsa even used eight in the box on third and longs in their game! It’s tough to make a case for a player who’s getting the ultimate respect by his opposition, but it’s not something that will slow down his NFL hype train. Until Gordon can break loose more, he will have a tough time gaining steam from voters across the country.
The usual quarterbacks on great teams are there too. Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss, Jalen Milroe of Alabama, and Cam Ward of Miami who has the Canes off to an incredible 3-0 start with over 1,000 yards passing, 11 touchdowns and just one interception.
In my opinion, it’s far too early to know a lot about who will win the award. There’s so much football left. And that’s the best part of it. Sit back and enjoy the ride as the Heisman carousel spins the next few weeks.
Saturday night will pit two young quarterbacks against each other who will be in our lives for a couple of years.
No. 6 Tennessee is led by talented quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who has set fire to opposing defenses in the first four starts of his career. In 2024 alone, he’s completed 71.6 percent of his passes, throwing for 698 yards and six scores and only two interceptions. Iamaleava is also an effortless runner. Standing 6-foot-6, his covers ground with ease, rushing for 102 yards and a score on 17 attempts in 2024.
Across from him is Oklahoma sophomore Jackson Arnold, another member of the talented 2023 recruiting class. Arnold’s had a tougher road in his first four starts. This year, the OU signal caller has thrown for 484 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 62.8 percent of passes. Arnold’s also had to deal with a lot more upheaval around him.
Iamaleava has benefited from an experienced Tennessee offensive line and a healthy arsenal of skill position players. Arnold has played behind numerous different offensive line combinations already in 2024, while also living without receivers Jalil Farooq, Nic Anderson and Jayden Gibson.
As a result, Arnold has kept the ball on the ground to get the Sooners’ offense moving.
He led OU with 97 rushing yards against Tulane, delivering a 34-19 victory.
The play of both young quarterbacks will shape Saturday night’s top 15 match up in Norman. Both players have dealt with lofty expectations early in their careers, as evidenced by both appearing in preseason Heisman Trophy odds in Las Vegas despite entering 2024 with two combined starts.
But the eyes of the country will be on the happenings on Owen Field.
ESPN’s College Game Day is on hand in Norman for only the second time since 2012, and whoever emerges victorious will likely be catapulted to the front of the Heisman Trophy discussion headed into October.
