After a insane weekend of conference championships across the country, there are just a few things left to focus on in the world of college football.
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Only three college football players are going to NY for the Heisman Trophy ceremony, which came as a surprise in a season that seemingly produced at least half-a-dozen candidates. Clemson must first play Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl while Alabama will play Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl.
Now that Heisman Trophy ballots are in, the finalists have been determined.
Being undefeated and No. 1 ranked has everything to do with this.
What a year it has been for Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson.
In what’s sure to be a controversial decision regardless of who ultimately wins it, the finalists for the most famous hardware in all of college sports were revealed Sunday evening on ESPN. “It makes my heart beat even thinking about it”.
The other finalists include Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey and Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson. “First, I want to thank God for blessing me with his opportunity”. “I never really flinch or panic under pressure”.
It seemed like just yesterday he was the player for Gainesville, who in every game drew all the attention when he was on the field.
Right now, that’s to the top of the college football world.
Last week, Shaw shared Pac-12 Coach of the Year accolades with Mike Leach of Washington State. Only one Heisman-winning running back, Eddie George, has the same number of top-25 teams on his resume. Watson has not slowed down since. He had 207 rushing yards and 105 receiving yards along with two touchdowns.
More than anything, Watson has what Henry and McCaffrey don’t have enough of: unquestioned leadership, especially under pressure. “Wow”, said a post from quarterback Justin McMillan.
Watson always felt that if he played solidly and the team was successful, individual honors would follow. “That’s what we focus on”.
Cut from the dual-threat quarterback cloth of Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III, Johnny Manziel, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota – the last five Heisman winners – Watson is out to keep the QB streak alive. It was third-and-7 at the Gamecocks’ 33. No one comes close to his all-purpose yards per game. That’s the fifth-most ever in a game. He scored 23 touchdowns to lead Alabama to an 11-1 record and its second straight Southeastern Conference championship. Needless to say, he is the nation’s leader in terms of all-purpose yards, but Henry is the nation’s leading rusher.
McCaffrey’s record-breaking season is made even more special when considering that he started slow.
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WORST GAME: Watson’s worst game came against Louisville on September 17. Watson led the Tigers to crucial wins over Notre Dame and North Carolina. Instead, Watson threw two interceptions, but Clemson held on for a 20-17 win.
