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Only a handful of players will get one more opportunity to make their case for the Heisman Trophy, and FOX Sports college football analyst Robert Griffin III believes that it’s a three-man race entering conference championship weekend.
“I believe the Heisman Trophy is up for grabs this upcoming weekend between Jacob Rodriguez, Fernando Mendoza and Julian Sayin,” the 2011 Heisman winner said on his podcast, “Outta Pocket with RGIII.” “The way we finished that season, the way we dominated those teams was a big reason why we at Baylor won the Heisman.”
Rodriguez’s inclusion might surprise some, as the Indiana quarterback (Mendoza) and Ohio State quarterback (Sayin) enter the weekend neck-and-neck atop the Heisman odds before their teams face off in the Big Ten Championship Game. But Griffin has been steadfast in sharing his belief that Rodriguez is worthy of winning the Heisman.
That belief is certainly understandable when you look at Rodriguez’s stats. He has 101 total tackles, one sack, seven forced fumbles and four interceptions to go with three total touchdowns. More importantly, Rodriguez has headlined a Texas Tech defense that ranks in the top six in total defense and scoring defense, helping the Red Raiders go 11-1. No. 4 Texas Tech will take on No. 11 BYU in the Big 12 Championship Game on Saturday.
As for Mendoza, he’s thrown for 2,758 yards and a nation-leading 32 touchdowns this season to just five interceptions. He’s also rushed for five touchdowns and 243 yards. Sayin’s stats are arguably just as impressive, throwing for 3,065 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions this season.
So, who does Griffin have in pole position to win the Heisman entering conference championship weekend? Here’s the latest version of RGIII’s Heisman List.
RGIII on Pavia: “What [Pavia] has been in a position to do at Vanderbilt is wonderful. He stated they mainly run Tennessee now, and I do not assume anybody can argue that for this season alone. He has been a really thrilling participant and bringing the bravado to the desk. However I imagine the opposite guys are extra worthy of being [in New York] and I feel the winner of the Heisman Trophy will probably be there on convention championship weekend due to how these guys have performed.”
5. Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State
RGIII on Sayin: Griffin mixed his ideas on Sayin with one other candidate later revealed on this checklist.
Joel Klatt on CFP Committee, Ohio State vs. Indiana, Lane Kiffin
RGIII on Lacy: “I imagine [Lacy] has had a season that is worthy of him going to New York. However as a result of Ole Miss isn’t enjoying this weekend, I don’t imagine Jeremiyah Love or Kewan Lacy will win the Heisman Trophy.”
3. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
RGIII on Mendoza: “He is main what’s, for my part, the perfect crew within the nation in Indiana. They’re clearly going to be enjoying in opposition to Ohio State within the Massive Ten Championship. I feel that sport goes to permit No. 3 and 5 on my checklist, Julian Sayin, to actually decide who might probably stroll out of championship weekend with the Heisman Trophy.”
2. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
RGIII on Love: “They are not going to be enjoying once more this week, however Notre Dame and the best way they completed the season was fully off [Love’s] again and legs. He is the perfect operating again within the nation. I feel he additionally earned that proper to go to New York.”
1. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
RGIII on Rodriguez: “He is had an incredible 12 months. His numbers compared to Manti Te’o’s, when he was the Heisman runner-up — I imagine Jacob Rodriguez, at a minimal, must be in New York. He is No. 1 on my checklist to win the Heisman as a result of I imagine Texas Tech has the perfect protection. He is the chief of that protection. He has the numbers to actually again it up. While you take a look at a tackles perspective, Manti Te’o had 103 [when he was the Heisman runner-up in 2012]. Jacob Rodriguez has 101. [Rodriguez] has acquired 5.5 extra tackles for loss [than Te’o did]. He is acquired a half-sack much less and three fewer interceptions [than Te’o], however seven extra pressured fumbles, two extra fumble recoveries and three whole touchdowns, whereas Te’o had zero.”
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