2014 Heisman Trophy Final Predictions – Marcus Mariota the Winner

2014 Heisman Trophy Final Predictions – Marcus Mariota the Winner: This Saturday night, one of the most prestigious clubs in sports will induct a new member when the 80th annual Heisman Memorial Trophy is handed out. Earlier this week, three finalists for the award were named, and now, voters will decide whether Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper and Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon is worthy of being the next player to win the award. Recently, quarterbacks have had a huge advantage, winning the award in nine of the last 10 seasons, including four straight. Meanwhile, just two players have won the award as wide receivers. With that in mind, here is how I see the finalists stacking up as well as the players that will round out the top five.

1. Marcus Mariota, Quarterback, Oregon Ducks

At this point, the only real question is the margin of victory. Mariota capped a brilliant season with five total touchdowns in a rout of Arizona that clinched Oregon the Pac-12 title and a spot in the college football playoff. For the year, Mariota tallied more than 4,400 total yards and had 52 total touchdowns compared to just two interceptions.

2. Melvin Gordon, Running Back, Wisconsin Badgers

Any chance for Gordon to surpass Marcus Mariota ended Saturday as the Badgers were dismantled in a 59-0 loss in the Big Ten title game. Gordon had a terrible game in the team’s biggest game, rushing 26 times for just 76 yards. He also lost a fumbled that was returned for a score. That being said, his 2,336 rushing yards still lead the nation, and his body of work will be likely be good enough to make him a distant runner-up Saturday.

3. Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver, Alabama Crimson Tide

He set an SEC title game record with 12 catches last weekend, giving him an SEC record 115 catches for the season. His 115 catches also lead the country, and Cooper also ranks first in receiving yards and second in touchdowns heading into the bowl season. He was the most potent weapon in a high-scoring Alabama offense, and while he will likely earn some second-place votes, it is just too hard for receivers to win the Heisman.

4. Trevone Boykin, Quarterback, TCU Horned Frogs

While he wasn’t named one of the three finalists, Boykin should be the best of the rest when it comes to the Heisman voting. He polished off his impressive season last weekend by throwing for 460 yards and four scores and scoring on a 55-yard touchdown catch. The dual-threat weapon finished with more than 4,400 total yards and 39 total scores for a one-loss TCU team.

5. J.T. Barrett, Quarterback, Ohio State Buckeyes

His ankle injury against Michigan derailed any serious chance he had at making a run at the Heisman, but his body of work should be good enough for a top-five finish in the voting. After all, he led the Buckeyes to an 11-1 record despite being thrown into the starting lineup just a week before the season began. More importantly, he threw for more than 2,800 yards and ran for nearly 1,000 while scoring a Big Ten record 45 total touchdowns. Had he been under center for Ohio State’s destruction of Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game, Barrett would likely have a seat among the finalists.