2017 College Football Picks and Predictions: Ranking the Heisman Trophy Finalists

2017 College Football Picks and Predictions – Ranking the Heisman Trophy Finalists: Another college football regular season has come and gone, but before the 40-plus bowl games will be played, one player will add their name to the prestigious list of Heisman Trophy winners.

The finalists have been announced, and three players will make the trip to New York. Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield will make yet another appearance as a finalist, and he will be joined by the defending winner, Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson. The newcomer to the table will be Stanford running back Bryce Love.

The fact that only three players were invited to New York tells you how far these three players have separated themselves from the pack, and Mayfield has to be considered the overwhelming favorite. With that in mind, here is a closer look at each finalist and how I see the final votes playing out for the 2017 Heisman Memorial Trophy.

2017 College Football Picks and Predictions: Ranking the Heisman Trophy Finalists

1. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma Sooners

The Oklahoma quarterback seized command of the Heisman race as conference play heated up, and he never really relinquished the lead. In fact, he is basically a lock to take home the award. The lone knock would be his occasional immature antics, but other recent winners have done far worse and still hoisted the trophy. Mayfield’s numbers include 4,340 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns to just five interceptions and five rushing touchdowns. He is also the engine that drives one of the best offenses in the country for the No. 2 team. He even had a couple of Heisman “moments, tossing three scores to knock off the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus and throwing for 598 yards and soring six times in a shootout win over rival Oklahoma State.

2. Bryce Love, RB, Stanford Cardinal 

Love is sitting just 27 rushing yards short of 2,000 on the year, and that total becomes far more impressive when you consider he played most of the year with an ankle sprain and missed a game against Pac-12 doormat Oregon State because of the injury. He has scored 17 times while averaging 8.3 yards per carry, and that was with every defense knowing he was Stanford’s only dependable offensive weapon. He ran for 301 yards against Arizona State, and although Stanford lost the Pac-12 title game to USC, voters watched him limp off the field time and time again, only to return to rip off big runs to keep the Cardinal afloat. HGis consistent, high-end production despite an ankle injury and a mediocre supporting cast and his overall value to his team will be reward with a runner-up finish in the Heisman voting.

3. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville Cardinals

Repeating as the Heisman winner is darn near impossible, and whether they admit it or not, voters will look for any reason to prevent a player from repeating. Jackson’s numbers this year are practically identical to last year’s numbers, and he has thrown for nearly 3.500 yards and rushing for more than 1,400. He has also combined to score 42 touchdowns. Unfortunately, the Cardinals just didn’t have the team success, finishing 8-4. An uncompetitive loss to Clemson was forgivable, but losses to Syracuse, Boston College and Wake Forest won’t sit well with voters, even if Jackson put up excellent numbers in those games. Jackson was probably a better player this year than last, but he is going to have to settle for a return trip to New York and not back-to-back Heisman trophies.

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