The definition of the Heisman Trophy is the award for the most outstanding player in college football. The best player on the best team is often the recipient.
At this point in the season, is there any feasible argument against that player being Chase Young? The hulking defensive lineman fits that description to a tee.
Just look at the 6-foot-5, 265-pound junior’s performance in Ohio State’s toughest game. Four sacks, five tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in a 38-7 rout of Wisconsin. He leads the country with 13.5 sacks. He has 15.5 tackles for loss. He has five forced fumbles. He’s the backbone of the lowest-scoring defense (7.9) in the country and quite possibly the No. 1 NFL prospect in the nation, too.
“He’s the most dominant player in college football,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day told reporters on Saturday. “He completely changes the game.”
There are a number of quarterbacks having phenomenal years, including Young’s teammate, Justin Fields. Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts has scored 34 touchdowns and produced 3,270 all-purpose yards. Joe Burrow has already set LSU’s single-season passing touchdowns record with 30 and counting, and has the Tigers undefeated in the brutal SEC West. Alabama signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa is still a contender, despite the high ankle sprain he’s currently dealing with, having thrown 27 touchdown passes, just two interception while completing 74.7 percent of his passes.
They are obviously all contenders, likely already headed for a trip to New York City in December. Young should be there, too.
Quarterbacks have dominated the Heisman in recent years, winning nine of the last 10. A pure defensive player has never won the award before. The closest was Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson in 1997, but a large part of his production came as a dynamic punt returner and a part-time wide receiver.
Two defensive players have come close. Pittsburgh defensive end Hugh Green in 1980 and Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o in 2012 both finished second, losing out to skill-position offensive players. Perhaps if Young makes history, breaking the NCAA single-season sack record, that would help his case. He’s 11.5 behind Terrell Suggs’ 24 set at Arizona State in 2002.
With seven games left — that number depends on the Buckeyes playing the Big Ten championship and both playoff contests — it’s not out of the question. Votes have to be in before the playoff, but his chase could at least help his cause.
Odds are, it won’t happen with Young. There are too many quarterbacks having terrific seasons, players he may see in the playoff. But Young should be in the mix, at least named a finalist. He has to be seriously considered.
As the saying goes, defense wins championships. Ohio State wouldn’t be a title contender without its dominant defensive lineman.
Help better come Soon’
Oklahoma’s playoff hopes didn’t end Saturday at Kansas State. Jalen Hurts and Co. still have a shot. But the Sooners now have zero margin for error — win out and hope. Hope they get some help from fellow contenders. Hope the playoff committee doesn’t look down on their soft non-conference schedule. Hope Texas doesn’t fall further, after its loss to TCU, Kansas State goes on a run to improve that loss, and Baylor remains undefeated until the two teams meet on Nov. 16. Oklahoma now finds itself in the muck, along with Oregon, a second yet-to-be-determined SEC school and a host of others.
Time in the spotlight
This season hasn’t delivered many surprises. The teams everyone expected to dominate, the Clemsons, Alabamas and Ohio States around the country, remain perfect. But there have been a few out-of-nowhere stories. A look down the latest AP Top-25 poll illustrates that.
At No. 13 is Minnesota. Two spots down is SMU, off to its best start since starting 10-0 way back in 1982. Minnesota, alone atop the Big Ten West, hasn’t been ranked this high since 1999 and hasn’t been 8-0 since winning a national championship in 1941. The sport needs this, a nice respite from the top-heavy fatigue from the usual high-powered programs.
Top 10
1. Ohio State (8-0) (Last week: 1)
Even in nasty conditions against one of the nation’s premier defenses, Ohio State put up 431 yards of offense in a rout of Wisconsin. The Buckeyes are the best team in the country.
2. LSU (8-0) (3)
Let the hype begin. In two weeks, it will be undefeated Alabama against undefeated LSU, the winner getting close to locking up a playoff bid.
3. Alabama (8-0) (2)
Don’t take anything from the Crimson Tide putting up 48 points without Tua Tagovailoa. Arkansas might be the worst power-conference team in the country, and yes that includes Rutgers.
4. Clemson (8-0) (5)
Since escaping North Carolina, Clemson has defeated Louisville, Florida State and Boston College by a combined 149-31. The ACC is the gift that keeps on giving to the Tigers.
5. Penn State (8-0) (9)
The last three wins, over Iowa, Michigan and Michigan State, have convinced us the Nittany Lions are contenders. You don’t stay undefeated, while being ranked in the top 15 in scoring offense (13th) and defense (2nd) nationally, this late into the Big Ten season otherwise.
6. Oklahoma (7-1) (4)
What a disastrous Saturday for the Sooners. Not only did they lose at mediocre Kansas State, but Texas fell to TCU, lessening the impact of their best victory.
7. Georgia (6-1) (6)
Georgia has won the last two meetings with Florida comfortably, but next Saturday feels different. There is immense pressure on the Bulldogs. A loss all but eliminates them from the playoff.
8. Florida (7-1) (8)
The schedule is favorable, giving the Gators a legit shot to reach the SEC championship if it can get by Georgia on Saturday in Jacksonville.
9. Oregon (7-1) (10)
Seven straight wins for the Ducks, the Pac-12’s lone playoff hope. Five more is a must to even have a chance to play for a title.
10. Auburn (6-2) (NR)
Put Auburn in the Pac-12, Big 12 or ACC and it is undefeated. In the SEC it has two losses, and could wind up with a few more.
Out: Notre Dame (5-2)
Heisman Watch (in alphabetical order)
QB Joe Burrow, LSU
A school-record eighth career 300-yard passing game and a third victory over a top-10 opponent, this time against Auburn. The dream season continues for Burrow and LSU.
QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
I learned more about Fields on Saturday then any of his far more spectacular performances. He shook off a tough start against an elite opponent in bad conditions, producing three touchdowns without a turnover.
QB Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
This is what life is like after Alabama. Hurts put up 489 yards of offense and four touchdowns — and lost.
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
Nick Saban said his superstar junior is healing faster than expected from his high ankle sprain. It remains to be seen if he will be ready for LSU in two weeks.
DE Chase Young, Ohio State
The nation’s leader in sacks with 13.5, Young has led the country’s stingiest defense (7.9 points per game).