So what will it take to get Ed to NYC? Here’s 4 things that need to happen.
1. An Open Mind: Recent Heisman history has shown that voters are willing to overlook some things: they chose a guy with nagging issues both on and off the field (Baker Mayfield), a player on a 9-3 team that had lost his last 2 games (Lamar Jackson), a freshman facing sexual assault claims and other off-the-field problems (Jameis Winston), and of course, Johnny Football. Would they be able to overlook offensive numbers and find the best player in the game?
2. A Little Luck: Ed would definitely need some luck. The Heisman is a national award but voting tends to be regional. The Cougar great would need there to be no consensus – especially in the south. According to oddsmakers, SEC quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa, Jake Fromm, and Jarrett Stidham are the southern favorites. Three SEC QBs. Even with great years, they could each cancel out the others.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”#c8102e” class=”” size=””]I love this fortress of a man so much and I want him to shake me to death – Michael Baumann, The Ringer[/perfectpullquote]
Oliver would also greatly benefit from Wisconsin RB Johnathan Taylor and Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins muddying the waters for each other. The same is true for Bryce Love (Stanford) and Khalil Tate of Arizona. Ed would also need the race to stay tight until the end – no presumptive winner like Mayfield last year.
NEXT: Part 3 – Getting The Media
