Should the Heisman Award Date be Moved?

[FishDuck Article]

The Heisman Trophy is awarded to the best player in college football for his body of work throughout the season. The final ballots are received by December 9, after conference championship games, and the award ceremony is held on December 14. This is a normal timeline for the greatest award in college football. However, this timeline doesn’t make sense in ...

 

Should the Heisman Award Date be Moved? | FishDuck

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The Heisman Trophy is awarded to the best player in college football for his body of work throughout the season. The final ballots are...

 

[Smith72]

Great points to consider David.  I agree with your premise.  Heisman moments against good competition is needed for the award.

 

So far this season Dillon Gabriel has delivered many Heisman moments.  Oho State, Michigan, are good defenses and Gabriel delivered.  

 

Great article, David, and thank you for being a FishDuck writer!

[30Duck]

It's an interesting premise, David, but I disagree with it. It isn't their fault, but Hunter, Jeanty & Ward have all made the best of playing against inferior opponents the whole season, except Jeanty, who's Boise State team. did play an Oregon team, that was finding its footing, early in the season and lost.

 

The three players are doing what's expected of them against inferior opponents. Is Jeanty "certainly the best running back in all of college football this season? He's certainly the best playing against the competition he's faced. Ward too, has put up great numbers against week competition, but needed a lot of help to get wins.

 

Hunter at Colorado, great player, both sides of the ball. Colorado is 6-2, the best team they have played is Nebraska, who buried them. Meanwhile Gabriel is the QB of the No.1 team in the country, putting up great numbers, except in the 2nd half, and his team has 3 top 25 wins. He has had Heisman moments when the pressure was on, the other 3 haven't faced pressure like that.

 

The timing of the Heisman is just fine.

[DUCati855]

David,

 

Thank you for another thought provoking article.

 

I understand where you are coming from and have often wondered the same thing.

 

One thing I have always liked about the Heisman is it often is not a clear cut winner. Typically there are 2 or 3 guys who are arguably worthy of winning it. It creates great banter between fan bases, it builds anticipation, and even after the award is given there are still arguing points.

 

I worry if you wait until the end of the season. It will basically be given to the MVP of the championship game. To me that just doesn't feel the same. It feels to easy and kind of boring.

 

Just my simple mind... not wanting everything about college football to change. Change isn't always good.

[spartan2785]

I like Gabriel, I really do, he's done a great job, he isn't as dominant at his position as Hunter or Jeanty.  He has the benefit of playing for a much much better team.  

 

If it's a decision between Ward and Gabriel that one is more interesting I think.  Ward has led some great comebacks, but those comebacks are against fairly average teams, Oregon has certainly played a much tougher schedule.  Ward probably has been more flashy, but Gabriel has the most high profile win and moment I would argue.  

 

In the end give me Jeanty all day, I think college football will be better if it's proven a smaller school player can win the award, especially being a non-QB 

[DanLduck]

I agree with your premise David.

But the Heisman is for the regular season. Including the playoff isn't fair to those who don't make the playoffs. 

 

That said, if we are going to have such a long extended playoff, maybe things should be reconsidered. 

 

Surely the best player will be on one of the 12 teams.

Or, come up with a new award for the playoffs. 

 

I know I'm prejudiced, but only one candidate of these 4 players is in a top flight conference each week. I think even Purdue would look better if they played in any of the other 3 conferences. And doesn't character count for something?

 

Gabriel has just been cool, calm, accurate, consistent and the consumate leader week after week. And in his first year on the team. He makes his playing look effortless. Yeah, he's had a few misses, but look at those victories!

 

Oh yeah, that team is not just ranked #1 but playing the best football right now too.

 

Until they change it, the best player in CFB is on the best team. Period.

[spartan2785]

 

On 11/7/2024 at 11:15 AM, DanLduck said:

Until they change it, the best player in CFB is on the best team. Period.

Nahhh, was Jayden Daniels on the best team?  Lemar Jackson?  Ron Dayne?  Barry Sanders?  Bo Jackson?  Doug Flutie?  

 

It's an award for the best player, the best player could be on a 7-4 team that without him would be 3-9, it's not likely to happen, but it's possible.  

[DanLduck]

On 11/7/2024 at 11:50 AM, spartan2785 said:

 

Nahhh, was Jayden Daniels on the best team?  Lemar Jackson?  Ron Dayne?  Barry Sanders?  Bo Jackson?  Doug Flutie?  

 

It's an award for the best player, the best player could be on a 7-4 team that without him would be 3-9, it's not likely to happen, but it's possible.  

I think differently. How can you be the best player if your team isn't at least considered one of the best.

I understand your point, but to be the best, you must play against the best every week.

The BSU kid is great, no doubt, but the MWC is not the B1G or the SEC. 

The Colorado kid, the BIG12 is weak!

Ward, the ACC is less then weak!!

 

Great players, probably great NFL careers, but today's best college player plays against the best every week.

Dillon Gabriel. 

[David Marsh]

Personally I've been disappointed with the slate of Heisman candidates this year. 

 

Even Gabriel seems like a step down from Nix last year. Not a big step mind you but a step. 

 

As for Travis Hunter. Colorado will get a bowl game regardless. All the playoff guarantees is one more game. 

 

I didn't put don't a proposed date to move the Heisman because I'm not sure. It could be something like January 3rd... Let bowl season and the early rounds of the playoffs playout. 

 

Then vote. 

 

I don't think it should be an MVP like trophy but let's get real here. The best players are probably going to make the playoffs and if they don't they're making a bowl game. 

[30Duck]

On 11/7/2024 at 4:23 PM, DanLduck said:

I think differently. How can you be the best player if your team isn't at least considered one of the best.

I understand your point, but to be the best, you must play against the best every week.

The BSU kid is great, no doubt, but the MWC is not the B1G or the SEC. 

The Colorado kid, the BIG12 is weak!

Ward, the ACC is less then weak!!

 

Great players, probably great NFL careers, but today's best college player plays against the best every week.

Dillon Gabriel. 

Agree on all counts. Jeanty is having a great year, running primarily against MWC competition, that has to come under consideration, same as Ward-ACC, Hunter-Big 12. Gabriel has led the Ducks to No.1, undefeated against more top 25 teams than the other 3 candidates combined. 

[cartm25]

Great article that has me indecisive.

 

Picking the "best" player in college football (or NFL), is WAY too hard. There are too many players with very specific and unique responsibilities . . . which is why football is the ultimate TEAM sport.

 

Football has way more variables and circumstances that impact the outcome of games.

 

I'm not convinced that the best teams have "the" best player. IMO, the best teams have the best collection of players, coaches, staff, etc . . . and sometimes the best player as well.

 

Would Dillon Gabriel win the Heisman if Oregon's O-Line continued to play like it did in the first two games? Even DG--arguably the best QB in college football--can't overcome that.

 

I'd leave the Heisman a regular season award and have separate awards for the playoffs.

 

I also lean towards Jeanty for Heisman because he appears to be a generational talent at RB. I realize he doesn't play in a P5 conference, but if he were suddenly on a legitimate P5 school, and roster, I think he would still dominate.

 

He's the only individual player in college football I tune in to watch.

[30Duck]

On 11/8/2024 at 9:26 AM, cartm25 said:

I realize he doesn't play in a P5 conference, but if he were suddenly on a legitimate P5 school, and roster, I think he would still dominate.

No offense to Jeanty, who is having an incredible year, at Boise State, in the MWC. I think if he were on a P4 school, he'd still have a great year, like a bunch of other great RB's on other P4 schools. He would probably be splitting time with another talented RB going against superior teams than he is now. 

[cartm25]

On 11/8/2024 at 11:00 AM, 30Duck said:

No offense to Jeanty, who is having an incredible year, at Boise State, in the MWC. I think if he were on a P4 school, he'd still have a great year, like a bunch of other great RB's on other P4 schools. He would probably be splitting time with another talented RB going against superior teams than he is now. 

Yeah, it's hard to tell with Jeanty. Given the circumstances, the only way to know is to see how well he does in the NFL against the best competition in the world.

 

All I can say is I would trade him for Jordan James today . . . no offense to James.

 

I'm not sure DG screams Heisman to me. Similar to what @David Marsh indicated about not being impressed with the Heisman candidates.

 

I love DG's deep ball, but the offense hasn't really flourished like in years past.

 

I just think the Ducks have a great all-around team with a very good QB.

 

But!! If I could give the Heisman to the Ducks' defense, I would.

[30Duck]

On 11/8/2024 at 11:00 AM, cartm25 said:

 

I love DG's deep ball, but the offense hasn't really flourished like in years past.

There is a thought that the offense is flourishing as it is this year, by design, with DG's accuracy and timely runs leading the Ducks to 9-0 and No.1

[cartm25]

On 11/8/2024 at 12:08 PM, 30Duck said:

There is a thought that the offense is flourishing as it is this year, by design, with DG's accuracy and timely runs leading the Ducks to 9-0 and No.1

Yes, complimentary football by the Ducks is on point.

[30Duck]

On 11/8/2024 at 11:00 AM, cartm25 said:

All I can say is I would trade him for Jordan James today . . . no offense to James.

 

More to the point, would you trade Gabriel for Jeanty?

[cartm25]

On 11/8/2024 at 3:23 PM, 30Duck said:

More to the point, would you trade Gabriel for Jeanty?

Would Dillon Gabriel get your Heisman vote if he played for Boise State?

Edited November 8 by cartm25

[30Duck]

On 11/8/2024 at 2:47 PM, cartm25 said:

Would Dillon Gabriel get your Heisman vote if he played for Boise State?

No. Do you have an answer to my question?

Edited November 8 by 30Duck

[Dave23]

Jeantry would do just fine or maybe better in the P4, he put up some amazing number against the Duck stout D.

 

24 carries for 192 yards and 3 TDs that's an average of 7.7 yard a carry. I don't think any other RB has come close to doing that to the Ducks.

 

He's the most worthy stand out athlete of this year by far.

[PittDuck]

I would not trade Gabriel for Jeanty.  Jeanty is good and did well against OBD, but two of his carries went for 30 and 77 yards.  
 

Take those two explosions out and he had a pretty pedestrian 85 yards on 22 carries. That is only 3.68 yards per carry.  He simply does not bring as much to his team as DG brings to the Ducks.

[Dave23]

On 11/8/2024 at 11:16 PM, PittDuck said:

Jeanty is good and did well against OBD, but two of his carries went for 30 and 77 yards.  

I wouldn't trade DG for Jeantry either a good QB is more valuable than an amazing RB just look at the pay difference in the NFL.

 

As for getting rid of his two longest runs you can pretty much make anyone look pedestrian doing that. Just take an equal amount of explosive players away from DG and his number will fall drastically as well.

Edited November 9 by Dave23
Spelling

[cartm25]

On 11/9/2024 at 7:48 AM, Dave23 said:

As for getting rid of his two longest runs you can pretty much make anyone look pedestrian doing that. Just take an equal amount of explosive players away from DG and his number will fall drastically as well.

Excellent, excellent point!!

[30Duck]

I won't take explosive plays away from either Gabriel or Jeanty. I will however say that Gabriel is making his plays as he leads the Ducks through an undefeated season, with wins over 3 top 25 teams, including Jeanty's Boise State team. Meanwhile, as great a season as Jeanty is having, he's compiling his numbers as Boise State goes through a schedule of teams filled with players clearly not at his level. Except the one time, and Boise State lost.

[cartm25]

On 11/8/2024 at 3:57 PM, 30Duck said:

No. Do you have an answer to my question?

In the very constrained hypothetical presented: "Poof"! Today DG is now the BSU QB and Jeanty is now the Ducks' RB, and the Ducks now have to deal with backups at QB?

 

Well of course I wouldn't do that.

 

But I don't think a simple "swap test" is the appropriate measuring stick to pick Heisman winners, unless the Heisman is exclusively a QB award.

 

99 times out of 100, if a team's excellent (or even above average) QB is "swapped" out (now relying on backup QBs) for an excellent skill position player, that team will be worse off.

 

May as well cancel the Heisman Award since the Davey O'Brien Award exists.

 

As I mentioned in an earlier comment, football is challenging due to having very unique positions with very little cross-over in roles and responsibilities.

 

Assuming a more realistic scenario where Oregon has a more than competent QB--but not Dillion Gabriel--AND now have Jeanty . . . I'd be very open to that.

 

In fact, here are some prior Duck non-Heisman QBs (not really considered for Heisman) that I would take today in combination with Jeanty: Clemens, Masoli, D. Thomas, V. Adams, J. Herbert

 

I think the Heisman award should compare players/positions relative to the current year's active players, as well as consider historical context.

 

Dillion Gabriel is an excellent QB. I'm not insulting him by slightly preferring Jeanty for the Heisman. I just don't think he's having a historic, Heisman-worthy year (SO FAR; that could change).

 

However, when I Google Jeanty, nearly every article says "Jeanty Chasing History".

 

I think that's awesome, and Heisman-worthy.

[30Duck]

On 11/9/2024 at 8:31 AM, cartm25 said:

On 11/8/2024 at 2:57 PM, 30Duck said:

 

In the very constrained hypothetical presented: "Poof"! Today DG is now the BSU QB and Jeanty is now the Ducks' RB, and the Ducks now have to deal with backups at QB?

Good points. I'd probably trade James for Jeanty too, but again, that's irrelevant to who I think should win the Heisman. 

 

I don't think Gabriel is the greatest QB to put on cleats, though as far as history goes, he's on pace to set two QB records, Jeanty probably won't break Barry Sanders' season rushing record.

 

It has become a QB award, but I don't know if that is wrong. A quarterback has a lot more responsibility than does a running back, on every play in every game.  "Game Manager" is seen as a hit on a QB, but in fact it is exactly what a QB should do, and what Gabriel has done extremely well this season, He probably would have more gaudy numbers if the offense wasn't also being "Game Managed."

 

There's the Doak Walker Award for Running Backs. 

 

Edited November 9 by 30Duck

[cartm25]

On 11/9/2024 at 9:44 AM, 30Duck said:

Good points. I'd probably trade James for Jeanty too, but again, that's irrelevant to who I think should win the Heisman. 

 

I don't think Gabriel is the greatest QB to put on cleats, though as far as history goes, he's on pace to set two QB records, Jeanty probably won't break Barry Sanders' season rushing record.

 

It has become a QB award, but I don't know if that is wrong. A quarterback has a lot more responsibility than does a running back, on every play in every game. 

 

There's the Doak Walker Award for Running Backs. 

 

Do you know what records DG is on pace to break? Are they Career or Single Season records?

 

Since the Heisman is single-season excellence award, I'm less inclined to consider career achievements. Especially when the records are accomplished by longevity alone.

 

If I recall, I think one is career passing yards currently held by . . . Case Keenum with other members of the top-5 consisting of Timmy Chang, Landry Jones, and Graham Harrell.

 

While Jeanty is chasing Barry Sanders.

 

Look, I feel like in all the back and forth on OBD (not just with you) about why I give a slight edge to Jeanty, that I'm coming across as a Dillon Gabriel hater. Or, that I don't want DG to win it, and that I don't want the Ducks to have a Heisman winner.

 

That could not be further from the truth. I'd be ecstatic if he won, and I'd remind everyone I talk football with that he won it . . . to the point of being annoying, likely.

 

I just look at Jeanty and see a RB that looks next level in his vision, quickness, and breakaway speed, and that's chasing a record set by--IMO--the single greatest running back of all time in Barry Sanders.

 

And he's doing it while every defense he goes up against--including Oregon--knows there's only ONE objective . . . Stop Jeanty.

[30Duck]

On 11/9/2024 at 9:40 AM, cartm25 said:

Especially when the records are accomplished by longevity alone. 

 

They are career, though I don't think they are being accomplished by "longevity alone"

[Krsmqn]

Imagine if LaMichael James had six years to play—his stats would be untouchable. We can't even assess if Jeanty will surpass LaMike's yardage after just three seasons. 

 

Dillon Gabriel is a talented QB, no doubt, but like Bo Nix last year, his record-breaking numbers are benefiting from extended eligibility and extra games, which inflate the metrics. 

 

But the Heisman is about this season, not a career. And right now, Jeanty is delivering an incredible performance.

 

Gabriel is a fantastic college quarterback, but is he Heisman-worthy? Honestly, I don't think so—at least not yet. However, the season isn't over, and we don’t hand out the trophy in the middle of it. It’ll be interesting to see how this race unfolds.

 

If I were a betting man, I’d put my money on Jeanty, as long as he keeps up this level of play.

 

As for the original topic, I think I agree with those who say that the Heisman ceremony date should be left alone as it does reflect the season. 

[Dave23]

On 11/9/2024 at 10:47 AM, 30Duck said:

They are career, though I don't think they are being accomplished by "longevity alone"

I could be wrong but I believe keenum only actually played 4 years I'm not even sure if he started those four years. DG has had quite a few more games under his belt, not saying he is in an excellent QB.

 

I'm with Cartm25 on this one, it's not that I don't want DG to win and I do think he's an excellent quarterback/game manager it's just that he isn't leaps and bounds better than anyone else at his position on the field. 

 

Maybe they should just make it a QB award and just call it good. Was Barry Sanders more important to his team than Troy Aikman was to his?

 

The argument that he hasn't played against a anyone  good or he's in a weaker conference is exactly what they used to always say about Oregon when the Heisman was being considered.

 

My personal Heisman test is would every team in the country fall over themselves to have him on their team. I could say yes to Jeantry where DG I would say most would but not all.