Oregon Football: What Marcus Mariota Must Do to Win 2014 Heisman

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota is the favorite to win the 2014 Heisman Trophy; however, there’s a lot to be done by Mariota and the Ducks if he’s going to take home the coveted award. 

There’s no doubt that Mariota has carried the Ducks so far this season. On the year, the Ducks quarterback is completing 74 percent of his passes, has thrown for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns, and has rushed for 214 yards and another three scores. He’s also yet to turnover the ball.

But winning the Heisman isn’t just about pure stats. Your team has to be one of the best in the nation and you have to unequivocally be the leader and face of the program. It also helps if you create that “Heisman Moment,” which voters will remember when it’s time to submit their ballots.

Here’s what Mariota and the Ducks have to do the rest of the season to ensure that Oregon secures its first Heisman Trophy winner.

Throw for 3,500 yards and Score 35+ Touchdowns 

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The Heisman Trophy is an award that has been given to quarterbacks in nine of the last 11 seasons—including Reggie Bush’s win in 2005.

The quarterbacks who’ve won the award in the past 11 seasons—Jason White, Matt Leinart, Troy Smith, Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III, Johnny Manziel and Jameis Winston—have averaged 3,625 passing yards, 35 touchdown passes and 10 rushing touchdowns.

Here’s a breakdown:

Year	Name	Passing Yards	Passing TD	Rushing TD
2003	Jason White	3,846	40	1
2004	Matt Leinart	3,322	33	3
2006	Troy Smith	2,542	30	1
2007	Tim Tebow	3,286	30	23
2008	Sam Bradford	4,720	50	5
2010	Cam Newton	2,854	30	21
2011	Robert Griffin III	4,293	37	10
2012	Johnny Manziel	3,706	26	21
2013	Jameis Winston	4,057	40	4
Average		3,625	35	10

Let’s say that Mariota plays 13 games this season before the Heisman ceremony takes place in December, including a potential Pac-12 championship game. Currently he is on pace for 3,688 passing yards, 42 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns. If he keeps up with that pace, Mariota will have equaled or bettered the averages of the past nine quarterbacks to win the Heisman.

Of course, statistics don’t tell the entire story. Wins do.

Beat Stanford

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Stanford has been Mariota’s Achilles' heel. The Ducks redshirt junior quarterback is in his third year as starter for the program and has a nearly flawless record of 27-3. However, two of those losses have come at the hands of the Cardinal.

If the Ducks are to win the Pac-12 North title and advance to the Pac-12 championship game on Dec. 5, they are going to have to beat Stanford. In order for Mariota’s Heisman candidacy to be taken seriously, he has to lead the Ducks to a victory over Stanford on Nov. 1.

Without a victory over Stanford, Mariota could still theoretically win the Heisman; however, it would be a much tougher road, and that road would be filled with a lot more questions than answers.

When the Heisman voters go to cast their ballots, you don’t want there to be any room to ask questions. The race needs to be over before it even starts. By beating Stanford and overcoming his Achilles' heel, Mariota will have proved that he’s the best candidate for the prestigious award.

Win the Pac-12 Championship 

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Despite the fact that Mariota is the best quarterback in the history of the Oregon program, as evidenced by his school records including most touchdown passes thrown and total offense, he has never won a Pac-12 championship.

While it’s not a prerequisite for a Heisman winner to win their conference championship, in fact only five of the past nine quarterbacks to win the Heisman have, Mariota is going to need to accomplish this feat in order to secure his place on the ballot. A championship win will not only highlight his accomplishments on one of the best teams in the nation, it will alleviate concerns that Mariota can’t win the big game and get past Stanford in the Pac-12 North division.

Can Marcus Mariota win the Heisman Trophy if the Ducks go 11-1 in the regular season and fail to reach the Pac-12 title game? Yes, it’s possible. However, if Mariota is to lead the Ducks to a Pac-12 title, it would cement his legacy at the University of Oregon and propel his Heisman Trophy candidacy.

Earn a Spot in the College Football Championship

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Six of the past nine quarterbacks to capture the Heisman have gone on to play in the national championship game, though only three winners have captured the title—Matt Leinart in 2004, Cam Newton in 2010 and Jameis Winston in 2013. 

It's possible to have a remarkable season and capture the Heisman without making it to the national championship game; however, the trophy is usually presented to the best player on one of the best teams in the country. While Tim Tebow, Robert Griffin III and Johnny Manziel all won the Heisman without their teams being in serious contention for the national title, it's the road less traveled.

With the new College Football Playoff allowing four teams to compete for a national title, it should open up the door for more Heisman Trophy candidates.

This is where Mariota fits in. The Ducks, currently ranked second by The Associated Press, have a very realistic shot at reaching the inaugural College Football Playoff. If Mariota can lead the Ducks into the playoff, he should be one of the top contenders for the Heisman.

Create The “Heisman Moment”

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While the Heisman Trophy is a reward based on individual statistics and team results, the voters also award “style points.” Most of the past winners have not only succeeded individually, but they’ve provided theatrical moments on the field that are remembered and immortalized forever.

When we think about the Heisman Trophy, we often don’t think of the entire resume of the winner. What we—and the voters—think about is that one moment, that one play that separates a college football player from the pack and leaves a mark on history.

Think about Reggie Bush in 2005 cutting back across the field against Fresno State, or Desmond Howard striking the Heisman pose in 1991 after a punt return against Ohio State. How about Johnny Manziel’s scramble, fumble, scramble some more touchdown pass against Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 2012? These are moments we’ll never forget.

In order to win the Heisman Trophy, a candidate needs to have one of these moments and usually they come in high-pressure situations against a top opponent.

Has Mariota already had his Heisman moment for the Ducks this season? It’s possible.

We could talk about Mariota’s “Flyin’ Hawaiian” rushing touchdown against Wyoming, but that doesn't feel like “it.”

However, Mariota’s flip pass against Michigan State may qualify.

With the Ducks down 27-18 and struggling mightily on offense against the tough Spartans defense, Oregon faced a 3rd-and-11. Mariota felt pressure in the backfield, as he had all day. With defenders barreling down on him, Mariota miraculously escaped the pocket and cut to the left. He could have run for a first-down, but he was beginning to trip.

Out of the corner of his eye, Mariota spotted true freshman running back Royce Freeman. The QB flipped a gorgeous little pass to Freeman as he was falling to the turf that resulted in a 17-yard gain and a first down. That play changed the entire momentum of the game. The Ducks would go on to score on that drive, as well as the subsequent three drives. That moment, which we've dubbed "The Flip," will go down in Oregon lore. 

Was that Mariota's Heisman moment? Only time will tell.

In order for Marcus Mariota to capture the Heisman Trophy, he’s going to need to once again provide that indelible moment with the game on the line. It’s imperative to his Heisman candidacy.

Mariota has an incredible shot to win the first Heisman in the history of the University of Oregon. If Mariota succeeds individually, beats Stanford, leads the Ducks to a Pac-12 title and Oregon earns a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff, he will be crowned as the winner of the 2014 Heisman Trophy.

Jason Gold is Bleacher Report’s lead Oregon writer. Follow Jason on Twitter @TheSportsGuy33.