Melvin Gordon Must Carry Wisconsin to a Big Ten Title to Win Heisman

One week ago, Melvin Gordon vaulted into college football’s national spotlight with a 408-yard rushing effort against Nebraska that set the FBS single-game rushing record (for a week, as it turned out, thanks to Oklahoma’s Samaje Perine’s 427-yard day against Kansas on Saturday).

Gordon made his way to the forefront of the Heisman Trophy race with that record-setting performance, and there’s no question that he’s one of college football’s most outstanding players. ESPN’s Heisman Watch has him as a very close second to Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota in the running for the award.

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

To get over the top, Gordon will have to keep posting huge numbers and helping his team win to impress voters.

Following Saturday’s 26-24 win at Iowa, he is on track to do just that. Coming off his huge week against Nebraska, the Hawkeyes’ defense was clearly geared to stop Gordon. As a result, he had just 39 rushing yards in the first half.

After halftime, however, he carried the Badgers’ offense. With under 10 minutes to play, Wisconsin held a 19-17 lead and faced a 3rd-and-13 at its own 32. Gordon broke off a 35-yard gain on a screen pass to pick up the first down, then completed the drive with a 23-yard touchdown run. The Gazette's Mike Hlas believes Gordon's performance speaks volumes about his desire to win the Heisman: 

Gordon finished the day with 200 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries and now has 2,109 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns this season, along with a pair of touchdowns through the air.

Wisconsin's Twitter account noted just how impressive Gordon's rushing totals have been this season:

Saturday marked his fifth 200-yard game of the season and his third consecutive game reaching that mark.

Gordon has clinched his ticket to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony on Dec. 13. But to get on stage and hoist the trophy, he’ll need to do more. Team success plays a big part in the Heisman voting, and Gordon will have to lead his team to a Big Ten Championship if he wants to move ahead of Mariota.

Saturday’s win put the Badgers in prime position for the Big Ten West Division title, and Minnesota will come to town for the division title game next Saturday.

"It feels good because everything is on the line next week," Gordon said, via The Associated Press (h/t Fox Sports). "Minnesota is going to give us their all and we're going to give them ours. We have to."

Beat the Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium, and Wisconsin will head to Indianapolis for the Big Ten title game against the Ohio State Buckeyes, who clinched the Big Ten East Saturday afternoon.

That would be a key spotlight for Gordon. Prime time, with the nation watching.

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

It is the perfect opportunity to impress Heisman Trophy voters, particularly since final ballots are due two days later. That day, Mariota will also be competing in the Pac-12 title game, meaning Gordon must give them something to think about.

It’s not necessarily fair, but would voters give Gordon the Heisman if he can’t push his team to a league championship?

If he rolls up 225 yards and carries Wisconsin to a Big Ten title, then Gordon should find himself in possession of the stiff-arm trophy. If the last three weeks have shown us anything, it’s that he’s perfectly capable of doing just that and beating Mariota for college football’s highest individual honor.