Heisman Finalists 2015: Predictions for Candidates' Order of Finish in the Race
The finalist for the 81st Heisman Trophy Award are Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry, Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey and Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson. It's impossible to argue with any of these three young men being included as a finalist, but Henry is the clear choice.
McCaffrey was impressive all year as he broke Barry Sanders' record for all-purpose yards in a single season. Watson was the one guy who was seemingly being overlooked most of the season despite leading the nation's top team to an undefeated record.
Thankfully, he got his invite to New York.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
| 1 | Derrick Henry |
| 2 | Christian McCaffrey |
| 3 | Deshaun Watson |
Making McCaffrey's Case
McCaffrey has been a one-man wrecking crew this season. The 19-year-old running back compiled 1,847 yards rushing, 540 yards receiving and a total of 3,496 all-purpose yardage this season. ESPN put McCaffrey's historic sophomore campaign into perspective:
"McCaffrey's all-purpose total is also over 1,000 yards better than any other college football player this year. His stat line looks like it's dangling in the destructive wake of an omnipotent video game cheat code, especially when compared to other performers. Simply put, there has never been a statistical discrepancy this big in the history of the Heisman Trophy race.
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As impressive as McCaffrey's campaign has been, we've seen in years past the award is about more than stats. He is the only one of the three finalists whose team isn't part of the College Football Playoff. Perhaps that shouldn't matter, but it feels like it will.
Making Watson's Case
For a while, Watson's name wasn't showing up on many Heisman trackers. All the while, he was turning in great performances as the Tigers ran off a 13-0 record. He finished 2015 with 4,399 total yards (3,512 passing and 887 rushing) and 41 total touchdowns (30 passing and 11 rushing).
Most importantly for his case, he's the man behind the only undefeated team in the nation. That should count for something, but unfortunately, Clemson isn't getting the respect most would give an undefeated team from a power conference.
The Tigers are 1.5-point underdogs against the Oklahoma Sooners for the national semifinal game on New Year's Eve, per Odds Shark.
Why Henry Will Win
Watson and McCaffrey are only sophomores. Both will be back at their respective schools as juniors. Expect them to be leading Heisman candidates for the 2016 season.
The monstrous 6'3", 242-pound Henry is a junior. After a season that has seen him run for 1,986 yards and 23 touchdowns, Henry is probably heading to the NFL. That could play a role in voters giving him the nod. Underclassmen such as Johnny Manziel and Jameis Winston have won the award in recent years, but with Marcus Mariota winning last year, it seems upperclassmen might be trending again with voters.
It's not as if Henry needs any special assistance. He has proved to be an absolute workhorse for Nick Saban. He carried the ball an inhuman 90 times in the last two games and rushed for 460 yards and two touchdowns in that stretch.
His size and strength and the usual dominance of the Crimson Tide offensive line have made for a perfect marriage. Alabama's run game is the primary reason they are 9.5-point favorites to beat the Michigan State Spartans in the other national semifinal.
McCaffrey and Watson have both had great seasons, but Henry's upperclassmen status, gaudy numbers and the perception of his team as the best in the country will deliver the award.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
