This week we’ll take a look at all of the Heisman Trophy candidates and present an argument why each of them should win.
On Tuesday, we made the argument that Houston’s Case Keenum should win the Heisman Trophy. Today we’ll make an argument why Baylor’s Robert Griffin III should win the Heisman.
Perhaps other than Michigan’s Denard Robinson, no player in college football is as electrifying that Baylor’s Robert Griffin III.
What sets Griffin apart from the leading Heisman Trophy candidates is his ability to pass and run with equal effectiveness.
This season, Griffin is 7th among NCAA football quarterbacks with 3,678 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. In 347 attempts, he’s completed 72.6 percent of his passes and has thrown only five interceptions.
In this era of spread option offenses, Griffin is the ultimate dual threat quarterback. Not only is he an accurate passer, he can keep plays alive and gain yards running the ball.
Griffin has rushed 149 times for 612 yards and scored seven touchdowns. Among college football’s top 50 quarterbacks, he’s seventh in rushing yards.
Griffin is second in the NCAA averaging 390 total yards per game, behind only Houston’s Case Keenum.
Entering Saturday’s regular season finale against Texas, Baylor is 8-3 after playing one of the nation’s toughest schedules.
The Bears have beaten No.13 Oklahoma, No.16 Kansas State and No.18 TCU. In their 45-38 win over the Sooners, Griffin accounted for 551 of Baylor’s 616 yards.
While the numbers he’s produced are flashy, Griffin has shown that he has the moxie to lead his team in big games.
Unlike Standford’s Andrew Luck, Griffin has been largely responsible for Baylor’s three wins over ranked opponents.
Luck threw two interceptions in Stanford’s 53-30 loss to Oregon while Griffin has thrown for 14 touchdowns and only one interception in Baylor’s victories over Oklahoma, Kansas State and TCU.
Griffin isn’t a flash in the pan either. This season has clearly been his best, but he’s consistently shown improvement throughout his career at Baylor.
Since 2008, Griffin has increased his completion percentage, passing yards and touchdowns. In his four seasons at Baylor, he’s thrown for 9,751 yards, 75 TD’s and 16 picks.
Before the Heisman Trophy voters make their selection, they need to give strong consideration to Griffin.
He’s the most complete player in college football and he’s proven to be a leader, especially when his team needs him to produce.
I love your article on Robert Griffin III and I agree wholeheartedly that RG3 should be this year’s Heisman winner. I must mention, however, that Baylor did not win the Kansas State game. Texas was ranked, so the Bears have beaten 3 ranked opponents.
Thanks for pointing that out. I was probably looking at K-State’s schedule instead of Baylor’s and got it mixed up.