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Making the case for and against each Heisman finalist

By Joel Deering

NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 27: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners warms up on the sidelines during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Kansas State 51-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 27: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners warms up on the sidelines during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Kansas State 51-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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Heisman finalist Tua Tagovailoa
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 01: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to pass the ball in the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

QB Tua Tagovailoa – Alabama Crimson Tide

Passing stats: 67.7% completions for 3353 yards, 37 TDs, four INTs and a passer rating of 202.3

Rushing stats: 48 attempts for 190 yards and five TDs

Case for: Heisman finalist Tua Tagovaila’s biggest case for winning the Heisman is the fact that he led the Alabama Crimson Tide to an undefeated season and the number one ranking in all of college football. Tagovailoa picked up right where he left off last season.

He was so good the first part of the season, that it took him until Alabama’s ninth game to throw an INT. On his way to 42 total TDs this season, Tagovailoa led the Crimson Tide to the number two offense in all of college football (47.9 points per game).

He helped the offense dominate opponents enough so that he didn’t even have to enter the fourth quarter of a game until they played LSU in the ninth game of the season. He probably didn’t even need to enter that game, but stayed in just to secure the victory.

Tagovailoa’s numbers might be lower than those of Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins, but we have to keep in mind that him not playing an entire quarter of most games has a lot to do with that.

Case against: While we do have to keep in mind Tagovailoa didn’t play a lot of fourth quarters, the biggest case against him, is his numbers. Among the three Heisman finalists, Tagovailoa has the lowest numbers. He ranks third in completion percentage, third in passing yards, third in TD passes, third in total TDs and second in passer rating.

He just doesn’t have the numbers you’d expect to see from a Heisman finalist. He’s had a lot of flashy plays, but behind all those plays aren’t numbers that support him winning the Heisman. If you haven’t looked at his season stats, this may come as a surprise. I was surprised his stats were as low as they are.

You could also make the argument that Alabama would be just as good if Tagovailoa wasn’t the QB. Jalen Hurts led the Crimson Tide to the championship game last season with Tua mostly on the bench. Tagovailoa did win that game for Alabama, but Hurts got them there.

Tagovailoa also left the SEC title game against Georgia with an injury, which led to Jalen Hurts stepping in and leading a comeback victory to keep Alabama undefeated.

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