The final week in the 2020 college football season is approaching, with conference championships gearing up to take place. Throughout the season, a few players have distanced themselves from the field in terms of talent and performance. College football’s most prestigious honor, the Heisman Trophy, is set to be awarded on January 5th of 2021.
These players will all be candidates for the Heisman, but some have a better chance to win than others. Championship week will likely have huge Heisman Trophy implications and could shift the Heisman odds. These five players have the best chance to win the greatest award in college football next month.
5. Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson
Arguably the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck, Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence finds himself in the running for college football’s greatest honor. Although he missed two games due to COVID-19, Lawrence has still thrown for 2,431 yards and 20 touchdowns. On Saturday, he will face his toughest test of the season at a neutral site against Notre Dame in the ACC Championship. If Lawrence did not miss those games, there is a good chance that his name would be much higher on this list. Still, the Clemson signal-caller finds himself as a Heisman Trophy finalist on this list.
4. Zach Wilson, QB BYU
The dark horse Heisman candidate was the early favorite in the beginning weeks of the season. However, Wilson’s mediocre performance in BYU’s lone loss to Coastal Carolina significantly decreases his odds to win. Still, Wilson is having a breakout season, as he has thrown for 3,267 yards and 30 touchdowns. His deep ball accuracy and mobility in the pocket has garnered national attention, and his dominance at the quarterback position has led the Cougars to a top 25 ranking. Wilson will likely be a first round draft pick next April as well as a Heisman Trophy finalist.
3. Kyle Trask, QB Florida
Prior to the LSU game, Trask was the betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. However, after struggling against the Tigers, Trask now has to take his two loss Gators to face the undefeated Alabama Crimson Tide. Trask has had a career year, logging 40 touchdowns and 3,717 passing yards, both first in the nation. He is such an interesting player, as he may win the Heisman Trophy, but not be selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Throughout the season, Trask has been the leader of Florida’s exciting offense and has put up some of the best numbers the game has ever seen.
2. DeVonta Smith, WR Alabama
Even though he is not a quarterback, Alabama’s DeVonta Smith deserves to be a candidate in the Heisman Trophy race and may be victorious when it’s all said and done. The 175 pound receiver has done nothing but produce, catching 83 passes for 1,327 yards and 15 touchdowns. Smith has logged over 150 receiving yards in six of Alabama’s ten games this season. Once Jaylen Waddle went down with an injury, Smith took over as the number one receiver and did not look back. All season, he made SEC defensive backs look foolish, including LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. With a big game against Florida, Smith has a chance to win the Heisman Trophy.
1. Mac Jones, QB Alabama
Currently in line to take home the hardware is Alabama’s signal caller Mac Jones. Entering the 2020 season, there were concerns about whether or not Jones could perform like Tua Tagovailoa and lead the Crimson Tide to a championship. Once the season began, all those concerns were thrown out the window. Jones has dominated all season, logging 3,321 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and the nation’s leading QBR of 96.0. With his multitude of weapons and a strong offensive line, Jones has led the Crimson Tide to a 10-0 record and the number one ranking in the country. With an important matchup against a weak Florida defense, Jones has an opportunity to solidify himself as the top Heisman candidate.
