Cupcake-filled opposition makes it hard to judge

If there is one thing that the media likes to do, it is to declare winners of awards way too early. After just one game played in the NFL, we all know that the Super Bowl will be played by the Minnesota Vikings and either the Baltimore Ravens or New England Patriots.

The FBS Playoff teams will be Clemson, Alabama, LSU and Oklahoma. Yes, they have just played two games, but when are sports not predictable?

The other award that likes to get handed out way too early is the Heisman Trophy. So, let’s hand it out.

Jalen Hurts – Quarterback, Oklahoma

It is really hard to judge good players on strong teams when they play cupcakes during the non-conference season. No offense to South Dakota, but compared to Oklahoma, the Coyotes are cupcakes.

The 70-14 scoreline shows that fact, and once again Hurts was impressive. Add another trio of passing touchdowns adds to the six touchdowns accounted for after Week 1 against Houston.

It seems like Oklahoma is on its way to producing a third-straight Heisman winner, a feat that no schools have accomplished in the history of the award. Otherwise, he could disrupt the top of NFL team’s big boards.  

Tua Tagovailoa – Quarterback, Alabama

Already selected by the on-the-clock Miami Dolphins, Tua has begun the season strong, just not as strong as the man he displaced as the Tide’s starting quarterback.

As expected against another pair of cupcakes, and yes, Duke counts as a football cupcake, Tua has already accounted for eight touchdowns.

Alabama looks like their usual dominant selves so far this year and it might take a ‘Bama-OU playoff game to separate the top two players here. At least the Dolphins can scout both quarterbacks at once if that happens.

Joe Burrow – Quarterback, LSU

Huzzah, a man with a quality opponent.

Burrow had a completion percentage of 79.5 percent last week against a No. 9 ranked Texas Longhorns squad, leading his team to a 45-38 victory at home. Posting 471 yards and four touchdowns to a single interception is a Heisman worthy performance.

At least Burrow has played a meaningful game, which is all you need to get into the conversation right now. He will look to follow up the great performance against… Northwestern State.

Travis Etienne – Running Back, Clemson

Including Etienne into this list is more on principle than anything. Etienne may not be the best running back in the nation, as Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor is in that conversation.

Etienne may not be the most important player on his team, as Trevor Lawrence is in that conversation.

But Clemson is the top team in the nation and they just got past No. 12 Texas A&M. As with Burrow, playing a relevant game gets you in the conversation. Etienne is the one teams have to game plan for and is the key for Clemson to open up defenses, hence his inclusion on this list.

Trey Lance – Quarterback, North Dakota State

Why is there an FCS player on this list? This is just the homer pick!

Yes, but ESPN has Lance on their Heisman Watch, not joking.

The redshirt freshman is good, just ask Butler and North Dakota. To be fair, his first real test comes this week in his first road game against Delaware. After that, a top-five showdown back at the Dome against UC Davis. Two meaningful games, and if Lance passes the tests, he cements his spot on this list.

A message head coach Matt Entz has preached to his squad, be so good you can’t be ignored. That is how good Lance has been.