2018 college football season: SEC, playoff and Heisman predictions
Projected 2018 Heisman Trophy Winner
Tennessee football fans hold the Heisman Trophy in low esteem, and it’s for good reason. In 1956, Johnny Majors came in second in the Heisman race to Paul Hornung despite the Vols going 10-0 and Hornung’s team, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, going 1-9. Writers at the time basically portrayed it as an individual accomplishment.
Then, 41 years later, they flipped the script. Peyton Manning came in second to Charles Woodson in the Heisman Trophy race. At that point, writers cited Manning’s team being unable to beat the Florida Gators and Woodson’s team, the Michigan Wolverines, going undefeated on the year. Heath Shuler also came in second for the Vols back in 1993 to Charlie Ward of the Florida State Seminoles, but there’s no denying that Ward deserved that one.
Still, there is legitimate dismissal of the Heisman in Knoxville. But it still is college football’s most prestigious trophy. So we have to give it some love. And that’s where this prediction comes in from each of us.
Caleb Calhoun
Bryce Love, Stanford Cardinal
Billy Williford
Bryce Love, Stanford Cardinal
Garrett Sanders
Khalil Tate, Arizona Wildcats
As you can see, there’s quite a bit of love for Bryce Love here. Stanford is in the College Football Playoff for one of us, so it makes sense. It’s also true that David Shaw knows how to maximize his players’ talents at running back.
However, Khalil Tate isn’t a bad pick either. Johnny Manziel is the perfect example of what Kevin Sumlin can do with great quarterbacks his first year on campus, so he could definitely work wonders with the Arizona Wildcats.