The Buzz: Heisman news and views
Time for the 2016 preseason edition of our weekly feature that rounds up the latest news and updates from around the media world. Our goal? To help keep you posted on what’s happening with current contenders and past winners.
The Buzz
This has the feel of being one of the more interesting and exciting Heisman races in recent memory. Five of the top seven vote getters — Christian McCaffrey of Stanford (2nd), DeShaun Watson of Clemson (3rd), Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma (4th), Leonard Fournette of LSU (6th) and Dalvin Cook of Florida State (7th) — return from last season, plus another candidate (Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett), who placed fifth in the Heisman vote in 2014. Not surprisingly, the buzz surrounding the Heisman is intensifying as we head into the first full weekend of the college football season.
The last time we had this many top vote getters coming back to compete for the most prestigious individual award in sports was in 2011, when five of the top six in the balloting from 2010 battled for the trophy. Then, it was Andrew Luck of Stanford (2nd), LaMichael James of Oregon (3rd), Kellen Moore of Boise State (4th), Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State (5th) and Denard Robinson of Michigan (6th).
And who won the Heisman that year? Why, Robert Griffin III of Baylor, of course. Which just goes to show how unpredictable the race for the Heisman can be.
Now, on to this week’s buzz….which includes a fair share of predictions.
ESPN analytics says that this year’s Heisman class has the potential to be one of the best in history.
One ESPN writer predicts that McCaffrey will win the Heisman, beating out Elijah Hood of North Carolina and Jabril Peppers of Michigan.
A vote for both Fournette and McCaffrey from FanSided.
The AP’s Ralph Russo breaks down the Heisman race.
Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News has Watson as his Heisman favorite.
Sports On Earth put out a guide to the 2016 Heisman race.
USC freshman CB Jack Jones has declared himself a Heisman candidate. Why not?
CBS Sports asks: What’s keeping McCaffrey from winning the Heisman?
Chip Patterson of CBS Sports separates the Heisman race into tiers.
A detailed look at McCaffrey from USA Today.
The Louisville-Courier writes about Heisman campaigns and their efficacy.
The Chattanoogan says Fournette will win the Heisman.
TexAgs.com explains how Aggie WR Christian Kirk can join the Heisman race.
Don’t forget Nick Chubb of Georgia, says Dawn of the Dog.
The AP highlights Washington State quarterback Luke Falk’s candidacy.
Three sleeper Heisman candidates from the SEC.
Some Heisman Trophy darkhorses, courtesy of Madison.com.
Can Tim Tebow switch over to a professional baseball career? He wouldn’t be the first Heisman winner to do it.
Reigning Heisman winner Derrick Henry still doesn’t know what number he will wear for the Tennessee Titans.
In honor of Michigan’s switch to Nike apparel, Desmond Howard posted these custom ‘Heisman pose’ shoes on Twitter.
How Heisman voters flipped over Orlando Pace’s pancake campaign. The big Ohio State lineman finished fourth in the vote in 1996. Check out the video:
It is the 50th anniversary of Steve Spurrier’s Heisman win, the 25th anniversary of Desmond Howard’s Heisman and the 10th anniversary of Troy Smith’s Heisman.
And, finally, the ‘Heisman’ now has its own drink thanks to a bar in San Diego’s Gaslamp District, which named its latest creation in honor of local hero Marcus Allen of Lincoln High.
“The Heisman is going to be spicy and when you taste it, thanks to the copper mug, it’s going to be really cold,” says the bar’s owner. “The copper mug with the ice is designed to get that chill to hit you instantly. Once you take that first drink, you’re going to feel a sharp but pleasant cold come over your mouth. There’s going to be a slight lime taste with a hint of the bitters, the Angostura bitters, and that back end is going to hit the middle of your palate with carbonation, ginger, and citrus. Then you’re going to taste that spice toward the back end of the drink with an enjoyable aftertaste.”
1 1/2 oz. Bulleit bourbon
Juice of half a lime
4 oz. ginger beer
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Fill copper mug with ice, add bourbon, lime juice, and bitters, top with ginger beer and garnish with lime.
Cheers to the start of college football!
