Todd Gurley vs. Marcus Mariota: Breaking down the Heisman favorites

I wrote a few months ago that I didn’t care if Todd Gurley won the Heisman. I gave many reasons as to why the trophy lacked integrity as of recent years, and how I would be just as happy if he just went on to have a successful NFL career.

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I lied.

I want Todd Gurley to win the Heisman so bad that it is all that is on my mind as of late.

I knew it would not be easy for Todd Gurley to get the Heisman especially at the time I wrote the other piece. At that point Braxton Miller was a sure favorite and Marcus Mariota was the only person anyone thought could take it from him.

With Miller’s season-ending injury, the trophy seemed to be Mariota’s for sure right? Wrong. Gurley made a statement against Clemson. He is the best running back in all of college football…some would even say the best player (some being me). Heisman experts have Mariota currently at one and Gurley at two in most unofficial polls. So what must Gurley do to move up?

I have thought long and hard about this. How does Gurley get the Heisman? We have to rely on USC and Stanford’s defense to stop Mariota. If a defense can figure out how to stop this explosive quarterback it could take the golden boy down a few notches in voting. Now as a team losing does not eliminate one from a Heisman race, it does typically get people questioning their playing ability.

Prior to this season Mariota struggled against top defenses. He did manage to keep his composure this season against Michigan State;however, he still has a long way to go. Georgia fans must hope Oregon tanks at least one or two games this season.

Now on to Todd Gurley.

If you did not know Todd Gurley was a beast before this season let me catch you up. His first game was a game I will never forget. I watched a true freshman score three touchdowns (one of them being a punt return for 100 yards). From that first game on Gurley has been impressing all Georgia fans, and scaring every other fan base. He is the best running back Georgia has had in my lifetime.

I knew at the beginning of the season it wouldn’t be easy for a Heisman to go to anyone who is not a quarterback. ESPN loves to push their QB agendas on us, but if Gurley plays every game the way he played against Clemson and does not win it will be the biggest injustice since Peyton Manning not winning.

So how exactly must all the pieces fall? Here is what needs to happen:

1. Oregon loses at least one game and Mariota must struggle in that game, and probably even another game (win or lose for the Ducks)
2. Texas A&M must fall in at least one or two games (because, Kenny Hill, you know…another media darling already)
3. No Cinderella stories pop up. If ESPN can keep all of their TMZ-type attention on the NFL and out of college football that would be great
4. Gurley needs a “Heisman moment” game close to the end of the season, preferably against Auburn or Georgia Tech.
5. Gurley stays healthy all season

It is way too early to know for sure who win right now, but mark my words…if those five things happen, Todd Gurley will have a Heisman ladies and gentlemen.