Nix getting Heisman Trophy votes? It’s starting to happen…

[aubiefifty 16,957]

Oregon QB Bo Nix getting Heisman Trophy votes? It’s starting to happen…

Zachary Neel

Fri, September 30, 2022 at 12:25 PM·3 min read

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Bo Nix

American football player (born 2000)

Going into the 2022 season, there were a few optimistic individuals out there who were so bullish on the Oregon Ducks, and so confident that the new-look offense would find success in Eugene, that they made a prediction that was beyond the level of a “hot take.”

Some predicted that Oregon quarterback Bo Nix would be in the mix for the Heisman Trophy when the season came to an end.

Awarded to the best player in college football — usually the best quarterback on the best team — it would take a lot from Nix to be in contention. For one, the Ducks would need to be really good, and in the mix for a spot in the College Football Playoff. On top of that, it would need to be Nix that was leading the charge for Oregon, meaning that it was his arm and his legs and his decision-making that were propelling the Ducks to victory. He couldn’t afford to be a game manager while an elite defense got the job done.

Through four games, so far so good?

Column: It's about time that we had a new conversation about Oregon QB Bo Nix

The biggest hole in the argument thus far is that Oregon isn’t quite in contention for a spot in the CFP. After their season-opening 49-3 loss to Georgia, it became clear that they’re in a different tier of teams in the nation’s power balance. However, Oregon has looked nothing short of great since that game, proving that A) the Ducks may be in that next tier of teams under Georgia and Alabama, and that upper tier of schools may be better than we thought.

So with all of this in mind, does that mean that Nix should be leading everyone’s Heisman ballot already? Definitely not. But he is starting to gain a little bit of traction in that topic of conversation. According to USA TODAY Sports Heisman Poll, Nix picked up three votes on the ballot this past week, which ranks 9th in the nation. Nix came just behind Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. in the poll.

It may seem crazy, but if you throw away his spotted record and convoluted history at Auburn and look at just this season, you’ll see a case start to be built. 

Through four games, Nix has thrown for 1,100 yards and 10 TD with a 72% completion percentage. He’s rushed for over 100 yards and 3 touchdowns as well, and has just 3 INT. The Ducks have 3 impressive victories and one tough defeat to the best team in the country. Like I said earlier, it’s not as if Nix should be leading everyone’s ballot, but I don’t find it crazy to see him mentioned as in the mix.

Should he keep this type of play going, and the Ducks continue to win on the field, though, don’t be surprised if this buzz grows stronger. Nix is building an early case to be considered as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation.

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[aubiefifty 16,957]

i wonder if this is another bad decision by letting bo leave? i know oregon has a better o line but bo sounds like he is getting it done. i know we  or several are mad at bo but i bet we hear more to the story when harsin leaves. i guess time will tell. i wish him thee best........

Edited October 1, 2022 by aubiefifty

[Gowebb11 9,398]

I wish him well. He looked spectacular vs the defenses of Eastern Washington and Washington St, not so much vs UGA. Not sure there’s a PAC 12 defense that will be able to handle him. 

[Eagle-1 3,821]

I actually watched the replay of the Washington State game last night.

I'd give Nix's play a B- in that game.

The Washington State QB on the other hand was amazing. I've not seen a guy who could avoid the rush, and make plays like that since Conredge Holloway. Not even Johnny Manziel was that much fun to watch. 

Washington State actually outplayed Oregon for three, and a half quarters, and should have won the game in my opinion. 

 

Edited September 30, 2022 by Eagle-1

[AUwent 3,777]

7 hours ago, Gowebb11 said:

not so much vs UGA.

Georgia is going to make *everyone* look terrible.

That said, the Pac-12 is a joke. Bo may not be an elite QB but he's miles ahead of anything we have this year.

Edited October 1, 2022 by AUwent

[Mikey 16,770]

5 hours ago, Eagle-1 said:

Washington State actually outplayed Oregon for three, and a half quarters, and should have won the game in my opinion. 

Yeah, but those two TD drives Nix led in that last half quarter...... That's the kind of performance that defines a winner.

[Brad_ATX 13,654]

8 hours ago, Gowebb11 said:

I wish him well. He looked spectacular vs the defenses of Eastern Washington and Washington St, not so much vs UGA. Not sure there’s a PAC 12 defense that will be able to handle him. 

Oregon State and Utah can play some D.  Utah especially should give him fits.

Edited October 1, 2022 by Brad_ATX

[Eagle-1 3,821]

6 hours ago, Mikey said:

Yeah, but those two TD drives Nix led in that last half quarter...... That's the kind of performance that defines a winner.

Yeah, he did play well. 

I'm not one of those on here that was highly critical of Nix. He was the best option we had on the team every year he was here, and would be the best on the roster if he was here this year. 

The Ward kid at WSU is the same QB that lit it up at Incarnate Word last year, and transferred to WSU to follow his coach Eric Morris who was hired as OC.

Morris is in my opinion in the top three of Offensive Coordinators in the entire country. 

 

Edited October 1, 2022 by Eagle-1