Heisman Watch: Week 11
Kyle Trask, Quarterback, Florida
Quarterback Kyle Trask has had a monster season so far. Trask leads the SEC in passing touchdowns with 22. He is second behind Alabama quarterback Mac Jones in passer rating.
After the loss to Texas A&M 41-38, Trask fell out of the Heisman conversation. But he was thrown back into the mix after his performance in the 44-28 win over Georgia in Week 10. Trask threw four touchdowns for 474 yards on 30 of 43 passing.
Trask plays an average Arkansas team in Week 11. He should have no problem throwing on the Razorbacks. After all, Trask has more passing touchdowns than Arkansas has in total this season.
Ian Book, Quarterback, Notre Dame
Senior quarterback Ian Book is having the best season he has had so far at Notre Dame, and Notre Dame’s success is mostly due to how well Book has played. Book threw one interception in the first game of the season against Duke and has had none since.
Now, Notre Dame is the only undefeated team left in the ACC after beating No. 1 Clemson 47-40 in overtime.
No. 2 Notre Dame takes on Boston College on Saturday. Boston College has allowed 229 yards per game through the air. Book will have the momentum on his side and could have another 300-yard game.
If Notre Dame continues to win and Book can stay solid, then Book has a good shot at the Heisman Trophy this year.
D’Eriq King, Quarterback, Miami
Miami quarterback D’Eriq King has made his team competitive again in the ACC. King had his best game of the season in a win over North Carolina State 44-41, in which he threw for 430 yards and five touchdowns.
Miami takes on Virginia Tech in Week 11. Virginia Tech’s offense is one of the best in the ACC, meaning King will have to step up and perform like he did against North Carolina State for Miami to beat the Hokies. He will have to avoid interceptions if he wants to remain in the Heisman conversation.
Kyle Pitts, Tight End, Florida
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts is one of the best tight ends in college football this season. Pitts is tied for second in receiving touchdowns in the SEC with Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith at eight. Pitts also leads the Gators in receiving yards with 414. He had a career day the first game of the season, putting up 170 yards and four touchdowns. Since then, Pitts has become quarterback Kyle Trask’s favorite target.
Pitts is up against the secondary of Arkansas in Week 11. Arkansas has allowed 222.2 passing yards per game this season. Pitts has calmed down in the last couple of games this season, as he had only two receptions for 59 yards against Georgia. But a poor Arkansas secondary should get him back on track.
Kedon Slovis, Quarterback, USC
Sophomore quarterback Kedon Slovis has only played one game this season, but it was a good one. Slovis put up the most passing yards out of any Pac-12 player in the first week of Pac-12 play with 381 yards. He also had the highest completion percentage in Week 1 of the Pac-12 at 72.7%. Offensive coordinator Graham Harrell asked Slovis to throw the ball a lot against Arizona State, and Slovis was up to the task, throwing 55 passes and completing 40 of them.
USC will take on the Arizona Wildcats in Arizona in Week 11. Slovis will need to continue his success completing the ball against Arizona to keep his name relevant in the Heisman conversation. He’ll also have to limit his interceptions, but when he does, Slovis is one of the best quarterbacks in the country.
Spencer Ripchik is a freshman majoring in journalism. To contact him, email ripcspen@gmail.com.
