Until last weekend I would not have thought it possible for Tua to not win the Heisman. But I think Murray's stellar performance v Texas and the rough game that Tua had v Georgia was the difference. Oklahoma is becoming Heisman U. Jason White, Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield and now Kyler Murray. Pretty impressive. All in the last 20 years. PLAYER, SCHOOL PTS 1. Kyler Murray, Oklahoma 2,167 2. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama 1,871 3. Dwayne Haskins, Ohio St. 783 4. Will Grier, West Virginia 126 5. Gardner Minshew, Wash. St. 122 6. McKenzie Milton, UCF 39 7. Travis Etienne, Clemson 29 8. Quinnen Williams, Alabama 27 9. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin 26 10. Darrell Henderson, Memphis 21
People here are angry about it and already starting to post things like "He better be ready for 'Bama's defense.' I guess we'll see how it goes.
Well he did have a spectacular year, but so did Tua. I have to wonder if Tua losing was a reflection of Alabama weariness among voters. I was talking to a guy at a Christmas party and he's said he's so tired of Alabama being so good and thinks it's ruining the game. He's a Texas fan of course but I wonder if some of that impacted the voters and when given a good alternative to Tua they took it. Should make for an even more interesting game between Alabama and OU.
I think what hurt Tua is that he didn't play in the fourth quarter. That's the equivalent of three games. I don't know how many Murray played so maybe that's not an issue. Anyway, Murray is a very good quarterback so I'm sure he deserved it.
Tua will be the favorite for the 2019 Heisman Trophy. kp what are the reports on his health, I saw an article that said he had surgery on his ankle and is in a boot right now. Is there enough time for him to get back to 100% for the OU game? If he's not a full go for bowl practices that certainly could have an impact on his effectiveness.
Tua has a high ankle sprain that apparently is now treated with minor surgery. According to Saban it usually takes 2 weeks to get back to full speed to practice so it will be close. Hurts actually just got over the same thing and he didn't play for about a month.
High ankle sprains are an iffy situation. Some recover quickly, others not so much. Lets hope is one of the latter. Of course, you have an excellent backup!
Here's the deal with Murray. He's a pudding. Part of the reason he left A&M was he didn't like being hit. Watch the tape of the Auburn game he played in his freshman year. He was all hot sh!t until an Auburn LB put a good lick on him. From then on it was slide or run backward/out of bounds to avoid ANY contact. You reverse the teams these guys played for and you'd see a TOTALLY different result. Tua took some shots... Murray wouldn't have answered the bell after the first couple.
Well there's good news and bad news for Murray. He only has one more game of college football to play before he goes into baseball. The bad news is that it's against the Tide with players pissed that Tua didn't get the trophy.
That could make for an interesting game? On the other hand, it may never cause a ripple? Thoughts Kp?
Saban doesn't put much stock in that type of motivation. Apparently Tua and his family got along well with Murray during the Heisman week. I don't think it has any bearing on the game. If it goes like other games this year, Murray will have a decent day but not put up the numbers that he is used to. Oklahoma will score more than Alabama usually gives up also. In general, I believe that defense wins championships, however that will be tested by Oklahoma's explosive offense, but I think it points to an Alabama win.
On Texas boards Murray is not well liked ( not that any OU player is) he was a jerk to Sam Ehlinger when Sam tried to shake his hand after the first OU game when Texas won.
He was the correct choice because he had to carry that team all year and sealed it in the last game. He will need to be all that and more in their next game. Put Bama down for at least 40 points up front.
Somewhat unrelated, but not completely, what is it with defenses in the Big 12? But they did have a shootout with Georgia last year in the first round. In fact I think they should have won, I was shocked when Oklahoma scored a td late in the first half then tried a squib kick that Georgia got good field position with and was able to kick a field goal just before half. Without that score Oklahoma likely wins the game. I am going to be very interested to see if the Bama defense can stop the Oklahoma offense.
I think if Tua is playing, the answer is no. I think if Jalen is playing, the answer becomes 'sometimes' and that's a problem depending on how the OU/Bama offense/defense matchup is playing out. It should be a lot of fun, regardless.