Brett Hundley, Myles Jack
Pac-12 Conference
Dec 31, 2013; El Paso, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) during the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the 2013 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. UCLA defeated Virginia Tech 42-12. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Is UCLA’s QB Brett Hundly a true ‘dark horse?’ Coming off a tremendous 2013 season and aiming to be in the 1st ever college football playoff, you might say Hundley is one of the 3 front runners in the preseason Heisman Hunt. At 10-1 odds, he’s the closest to Mariota and Winston and his first few games irradiate ‘showcase,’ which might be what the admin might have to make room for, next to their lone Heisman winner in Gary Beban (1967). His first 2 out of 3 opponents this year are against traditional powerhouses in down years, with Virginia and Texas, but with National TV audiences. What a great way to start a season. His blaring stat? In 2012, Hundley had 160 rush attempts for 355 yards. In 2013, he had the same attempts at 160, but with 748 yards, double the total, duel the threat.
Glory Colorado
On the other side of the ball is Myles Jack, the sophomore phenom linebacker for UCLA as well. Wait a second. Check those stats once more. Jack had 51 tackles in 6 games last year for the Bruins, 7 for loss AND had 267 yards on 38 carries for a 7.0 yards per carry?! Talk about a true ‘duel threat.’ Ask him and he’ll say, “Defense is my job, offense is my hobby.” How could you not root for this kid? But will he have the stamina to play both sides of the ball against the likes of ‘speedy’ Oregon or ‘ground and pound’ Stanford and stay in the Heisman race? Rest assured that at 40-1, Myles Jack is the bona fide ‘dark horse’ of this article, but his play, on both defense and offense, will keep you tuned in.