Heisman Trophy Watch 2017: Upsets shake up pecking order after Week 3

Notables

• Leaderboards: 1st nationally in total offense (463.7 YPG)
• Passing: 76-of-127 for 1088 yards, 8 touchdowns vs 1 interception
• Other: 57 carries for 303 yards, 3 touchdowns (6 sacks)

Lamar Jackson was not the only reason why Louisville lost 49-21 at home against No. 3 Clemson on Saturday night. But he was unable to get anything going on the ground for the Cardinals, and he struggled to complete passes against the Tigers defense. The loss effectively knocks Louisville out of contention for the ACC Atlantic barring a complete Clemsoning by the defending champions.

Jackson ran for 64 yards on 17 carries, but was sacked four times. Jackson also threw his first interception of the season, which was returned 44 yards for a score the other way by Dorian O’Daniels. By the end of the game, the defending Heisman winner had completed just 21 of his 42 passing attempts, throwing for 317 yards and three touchdowns but leaving so much more production on the table.

The Cardinals now need to run the table and hope Clemson loses twice to have a shot at the ACC championship. It is a tall order, and without the step up to conference champions it is hard to see Jackson winning a second Heisman.

Jackson did enough to remain among the sentimental favorites among voters for the award, but he probably wouldn’t finish in the top three were the Heisman vote held today. He remains on the top five of the Heisman Trophy Watch this week, and should have little trouble bulking up his stats over the next few weeks against Kent State and FCS Murray State.