A 5-step roadmap for how Ed Oliver wins the 2018 Heisman Trophy

4. Oliver needs to rack up at least 20 tackles for loss

We already know that Ed Oliver can rack up 20 tackles for loss in a single season. As a freshman two years ago, he piled up 22 total tackles behind the line of scrimmage. It was an impressive debut as Oliver inserted himself immediately into the discussion of the top defensive tackles in college football.

Last year, that number fell as Houston’s fortunes faded. Oliver finished the 2017 campaign with 16.5 tackles for loss. For most defensive tackles, that would be quite an impressive number. But for one hoping to hitch his fortunes to a Heisman campaign, falling below 20 tackles for loss is going to be an ingredient for disqualification from voters’ ballots.

When Suh finished fourth nearly a decade ago, it was on the strength of a campaign where the Cornhusker posted 20.5 tackles for loss. If Oliver can get back to his freshman form, he should have little trouble breaking that mark. The Cougars lineman has a legitimate shot at getting to two dozen tackles for loss if he can improve as an upperclassman.

Doing that against an American Athletic Conference schedule wouldn’t be quite as impressive as Suh’s performance against a Big 12 schedule. But the more tackles behind the line that Oliver can rack up, the better his chances of getting into the Heisman race.