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

3. Oliver needs to rack up at least a baker’s dozen of sacks in 2018

Aside from turnovers, one of the biggest highlight-generating plays for a defensive star is undoubtedly a sack. Especially for an interior lineman, getting through the offensive line to take down the quarterback is usually a rare feat. Tackles more frequently open gaps for linebackers to plug up and draw blockers to free up defensive ends to drive in for sacks.

Some defensive tackles, though, are adept at swimming through the blocks and crushing passers before they can throw the ball. Suh had that ability, as he piled up a dozen sacks in his senior season finishing just outside the top three in the Heisman vote. In Suh’s case, that wasn’t enough to get him the Heisman.

So Oliver will need to do even more if he hopes to become the second Heisman winner from his school after Andre Ware in 1989. More than half of his two dozen or more tackles for loss will need to be of the quarterback-sacking variety.

If Oliver can post at least a baker’s dozen of sacks in 2018, his Heisman odds will improve dramatically. Prior to the postseason, the national lead was held by Sutton Smith from Northern Illinois with 14 sacks. Coming within one sack of that mark would put Oliver at least among the top five in the country, an impressive feat for a defensive tackle that would highlight his Heisman credentials.