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Washington State Football: Cougars come from behind to nip Stanford

By John Mitchell

PULLMAN, WA - OCTOBER 20: Dezmon Patmon #12 of the Washington State Cougars catches a pass in the end zone against Thomas Graham Jr. #4 of the Oregon Ducks scoring a touchdown in the second half at Martin Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated Oregon 34-20. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA - OCTOBER 20: Dezmon Patmon #12 of the Washington State Cougars catches a pass in the end zone against Thomas Graham Jr. #4 of the Oregon Ducks scoring a touchdown in the second half at Martin Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated Oregon 34-20. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

2. Gardner Minshew should be in the Heisman conversation

The East Carolina graduate transfer spurned a commitment to Alabama to learn under Nick Saban and prepare for a career in coaching to give playing quarterback one last shot in Pullman for Mike Leach.

That decision has been one of the best of his life as he has led Washington State to a 7-1 mark that has the Cougars in the driver’s seat of the PAC-12 North; every passing week the scent of the Pasadena roses gets more and more prevalent in the Pullman air.

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Minshew is a big reason for Washington State, in a year that was supposed to be spent rebuilding after a successful run with Lulk Falk, being in control of the PAC-12 race.

Minshew leads the nation in passing yards with 3,183 and has thrown 26 touchdowns to 6 interceptions while shouldering a bigger load for his offense night in and night out than any of the other Heisman contenders.

Minshew’s latest dazzling performance was leading his Cougars back from a two-touchdown deficit, lifting them from the brink of defeat for their second consecutive key victory in the PAC-12 North. Minshew led Washington State on a game-winning field goal drive that started with just 1:25 left on the game clock. He got the Cougars in position for Mazza’s game-winning kick.

For the game, Minshew completed an absurd 40-of-50 passes for 438 yards and 3 touchdowns.

I don’t believe Minshew should be leading the Heisman race or anything like that; I don’t particularly think anyone is that close to Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa right now, but you would be doing a disservice if you didn’t mention Minshew in your weekly Heisman watch now.

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