LSU Football: 3 takeaways from takedown of top-10 Auburn in Week 9
By Zach Bigalke
1. Joe Burrow keeps up his Heisman pace in another statement win
Week 9 was unkind to most Heisman contenders. Tua Tagovailoa was unable to play for Alabama after suffering an ankle injury. Jalen Hurts was unable to keep Oklahoma from suffering an upset defeat at Kansas State. Jonathan Taylor faded against a stout Ohio State defense, outpaced by J.K. Dobbins. And Dobbins is doing his best to split the vote in a season where Justin Fields could also get looks.
Meanwhile, Joe Burrow put up the kind of numbers we have expected from him all season long. Against a tough Auburn defense, Burrow finished with 321 passing yards and a touchdown on 32-of-42 passing. Burrow did throw one interception, and he was forced to take more throws underneath as Auburn took away the long ball for much of the game.
Still, Burrow managed to spread the ball around to six different receivers and threw multiple passes that went for 20 or more yards. The quarterback added 31 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground on 13 carries, showing that he is a complete leader under center.
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At this point, now that October is in the books for all but a few teams playing on Halloween night, the former Ohio State transfer looks like the leader heading into the homestretch of the Heisman race. Burrow has plenty of chances in big games to make more noise in the race, but at this point he is already in pole position.