Ohio State football: Justin Fields has the Heisman edge

With Trevor Lawrence sidelined against Notre Dame, the Clemson Tigers suffered their first loss in a 2OT thriller. For Ohio State’s Justin Fields, this gives him the Heisman edge over Trevor Lawrence and Mac Jones after another dominating performance against Rutgers on Saturday night.

Despite Lawrence having thrown for 1,833 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions through the first 5 games of the season, Lawrence missing this crucial matchup against the Irish may have cost him the Heisman. Lawrence’s best regular-season victory this season will be against #7 ranked Miami. Miami’s best win of the season will be against a 2-5 Louisville team.

The Tigers remaining 3 games of the season include Florida State (2-5), Pittsburgh (4-4), and Virginia Tech (4-3), all of which have a combined losing record of 10-12. I don’t believe Lawrence can win the Heisman because he did not play in the matchup against Notre Dame.

This was the toughest game of the season for the Tigers and there will no longer be any more opportunities for Lawrence to compete in any tough matchups for the remainder of the regular season.

Justin Fields has been lights out in the first three games of the season for the Buckeyes. As many expected, Fields is exactly who everyone thought he would be. He has completed 72 of 83 passes with 908 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.

He has thrown for more touchdowns than incompletions this season as well. Fields has had huge back-to-back performances against Penn State and Rutgers throwing for over 300 yards with at least 4 touchdowns in each matchup. In a 49-27 win against Rutgers on Saturday, Fields threw for 314 yards, 24 of 28 pass completions, with 5 touchdowns and 1 rushing touchdown as well.

Looking ahead to the Buckeyes remaining schedule, the Buckeyes’ toughest remaining matchup will be #10 ranked Indiana at home. I think that this could be the game that Fields can claim the Heisman. With a dominating performance against the Hoosiers, this can be the game that gives Fields the edge over Mac Jones and Trevor Lawrence to win the Heisman Trophy.

I know Mac Jones is getting a lot of credit in the Heisman discussion this season, as he should. With over 2,196 yards passing and 16 touchdowns through Alabama’s first 5 games, Jones has earned the respect as one of the top players in college football this season. But, let’s be honest, the Heisman Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding player in college football.

When you compare Mac Jones to Justin Fields, I believe the majority of voters will choose Fields.