I don't believe Howard is the best QB in the country. I also don't believe he'll win the Heisman. But weekly there are lists of odds and favorites, etc and Howard is never on them. He's never mentioned by media personalities or listed anywhere as someone deserving of recognition.
I'm not sure why though. Is it because he's on the "$20 million roster" so his accomplishments are the expected and he's a product of surrounding talent? Is it because we lost to Oregon (no, because other contenders all have losses except Gabriel)? Is it because he doesn't have the splash plays like Cam Ward?
Here are Howard's current rankings in a number of areas:
- 18th in passing yardage (the one that too many people focus on for Heisman stats)
- T-5th in passing TDs
- T-5th in total TDs responsible for (QBs only), tied with Gabriel and Sanders, and one fewer than Milroe.
- 3rd in passing efficiency
- Only 18 QBs have thrown more interceptions. But QBs that have the same number or more interceptions than Howard: Gabriel, Allar, Milroe, Ewers, Sanders, Ward, Beck. Literally any possible Heisman contending QB.
- Has accounted for 6 TDs running the ball.
- QB for the #2 team in the country.
His resume compares favorably to any other QB but there's zero award recognition for him. Why is this the case?
