As the final seconds of Boise State’s win over UNLV in Friday Night’s Mountain West Championship Game ticked off the clock, color analyst Brock Huard spoke about Heisman voting as well as the candidacy of Broncos’ star running back Ashton Jeanty.
With roughly one minute left in the game, Huard and play-by-play man Jason Benetti discussed the Heisman Race. A graphic was shown featuring Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, Jeanty, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The odds of the four players were also displayed with Hunter the favorite at -5000 followed by Jeanty at +5000. Gabriel and Sanders were well behind both, coming in at +30000 and +40000, respectively.
Huard shared his view that if you’re a Heisman voter and have already cast your vote, you shouldn’t vote anymore.
“I said it earlier, if you already voted and you’re a Heisman voter, just send your ballot in,” Huard said. “Just don’t vote ever again. It just makes no sense to me. Get every data point for all of these guys, for Dillon tomorrow. Get every data point you can.”
The conversation then shifted to Jeanty’s candidacy.
During halftime on Friday night, Fox’s Mark Ingram advocated for Jeanty to win the Heisman. Huard seemed to agree.
“If coaches voted, if only coaches voted, Ashton Jeanty would win the Heisman.”
“You think so?” Benetti asked.
“I really, fully believe that,” Huard replied. After Benetti asked, “Why?” Huard continued.
“Because they know. Travis Hunter is the most spectacular, most dynamic player. But the best player who’s elevated his team to a championship and a playoff and a bye — is that guy. And I love Travis Hunter.”
“If you already voted and you’re a Heisman voter, just send your ballot in. Just don’t vote ever again. It just makes no sense to me.”
“If only coaches voted, Ashton Jeanty would win the Heisman.”
– Brock Huardpic.twitter.com/iRyFZecUzk
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 7, 2024
The timing of Huard’s point was perfect. After Huard finished his argument, Jeanty ran for four yards to pick up a game-sealing first down.
Huard’s view on the results, if only coaches voted, is debatable. Coaches aren’t necessarily watching every second of every game, particularly if it involves a team not on the schedule. Huard may be correct that the results would be different and more favorable to Jeanty. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s correct.
What’s not up for debate are Huard’s comments on those who vote early. His argument there was spot on. If you can wait until after the Conference Championship Games, it only makes sense to so. The results of the games might not end up changing anyone’s vote — but they could. There’s no point in voting early.
[Photo Credit: Fox]
