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5 dark horse Heisman candidates for 2015

By Andrew Garda

Dec 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the 1968 Heisman Trophy of Southern California Trojans tailback O.J. Simpson (not pictured) at Heritage Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the 1968 Heisman Trophy of Southern California Trojans tailback O.J. Simpson (not pictured) at Heritage Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (10) throws during the first half against the Washington Huskies in the 2015 Cactus Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (10) throws during the first half against the Washington Huskies in the 2015 Cactus Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State was another of the teams I pegged as potential playoff door-busters, and quarterback Mason Rudolph is a big reason why.

The Cowboys had wanted to redshirt Rudolph for all of 2014, but it didn’t work out that way, as he had to step in for the last three games of the season (including the Cactus Bowl).  While ‘Wins’ and ‘Losses’ are terrible quarterback stats, it was obvious that there was a difference when Rudolph stepped under center.

Especially the way he bounced back after he and the Cowboys got their heads handed to them by Baylor in a 49-28 curb-stomper of a game. While Rudolph threw for slightly fewer yards against Oklahoma (273 compared to 281 vs. Baylor), he threw one less interception and just looked more in command.

By the time the victory over Washington in the Cactus Bowl came around, Rudolph looked to have a firm hold of the offense and his team.

Rudolph has shown he can play the game, effectively lead the offense and be a leader on a team which needs one. That is a big deal when it comes to Heisman dark horse quarterbacks.

He’s also in charge of an offense which can produce big numbers for quarterbacks and almost every pass-catcher on the Cowboys from 2014 is back this year. With all those things in his favor, as well as having some experience under his belt, it really looks like this is a season where Rudolph could surprise people.

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