5 reasons Greg Ward Jr. can win the 2016 Heisman

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Oct 10, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops on the sidelines during the game against the Texas Longhorns during the Red River rivalry at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

5. A showcase game to start the year

Making an early impression on the voters will be critical for Ward Jr, and he’ll have a fantastic opportunity to do just that in a high-profile opening game.

Houston opens the season on September 3 at the 2016 Advocare Texas Kickoff at NRG Stadium against the Oklahoma Sooners in one of the most high-profile games of a loaded opening weekend. While the Sooners are understandably favored, Houston certainly has a chance to win the game, particularly so close to home.

Ward Jr. has already proven he can be successful against top-level competition as he completed 25 of 41 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown against the Seminoles, as well as 67 yards and two more scores on the ground. As Ward Jr. plays for a Group of Five team he will need an even better performance against the Sooners to convince Heisman voters his numbers aren’t just a product of a weaker schedule.

The Cougars may have difficulty defensively, as they lose several key veteran members of the secondary, but Ward Jr. is more than capable of putting up huge numbers against the Sooners. While Oklahoma was much better defensively than may realize in 2015, it lost a number of key starters, including Eric Striker, Charles Tapper and Zack Sanchez.

A marquee regular season game gives Ward Jr. a rare opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the voters before Houston’s schedule softens up afterwords. Ward Jr. will also have an opportunity to get a leg up on Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, a fellow Heisman contender.

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