College Football Blitz, Week 7: Alabama is just better than everybody else
By John Buhler
Heisman Performance of the Week: Alabama Crimson Tide QB Jalen Hurts
To be fair, Week 7 didn’t have a great Heisman performance from anybody. The presumed finalists all played so-so. That left an opportunity for somebody new to crash the party. Alabama true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts took advantage of the big game stage against the Tennessee Volunteers.
Hurts completed 16-of-26 passes for 143 yards and an interception. His passing stats weren’t the reason he had the Heisman Performance of the Week. It was too dink-and-dunk (5.5 YPA). What stood out about Hurts was his impressive work on the ground.
Hurts ran the ball 12 times for 132 yards, three touchdowns, and a fumble. The tired Tennessee defense couldn’t keep Hurts out of the end zone all after. Alabama won the Third Saturday in October for the 10th straight time in a laugher.
Until Hurts made noise with his legs on Saturday in Knoxville, the SEC was looking increasingly likely that the conference wasn’t going to send a player to the Heisman Trophy ceremony in December. He’s still a long-shot, but Hurts might be the best offering the SEC has for Division I’s most coveted player award.