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3 reasons Bryce Love should win the Heisman Trophy

By Brad Weiss

PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Bryce Love #20 of the Stanford Cardinal runs with the ball against the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Bryce Love #20 of the Stanford Cardinal runs with the ball against the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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August 27th 2017, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia; College Football Sydney Cup; Rice University v Stanford University; Standford Cardinals running back Bryce Love makes a break; (Photo by Nigel Owen/Action Plus via Getty Images)
August 27th 2017, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia; College Football Sydney Cup; Rice University v Stanford University; Standford Cardinals running back Bryce Love makes a break; (Photo by Nigel Owen/Action Plus via Getty Images) /

3. Love carried the Cardinal to the Pac-12 Championship Game

The Stanford Cardinal came into the 2017 season off a win in the Sun Bowl against North Carolina, which was a game that Love actually started for Christian McCaffrey. Already declared for the 2017 NFL Draft, McCaffrey decided to sit out the game, setting the stage for Love to make his mark in front of a national audience. The sophomore rushed for 119 yards against the Tar Heels, caught a 49-yard touchdown pass, and helped lead the Cardinal to a 25-23 win over a team led by No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky.

The 2016 Stanford Cardinal had a ton of talent on both sides of the ball, and head coach David Shaw would have to find a way to replace a lot of production. Not only were they losing a legend in McCaffrey, but also their leading receiver in Trent Irwin. Fellow running back Michael Rector was a beast in the passing game, and guys like defensive tackle Solomon Thomas and safety Dallas Lloyd were leaders on the defensive side of the ball.

With questions at quarterback, and few true weapons in the passing game, the Cardinal made the decision to focus the offense on Love, and boy did that turn out to be a solid choice. Love absolutely carried this team as they switched from Keller Chryst to K.J. Costello at quarterback, giving Costello a guy behind him he could count on as he got some experience at the position. The junior running back ran all over the competition, leading the Cardinal to first place in the Pac-12 North Division over teams like Washington and Washington State.

The Cardinal did lose in the Pac-12 Championship Game, but it was not due to a lack of effort from Love. Playing with a high ankle sprain, Love rushed for over 100 yards and a touchdown against the USC Trojans, showing incredible heart in what is likely his last collegiate game. If there was any question as to his determination to being the best player on the field, those questions were answered against the Trojans, as he put his own personal health aside for the good of the team.

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