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Heisman Watch 2019: Week 1 – All eyes on superstar quarterbacks

By Jordan Alexis

TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 24: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs through warmups prior to facing the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 24: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs through warmups prior to facing the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to the CFP National Championship against the Clemson Tigers presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to the CFP National Championship against the Clemson Tigers presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa vs Duke

Last year’s Heisman runner-up Tua Tagovalioa changed the way football had been played in Tuscaloosa. A team that was known for its physical running game became one of the more entertaining passing attacks in college football.

Tua took his success at the end of 2017 in the national championship game and hit the ground running in 2018. He finished with over 3,900 passing yards and 43 touchdowns which were records for Alabama. Tua already ranks second in school history in touchdown passes with 54 and if healthy will break A.J. McCarron’s record of  77.

There is very little reason to expect a drop off from Tua or Alabama in 2019, and it is a safe bet he’ll be in New York for the Heisman ceremony. Tua returns four of his top five receiving targets including the electric trio of Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, and Jaylen Waddle.

The Crimson Tide start their 2019 season against the Duke Blue Devils at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Tua got off to a hot start in 2018 with a strong opening game blowout versus Louisville, and this could a repeat. Duke is a much more competitive team than Louisville, but the talent gap between them and Bama is still massive.

Look for the Crimson Tide to try and jump on Duke early with Tua and the passing game which could lead to big plays. There will likely be no Heisman moments in this game, but Tua’s numbers should be nice.

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