Ezekiel Elliott got a raw deal with the announcement of the Heisman Trophy finalists. The star running back for the Ohio State Buckeyes wasn't named a finalist, despite a great season. Here are three reasons why Elliott should have been a Heisman Trophy finalist.
3. Carried The Offense
Elliott WAS the Buckeyes' offense at several points this season. It's no coincidence that Ohio State's only loss this season came in the game that Elliott was limited. Few offenses in college football leaned as heavily on one player as the Buckeyes' did. Even the QB runs and passing games were often set up by fake handoffs to Elliott.
2. Great Stats
Elliott put up monster numbers for OSU. He racked up 262 carries for 1,672 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground. On fewer carries than finalists Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey, Elliott put up comparable rushing yards and had more TDs on the ground than McCaffrey. He had at least 100 yards on the ground in every game but one. Elliott had solid enough stats to get a trip to New York. Perhaps he didn't deserve to win, but he should have received an invite.
1. Can Have More Than Three Finalists
It's okay if there are more than three Heisman finalists in a season. It's happened in the past and it should have happened again this season. Elliott put numbers that could win the Trophy in previous season and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him crack the top five in voting. It was a loaded class for the Heisman and there should have been more than just three invites. Elliott should have been one of them.