Return to Pt. 1

The one knock on Taylor Kelly that Heisman analysts have pointed out is his ability to win “on the big stage.” This has not been a part of their conversations about Brett Hundley.

Last season, Kelly lost to Stanford twice and Notre Dame. In the two losses to Stanford (42-28 regular season and 38-14 in the Pac-12 Championship), Kelly threw for a total of 47/80 completions, 540 yards, 4 TD’s and 2 interceptions. In the 37-34 loss to Notre Dame, Kelly was 33/47 for 362 yards, 3 TD’s and 2 interceptions.

But wait.

Hundley lost on three big stages as well, but the media has not focused on that when explaining why he is in that top group of Heisman contenders.

Hundley lost to Stanford 24-10. Then the following week, he and his team were handled by Oregon 42-14. Now consider his performance in those games. And he lost 38-33 to ASU, Taylor Kelly’s squad.

In those first two back-to-back losses, Hundley combined for a total of 39/58 completions, a staggering 256 yards, 2 TD’s and 4 interceptions. Then in his 38-33 loss to ASU, he was more competitive finishing 18/26 for 253 yards, 2 TD’s and 1 Interception.

Each player’s combined performance in 3 losses on the big stage

• Hundley: 47/84, 509 yards, 4 TD’s and 5 Interceptions
• Kelly: 80/127, 902 yards, 7 TD’s and 4 Interceptions

Is Brett Hundley a better athlete than Taylor Kelly? Yes. He’s one of the best in the country. Does Hundley have a better arm? Yup. Has that generated more success than Taylor Kelly? No, in most instances. Has Hundley beat ASU? Yes, in 2012. Has Hundley lost to ASU? Yes, in 2013.

Despite the depth of information available to us, the media with 95% of the vote has hoisted Brett Hundley of UCLA to the leader-board. Arizona State’s Taylor Kelly?

1) In an NFL.com article titled 14 for ’14: Top Heisman Trophy candidates for 2014, they place Brett Hundley at #6 and Taylor Kelly at #12.

2) Sports Illustrated published Post-spring 2014 Heisman Watch: An early look at this season’s potential field. In it they list Hundley as one of eight “Frontrunners” and placed Kelly in a group of seven “Next Level” candidates.

3) Finally, in SB Nation‘s article titled 2014′s way-too-early Heisman field: Jameis Winston, his backup, and 18 other names, there are seven quarterbacks in that group. There sits Brett Hundley. There’s no mention of Taylor Kelly, not even as a “Dark Horse” candidate.

Do I think that it is likely that either Brett Hundley or Taylor Kelly will win the Heisman Trophy this season? Possibly yes. Likely no. Mariota has a very good shot.

But in a game worth millions of dollars, media attention is gold. It reflects on a university and the prestige of its football program which can impact success now and in the future. It reaches the fans, it reaches the players, and it reaches recruits.

The Heisman foundation describes the criteria for the prestigious award as,

“The outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.”

Why do you think Taylor Kelly has not gotten the Heisman attention that Brett Hundley has?

And finally, how big is the ASU – UCLA game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 25, 2014?

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