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Here’s what we’re not overreacting to in the SEC after Week 11:
Alabama looks like the nation’s best team. The Crimson Tide has dominated top 20 teams in back-to-back games, sacking Dak Prescott nine times and holding Mississippi State to a pair of field goals in a 31-6 victory Saturday over the Bulldogs.
Alabama got four first-place votes in AP poll including one from @kbohls. https://t.co/SbJ6OB6wTh
— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) November 15, 2015
OK, so the Tide only got four votes. That means four media members picked a once-beaten team over the unbeaten defending national champion, Ohio State, and undefeated Clemson, which has beaten Notre Dame and Florida State. Alabama is clicking on all cylinders. Derrick Henry is breaking long runs and the defense is shutting down dynamic offenses.
Leonard Fournette probably won’t win the Heisman Trophy this year: The LSU running back probably is the best player in college football. But after low-production games in losses to Alabama and Arkansas, he’s fallen behind other candidates such as Alabama RB Derrick Henry. Running backs have to have room to run and Fournette hasn’t had much room in the two losses.
Another loss puts Leonard Fournette's hopes on an uphill climb: 7 to watch for the Heisman… https://t.co/EDq9RlfcvZ pic.twitter.com/wCr0CRZ7R6
— LSU Sports from The Advocate (@LSUnow) November 16, 2015
To win the Heisman, candidates need big performances in big games. Fournette was shut down in the season’s biggest game so far against Alabama. No, he doesn’t have the blocking or the passing game to support him enjoyed by Henry, a great player on a team favored to win the national championship. Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott and Clemson’s Deshaun Watson are other contenders who will be helped by their teams’ success.
Arkansas can line up with any team at the line of scrimmage. As analyst Phil Steele noted, the Razorbacks have hung tough against two Heisman Trophy candidates.
Arkansas's defense held both Derrick Henry (27-95) and Leonard Fournette (19-91) below 100 yards rushing this year.
— Phil Steele (@philsteele042) November 15, 2015
The Razorbacks are just as tough on the offensive side of the ball. Alex Collins has rushed for at least 100 yards in eight of the team’s 10 games. Collins might be in the Heisman mix himself if not for poor production in losses to Toledo and Alabama. Need more evidence? The offensive line has allowed only 11 sacks, the 13th lowest total in the country, and is tied for sixth in fewest tackles for loss allowed.
