Ricky Dimon
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The 2019-20 College Football Playoff lineup is great in terms of the four teams involved. It’s even better, however, when it comes to the four starting quarterbacks. I mean, wow…. Three of the four finished one-two-three in the Heisman Trophy voting and the only one who wasn’t invited to New York is a reigning National Champion and a potential future No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft.
In other words, ranking them No. 1 through No. 4 is no easy task, and it is inevitably doing a disservice to whoever is fourth. But, alas, here goes….
4. Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
You know it’s an amazing group of players when Hurts can even possibly be considered as the “worst.” He not only has a ton of experience—especially in the College Football Playoff—but also finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting. In other words, Oklahoma is just fine with its quarterback heading into a Dec. 28 national semifinal against LSU (check out our free college football expert picks for every bowl game). This is…wait for it…Hurts’ fourth appearance in the College Football Playoff.
3. Justin Fields, Ohio State
Fields had the numbers to lift the stiff-armed statue this past Saturday; it wasn’t his fault that Burrow—and Hurts, for that matter—were just so darn good. The sophomore wrapped up the regular season with 2,953 passing yards and 40 touchdowns compared to only one interception. He rushed for 471 yards and 10 scores, as well. Fields, a transfer from Georgia, was also clutch. He helped the Buckeyes survive a couple of close calls en route to a 13-0 record and the Big Ten championship. Unsurprisingly, the 20-year-old is favored to win the 2020 Heisman Trophy.
2. Joe Burrow, LSU
Burrow won the Heisman Trophy by a record margin last weekend. And why not? He threw for an amazing 4,715 yards with 48 touchdowns and six interceptions during the regular season, while also rushing for 289 yards and three TDs. Burrow is completing an unreal 77.9 percent of his passes. The senior is quite simply the best player on the best team in the nation, although Oklahoma and then possibly either Ohio State or Clemson may have something to say about that. Burrow could not have handled the pressure of the SEC Championship better that he did, which bodes well for his and the Tigers’ CFP chances.
1. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
What’s not to like about Lawrence? Sure he finished seventh in the Heisman voting and did not even get invited to New York, but who cares? He is in the midst of another great season and has been only getting better and better on the heels of a relatively slow start. Over the past six games, Lawrence has thrown 20 touchdown passes and zero interceptions. He has completed 68.8 percent of his attempts for 3,172 yards, 34 TDs, and eight INTs. The sophomore also has valuable experience despite his youth, having led Clemson to the 2018-19 National Championship.
