Justin Thomas Will Not Win The Heisman in 2015

Hey guys, before we get going, I wanted to introduce myself.  My name is Josh Brundage, and I’ve been a reader here for a while now.  I graduated from Kennesaw with a journalism degree.  I made a living as a touring contract musician and stage manager for a while before settling down with a more reasonable job earlier this year.  It’s an honor to join these talented writers on FTRS.   I’ll be doing a weekly column and will try to maintain the high standard they have set before me.  So without further adieu…

Justin Thomas will not win the Heisman this year.  Now, before you all start huffin’ and puffin’, I mean that as a compliment. There is not a coach on the Yellow Jackets’ schedule who is looking forward to playing us next year, and he’s a big reason why.

For one thing, let me assume the role of a coach or coordinator scheming against Tech this fall… Let’s call him Dabo Richteamer:

Now that number 5, that kid scares the hell out of me.  I watched the Orange Bowl.  Over my dead body is he going to run the ball on us.  Everyone talks about how the key to stopping the triple option flexbone is stopping the dive.  Well when I look at that backfield, ain’t one of those B-backs touched the ball in a college game.  Let’s make these nancies prove they can run passed my D-line first.

Also, I ain’t scared of them wide receptors either.  Let’s make them prove they can beat my guy in one-on-one coverage.  That’s the least of my worries.  You know what, while we’re on the topic, let’s force everything to pitch and let those same wide receptors prove they can hold a block that long.  I bet they can’t.  Those A-backs they return at The Institute haven’t done much either.  That’s who I want carrying the ball.

It’s the nature of the beast with the flexbone.  Option plays mean the defense determines who carries the ball.  After showing what he can do at the end of the season, Thomas is the first person I’m scheming against if I’m playing Tech.  I’m doing everything I can to not let him carry it.  I just don’t see Thomas being able to put up the same gaudy numbers he did last season.  Him and the rest of Georgia Tech won’t be sneaking up on anyone again.

Another reason is that excluding RG3, the Heisman committee hasn’t liked running quarterbacks, non-traditional offenses, or giving the award to someone not playing in the title game.  Would you like to complete your BINGO card, faithful FTRS-er?  If Thomas does garner some Heisman talk, here’s what you’re going to hear:

Yeah he rushed by himself for over 800 yards against UGA, but they just weren’t ready for that goofy offense.  Even Chris Weinke could’ve rushed for at least half that running that scheme.  I know he leads the nation in passing efficiency, but that’s only because he’s got 6’4" wide receivers out there in single coverage.  Mitch Williams could’ve completed most of those.  Plus, it’s not like they’re title contenders.  We all saw last year what an undefeated ACC schedule means in the Playoffs… Yes, I know the league is 3-1 in BCS games the last 2 years, but we can’t give this award to someone from Georgia Tech! No… not even Joe Hamilton!  How would that make the rest of the country look?

Thomas isn’t going to win the Heisman in 2015, even if he is, and probably will be, the best player in the country. There’s too many outside factors working against him, not to mention no experience returning in his own backfield. There’s no one else for defenses to key on. However, with him at the helm of a seasoned offensive line, it wouldn’t shock me if we hear his name in contention for the award. He certainly deserves it.