Oklahoma Has Two Heisman Finalists; Jake Browning, Pac-12 Got No Love

The Pac-12 was a weak conference this year. But with Washington in the College Football Playoff, how did Jake Browning not get any Heisman love?

Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson, Jabrill Peppers, Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook are the finalists this year. That means no players from the Pac-12 were invited to New York for the ceremony.

Jackson is the runaway favorite to win the award with -5000 odds. That’s an implied probability of roughly 98 percent.

That means this conversation is (all things considered) a matter of respect.

So let’s talk about giving credit where it’s due. Browning led the Huskies offense to 44.5 points per game — which was the fourth-highest scoring rate in the nation.

Even as a sophomore, he is also one of the most consistent quarterbacks in college football.

USC’s Adoree’ Jackson also capped an impressive campaign in his final few games of the season.

He was an all-around threat on special teams, offense and defense for a Trojans team that made the Rose Bowl after starting 1-3. He had two punt return touchdowns, two kick return touchdowns, four interceptions and a receiving touchdown.

Even Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey could have received an invitation to represent the West Coast. He had 145.7 yards per game with 13 touchdowns and led the conference with 211.5 all-purpose yards per game.

Earlier today, wide receiver Dede Westbrook thought that Mayfield was the obvious choice from Oklahoma to get the nod. I’m sure that even he was surprised to get tonight’s invitation.

But this season, Browning has 9.3 yards per pass attempt. The Washington quarterback also had fewer interceptions than Mayfield did this season.

Browning was second in Pac-12 history with 42 touchdown passes thrown this year.

That mark tied 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota, one short of 2016 NFL No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff’s total last season.

If he were invited as a Heisman Trophy finalist, Browning would be the first Husky there since Marques Tuiasosopo in 2000.

It’s hard to ignore the West Coast bias from voters when the games are on so late at night. With no Pac-12 players invited to the Heisman Trophy Award ceremony, that is evidenced further tonight.