Heisman watch: DIllon Gabriel has a chance to make a big statement against Ohio State

Dillon Gabriel is on pace to break Bo Nix’s record.

Nix became a Heisman finalist a season ago as he set the NCAA record for completion percentage. Nix was 364-of-470 passing in 2023 as he completed 77.45% of his throws to break Mac Jones’ record of 77.36%.

After Nix left for the NFL, Gabriel transferred to Oregon for his final season of college football and is somehow completing a greater percentage of passes than Nix did. Through five games so far, Gabriel has completed 77.8% of his passes and is 130-of-167 passing for 1,449 yards.

Gabriel always seemed like a perfect fit in Oregon’s offensive scheme once he announced his intention to transfer. He completed 69% of his passes a season ago and threw for a career-high 3,660 yards in 12 games for the Sooners. He even became the betting favorite for the Heisman over the summer.

However, Gabriel hasn’t asserted himself as a Heisman favorite so far. Players like Ashton Jeanty and Travis Hunter have starred in non-quarterback roles, Cam Ward has led Miami to an undefeated start after transferring from Washington State, and Jalen Milroe has continued his growth as a passer in his first season playing for Kalen DeBoer at Alabama.

All four of those players are ahead of Gabriel (+1400) in BetMGM’s odds, though Gabriel has a great chance to leapfrog all of them with a statement game on Saturday night.

The No. 3 Ducks host No. 2 Ohio State in the first top-three matchup of the season. The Buckeye defense enters the game allowing opposing quarterbacks to throw for just 130 yards a contest and only Marshall and Michigan State have thrown for TDs.

Gabriel is also coming off his worst game of the season. Gabriel threw two picks and completed just 63% of his throws in Oregon’s Friday night win over Michigan State in Week 6 after completing over 80% of his throws in each of the…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-10-09 13:00:08

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