Bo Nix for Heisman? Oregon quarterback is both flashy and consistent
Bo Nix was not getting any consideration for the Heisman Trophy in 2022, but that likely changed on Saturday with another solid performance from the Oregon quarterback in a big win over an undefeated UCLA Bruins team.
It is not likely that the season-opening blowout loss to Georgia where Nix had little success helped the “Bo Nix for Heisman” train get out of the station. The Ducks could not even find the endzone in a 49-3 loss.
Since the loss to Georgia, the Ducks have been nothing less than impressive. Credit goes to several factors including the offensive line, and offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham.
But Bo Nix, who has orchestrated the Ducks to six straight wins since Week 1, is the biggest reason why the Ducks are sitting in a position to win the Pac-12 and possibly return to the College Football Playoff. Nix is completing better than 70 percent of his passes and has thrown just three interceptions on the season.
Nix has Oregon currently ranked as the ninth-best scoring offense in the country, averaging 42 points per game. Just behind them in tenth is Georgia averaging 41.7 points per game. The Ducks are also 9 for10 on 4th down conversions in 2022 through seven games, which is fourth best in the country.
Nix is also not afraid to show his emotions on the field. When he and the team do well, he is the first down the field to celebrate success.
Bo Nix has worked his way into the Heisman Trophy conversation
When he arrived in Eugene, we did not know what version of Bo Nix we were going to see. Under offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham, Nix has become a dual-threat quarterback for the Ducks.
Against Washington State, Nix threw for over 400 yards in a 44-41 win. The next week facing the Stanford Cardinal he threw for 161 yards and ran for 141 more. On Saturday against UCLA, he was the team’s third-leading rusher with 8 carries and 51 yards.
But it’s not just consistency that has people noticing Bo Nix, he’s got some flash in his game as well. The former Auburn prodigy has a knack for coming up with the big play at just the right time, and he’s not afraid to show off his arm. In seven games, Oregon has 73 passing plays of over 10 yards, with seven of those being more than 40 yards.
Where does Nix stack up in terms of stats? He’s fifth in the nation in completion percentage, tied for ninth nationally with 17 touchdown passes, and his passer rating of 165.93 is currently 14th nationally.
No, he’s not lighting up the stat line every week, but Heisman consideration is about much more than stats. It’s the player who sets himself apart by taking a team and carrying it when needed and coming up with those “Heisman moments” to grab voters’ attention.
While he’s probably not going to be mentioned among the top Heisman candidates right now, Nix is a big reason why the Oregon Ducks have found offensive success this season and currently sit at 6-1. They are a top-ten team and may need a little help but the win over UCLA Saturday may have helped set the stage for bigger things this season.
If Nix can keep playing with the consistency and big-play ability he has all season, and lead the Ducks to a Pac-12 championship game, his name will have to be listed among the Heisman Trophy favorites.
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