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College GameDay basically ignores Dillon Gabriel during Heisman discussion

ESPN College GameDay discussed the Heisman Trophy frontrunners from Travis Hunter to Ashton Jeanty to a slew of quarterbacks. However, Dillon Gabriel went nearly unmentioned.

By Sam Fariss

Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium.
Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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Dillon Gabriel has led the Oregon Ducks to an incredible 11-0 start to their 2024 campaign. The Oregon quarterback has completed 74 percent of his passes for 3,066 yards and 22 touchdowns through the air – not to mention his 155 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground.

Despite his impressive resume for the season so far, Gabriel went almost entirely ignored on Saturday morning when ESPN College GameDay discussed the Heisman Trophy frontrunners.

Instead, Desmond Howard, Rece Davis, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, and Kirk Herbstreit focused on non-quarterback athletes Ashton Jeanty (running back for Boise State) and Travis Hunter (two-way player for Colorado).

The ESPN cast even mentioned the fact that Miami's quarterback Cam Ward deserves a spot in the conversation while ignoring Gabriel and a handful of other top-tier quarterbacks.

One big problem that people keep pointing to, and arguably his only flaw, is Gabriel's interception count. Through 11 games, Gabriel threw six interceptions which is far from ideal.

However, Ward has the exact same number of picks through just 10 games, and Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke only has two fewer (4). So, while Gabriel's interceptions have slowed down the Ducks' offense, they have never led to an Oregon loss and he doesn't have a shocking amount more than the other top quarterbacks in the country.

Not to mention, Gabriel set the all-time NCAA record for total touchdowns by an individual player, surpassing Case Keenum's former record.

Jeanty should undeniably be the frontrunner for the award. The Boise State Bronco is having a record-setting season for his team and is seemingly unstoppable, even when he played against the dominant Oregon defense.

Everyone has become captivated by Hunter because of the fact that he plays on both sides of the ball for the Colorado Buffaloes but his snap count isn't everything and he only has nine receiving touchdowns so far this year.

The College Football Awards are scheduled for Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. PT and will be aired on ESPN.

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