CBS Sports predicts Texas RB Bijan Robinson to win Heisman Trophy

In nine games and only 86 carries, Robinson rushed for 703 yards, good for 8.2 yards per carry, and four touchdowns. Against Kansas State in the season finale, he had nine carries for 172 yards with three touchdowns. Then in the Alamo Bowl against Colorado, Robinson broke the Big 12 freshman rushing record in a bowl game and had the most rushing yards in a bowl game for Texas since the 2006 Rose Bowl when Vince Young ran wild on USC for a title. Bijan touched the ball 12 times for a whopping 220 yards and had three touchdowns.

As for Robinson this season, Patterson writes, “Maybe the Heisman electorate has also gotten tired of the quarterback run, and Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith’s 2020 win was a turning point in the way voters think about contenders,” Patterson wrote. “Smith matched statistical excellence with the intangible recognition that he was simply the most outstanding player on the field. Robinson has the potential to match that profile with his explosiveness leading to highlight-worthy plays and the all-purpose nature of how he could be used in Texas’ offense basically guarantees yards and touchdowns both on the ground and through the air. Steve Sarkisian thrived as a game-planner and play-caller by moving Smith around and getting him the ball in space with Alabama last year, and he can do the same with Robinson with similar end-of-year results.”

But for Robinson to do that, he will have to get by Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler, who remains the heavy Heisman Trophy favorite right now.