Ranking the 5 best Big 12 Heisman contenders along with Sam Ehlinger

If Oklahoma State still had an outside shot at the College Football Playoff or a realistic path to the Big 12 Championship Game, then star redshirt sophomore running back Chuba Hubbard would be more in the thick of Heisman contention.

So far this season, Hubbard is the nation’s leading rusher by a longshot. He has more than 1,600 rushing yards and 18 scores. After registering more than 220 rushing yards and two scores in Oklahoma State’s win over TCU last weekend, Hubbard now has four outings with at least 200 rushing yards.

If there were to be any other running back in the country that is a Heisman finalist this season, it would either be because of a lack of respect toward his production for a high-powered offense like that of the Pokes or due to injury. Given his workload, nearly 240 carries on the season so far, an injury isn’t out of the question.

However, the Longhorns did do a good job holding Hubbard in check when they faced the Pokes in their Big 12 opener back on Sep. 21. Most Big 12 defenses won’t face the same fate, and if he tops 2,000 rushing yards and gets in the realm of 25 touchdowns it will be difficult to keep him away from the status of Heisman finalist.