LSU Football: Can Leonard Fournette Win Heisman?

LSU football stud running back Leonard Fournette looked like a surefire bet to at least be in New York for the Heisman ceremonies in September and October.  Can he keep the momentum in 2016 and actually win a Heisman?

Less than a week ago we did an article about how Leonard Fournette WAS LSU’s offense in 2015.  In that article we discussed how he carried LSU to 9 wins while playing the SEC West, the deepest division in college football.  I also made the statement that, based on that fact alone, Leonard Fournette should have received more Heisman consideration.

That statement got me wondering.  Can Leonard Fournette, a generational talent, actually deliver a Heisman to LSU football in 2016?  The obvious answers seems to be yes.

Without the benefit of a season opener against cupcake opponent McNeese State, Fournette ran for nearly 2,000 yards on 6.5 yards a carry in 2015.  He also was a major player in LSU’s passing attack, adding 19 receptions for 253 yards and a touchdown.  It is quite sad to say that 253 receiving yards makes you a major player in a passing attack, but such is the state of LSU football’s passing attack.

If you add in conservative numbers for what should have been LSU’s opener against McNeese State, Fournette likely would have cleared the 2,000 yard mark, had a better yards per carry average, scored at least two more touchdowns and added a few receptions.  Let’s remember that this was the season opener — a time where coaches leave their players in longer to get them readjusted to live action after an entire offseason.  A 200 yard rushing performance to go along with 30 yards receiving is quite plausible.

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So surely Fournette can win a Heisman for LSU football, right?  In the words of Lee Corse, “not so fast!”

The problem here is that there does not appear to be an upgrade coming in the passing attack.  LSU’s offensive coordinator (Cam Cameron) and starting quarterback (Brandon Harris) will likely both return to their exact same positions and duties in 2016.  Why does that matter?

It means against the best defenses, Fournette will be shut down because teams will be able to stack 8 in the box.  Before we put a nail in LSU football and Fournette’s Heisman hopes, though, let’s take a peak at the 2016 schedule.

LSU Football 2016 Schedule

September 3:  Wisconsin Badgers (Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI)

September 10: Jacksonville State

September 17:  Mississippi State

September 24:  @ Auburn

October 1:  Missouri

October 8:  @ Florida

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October 15:  Ole Miss

November 5:  Alabama

November 12:  @ Arkansas

November 19:  South Alabama

November 24:  Texas A&M

A few things about that slate jump out to me.  Let’s get the negative out of the way first.  In addition to playing the SEC West, LSU drew Missouri and Florida from the SEC East.  LSU football wasn’t done any favors there, as the two had a pair of the best defenses in the SEC in 2015.  The Tigers also open with Wisconsin, a team that won’t let Fournette have a field day in their home state.

But it isn’t all bad.  LSU gets Alabama and Ole Miss, two of the teams Fournette struggled against in 2015, at home.  LSU football closes their season against South Alabama and Texas A&M.  Is it really that difficult to envision Fournette closing 2016 with a pair of 200+ yard games with multiple scores against the Jaguars and Aggies?  I don’t think so either.  Having such an opportunity to pad his stats to end the season definitely works in Fournette’s favor.

So, Southbound and Down readers, I must ask.  Do YOU think Fournette can win a Heisman in 2016?

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