STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — It’s only Week 9 of the college football season, but Penn State’s Saquon Barkley might as well start prepping his Heisman trophy speech.
Sure, Barkley and the Nittany Lions still need to go through Ohio State on the road next week before taking on a ranked Michigan State team to remain unbeaten in the regular season.
MORE: Heisman watch: Can we go ahead and crown Barkley?
But after a dominant performance in the Penn State’s victory over Michigan, Barkley may not need to go unbeaten. He’s the most complete and impactful running back we’ve seen in over two decades, and he has had plenty of Heisman moments — and not just against Michigan.
Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and Stanford’s Bryce Love may take offense to this aggressive, preemptive conclusion, and understandably so. But the Heisman is entirely Barkley’s to lose, and there’s no reason to believe he will.
Amid a stadium-wide “White Out,” Penn State controlled all 60 minutes in the team’s 42-13 victory over No. 19 Michigan. A stout defensive effort and efficiency in the second half by quarterback Trace McSorley gave the Nittany Lions redemption over Michigan after losing to the Wolverines 49-10 a year ago. But it was Barkley’s remarkable talent that struck fear into Michigan’s defense — including renowned defensive coordinator Don Brown — regardless of whether he had the ball in his hand.
On the game’s second play from scrimmage, Barkley rushed for a 69-yard touchdown that gave Penn State a lead it would never relinquish.
Saquon Barkley, everyone. I’m still laughing. pic.twitter.com/CkIcdWi0QE
— Roar Lions Roar (@RLRblog) October 21, 2017
MORE: Time for Penn State to show it's big-game ready
As usual, Barkley didn’t slow down as the game continued. While McSorley struggled at times to keep drives alive in the first half, Barkley's proficiency in the option game and as a pass-catcher reminded college football fans of his devastating skill set.
Barkley, who is second on the team in receiving with 448 yards, is the best pass-catching running back of the past decade. Considering how developed he is as a route-runner, how naturally he’s able to adjust his frame and his ability to get yards after catch. Already he reminds of NFL talents David Johnson and Le’Veon Bell in terms of comfort out of the backfield.
Saquon Barkley is ridiculous. Simply unguarable, this route is insane! pic.twitter.com/NG7zzSg35d
— Riley Auman (@junioraumanac) October 22, 2017
In his tremendous effort vs. Michigan, Barkley finished with 176 total yards and three touchdowns, adding another 100-yard rushing performance to his career totals and further etching himself into Penn State football lore.
But Barkley's 2017 success isn't an outlier. He's the first player to rush for more than 3,000 yards and accumulate 1,000 receiving yards in Penn State history. Now, he’s just 604 yards away from being Penn State’s all-time leading rusher.
MORE: Barkley making run as Penn State's best RB of all time
More importantly for Barkley is his average of 211 total yards per game on the year. He’s the face of the No. 2 team in the country, and his performance against both Iowa and Michigan in prime time basically served as extended highlight reels. Nearly every time he touches the ball, Barkley reminds of why he’s deserving of the effusive praise he receives.
And while his game against Ohio State next week will ultimately determine Penn State’s College Football Playoff destiny, Barkley may not even need a victory for him to maintain his spot atop the Heisman rankings. Of the last 10 Heisman winners, just three finished the season undefeated. Instead, Barkley merely has to continue producing at his 200-plus total yards per game, finish the Big Ten regular season with no more than one loss, and keep adding to his loaded highlight reel.
It may seem premature to crown Barkley, and it certainly stands that things may change between now and the Heisman ceremony in New York on Dec. 9. But let’s not cover our ears to the actual Heisman process. Voters welcome the opportunity to make their decision early, and Barkley checks the boxes (productive, big program, national title contender, great highlights, etc.) to make their vote an easy one.
At this time a year ago, Lamar Jackson had all but sealed his Heisman trophy victory. This year, Saquon Barkley has already done the same. Now, we get to sit back, appreciate his greatness, and see if he can be the third Heisman Trophy winner in the last decade to play for the national championship.