As the Heisman Trophy conversation shifted in recent weeks, it appears that Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray surged in play and popularity, as the votes came down to Murray and Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa.

ESPN and SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum outlined how that vote likely played out during his regular weekly visit with Birmingham-based WJOX 94.5 FM program “The Roundtable.” Finebaum said he voted for Tagovailoa, but admitted the vote was very difficult. Murray won the award at the annual Saturday night ceremony.

“It’s pretty amazing if I would have told you four weeks ago that Tua wouldn’t win the Heisman, but that’s how it went,” he said.

As preparation turns to the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff matchup between the Crimson Tide and Sooners, could this be a motivational tool for coach Nick Saban and the Alabama defense? Finebaum agreed with that sentiment.

“You look for edges and I think it is for Alabama,” he said. “You could see some of the reaction from some of the players, Damien Harris namely, and you could tell they were angry. Exactly how much that matters, I don’t know, but it counters the narrative that Alabama is a two-touchdown favorite and should walk away from this. As far as Tua, I think his health is more important than whether he’s upset about it. He didn’t look all that upset, but I’ve never seen him look upset about anything. I think that’s demeanor. I don’t think it’s going to be that big of a deal.”

Finebaum added that the Heisman results don’t typically transfer to the bowl games, but it can add pressure to the winner.