Two weeks ago, Leonard Fournette was arguably the favorite for the Heisman Trophy.
Now, according to ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum, the LSU running back may not even get invited to New York for the ceremony.
“I don’t think he has any chance and I’m really sad by that,” Finebaum said on College Football Live. “A week and a half ago, he was the Heisman favorite. He already had the trophy awarded to him. But two bad games by his team and one really bad game by him at the fault of his offensive line, and I think Leonard Fournette right now is going to struggle to get a trip to New York.”
Fournette rushed for 1,352 yards in his first seven games, and helped LSU climb as high as third in the AP Top 25. But the sophomore was held to 31 yards by Alabama and 91 yards by Arkansas, and the Tigers lost both games.
Finebaum believes Fournette would become even more of a longshot if the Tigers lose to Ole Miss this Saturday.
“He’s really going the wrong way and I’m not sure they’re going to get past Ole Miss this weekend, and that would pretty much knock him out,” he said.
ESPN colleague Danny Kanell doesn’t think Fournette’s chances are over. However, in his mind, Fournette is now a longshot.
“There’s a slim chance. I will say a three percent chance,” Kanell said. “I have huge concerns about LSU. They might lose three in a row against Ole Miss. I think it’s a tough slate to go, but still, it’s not over yet. The Heisman isn’t won in October and it’s not won in the beginning of November, either. There are still games left to be played.”
Fournette and LSU (7-2) travel to Ole Miss on Saturday. The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
