Chuba Hubbard is the Heisman longshot you need to know about

All eyes are on quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields ahead of the 2020 Heisman Trophy race, but Chuba Hubbard (+4000) could steal the spotlight as the nation’s top running back.

As a redshirt sophomore in 2019, Hubbard posted one of the best seasons at his position in Oklahoma State history. His 2,094 rushing yards ranked first in college football and second, behind only Barry Sanders, for the most in one season at Oklahoma State.

Hubbard's 2019 Heisman campaign

Hubbard also topped the FBS in all-purpose yards (2,334), and his 21 rushing touchdowns tied for third. Only once did he run for fewer than 100 yards in a game. That occurred during a 56-14 blowout against McNeese State, in which Hubbard carried the ball eight times, for 44 yards and one score, and exited the game in the third quarter.

In four other games, he compiled more than 200 yards, including a 296-yard outing against No. 24 Kansas State. 

The Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year landed at eighth in Heisman voting, but LSU quarterback Joe Borrow swept the competition and won by the largest margin in Heisman history.

Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor and Ohio State back J.K. Dobbins finished in fifth and sixth, respectively, and are now under contract in the NFL. Clemson back Travis Etienne came in ninth and is a +2000 choice to claim the Heisman in 2020. Like Hubbard, Etienne could have entered the 2020 NFL Draft, but both decided to return, to chase more hardware and a national championship.

Etienne could struggle in 2020

Etienne’s numbers dipped slightly from 2018 to 2019. As a sophomore, he ran for 1,658 yards and 24 touchdowns (both Clemson records), then he put up 1,614 yards and 19 scores the next season. He and Lawrence could both hit a snag in production in 2020, as they’ll play behind a new offensive line. The only returning starter on the line is third-team All-ACC left tackle Jackson Carman.

Hubbard, on the other hand, will get left tackle Dylan Galloway, guard Bryce Bray, and right tackle Teven Jenkins back in the trenches. Sophomore quarterback Spencer Sanders should also display more confidence and poise after a full collegiate season under his belt.

The Cowboys will bring back much of last year’s squad that had an 8-5 record and placed third in the Big 12. The Oklahoma Sooners are expected to reign supreme in the conference for the sixth straight year, under projected first-year starting quarterback Spencer Rattler. Oklahoma State is capable of competing with Texas for second in the conference and could find a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game.

How Hubbard can win the Heisman

If the Cowboys push for the title, it’ll shift the spotlight on Hubbard and boost his chances of stealing the Heisman. It’s a tall order, though, with Fields and Lawrence already dominating preseason Heisman talk. Plus, the voting committee is biased toward quarterbacks.

Only one non-quarterback has won the Heisman since 2010. That was Alabama running back Derrick Henry in 2015. Another non-QB is due for the Heisman, and Hubbard has the talent and setup to make it happen in Stillwater.

He may not break Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record (2,628), but Hubbard could surpass his own total from last year, which is good enough to put him in the running for the Heisman. Fields, the +200 frontrunner, will be difficult to beat, but if you're looking for a longshot, Hubbard is your guy.

He has already led the country in rushing and can repeat in 2020. If Fields and Lawrence slip, the Oklahoma State standout has a solid chance to swoop in and put the Heisman back in the hands of someone other than a quarterback.

---

Find 2020 Heisman odds and more college football futures at BetAmerica!