USA Today's Matt Hayes believes it's possible that Colorado's resident two-way superstar, Travis Hunter, could lose the Heisman Trophy because the Buffs didn't make it to the Big 12 Championship Game following a 9-3 finish in 2024.
"Travis Hunter is the best player in college football, and the best player in college football may not be on the field during championship week. And that might just be enough for him to lose the Heisman Trophy," Hayes wrote. "If we've learned anything about voting for the most coveted individual award in sports, it's that those voting are prisoners of the moment. Unless it's an obvious choice (like Jayden Daniels in 2023), the final weekend has significant impact on voters.
"So unless something funky happens in this final weekend of the Big 12 race – and why couldn't it, considering what we've already seen? – Colorado will miss the Big 12 championship game and the best player in college football will be out of sight, out of mind next weekend, sitting home while the moment passes."
Hunter plays on both sides of the ball, but he alone cannot will his team to the title game. But that shouldn't matter at this point. And it won't.
Despite Hayes's piece, Hunter is an overwhelming lock to win the Heisman. His odds begin with a "-" and are four to five figures at this point. There likely won't be a snub situation when the award is handed out in New York a few weeks from now.