Michael Penix Jr.: 3 Reasons Washington Football Star Can Win Heisman Trophy

Michael Penix Jr. - Washington State v Washington

(Photo : Steph Chambers/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - Michael Penix Jr. (#9) of the Washington Huskies reacts after a first down against the Washington State Cougars during the fourth quarter at Husky Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.

Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been named as one of the finalists for the 2023 Heisman Trophy after leading his team to a dominant season.

The 23-year-old is the first quarterback from the university to be a finalist for college football's most prestigious individual honor.

Following a period marred by injuries with the Indiana Hoosiers spanning from 2018 to 2021, during which he endured two devastating ACL injuries, Penix Jr. transferred to Washington. Subsequently, he emerged as one of college football's standout quarterbacks.

3 reasons Michael Penix Jr. can win the Heisman trophy:

1. Penix Jr. led the nation's best offense

In terms of offensive performance, Washington stands out in several categories, claiming the top spot in passing offense at 343.8 yards and ranking eighth in first down offense with 307,

Aside from these, the Huskies are also tenth in scoring offense at 37.7 points, ninth in fourth-down conversion percentage at 73.3 percent, 11th in third-down conversion percentage at 48.3 percent, and 12th in total offense with 469.1 yards.

Among players, Penix Jr. led the country with 4,218 passing yards and an average of 324.5 passing yards per game.

He is also third nationwide with 33 passing touchdowns and holds the sixth position in total offense with an average of 323.1 yards.

2. Washington's dominant season

Throughout this season, Penix Jr. has guided the Huskies to an impeccable 13-0 record, securing both the Pac-12 Championship and a place in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl as the second-overall seed against the Texas Longhorns.

Penix Jr. was also named the Pac-12 Championship Game MVP, defeating fellow Heisman Trophy finalist Bo Nix and the Oregon Ducks in the title game.

Washington is among the three undefeated teams this season among the Power Five conferences, along with the first-seeded Michigan and fifth-ranked Florida State.

Notably, Florida State is the only undefeated team among these three that did not qualify for the College Football Playoff (CFP).

3. College Football Playoff berth

The quarterback stands out as the lone Heisman finalist whose team is currently participating in the College Football Playoff, securing the second seed for Washington in one of the two unanimous decisions of the board.

Washington is set to face the third-seeded Texas Longhorns in the 2024 Sugar Bowl semifinal on January 1, 2024, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. This contest serves as a rematch of the 2022 Alamo Bowl, where Washington secured victory with a score of 27-20 nearly a year ago.

The outcome of this matchup will determine who will advance to the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship game, slated to take place on January 8, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.