Robert Griffin III names his Heisman Trophy contenders in final two weeks

ESPN college football analyst and former Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III shared his opinions on 2021 Heisman race during his appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show. With a wide-open race and a long short-list of potential candidates who have failed to separate themselves, Griffin III provided his thoughts.

“It is one of the most bizarre Heisman races – 100% it’s wide open,” said Griffin. “I think anybody in these last two weeks has a chance to have that moment that pushes them over the edge. You look at Michigan State, Ohio State – CJ Stroud, Kenneth Walker III – that’s a big game, not only for those schools and the CFP but also for the Heisman Trophy award.”

Despite the open competition, there is one name Robert Griffin III thinks earned Heisman Trophy frontrunner status, and another with a chance to bounce back.

“I would give it to Kenneth Walker if the season ended today,” said Griffin. “But there’s going to be a lot of things that go on and don’t ever count out Matt Corral over at Ole Miss. He can have a big game in these last few weeks and really solidify himself as the Heisman.”

Robert Griffin III on CFP rankings

With wide-spread criticism across the college football landscape, Robert Griffin III looked at the CFP selection committee’s criteria for entry on the Paul Finebaum Show.

“Listen, they put Michigan ahead of Michigan State when Michigan State had beaten them like 10 days before,” said Griffin. “So we have no idea what they’re doing. Maybe they’re just using the eye test and trying to figure out who looks the best this week or that week. But I’m a believer that winning should matter.”

While Robert Griffin III accepts the eye test as a viable method, he went on to explain his nightmare CFP scenario to Paul Finebaum.

“If Alabama beats Georgia in the (SEC) Championship game then let them in – they should be in – but you can’t keep Cincinnati out, you can’t keep some of these one-loss Power Five conference school champions out and put a two-loss SEC team in the College Football Playoff,” said Griffin.

With Georgia at No. 1 and Alabama at No. 2, the potential SEC Championship matchup would draw plenty attention from the CFP selection committee in the days before their final rankings. Given the weak field, many have speculated Alabama has enough cushion between its spot at No. 2 and No. 5 Cincinnati to survive with even a close loss to the Bulldogs.

The College Football Playoff selection committee has never selected a two-loss team before. However, in 2007, two-loss LSU won the BCS national championship game.