"Blows my mind": Colorado's Athletic Director frustrated with Shedeur Sanders' ranking in Heisman poll as Travis Hunter tops the list

Colorado Buffaloes' two key stars, Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, are among the top 10 favorites to win the coveted Heisman Trophy in the latest poll from On3. Hunter tops the list going into Week 13, while Shedeur Sanders is near the bottom at No. 8.

Colorado's athletic director, Rick George, tweeted his disagreement with Sanders' position.

"Blows my mind that Shedeur is not top 3 let alone top 5. SMH," he wrote on X.

Colorado's Shedeur Sanders' numbers against Heisman rivals

Shedeur Sanders has slightly worse numbers than the quarterback immediately above him: Jaxson Dart. Dart has better yardage (3409 vs. 3222), fewer interceptions (four vs. seven), and a better QBR (86.2 vs. 76.5). Sanders does have more touchdowns, but it may be because the Ole Miss quarterback faces considerably stiffer opposition in the SEC.

The fifth player on the list, Indiana's Kurtis Rourke, has 2410 yards, 21 touchdowns and four interceptions. However, he has a higher QBR of 88.1, second in the nation.

Similarly, Oregon's Dillon Gabriel has 3066 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. His QBR is higher at 84.2.

This has got some questioning how players with seemingly inferior numbers, like Gabriel and Rourke, have a QBR than Shedeur Sanders.

According to ESPN, the proprietary formula takes into account a wider view of the signal caller's impact on the game including passing performance, rushing attempts, turnovers, penalties, situational context (down and distance), and the strength of the opposing defense. This is supposed to give a more holistic view of a player's performance.

In this regard, Miami's Cameron Ward is the best quarterback in the nation at the moment. Ward has 3494 yards, 32 touchdowns and six interceptions. His QBR is the best in the nation at 89.4.

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