Jadan Baugh had one of the worst performances of his college career against the Missouri Tigers in Week 5. Florida football's star running back was held to the fewest yards in a game in which he ran the ball more than once, which played a significant role in the Gators' 45-17 defeat.
While Baugh's five-game streak of rushing for 100 or more yards was snapped, he still leads the SEC in yardage gained and could easily recover his momentum moving forward. So despite the letdown last weekend, USA TODAY Sports writer Austin Curtright still included the Gator in his latest Heisman Trophy outlook — albeit at the very bottom of the rankings at No. 12.
"Jadan Baugh... took a stumble in the Heisman race after the loss," Curtright notes.
"Baugh, who was the
nation's rushing leader heading into Week 5, was held to 13 rushing yards on 12 carries in Florida's 45-17 loss to the Tigers. He still ranks tied-for first nationally with 11 rushing touchdowns, but Florida will need to prove its loss was a fluke for Baugh to rebound as a Heisman contender."
Baugh will seek redemption in Week 6 during Florida's homecoming game against the South Carolina Gamecocks, whose rushing defense ranks 29th in the nation with an 88.4 rating, according to Pro Football Focus.
USA TODAY Sports' Heisman Trophy momentum meter
- Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State ↔️ (1)
- Keelon Russell, Alabama ⬆️ (8)
- Darian Mensah, Miami ⬇️ (2)
- Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss ⬇️ (3)
- Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State ⬆️ (7)
- Malachi Toney, Miami ↔️ (6)
- CJ Carr, Notre Dame ⬆️ (9)
- Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State ⬇️ (4)
- Gunner Stockton, Georgia ⬆️ (11)
- Josh Hoover, Indiana ↔️ (10)
- Austin Simmons, Missouri ⬆️ (NR)
- Jadan Baugh, Florida ⬇️ (5)
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Jadan Baugh still in USA TODAY Sports' Heisman Trophy race, but barely
