Ashton Jeanty Heisman watch: 3 reasons why Boise State RB could overtake Travis Hunter for award

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty continued his impressive form when he rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries in the Broncos' 56-24 win over the San Diego State Aztecs in Week 10. Thanks in large part to Jeanty's effort, the Broncos moved to 7-1 on the season and are on the path to take part in the Mountain West Conference championship game.

An On3 Heisman Trophy favorites poll released Monday ranked Jeanty at No. 2 just behind Colorado Buffaloes' two-way star Travis Hunter and ahead of Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward.

With the season entering its home stretch, here are three reasons why Jeanty can still topple Hunter to win the honor.

#3. Boise State is in CFP contention

Jeanty has led Boise State to a 7-1 record and the Broncos are favorites for the Mountain West Conference championship game. A win in that game could conceivably grant Boise State a spot in the expanded 12-team playoff.

An appearance in the playoff could propel Jeanty to the front of the Heisman Trophy conversation with the Broncos seen as a gritty Group of Five program seemingly facing an uphill battle against the college football establishment. Meanwhile, Jeanty's top competitors for the award play for teams in the Power Four conferences that could be seen as being propped up by television networks and pundits.

#2. Breaking Barry Sanders' record

College football great Barry Sanders won the Heisman Trophy in 1988 after setting FBS records for rushing yards (2,628) and touchdowns (37) while playing for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Jeanty is on course to break the 37-year record and has registered 1,525 yards on 190 carries resulting in 20 touchdowns over the course of this season with four games still to play in the regular season. Making history is always received well among fans and Heisman voters, so breaking Sanders' record would surely boost Jeanty's stock for the award.

#1. Jeanty curries favor with the fans

During an appearance on the "Outta Pocket with RGIII," Hunter seemed to take a shot at Ashton Jeanty's Heisman bid with his comments.

"Y'all see Ashton Jeanty, but it's not like we haven't seen a running back that's good. We haven't seen a player that plays both ways," Hunter said. "I'ma keep saying that. He has 95 carries for 1,000 yards. If I had 95 catches, how many yards do you think I'd have?

"If I had 95 targets on defense, what do you think I'd have? … he got double the touches I got on the offensive side of the ball, and I still have defensive stats that's still crazy, and we're only in Week 6. I'm not gonna argue about it."

Apart from the fact that Jeanty plays for a non-traditional program, Hunter's comments about the running back drew even more fans to his cause.

With the way the 2024 college football season is panning out with several teams in contention for the conference championship games and the expanded playoff, the Heisman Trophy race could end up going to the wire and Jeanty is still in with a huge chance to win the prestigious award.