Lamar Jackson gets his shot at a Heisman moment

OU’s Baker Mayfield took the early lead in the Heisman Trophy race with a stunning performance against Ohio State. Now Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson gets the chance to match by playing Clemson, an equally-imposing defense.

The Heisman incumbent has been spectacular this season, with 1,010 total yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions in Cardinal victories over Purdue and North Carolina.

Third-ranked Clemson plays at No. 14 Louisville on Saturday night, and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney calls Jackson “crazy good. Lamar Jackson is an unbelievable football player. He’s fun to watch. He’s not fun to prepare for.”

Jackson dented Clemson for 457 total yards and three touchdowns last season, though the Tigers survived, 42-36.

“We got our hands full with this guy,” Swinney said. “What a player.”

With Florida State losing quarterback Deandre Francois, the ClemsonLouisville game could be the deciding game in the ACC Atlantic Division race. The Tigers are the defending national champions, but they’re breaking in new quarterback Kelly Bryant, while Louisville has a quarterback with a Heisman Trophy. “He just looks like a very confident player to me this year,” Swinney said of Jackson. “He’s a little bigger this year, too. He looks bigger, stronger. I think last year he was just in the midst of going through his first season as really being the guy. And now that’s kind of all behind him.”