By Elijah Klepczyk
Sports Columnist
On3 Sports posted its week four “College Football Heisman Poll,” with Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss at No.1 and right behind him sits Mississippi State signal caller Kamario Taylor.
This is not a shocking revelation, with both quarterbacks playing some of the best ball in the country right now, and both high atop the offensive production rankings early in the season.
Both quarterbacks were highly touted coming into the season, with Chambliss receiving his fifth year of eligibility on the back of leading Ole Miss to the CFP semi-final, and Taylor finally getting the start in Starkville after a promising freshman season.
Now the State of Mississippi houses two of the most dynamic playmakers in college football, both playing the same position, both the most important pieces on their team.
That begs the question, when was the last time quarterback play was at such a premium in the Magnolia State?
When asked, award-winning Mississippi sports Columnist Rick Cleveland noted that the last time there was this much hype around two quarterbacks in the state was the 2014 College Football season.
That was the season where NFL super star, and now Dallas Cowboys all-time passing touchdown leader, Dak Prescott led the Mississippi State Bulldogs to a 10-2 season and an Orange Bowl appearance. Just up north in Oxford, Bo Wallace, led the Rebs to a 9-4 season, and an appearance in the Peach Bowl.
Cleveland said that both quarterbacks were dual-threats and – much like Chambliss and Taylor so far – would light defenses up over the air and on the ground.
They squared off in the Egg Bowl to end the year, with No. 4 Mississippi State visiting No. 19 Ole Miss. The Rebels stunned the Bulldogs 31‑17, powered by Bo Wallace’s 296 passing yards and a rushing touchdown. Prescott still delivered, throwing for 282 yards and a score and adding another on the ground.
Prescott ended his year with 3,449 yards in the air and 24 touchdowns, while Wallace finished with 3,194 yards and 22 touchdowns.
The biggest difference between the 2014 quarterbacks and this years, is that neither Prescott or Wallace were big Heisman favorites. Prescott finished eighth in voting that year, and Wallace did not even make the top 10.
Cleveland said it’s “still too early to tell” whether Taylor and Chambliss can live up to that legendary season in Mississippi football history, but added that both quarterbacks “give their teams a chance every time they go out there.”
Plenty of season remains, but if the current pace holds, Mississippi could see both quarterbacks earn trips to New York for the Heisman ceremony — something that’s never happened before.
Neither school has ever produced a Heisman winner either, so this could be the best chance either school has had in a long time to finally get over that hump.
