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UNC Football: 5 reasons Elijah Hood Can Win the Heisman Trophy

By Horran Cameron

Nov 28, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) runs the ball during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) runs the ball during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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No. 5: No pressure on Elijah Hood

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Elijah Hood has nothing to lose.

He is not the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy in 2016. Clemson’s quarterback Deshaun Watson is. Hood is expected to earn all-conference awards this season. Outside of this, Hood is not viewed as a serious pre-season threat to win the Heisman.

Heck, many people have not pegged him as a dark horse for the Heisman.

A great deal of this lack of attention comes from the fact that Hood plays for the North Carolina Tar Heels. UNC is not viewed as a college football powerhouse similar to other schools like Clemson, Alabama, Florida State, USC and so on. Pressure accompanies high expectations. Without many of the high expectations that Clemson’s Watson has, Hood can focus solely on playing football with minimal distractions.

It is very likely that Carolina could face Clemson in the ACC Football Championship for the second consecutive year. If this game takes place and Carolina wins, then it is very likely Hood will gain traction in the Heisman race.

Unfortunately, winning big games helps the case for an individual player to win the Heisman Trophy. It’s an unwritten rule. If Carolina beats Clemson in the ACC Championship, then Hood has a good chance to win the Heisman.

Last season’s game between UNC and N.C. State was a prelude to what we will see from Hood this season. Love it or hate it, in December this young man could possibly be on top of the world we know as NCAA college football.

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