CLEMSON – Clemson sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence entered this season as the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, with good reason.

Lawrence had a remarkable debut in 2018 by any standard, passing for 30 touchdowns against only four interceptions and becoming the first freshman to lead a team to the national title since Oklahoma’s Jamelle Holoway in 1985.

But after being intercepted five times in the first four games of the season and playing only limited minutes in three of the victories, Lawrence has slipped a bit in the eyes of many Heisman voters.

Yet if there’s concern about that in the Clemson camp, it’s certainly not evident.

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“We don’t worry about that,” Clemson co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said. “Offensively we’ve always talked about not having an ego. Football is the ultimate team sport and that’s what we focus on.”

That embracing of the team concept is one of five reasons Lawrence isn’t likely to win the Heisman this year:

1. Trevor doesn’t care

It may sound trite, but Lawrence is all about putting the team first.

“I don’t worry about stuff like that,” Lawrence says. “It’s not really one of my goals.”

His primary goal? Winning another national championship.

“That’s our team goal,” Lawrence said.

2. Dabo doesn’t care

Lawrence played a grand total of six minutes, 23 seconds in the Tigers’ 52-10 victory against Charlotte last week before handing the ball off to Chase Brice … and three other back-ups who saw action in the game.

“Obviously we could have scored 100 points and Trevor could have put up some huge stats and gotten some Heisman write-ups,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “But we’re just interested in winning the game and winning with class and not getting anybody hurt. He (Lawrence) didn’t touch the ground, and that’s good with me.”

3. Too much talent

If Lawrence were a one-man show, he’d have a much better shot at the Heisman. He may be the quarterback, but there are plenty of other all-star candidates dotting the Tigers’ roster.

As it is, Lawrence is enjoying watching other players receive playing time.

“That’s what makes this place special,” Lawrence said. “The way Coach Swinney runs his program and the way our team is, guys get opportunities and I love that. If I was in their shoes, I’d want the same thing. I’m really just happy for those guys that they get a chance.”

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4. Heisman voters vote too early

Early voting likely cost Deshaun Watson a shot at the Heisman in 2016. Voters were smitten by Lamar Jackson’s heroics in routs early in the season and, due to an early December voting deadline, were unable to consider performances in bowls or the College Football Playoff, which is where Watson shined.

Likewise, Lawrence’s best games a year ago came in the postseason, and that could be the case again this year as Lawrence is more likely to get extensive playing time and produce better numbers against postseason challengers than he will versus the Tigers’ remaining regular-season opponents.

Bottom line: Heisman voters shouldn't be able to cast their ballots until mid-January.

5. The Heisman and national titles rarely mix

National championships don’t preclude Heisman trophies, but their convergence is relatively rare. The best teams tend to have diverse talent rather than one dominant player.

To wit, since 1998, there have been only four Heisman Trophy winners who also led their team to the national championship – USC’s Matt Leinart (2004), Alabama’s Mark Ingram (2009), Auburn’s Cam Newton (2010) and Florida State’s Jameis Winston (2013).

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