By Zack Rosenblatt / Arizona Daily Star
Khalil Tate has been running wild, setting records, winning weekly awards and generally dominating the Arizona sports news cycle. Two weeks ago, his popularity reached McKale Center.
The Wildcats were holding their slam-dunk contest before the annual Red-Blue Game. Before a planned dunk, freshman Ira Lee ripped off his warm-up to reveal Tate's No. 14 Arizona jersey. Someone tossed him a football, and Lee struck the Heisman Trophy pose.
It was a salient point — and maybe a prediction.
Many experts believe the Wildcats' quarterback belongs in the Heisman discussion, even though he’s only played significant snaps in four games and didn’t start until Arizona’s sixth game. Realistically, Tate has a lot of work to do if he wants an invitation to the Dec. 9 Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York. ESPN will announce the finalists on Dec. 4.
Tate's "Heisman moment" can come this weekend. If No. 22 Arizona upsets No. 17 USC, the Wildcats will jump the Trojans for the Pac-12 South lead and improve to 7-2 with three games to go.
The sophomore rushed for 840 yards in October — the most in the FBS in at least 10 years — and guided the UA to four straight Pac-12 victories. Tate has won four straight Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week awards, and doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
If Tate continues on his torrid pace, his Heisman candidacy will become legitimate.
“It’s crazy,” said Arizona tight end Jamie Nunley. “We’re playing with a ‘Madden’ character.”
Here’s a closer look at Tate’s Heisman Trophy candidacy, and if it's for real:
