Reverse the Curse: Can Nick Chubb win Georgia's 1st Heisman in 35 years?
It was 35 years ago when Herschel Walker completed his storied collegiate career at Georgia and captured the 1982 Heisman Trophy.
That win also marked the last time a Bulldog took home the most celebrated individual award in the sport, something that could change this season thanks to Nick Chubb.
Chubb set the college football world aflame with a ridiculous freshman season that saw him rush for 1,547 yards and a whopping 14 touchdowns. When adding in his receiving totals, the 5-foot-10, 228-pounder finished with 1,760 yards from scrimmage and found the end zone 16 times.
The 2015 season began the same way 2014 ended, as Chubb averaged an absurd 124 yards per game through the first six contests. Disaster struck against Tennessee in Week 7, however, and torn knee ligaments saw Chubb sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.
Chubb's reputation as a weight-room freak was on full display with an insane rehab that somehow got him ready to start the 2016 season, and what a start it was. Chubb shredded North Carolina for 222 yards and two touchdowns, conjuring up memories of his dominant self from before the injury.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Sadly, an inexperienced quarterback and questionable offensive line play would see Chubb only top the 100-yard mark four other times in 2016, but he did finish with 1,130 yards and eight touchdowns.
Jacob Eason was the top quarterback in the country for the class of 2016 for a reason, and that incredible talent should shine through in his second season under center. Eason's emergence should keep opposing defenses honest, clearing running lanes for Chubb to exploit.
Despite an incredible commitment to rehab, a full recovery from a torn PCL often takes longer than a year to complete. It was obvious Chubb was getting stronger as the season progressed last year, finishing with 100-plus yards in three of his final four contests, including a monster 142-yard game on just 17 carries against TCU in the Liberty Bowl.
Georgia has a very favorable schedule in 2017, with a Week 2 contest against Notre Dame as the early highlight. The Fighting Irish ranked 70th in the country against the run last year, meaning Chubb could go bananas against the questionable unit. The Bulldogs avoid Alabama and LSU in the conference crossover play, matching up with Mississippi State and Auburn instead.
A clean bill of health, a much-improved offensive line and quarterback, and a favorable schedule are all reasons why Chubb is currently listed at 25-1 to win the Heisman Trophy. The fact it's been 35 years since Walker won may just be a coincidence, but don't be shocked if the star rusher ends that streak with a monster 2017 campaign.