Michael Penix Heisman talk dies down after title game loss to Michigan
There are plenty of people who feel that Michael Penix should have won the 2023 Heisman Trophy. However, in that group of people, there is a subset which thinks the Heisman should be awarded after the bowl games, not before them. Such a belief is understandable, and yet it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense given the nature of the college football industry.
What happens between the end of the regular season and the bowl games?
Opt-outs. Jayden Daniels of LSU, the actual Heisman winner for 2023, opted out of LSU’s bowl game against Wisconsin.
What also happens between the end of the regular season and the bowls? Transfers. Coaching changes. It just isn’t realistic to include bowl games in the Heisman voting.
Regardless, a lot of people were talking up Michael Penix after he dazzled against Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Sugar Bowl. That talk died down after Penix ran into Michigan’s elite defense in a national championship game loss on Monday.
Here’s a sampling of the reaction:
BIG MOMENT
At what moment during the game did you know Michigan was winning the National Championship?
I’ll start: When Michael Penix threw the INT on the first play of the second half pic.twitter.com/hbVu8tOXOn
— Zeke’s Spoon (@SpoonOfZeke) January 9, 2024
BIOMECHANICS?
The latest in @LukeBraunNFL's film room: Michael Penix Jr.'s biomechanics explain his inconsistency https://t.co/As7LD58zSo pic.twitter.com/oDvE6TnBJZ
— Arif Hasan, but NFL 🏈 (@ArifHasanNFL) January 9, 2024
OVERREACTION
I selected Michael Penix at the 1.10.
It was before the national title game.
Would I do that now? No.
But I do think we live in a microwave culture where the extreme reaction to the last piece of information you took in is where people go. https://t.co/8WYRSozDRo
— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) January 9, 2024
NOT A GOOD LOOK
'I don't feel like they did anything, I feel like we beat ourselves.'
Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. after Michigan's 34-13 romp: https://t.co/wT6jFDN0rK pic.twitter.com/ICMjcY7fsf
— 247Sports (@247Sports) January 9, 2024
FANS WERE FRUSTRATED
We looked pathetic. If that was Michael Penix’s interview for the NFL, he might want to step it up a notch. He looked like a fish out of water the whole game! Why was he overthrowing everything? Uninspired, no fire or passion at all last night. As a team, we failed.
— Kris (@RoadQueen1967) January 9, 2024
SOMEONE BET ON TEXAS AND IS MAD!
Dude Michael Penix was missing so many throws last night!! Where tf was that against Texas????? Omg! 😤
— Mike (@mikey_esquivel) January 9, 2024
OUCH!
Michael Penix proved he's ready to lead the New York Jets! #CFP pic.twitter.com/QyvUhVKPYG
— 1st & Goal Podcast 🎙 (@goal_1st) January 9, 2024
WE SHALL SEE
Michael Penix draft stock (probably) pic.twitter.com/aZY9s3X8vo
— Vince (@vincestake) January 9, 2024
NOT GOOD ENOUGH
Ask Michael Penix about that
3 points in the second half
— Traveldoc (@traveldoc26) January 9, 2024
WHAT HAPPENED IS THERE FOR ALL TO SEE
Say what you want about Michigan prior to the natty but cheating has nothing to do with giving up 174 rushing yards in the first quarter and 303 for the game and Michael penix missing multiple TD throws and throwing two picks.. 😂😂
— 2•24•8•999🌏🎱🐍 (@c__ray333) January 9, 2024
MISSED CHANCE
3rd & 8 from the 32
Dodged a huge bullet here.
Watch the right TE.
A Blown coverage leaves him wide open for a walk in TD.But Penix sees the pressure from Michael Barrett and hurries a throw while bailing out.
Washington kicks a FG
20-13〽️ pic.twitter.com/TElV01pWGQ— Due# (@JDue51) January 9, 2024
ANALYSIS
Michael Penix reminds me a lot of Geno Smith just way more stationary and planted in one place. Can make any throw WHEN feeling it, BUT if he’s not hitting it’ll be a night for him.
— Almight (@Almight002) January 9, 2024
VERDICT
Regardless of the reffing disaster-class:
Penix looked horrendous and never gave #WashingtonFootball a winning chance. #MichiganFootball dominated every moment of the game.
Lights were too bright for Michael Penix Jr. last night#NationalChampionship
— Titanable (@titanable) January 9, 2024
IT WASN'T JUST A FAILURE BY PENIX -- MICHIGAN SHOWED UP
I agree with this. Michael Penix was off because Michigan made him off… Texas didn’t. It’s that simple.
— Owen Costello (@horns_talk) January 9, 2024
UH-OH
Michael Penix is good pic.twitter.com/SRIVIg2MJV
— Ross Thompson (@LedTasso_36) January 9, 2024
THAT'S NOT NICE
I hope everyone has a safe productive day except for Michael Penix
— Sweet Red Savior (@SoufsideBravo) January 9, 2024
STINGING MOMENT
MICHIGAN PICKS OFF PENIX JR. ON FOURTH DOWN! 😱#NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/Kgh8ua2Rxz
— ESPN (@espn) January 9, 2024
DROPOFF
Statistically, it was not the worst performance of Michael Penix Jr.'s brilliant season.
But considering the stakes, it felt like it.
The accuracy and explosive plays that wowed fans against the Longhorns were nowhere to be found Monday night: https://t.co/ZGZcfK9DcF pic.twitter.com/AZoSlkzOzT
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 9, 2024
TOUGH SCENE
Good morning to everyone Michael penix for not living up to the hype 🤣☕☕
— Toxic Cowboy (@toxiccowboy1) January 9, 2024
HEISMAN CURSE WIKIPEDIA ENTRY
I think Michael Penix Jr. Is a good quarterback. But this is an interesting stat…https://t.co/lR8wWx77rP.
— Shere Khan's take (@Pokeworld187) January 9, 2024
FROM THE TOP ROPE!
We should do the Heisman vote after the national title game, so Daniels could win by even more.
— Poseur (@StepBaker1) January 9, 2024
