Week 4 Big 12 showdown gives quarterbacks chance to enter Heisman conversation

As quarterbacks Devon Dampier and Behren Morton get ready for their close-ups in a highly anticipated Big 12 showdown on Saturday, one could emerge as a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender.

The Week 4 tilt between Associated Press No. 16 Utah Utes and No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders also carries potentially significant weight in the College Football Playoff race, with the winner establishing itself as the early favorite to win the Big 12 and earn an automatic playoff berth. 

Both teams, which rank first and second in the conference in scoring offense, are led by their quarterbacks. Saturday's meeting is the most high-profile game of the season thus far for each.

Devon Dampier and Behren Morton have chance to make their case for Heisman Trophy in Week 4

Morton, a fifth-year senior, has guided Texas Tech to a 3-0 start with the offense averaging 58 points per game. Morton leads FBS with 11 touchdown passes and has completed 70.4 percent of his throws while averaging 11.4 yards per attempt. 

Dampier, who transferred from New Mexico during the offseason, also has Utah at 3-0, with a 73 percent completion percentage and eight total touchdowns. In addition to his 628 passing yards, Dampier has added 198 rushing yards, averaging six yards per carry. Neither has faced stiff competition, but they've done exactly what top-tier quarterbacks should do against inferior opponents. 

Morton throws a beautiful deep ball, going 8-of-15 for 301 yards and five touchdowns, tied for the third most in FBS, on attempts that travel at least 20 air yards, per Pro Football Focus data. He couldn't have placed the ball more perfectly on a 61-yard first-quarter touchdown to wide receiver Caleb Douglas on Sept. 13 against the Oregon State Beavers — a 45-14 win — throwing the ball from his own 31-yard line and hitting Douglas in stride at the Oregon State 28-yard line.