Lamar Jackson's turnover-riddled day opens the Heisman race for top players

Lamar Jackson is the Heisman favorite, but his four-turnover day against Kentucky opens up the race

Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson has been the most exciting player throughout the season. He's been the Heisman Trophy frontrunner since the first week of the year and deservedly so.

For all anyone who's not a Heisman voter knows, he could still win college football's highest individual honor. However, after a 41-38 loss to Kentucky in which he had four turnovers, the Heisman race is officially up for grabs again.

Before going further, it should be noted that not every one of Jackson's four turnovers were created equally. One of his three interceptions came on a bad throw, but another was a tipped ball and the final one came on a Hail Mary attempt at the end of the game. His fumble in the fourth quarter could have been overturned because his wrist appeared down on the turf.

Additionally, Jackson still had four touchdowns. That gives him 51 total on the year. That's still more than most FBS offenses can claim on the year.

But the Heisman race is molded heavily by what happens in November and Jackson hasn't had the best three-game stretch against Wake Forest, Houston and Kentucky. That at least opens up the Heisman conversation, which wasn't a conversation at all through September and October.

Over the next two week including Saturday, other Heisman-caliber players will have an opportunity to gain some ground on Jackson. Oklahoma wide receiver Dede Westbrook, Washington quarterback Jake Browning and perhaps someone like Penn State running back Saquon Barkley have chances to showcase their game and play well at the biggest stage at the right time.

That's usually what the Heisman comes down to, after all.

Jackson has been outstanding this year. If he won the Heisman, no one would be shocked, but a late-season slide has made things more interesting than they otherwise would have been.