|
|
By Jordan Martin
SouthernPigskin.com Contributor
SouthernPigskin.com Contributor Jordan Martin breaks down this year's Heisman race.
This has been a very underwhelming year of college football, in many ways. I wouldn't say it is due to a lack of major upsets, but I believe that due to a slew of major injuries this year, you can honestly say this is one of the weakest seasons in recent memory in terms of individual talent. Now that's just my opinion, but I think by and large the lack of a Heisman frontrunner all season speaks volumes about that.
I'd like to list my current Heisman Top 5. This is, of course, a subjective viewing, but I'm taking into account statistics, quality of opponents, how their individual performance has influenced the team's overall performance and current momentum.
1) Mark Ingram - Where did you come from Mark Ingram? Say what you want about Nick Saban, but when it comes to maximizing talent and preparation, I don't know how many coaches do it better at this level. Ingram is 5th in the nation in rushing yards and has the least amount of attempts (194) out of the top 5 with a downright nasty 6.7 YPC average. Where he falls short is his scoring. Ingram has accounted for 10 rushing touchdowns, which puts him at #25 in that category. Playcalling is a contributing factor to consider, but if you are the consensus best player in the nation, I'd expect you to get the ball more. Now don't get me wrong, the current frontrunner has had a great year against some good defenses, but Heisman worthy? I'm not so sure about that. Still, he has the most momentum in regards to his team's performance with his own, and it's going to take a loss or an injury to knock him off the top spot.
Case For: Impressive numbers against tough competition, his latest 149 yard, 2 touchdown outing gave him enough to maintain his spot at the top despite some surging performances by 2 other players on my list. A strong performance against Florida who is 10th in the nation in rushing defense (only 3 rushing scores against them this year) in the inevitable SEC Championship matchup would likely seal the deal.
Case Against: Again the lack of scores hurt. I'd be hard pressed to find a Heisman winner with less than 15 touchdowns and 1500 yards rushing. The last 5 running backs to win the Heisman: Reggie Bush 2005 (1740 yds, 16 TDs), Ron Dayne 1999 (1834 yds, 19 TDs), Ricky Williams 1998 (2397 yds, 29 TDs), Eddie George 1995 (1927 yds, 24 TDs), Rashaan Salaam 1994 (2055 yds, 24 TDs).
2) CJ Spiller - Everyone knew Spiller was gifted when he stepped on the field in 2006. For three years Spiller had to share the backfield with James Davis in what was their "Thunder and Lightning" combination. I think it's safe to say without Davis in the picture and with Dabo Swinney realizing the kid wants to shoulder the burden, Spiller IS thunder and lightning. Following a Maryland loss in which Spiller was limited, it was evident how important he was to the success of Clemson's overall performance, not just offensively. After Dabo and co. wisened up and said "get him the ball" he returned to gash Wake Forest for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns on only 9 attempts. The following week, Spiller put himself right in the thick of Heisman consideration with 310 all purpose yards with 2 touchdows, one of which included a 90 yard kickoff return. Spiller's opportunities and momentum since then have propelled him into the Heisman race and Clemson one game away from being in the ACC title game.
Case For: I'll make this very simple. 14 touchdowns across 1952 all purpose yards have made this young man the most versatile player in the country. Spiller also recorded a passing touchdown in his latest outing, adding garnish to what he's already put on the table. It's important to note that not many players perform at a high level and are successful well relied on for multiple duties and responsibilities. There's no question the Heisman campaign is in full effect in Death Valley, and Spiller is performing dutifully. Clemson and, Spiller more importantly, must have a dominating performance against Virginia. Then comes the real test; a rematch with Georgia Tech in the ACC title game.
Case Against: The first of two late surgers in the Heisman race, he has done a lot to merit his consideration, but given the 3 losses on Clemson's record, he held whispers around the country and support from the mid-atlantic and southeast, but was lost in the hype of several quarterbacks being built early for Heisman candidacy. Another unfortunate factor that hurts him, I believe, is many voters will separate his statistics instead of looking at them holistically. Alone his 836 rushing yards and 382 receiving yards, with 6 and 4 touchdowns respectively in each may not look like much, but isn't a reflection of anything more than balancing his role in the offense. What is also unfortunate may be voters neglecting to look outside of his offensive statistics, leaving his return statistics at the door.
3) Toby Gerhart - I may draw some heat with Gerhart's placement on this list. I have had Gerhart in my Heisman bubble for a while, and felt he needed two dominating performances to be a real contender. Well, he's done that. Now I understand USC and Oregon's defenses have not been as aggressive or imposing as they have in the past few seasons, but the fact they are now ranked 5th and 6th in the Pac-10 and not in the top 2 can be credited largely to Toby Gerhart. Against the Pac-10's top 2 rushing defenses, Arizona (11th Nation/1st Pac-10) and Oregon State (15th Nation/2nd Pac-10), he ran for a combined 219 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was only four yards separated from a 100-yard performance against Oregon State. These were consecutive losses for Stanford and a major reason why Gerhart wasn't on the radar much earlier, but with those respectable numbers, you can't blame him for the losses.
Case For: Even though the Pac-10's big money horses in previous years (with the exception of Oregon for the most part) aren't performing as well as advertised, the rest of the Pac-10 with the exception of the (Division II) Washington State Cougars appear ready to fight back to make the conference competitive again. Toby Gerhart isn't flashy, but he is a lunchpail runningback. He has received 2/5 of Stanford's offensive playcalling this season and has produced 1395 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns as a result of it. Oregon has 2 Pac-10 games remaining and Stanford has a big matchup with Cal coming up. If Gerhart can run over the Pac-10's #3 rushing defense, Stanford wins and Oregon drops a game, Gerhart and the Cardinal will come out smelling like a rose, if you catch my drift.
Case Against: His late season surge and lack of exposure earlier in the season, combined with Stanford's 3 losses dim his support. A loss to Cal may even drop him from the running entirely, despite a strong individual performance. His scoreless, 82 yard effort against Wake Forest earlier this year will be a slight red flag with Wake being their strongest out of conference opponent this year and with Wake ranking next to last in the ACC in rushing defense, he may not get a lot of votes east of Arizona.
4) Tim Tebow - We all know how great a college football player Tim Tebow is. But I have to wonder if winning the Heisman his sophmore year hurts him in this year's contention? A lot of people questioned the trophy being awarded to him then. Well if they had a hard time with 32 passing touchdowns to only 6 interceptions, 3286 yards passing AND 895 yards rushing with 23 rushing touchdowns, I'll have a hard time believing they'll look at 1730 yds passing, 12 touchdowns to 4 interception and 604 yards with 10 rushing touchdowns with much fervor. The team's 9-3 record entering the Heisman backstretch in late 2007 was one of the reasons Tebow wasn't considered outright the best player in college football. It goes to show how much team performance influences voting. Now sitting at 10-0, I haven't seen a game this year where Tebow has been forced to play lights out against any team the way he had to in 2007. In fact, with the exception of the Arkansas and Tennessee games, Florida has breezed through games. You also have to consider the fact that after 2 years, defenses have had to wisen up to Tebow's techniques.
Case For: He's won two national championships and has a heisman trophy, playing on the best team in the country. It's hard to say he's not the best college quarterback out there. I believe it's a foregone conclusion, if Florida wins out and faces Alabama in the SEC championship, performs well and they win, the trophy is his in all likelihood, regardless of his statistical performance this season.
Case Against: Tebow's sophmore year is the stuff of legend. You'd have a hard time finding a passer put up the kind of numbers he did and a runner putting up the kind of numbers he did. He basically performed at a Heisman level in two positions, that no other player before him had done in his own position. When you compare this year's numbers with those, it's unfair, but it weighs heavily on voters' minds. The hit in Kentucky put Urban Meyer in "nanny" mode.
5) Colt McCoy - Colt McCoy showed in his sophmore year, despite the abysmal stats, that he was the centerpiece of Texas' operation. Win or loss, he was the player responsible for getting it done. Last year, McCoy carried the offense on his own and put up some ungodly numbers. A 76% completion rating with 3859 yards passing and 34 passing touchdowns to only 8 interceptions. He also managed to be the team's leading rusher with 561 yards and 11 touchdowns. Unfortunately, he was in pretty tough company against Sam Braford and Tim Tebow. But we're not talking about last year. This year McCoy hasn't had to carry the burden he did last year, not to that degree. And Texas hasn't faced the kind of competition to justify putting up those numbers. McCoy is still the major reason Texas is where they're at, but it helps when you have the number one rush defense in the country too.
Case For: Texas is undefeated and McCoy has ensured that victory every game. Why Texas can't recruit or develop running backs is beyond me, but he hasn't had to run like he used to, which is better for his health as a quarterback anyway. He's managing games well and isn't trying to create as much. It doesn't say much in the stat column, but Texas' record says it all. You can't be a championship football team without a championship quarterback. I do believe if McCoy wants to win the Heisman, however, he's going to have to put in dominant performances all the way through the Big 12 Title game.
Case Against: Colt McCoy currently has slightly more yards than his Freshman season, but his TD/INT ratio has gone down (2006: 29 TDs 7 INTs / 2009: 19 TDs 9 INTs). He had a better offensive unit then, I understand, but 3 years later I still question his decision making, though it is much better than his Sophmore year at least. Granted he finished 2006 with 318 attempts, and with 3 games left this season (including the Big 12 championship) is already at 351, you could argue that they had a formidable running game with Jamaal Charles then that allowed him to throw less whereas the six rushers with at least 20 carries this season have accumulated a total of 1142 yards. (Colt McCoy contributed 151 yards on 78 "carries"). The talent level and playing level between Texas and the rest of the Big 12 sees a major dropoff. Texas' non-coference opponents? UCF, UTEP, Wyoming, UL of Monroe.
With all that being said, I wonder if, since the inception of the BCS title game in 2006, we focus too much on the performance of the team which influences Heisman voting. Since 2002, the only player to win a Heisman that was not headed for the BCS title game was Tim Tebow in 2007. The BCS era officially began in 1998 when the Pac-10 and Big Ten joined the Bowl alliance to finally include all 6 major conferences. Until 2006, the champion was still computed, but was decided among the 4 major bowls. This system wasn't efficient as in 2004 LSU won what was considered the title game in the Sugar Bowl to be crowned champions. However, USC was voted as champions in the AP poll by beating Michigan in the Rose Bowl.
The very next year USC was slated in the title game against Oklahoma. A 55-13 win ensured them the title, but something strange happened..Auburn at 12-0 was out of the "title" game and playing Virginia Tech. The Tigers won, but weren't so much as thought of as co-champion by any measure. The very year before, USC with one loss was granted such reprieve.
So in 1998 when the BCS era officially began until the title game's inception in 2006, 3 out of 8 Heisman winners were not playing for the national championship. From 2006-2008, Only Tim Tebow was not headed for the title game. Through 1980-1991, before the Bowl Coalition formed a championship game in 1992, where publications and the AP poll decided a year end champion, 8 of 9 players during those years were not playing on a team considered for the title at year's end.
.....
Share your thoughts on the SouthernPigskin.com Message Boards or email Jordan Martin at
|
Comments
Toby has the most impressive resume for this season, in my book. dude is a horse.
I am an ACC homer I recognize but I think the Heisman is for the most outstanding player in college football. How can that not be CJ Spiller. If George Rogers won it in 1980 then CJ Spiller should definitely win it.
I think Spiller and Ingram have done enough so far to be invited. Tebow should have won the thing last year instead of as a sophomore and McCoy should be the third guy invited. Texas looks like a really tough football team, whoever plays them is going to have their hands full and he is their face.
But…this thing is all about $$ so expect to see jebus at the ceremony as a contestant….again so either Ingram or Spiller are going to get screwed out of this …maybe both.
I think it’s Tebow’s to lose. Spiller is coming on hard, but if Tebow doesn’t lose this year you have to give it to him. The Bama kid does nothing for me. He’s a good player on a really good team. Spiller is doing incredible things and Tebow just keeps on winning. McCoy has no shoot in my opinion. Unless he wins out, all the way out…
Make Yourself Heard
|
|
