Hunt for the Heisman

In a year that didn't have a clear Heisman front runner to begin with, last week's onslaught of upsets threw some of the more obvious contenders out of the race, virtually throwing the doors wide open for anyone who wants it. Andre Woodson, who started off strong in a very difficult conference, looked average as Mississippi State handed Kentucky its third SEC loss. Super Sophomore Tim Tebow seems to have lost something in his run game while he nurses his shoulder, and it showed in a loss to Georgia. Speaking of injuries, running back Mike Hart has already missed two games with an ankle problem, so he can be counted out, and a broken finger has kept John David Booty off the field in So. Cal.

With all of these prospects out, who's in first?

An ESPN poll has Razorback Darren McFadden in fourth (behind Hart, Tebow, and Woodson), but without a win against a ranked team (Arkansas also has a 5-3 record), McFadden may have to prove himself in upcoming games against South Carolina and LSU in order to get votes.

Following the recent trend (of the Heisman going to the QB or RB of the team with the best record), it looks like BC signal caller Matt Ryan remains in the race after a sloppy game in Blacksburgh. But if Ryan is up for consideration, then why not Todd Boeckman of OSU, who is projected to have stats not unlike last year's winner, Troy Smith? Here's a table comparing some of the stats to the unbeaten quarterbacks this year, with Grahm Harrel of Texas Tech in there just for fun:

As you can see - not one of these players appears to stand out in all of the categories. I'm also ruling out Brennan because his team plays the 119th toughest schedule in Division 1-A (in case you didn't already know, that's last; more should be expected from a "top 25" team). To be honest with you, I didn't even know who Todd Reesing (Kansas) or Rudy Carpenter (Arizona State) were until I looked them up for this study, so if the national media is giving Ryan Heisman attention, then why shouldn't Reesing and Carpenter be getting any? In fact, I might argue that those two are better Heisman candidates for bringing their less talented teams to the top without the fifth year talent Ryan has, but I digress...

The point is that no quarterback should win the Heisman this year with the exception of maybe Tebow, who represents an integral part of the Gator offense in a way unlike any other high profile quarterback in the country. Maybe McFadden, Slaton, or Johnson can close out the year well and get some attention, but if not, this could be a good year to give the Heisman trophy to someone who doesn't line up directly behind center.

My pick, and this has nothing to do with me being a student, is Trevor Laws (write in vote for him here). Just something to think about. Go Irish.