Heisman Trophy Hopefuls
OK, by now we all know that Alabama RB Mark Ingram won the 2009 Heisman Trophy, but here is how it should have played out.
The Heisman Trophy is supposed to be awarded to the best player in college football, but we all know it's a popularity contest. If you are from a small school and/or play a non glamorous position you have little chance of winning, so here are the real rankings.
1. Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
If the Heisman Trophy is going to continue to be legitimate then the best player in college football needs to be strongly considered. Suh has been utterly dominant and will likely be the first player taken in the 2010 NFL Draft. Defensive tackles rarely led their team in tackles, but Suh does with 77 total tackles. Suh has also been ultra productive this season recording 1 interception, 10 passes defended, 12 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 12 quarterback hurries and 3 blocked kicks. Suh was the best player on the field in the Big 12 title game setting a record with 4.5 sacks, a team high 12 tackles with 7 being for a loss. Nebraska lost the game, but the Cornhusker defense was outstanding, holding the high powered Texas offense to just 13 points.
2. RB C.J. Spiller, Clemson
A human highlight film, Spiller is one of the fastest, most elusive runners in college football. He (Spiller) has dramatically affected games in so many ways this year. Ranked #4 in the nation in all purpose yards with 1145 rushing yards, 445 receiving, 210 on punt returns and 708 yards on kick off returns. He has scored touchdowns in almost every conceivable way, 4 touchdowns receiving, 4 on kick returns, 1 on a punt return and 11 TDs rushing. He has recorded an amazing 2,508 all purpose yards and is one of the fastest players in college football. Spiller was named the ACC player of the year and in the ACC title game Spiller was named that games' MVP rushing for 233 yards and 4 TDs. He recorded 301 all purpose yards.
3. RB Mark Ingram, Alabama
In all likelyhood, Ingram is the front runner. He (Ingram) made a very strong case for winning the coveted Heisman Trophy by his fantastic performance against Florida. Alabama destroyed a very solid Florida team 32-13 and won the SEC Championship. The Tide will now play Texas for the National Championship. Ingram Made a lot of his yards on second effort and he juked a couple Gators out of their socks. Ingram carried the ball 28 times for 113 yards and 3 TDs, he also caught 2 passses for 76 yards. He has had a very good season rushing for 1,542 yards and 15 TDs, he has also caught 30 passes for 322 yards and another 3 TDs.
4. Toby Gerhart, Stanford
Gerhart is a man among boys, big, strong and much faster than what most people think.
Stanford is having an excellent season, but Gerhart is completely dominating. He leads the nation in touchdown runs by a large margin with 27 TDs and he is currently ranked second in the nation in rushing with 311 carries for 1,736 yards.
5. RB Ryan Mathews, Fresno State (JR)
Mathews is the nations leading rusher with 1,664 yards and 17 TDs. He is averaging an amazing 151 yards per game. If you haven't seen Mathews run the football this year you are really missing something, at 5' 11" 220 pounds, he is strong, fast and elusive. He reminds me of last years leading rusher Donald Brown, who was drafted in the first round (#27) of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Mathews made a late push for the Heisman Trophy against the Illinois, Fresno State won in a shoot out 53-52 and Mathews ran for 173 yards and 3 TDs.
6. QB Kellen Moore, Boise State (Sophomore)
Being only a sophomore might hurt him a little, but Moore has Boise State undefeated at 13-0 and he has thrown for an amazing 39 touchdowns with only 3 interceptions. Moore leads the nation in pass efficiency with a 167.35 quarterback rating and his 3,325 passing yards are nothing to sneeze at. Only a sophomore but he has already thrown 64 career touchdown passes!
7. QB Colt McCoy, Texas
McCoy started the 2009 season just as he finished it last year, consistent and excellent. The Longhorns are undefeated and will play for a national championship against Alabama where they will be heavy underdogs. Except for the last game against Nebraska, McCoy has been fantastically consistent this year, he has thrown for 3,512 yards and 27 TDs. McCoy was stoned against Nebraska however and couldn't handle the pressure getting sacked numerous times. He only scored 13 points, threw for 184 yards and was picked off 3 times. McCoy finished the game with -20 yards rushing.
1. QB Case Keenum, Houston (JR)
2. WR Danario Alexander, Missouri
3.
LB Von Miller, Texas A&M
4.
LB Greg Jones, Michigan State
5. WR Jordan Shipley, Texas
6. WR Freddie Barnes, Bowling Green
7. QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame (JR)
8. QB Jake Locker, Washington (JR)
9. WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame (JR)
10. RB Dion Lewis, Pitt
(Freshman)
Looking for more Heisman Trophy coverage? Have you heard about the Curse of the Heisman Trophy?