FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com FanHouse is the internet's best collection of sports blogs. Get full coverage of the world's hottest sports stories, including constant updates from fanhouse.com http://www.fanhouse.com/feedlogo.gif FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Sooner Heisman Pridehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/18/sooner-heisman-pride/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/18/sooner-heisman-pride/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/18/sooner-heisman-pride/#commentsHeismanpunditCheck out this cool story from The Wichita Eagle about the three generations of Oklahoma Heisman winners: Steve Owens (1969), Billy Sims (1978) and Jason White (2003):

Three players who amassed 16,104 yards of offense during their OU careers and own a list of records that would stretch from Guymon to Tahlequah. Three players who aren't just former football players, but OU icons.

White is the latest to get his Heisman. He remembers how nervous he was on that night in New York, but not nervous about his name being called.

There was no way that was going to happen, even though he had thrown for 40 touchdowns.

Then, of course, his name was called. He remembers losing all sensation and becoming numb from head to toe.

If not for an unfortunate injury this past Saturday, Adrian Peterson might have had that feeling, too.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-10-18T16:12:00+00:00Smith Again Leads Scripps Howard Pollhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/18/smith-again-leads-scripps-howard-poll/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/18/smith-again-leads-scripps-howard-poll/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/18/smith-again-leads-scripps-howard-poll/#commentsHeismanpunditOhio State quarterback Troy Smith once again leads the Scripps Howard News Service Heisman poll.

Smith is a unanimous pick by the 10-member panel comprised of Heisman voters (two from each region) who pick their top five in the Heisman on a weekly basis.

Compiled by The Rocky Mountain News in Denver, The SHNS Heisman Poll is the longest-running weekly Heisman poll in the country.

The tally, with total points and first-place votes in parentheses:

1. Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State: 50, (10).

2. Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia: 30.

3. Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame: 18.

4. Garrett Wolfe, RB, Northern Illinois: 10.

5. Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma: 8.

Others: Erik Ainge, QB, Tennessee: 7; Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech, 7; Michael Hart, RB, Michigan, 5; P.J. Hill, RB, Wisconsin, 5; Marshawn Lynch, RB, California, 4; Ian Johnson, RB, Boise State, 2; Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee, 2; Tray Blackmon, LB, Auburn, 1; Chad Henne, QB, Michigan, 1.

The poll is a good indicator of what the 'working media' portion of the Heisman electorate are thinking. The vast majority of the Heisman voters don't follow the race this closely, which is why bigger names like Brady Quinn and Michael Hart will finish higher in the actual vote.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-10-18T15:59:00+00:00Arkansas To Promote McFadden For Heismanhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/18/arkansas-to-promote-mcfadden-for-heisman/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/18/arkansas-to-promote-mcfadden-for-heisman/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/18/arkansas-to-promote-mcfadden-for-heisman/#commentsHeismanpunditArkansas coach Houston Nutt has declared sophomore Razorback running back Darren McFadden to be a Heisman Trophy candidate for 2006.

With runs like this, it makes sense:

From the story:

"I believe Darren will be a Heisman candidate, " Nutt said. " I really do. "

This year?

" Yeah, this year, " Nutt replied.

McFadden, the sophomore from Little Rock via Pulaski Oak Grove High, leads the Southeastern Conference in rushing, 625 yards with 6 touchdowns on 107 carries.

A lot of things are working against McFadden. First, he is a sophomore and no sophomore has ever won the trophy. Second, he just doesn't have the numbers and the name recognition to be a real factor.

There is a value to a McFadden campaign, though, in that it is never too early to get ready for 2007. Any effort to raise McFadden's profile now could pay dividends later, when he is an upperclassman and, hence, can actually win.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-10-18T15:10:00+00:00The Latest Heisman Watch: It's Smith And Quinnhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/18/the-latest-heisman-watch-its-smith-and-quinn/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/18/the-latest-heisman-watch-its-smith-and-quinn/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/18/the-latest-heisman-watch-its-smith-and-quinn/#commentsHeismanpunditWhile most Heisman lists out there continue to talk up several candidates as if they still have a legitimate shot, the reality is that there are only two players left who can still win.

Think about it. Adrian Peterson is done for the season with a broken collarbone. Steve Slaton is just a sophomore and therefore can't win. Garrett Wolfe was knocked off his record-breaking pace after rushing for just 25 yards last week. Calvin Johnson is a receiver who doesn't also return punts or kicks. Michael Hart is a nice back who won't put up the numbers needed to challenge.

That leaves Troy Smith and Brady Quinn.

Simply put, if Smith's Buckeyes beat Michigan on Nov. 18, he will cruise to the trophy.

If Ohio State loses and Quinn's Irish beat an undefeated USC, it will be Quinn's name on the base of the statue.

If the vote were held today, it would look something like this:

1. Troy Smith, Ohio State
2. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
3. Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois
4. Steve Slaton, West Virginia
5. Michael Hart, Michigan
6. Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
7. Chris Leak, Florida
8. Marshawn Lynch, Cal
9. Erik Ainge, Tennessee
10. Ray Rice, Rutgers

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-10-18T14:58:00+00:00Smith Takes Commanding Lead In Scripps Howard Heisman Pollhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/11/smith-takes-commanding-lead-in-scripps-howard-heisman-poll/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/11/smith-takes-commanding-lead-in-scripps-howard-heisman-poll/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/11/smith-takes-commanding-lead-in-scripps-howard-heisman-poll/#commentsHeismanpunditThe latest Scripps Howard News Service Heisman poll is out and Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith has taken a commanding lead.

For those of you not familiar with SHNS's poll, it is made up of 10 voters, two from each of five regions of the nation, who vote for five players each week.

While it is not always an accurate gauge of the Heisman race, it is a good indication of where the hard-core working-media portion of the electorate is leaning.

This week's poll, with each players points (first place votes in parentheses):

1. Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State, 49 (9).

2. Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia, 30.

3. Garrett Wolfe, RB, Northern Illinois, 22.

4. Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma, 18.

5. Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame, 13.

Others: Chris Leak, QB, Florida, 9 (1); Erik Ainge, QB, Tennessee, 3; Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech, 2; Reggie Nelson, DB, Florida, 2; Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan,2.

The voters: Kirk Bohls (Austin (Texas) American-Statesman); Scott Cain (Arkansas Democrat Gazette); Dennis Dodd (CBSSportsLine); Vahe Gregorian (St. Louis Post-Dispatch); Mike Griffith (Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel); Randy Holtz (Rocky Mountain News); John Lindsay (Scripps Howard News Service); Michael Lewis (The Salt Lake Tribune); John Rohde (The Oklahoman); Michael Vega (The Boston Globe).

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-10-11T16:19:00+00:00This Week's Heisman Watch: Good Bye To Leakhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/11/this-weeks-heisman-watch-good-bye-to-leak/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/11/this-weeks-heisman-watch-good-bye-to-leak/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/11/this-weeks-heisman-watch-good-bye-to-leak/#commentsHeismanpunditAfter last Saturday, there are still only four players who can win the Heisman, but they are not the same players as before.

That's because Florida quarterback Chris Leak has officially been eliminated.

The reasons:

1. All three Gator touchdowns in the win over LSU were the result of plays by his freshman backup, Tim Tebow. While Tebow was scoring and throwing touchdowns, Leak was watching on the sideline.

2. Auburn's loss to Arkansas effectively deflates the overall hype and importance of this week's game with Florida, thus robbing Leak of a grand stage upon which to make a Heisman statement.

So, for the 10th season in a row, no SEC player will be winning the Heisman.

Replacing Leak on the Heisman Watch is Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe, who remains on pace to break Barry Sanders' single-season NCAA rushing record of 2,628 yards. As long as the diminutive dynamo from DeKalb keeps doing what he's doing and as long as the rest of the Heisman field continues to perform the way it has, he will remain in contention.

Now, on to this week's list. Here are the four players who can still win the Heisman:

1. Troy Smith, Ohio State--He had 191 passing yards and 3 TDs on 17-of-20 passing against Bowling Green. No Heisman voters were watching, so the game had little effect either way. He moves into first place this week due to Leak's drop, which will have the effect of moving votes in Smith's direction.

2. Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma--Peterson averted a death-knell to his candidacy by rushing for 109 yards and a TD on 25 carries in a loss to Texas. He needs to finish strong and OU needs to win out for him to have a shot. It hurts him that he will likely NOT have the Big 12 Title game in which to pad his stats before the Heisman votes are due. He is also hurt by the rise of Garrett Wolfe, who provides another running back option in the race.

3. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame--He is in relative hibernation for now, as Notre Dame has receded a bit from the spotlight. He threw for 232 yards and 3 TDs against Stanford on Saturday and continues to build his stat resume. One unfortunate turn of events for him is the relative weakness of USC. If the Trojans don't come into the Nov. 25 game with Notre Dame undefeated, Quinn may not be able to pull off the dragon-slaying performance he needs to make his case.

4. Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois--He had 162 yards and two TDs on 29 carries against Miami (OH). Those are good numbers for most backs, but not what Wolfe has been used to accumulating this season. He'll need to get back on track this week or his time on the Heisman Watch may be short.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-10-11T16:03:00+00:00Wolfe Has A Shothttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/04/wolfe-has-a-shot/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/04/wolfe-has-a-shot/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/04/wolfe-has-a-shot/#commentsHeismanpunditAs Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe starts to get more attention for his incredible performances on the football field, I am seeing a commensurate amount of naysayers in the press pooh-poohing his chances of winning the Heisman Trophy.

I am usually the first to put a kabosh in unrealistic Heisman runs. Raymell Rice? No way in hell. Steve Slaton? He's a sophomore and everyone knows that only juniors or seniors can win! Calvin Johnson? Puh-leez.

The understanding out there is that because Wolfe is from the MAC, he doesn't have a chance. But some observers are just being too sophisticated for their own good and aren't seeing the forest for the trees.

This way of thinking is almost always valid....unless you have a guy who is putting up superhuman stats.

Earth-to-journalists: Wolfe has a chance to rush for 3,000 yards. That's about as many yards as Reggie Bush and LenDale White had last year....combined.

It would be like averaging 45 points per game in basketball, or hitting 85 home runs.

It could be a record that will probably stand for a long, long, loooooong time.

If Wolfe does it, it won't matter if he plays for Northern Illinois. His incredible accomplishment will drown out all the disadvantages of being a MAC Heisman contender.

This could be a very special year for the Heisman.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-10-04T20:05:00+00:00The Latest Heisman Watchhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/04/the-latest-heisman-watch/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/04/the-latest-heisman-watch/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/10/04/the-latest-heisman-watch/#commentsHeismanpunditThings were fairly uneventful in the Heisman world last Saturday.

Troy Smith had a good day and remained a solid contender for the trophy, while Brady Quinn and Chris Leak did nothing to hurt their chances.

Adrian Peterson and Oklahoma had a bye week.

Meanwhile, out on the edges of the race lurks Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe. He had another monster day and is on pace to shatter Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record.

Expect the campaign for the 72nd Heisman to take some interesting twists and turns in the next couple weeks, starting with this Saturday's games.

For now, here is now the race shapes up:

1. Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma--He's got a huge game with Texas this weekend and he could take control fo the race with a good performance in a Sooner win.

2. Troy Smith, Ohio State--He threw for four TDs against Iowa and now gets Bowling Green. He is in good shape and is biding his time until the showdown with Michigan on Nov. 18.

3. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame--Another strong day for Quinn. By season's end, he will have great numbers. The Irish need to beat USC for him to have a shot, though.

4. Chris Leak, Florida--Beating LSU will be key in his candidacy. Until that happens, no one will really believe he has a shot.

5. Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois--You are starting to see writers around the country flashing their sophisticated knowledge of the Heisman process by declaring that Wolfe has no shot. They don't get that if he rushes for 3,000 yards, it won't matter what school he goes to.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-10-04T19:53:00+00:00What Iowa Means To Troy Smithhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/29/what-iowa-means-to-troy-smith/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/29/what-iowa-means-to-troy-smith/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/29/what-iowa-means-to-troy-smith/#commentsHeismanpunditThe Heisman is all about exposure and name recognition.

One of the reasons that Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn is a leading contender for the Heisman is that he is perhaps the most well-known player in college football.

Another well-known name is Adrian Peterson. To many, it seems like he has been around forever.

Chris Leak was touted as the No. 1 quarterback coming out of high school and he is in his fourth year starting for a high-profile SEC program.

In comparison to these three, Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith is a bit of a mystery man to those who follow college football.

Put these four players in a lineup and Smith would be the last to be recognized.

Part of the reason for this is that Smith really didn't come into his own until about midway through last season. He wasn't a huge recruit out of high school and his progress over the past four years has been steady rather than spectacular.

There's no doubt that Smith is beginning to make a name for himself in Heisman circles. He has been outstanding in big wins over Notre Dame last year and Texas this year and, as the quarterback on the No. 1 team, he gets a lot of attention.

The problem for Heisman voters is that just as they are beginning to get to know Smith, he's about go away.

Many voters tuned in to watch Smith play Texas and his impressive performance vaulted him into serious Heisman consideration. But he followed that game up with a lackluster effort against Penn State.

Now, Iowa looms on the schedule. It's a big game that will get a lot of notice.

But after that game, the bulk of Heisman voters won't be tuning in until November 18, when the Buckeyes take on Michigan.

That means that Saturday is Smith's last chance for quite a while to leave an impression.

If the Buckeyes get past Iowa, they'll follow with six games in a row where they will be at least three-touchdown favorites. Those are the kind of games that Ohio State fans will be tuning in to see, not Heisman voters.

So, this Iowa game is huge not only for Ohio State's national title hopes, but for Smith's Heisman aspirations.

In order to hold off Peterson, Quinn and Leak, this is the game where Smith needs to make a Heisman statement. He has to go out and throw for 300 yards and several touchdowns and make some dazzling plays with his legs.

If he does that, he'll keep pace in the race for the most prestigious award in sports.

If not, he could fall by the wayside as names like Peterson, Quinn and Leak pass him by.



 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-09-29T16:53:00+00:00Northern Illinois Now Promoting Wolfehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/29/northern-illinois-now-promoting-wolfe/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/29/northern-illinois-now-promoting-wolfe/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/29/northern-illinois-now-promoting-wolfe/#commentsHeismanpunditJust a couple days after saying that a Heisman campaign was not forthcoming, Northern Illinois has released a web site promoting star running back Garrett Wolfe.

Granted, the site does not really tout the diminutive back as a Heisman candidate, but such a goal is pretty much implied.

It's an excellent web page that will provide a great resource for those who want to follow Wolfe as he continues his assault on Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record.

At the front of the site is this quote from Wolfe:

"I'm not in the business of trying to win a Heisman. I'm in the business of trying to win football games. The only personal satisfaction I get is being a winner. I want people to associate me with winning football games." -- Garrett Wolfe.


An anti-Heisman Heisman campaign. Interesting.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-09-29T16:44:00+00:00Can We Have A Moment? Please?http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/27/can-we-have-a-moment-please/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/27/can-we-have-a-moment-please/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/27/can-we-have-a-moment-please/#commentsHeismanpunditLooking at this piece by Tony Barnhart of the Atlanta-Journal, it occurred to me that many people are under the impression that a 'Heisman moment' is a necessary thing for a candidate who wants to take home the trophy.

Barnhart says the following about Troy Smith:

Take a good look at the acrobatic play he made against Penn State last week. You're going to be seeing it for the rest of the season and so will the 900-plus Heisman Trophy voters. Remember that stats are important, but making the highlight package on SportsCenter on Saturday night is even more important if you want to win the Heisman.

He's right to some extent, but the notion that a player needs such a moment in order to win is just not true.

Can anyone name Matt Leinart's Heisman moment in 2004? How about Jason White's in 2003? What highlight play of Chris Weinke's season was being re-played over and over on ESPN in 2000?

The answer, of course, is that none of these players had a 'Heisman moment.' But they all put up good stats on a national title-contending traditional power and that's what mattered in the end.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-09-27T20:54:00+00:00There's An Award For Receivershttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/27/theres-an-award-for-receivers/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/27/theres-an-award-for-receivers/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/27/theres-an-award-for-receivers/#commentsHeismanpunditIt's called the Biletnikoff Award.

I bring this up because people are starting to clamor for players like Calvin Johnson and Mario Manningham to be hyped as Heisman candidates.

These are two very good players, but the reason we have the Biletnikoff Award is for players just like these two. They are pure receivers who don't return punts or kicks.

I understand that not everyone knows the unwritten rules of what it takes to win the Heisman, so I will take the time to provide a quick refresher:

The 10 Heismandments

1. The winner must be a quarterback, a running back, or a multi-threat athlete.

2. The winner must be a junior or senior.

3. The winner must put up good numbers in big games on TV.

4. The winner must have some prior name recognition.

5. The winner must be one or more of the following three:

a. The top player on a national title contender.

b. A player who puts up good numbers for a traditional power that has a good record.

c. A player who puts up superlative single-season or career numbers on a good team, or numbers which are way out ahead of his Heisman competitors.

6. The winner cannot be perceived as a product of his team's system.

7. If you are a quarterback, running back or multi-purpose athlete at one of the following schools, you have a good chance to win if you have a very good statistical season, are an upperclassmen and your team wins at least 9 games: Notre Dame, USC, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Ohio State, Michigan, Miami and Florida State. These nine schools have won 11 of the last 14 Heismans and seven of the last eight.

8. There are statistical benchmarks for each position in order to be considered:

a. Running back: 2,000 (non-traditional power), 1,700 (traditional power); 17 TDs

b. Passing QB: 3,000 yards, 25 TDs, minimum 2-1 TD-to-INT ratio, above a 135 efficiency rating.

c. Dual Threat QB: 1,000 yards rushing, 1,500 passing yards

d. Multi-Purpose: Great position stats plus dazzling kick or punt returns

9. There will never be another two-time Heisman winner.

10. The winner must be likeable.

As you can see, there is no room there for a wide receiver who does not also return punts or kicks. Neither Johnson nor Manningham are multi-purpose athletes.

People like to ask me "Well, what about Larry Fitzgerald?"

To which I answer "He didn't win the Heisman, did he?"

"But he DID win the Biletnikoff."

Exactly.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-09-27T19:30:00+00:00Um, Has Anyone Noticed This?http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/25/um-has-anyone-noticed-this/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/25/um-has-anyone-noticed-this/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/25/um-has-anyone-noticed-this/#commentsHeismanpunditI know it's early, but four games into the season, Garrett Wolfe of Northern Illinois is on pace to break Barry Sanders' single-season NCAA rushing record of 2,628 yards.

Now, granted, Wolfe will probably get 13 or 14 games to do it (depending on whether NIU makes the Mac title game or not), while Sanders did it in 11 games, but it would be an amazing accomplishment nonetheless.

Right now, Wolfe has 828 yards in four games, an average of 207 per outing. Sure, he plays in the MAC, but he has already shown that he can ball with the big boys, as he had 171 yards in the opener against Ohio State.

Wolfe has a very favorable remaining schedule to help him challenge Sanders, who won the Heisman in 1988:

Ball State
Miami (OH)
Western Michigan
Temple
Iowa
Toledo
Central Michigan
Eastern Michigan

It is within the realm of possibility that he could top the 2,000-yard mark against Iowa, which would give him a lot of publicity heading into his final three games.

All of college football would be watching at that point and he may pick up a ton of Heisman votes as a result. In a doomsday scenario, where the other four main candidates all fall off the map, he could conceivably step right in and capture the Heisman .

I think that, at the very least, a trip to NYC is in the offing for Mr. Wolfe.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-09-25T23:24:00+00:00The Latest Heisman Watchhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/25/the-latest-heisman-watch/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/25/the-latest-heisman-watch/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/25/the-latest-heisman-watch/#commentsHeismanpunditThe Heisman race is tightening again. There are still only four players who can win this year's trophy and no one has broken from the pack just yet.

1. Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma--He has moved into the front runner's spot on the strength of his solid stats (643 yards and 7 TDs) and because of the reemergence of Brady Quinn, who will take votes from Troy Smith.

2. (tie) Brady Quinn, Notre Dame--The Irish win over Michigan State breathed new life into Quinn's candidacy. He now is set up nicely and could take home the trophy if Notre Dame wins out.

2. (tie) Troy Smith, Ohio State--Had a rough day against Penn State, which begs the question: Will he get the stats he needs to win? Right now, he is on pace for 2,600 passing yards and no quarterback has won the Heisman with less than 3,000 yards passing since Vinny Testaverde in 1986.

4. Chris Leak, Florida--He is on pace for a huge year, but the Gators must win the SEC and Quinn must stumble for Leak to seriously challenge for the award.

There's still a ton of football to be played, but Peterson is set up the best right now. He has a big game with Texas coming up that will help determine his Heisman fate and there are no late-season pitfalls that could derail him, unlike the other three players..

Since the understanding is that Oklahoma is not a national title contender, Peterson alone among the remaining four can absorb the impact of another loss and still win.

One other factor: Peterson is the only one of the four who is a lock to be a top five NFL draft pick.

If The Vote Were Held Today

1. Troy Smith
2. Adrian Peterson
3. Brady Quinn
4. Chris Leak
5. Steve Slaton
6. Garrett Wolfe
7. Michael Hart
8. Calvin Johnson
9. Marshawn Lynch
10. Kenny Irons

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-09-25T23:03:00+00:00A Quick Look At The 2007 Heisman Racehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/20/a-quick-look-at-the-2007-heisman-race/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/20/a-quick-look-at-the-2007-heisman-race/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/20/a-quick-look-at-the-2007-heisman-race/#commentsHeismanpunditThe race for this year's Heisman is still heating up, with a lot of twists and turns to go before the winner is announced.

Now is a good time to look a ways ahead to try to determine what next year's race will look like.

One of the things we know for sure is that the following players won't be a factor:

Brady Quinn
Adrian Peterson
Troy Smith
Chris Leak
Kenny Irons
Garrett Wolfe
Ted Ginn
Marshawn Lynch
Drew Stanton
Drew Tate

They'll all either be graduating or heading to the NFL a year early.

So who does that leave?

Well, first and foremost, you have to look at Steve Slaton of West Virginia. Granted, he does not play for a traditional power, but after this year he will have done enough to make himself a household name. He will be coming off a great statistical season and a likely top 6 finish in the Heisman voting as a sophomore. What's more, the Mountaineers will probably remain in the top five as long as he and Pat White are running that offense.

After a year's respite, the USC quarterback should return as a candidate. Assuming John David Booty returns for his senior year, he'll be right there with Slaton as one of the front runners. Right now, it looks like Booty is on pace for a huge junior year, which means that he'll get plenty of hype heading into next season.

Michael Hart and Drew Henne of Michigan are both juniors this year and will be known quantities to Heisman voters next season Hart will have excellent career numbers and could challenge for the trophy with a big senior year. Henne is, to a lesser extent, also a candidate to consider, but he would have to really be fantastic in 2007 to have a shot.

Jamaal Charles of Texas is off to a slow start this season, in part because he shares so many carries with Selvin Young. Next year, though, he'll have the tailback spot all to himself and could have the kind of season that grabs Heisman notice.

UCLA's Ben Olson is likely to be the first quarterback selected when he applies for the draft, but in the meantime, he could lead a Bruin resurgence in 2007. He's the closest thing to Carson Palmer since, well, Carson Palmer. If he has a good year--but not so good that he leaves early--then he will be a legit candidate next season.

Antonio Pittman of Ohio State isn't particularly flashy, but he will be coming off another 1,000-yard season and could potentially be a candidate in '07.

The Darkhorses will include Jonathan Stewart and Dennis Dixon of Oregon, Kyle Wright of Miami, Sam Keller of Nebraska and Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame (just kidding).

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-09-20T17:06:00+00:00The Impact Of The OU-Texas Game On The Heismanhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/20/the-impact-of-the-ou-texas-game-on-the-heisman/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/20/the-impact-of-the-ou-texas-game-on-the-heisman/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/20/the-impact-of-the-ou-texas-game-on-the-heisman/#commentsHeismanpunditThe Oklahoma-Texas game is shaping up to be a huge one in determining the Heisman winner.

In short, that game will be Adrian Peterson's chance to make his Heisman statement.

Right now, Peterson is averaging 171 yards per game. He is perceived as the player that makes OU go--and that is a pretty valid perception.

While Troy Smith leads the race at this early stage, Peterson is more of a known quantity to the Heisman voters. If he has a big game in a win against Texas, he will almost assuredly become the front runner. It will also ensure that Oklahoma remains in the spotlight as a highly-ranked team

But the game could provide other dividends for Peterson. If OU wins, the Sooners will likely play in the Big 12 title game, which will enable Peterson to have one more game to pad his stats before the Heisman vote is finished.

With Smith's season finished after Nov. 18, that extra game could be all that Peterson needs to win.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-09-20T16:23:00+00:00Heisman Race Down To Fourhttp://backporch.fanhouse.com/2006/09/20/heisman-race-down-to-four/http://backporch.fanhouse.com/2006/09/20/heisman-race-down-to-four/http://backporch.fanhouse.com/2006/09/20/heisman-race-down-to-four/#commentsHeismanpunditThere are only four players left in college football with a chance to win the Heisman Trophy.

Those players are:

1. Troy Smith, Ohio State--He is the front runner right now because he is the quarterback of the No. 1 team and he is performing well. He's got some clear sailing until that big game against Michigan on Nov. 18.

2. Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma--It seems as if OU really wants Peterson to win, which means that the junior tailback really could stay on his current 2,200-yard pace. If he gets 2,000 yards, he'll win.

3. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame--The Michigan game hurt, no question, but Quinn can still win if he finishes strong with a win over USC and Smith and Peterson both stumble. It's not all likely to happen, but it's possible.

4. Chris Leak, Florida--He is the main darkhorse in this race. He now leads the nation in passing efficiency and his team is undefeated. His Heisman fate will be determined by what he does against LSU, Auburn and Georgia in October.

Everyone else in the race is jockeying for positions 2 through 10 at this point.

If the vote were held today, it would look like this:

1. Troy Smith
2. Adrian Peterson
3. Chris Leak
4. Brady Quinn
5. Steve Slaton
6. Garrett Wolfe
7. Michael Hart
8. Kenny Irons
9. JD Booty
10. Calvin Johnson

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-09-20T16:13:00+00:00What If Ainge Keeps It Up?http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/12/what-if-ainge-keeps-it-up/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/12/what-if-ainge-keeps-it-up/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/12/what-if-ainge-keeps-it-up/#commentsHeismanpunditSomeone asked me recently:

"What if Erik Ainge keeps performing like he has been?"

My answer was:

"Then he will win the Heisman."

But let's get serious. Ainge currently has a pass efficiency rating of 226.6, which is 50 points higher than the NCAA record. He has 624 passing yards and 7 TDs in two games. Those aren't normal stats.

Over the course of a season, that would equate to 4,056 passing yards and 45 touchdowns.

Naturally, if he put up those numbers, he would win the Heisman. Hell, Tennessee would probably run away with the national title with numbers like those.

The problem is that it ain't going to happen. It's just impossible.

There's no doubt that Erik Ainge has really improved compared to last season. But I think he will have to come down to earth at some point and settle in at a certain level. Unfortunately, that return to normalcy is a steep fall.

I tell you what, though--he may be setting himself up for a Heisman run in '07.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-09-12T17:40:00+00:00Lucky Leakhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/12/lucky-leak/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/12/lucky-leak/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/12/lucky-leak/#commentsHeismanpunditIt takes some luck to win the Heisman. Everything has to fall into place perfectly.

So far, things are going Chris Leak's way.

He has been buoyed by an influx of talented, ready-to-play freshmen and now he will face Tennessee with two Vol defenders just lost for the season.

So far this season, Leak has 600 yards passing, 7 TDs and 2 interceptions. His pass efficiency rating is 185.6, which is currently sixth in the nation.

The Tennessee game will be his first chance to make some noise in the Heisman race.

But it will be the three-game stretch mid-season when the Gators play LSU, Auburn and Georgia that will tell us whether he has the stuff Heismans are made of.

The Auburn game, in particular, should be interesting, as the winner will probably produce the SEC's primary Heisman candidate for 2006.

The Gators could be 5-0 when LSU comes to Gainesville. At that point, the Meyer offense should really be rolling and Leak could be on his way to an incredible senior year.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-09-12T17:33:00+00:00What Does Irons Have To Do?http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/12/what-does-irons-have-to-do/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/12/what-does-irons-have-to-do/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2006/09/12/what-does-irons-have-to-do/#commentsHeismanpunditThere's no doubt that Kenny Irons is a great tailback.

But an SEC back hasn't won the Heisman since 1985, when fellow Auburn Tiger Bo Jackson turned the trick.

Irons is off to a solid start this season, with 252 yards in two games. But he only has one touchdown so far and there are signs that some of his yards may be taken by talented backup Brad Lester.

He's got a big game coming up this Saturday against LSU and perhaps that can be his statement game.

So, what does he need to do in that game and in the season to really have a shot at the Heisman?

First, he needs to score at least two touchdowns against LSU.

Second, he must rush for minimum 150 yards.

If he can get that done, he'll be set up nicely, since Auburn follows the LSU game with Buffalo, South Carolina and Arkansas. Those are all games in which he can gain a lot of yardage and build momentum.

Ultimately, he will need at least 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns to be a serious Heisman candidate at season's end.

And it wouldn't hurt if Auburn was undefeated, either..

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Heismanpundit2006-09-12T17:24:00+00:00