Heisman debate
 

So, who should win the Heisman? And who WILL win the Heisman? I would make this a poll, but sheesh... not today.

So, let's take a look at the strong candidates:

Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii
Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon
Michael Hart, RB, Michigan
Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky

And some darkhorses:

Chase Daniel, QB, Missouri
Todd Reesing, QB, Kansas
Todd Boeckman, QB, Ohio State
Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
Graham Harrell, QB, Texas Tech
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

Fill out your top 3 Heisman ballot below, and defend your answers.

1. Darren McFadden - He is the Razorback offense. If they had any kind of passing game he would be the leader in rushing yards for the NCAA. That being said, his stake at #1 is a little weak with Arkansas' record. But IMO he is the best player in college football today.

2. Dennis Dixon - Great duel threat QB for the Ducks. 20 Tds to 3 Ints playing in argueably the best conference in the Country. 2000 yards passing and another 550 on the ground. He is a huge reason the Ducks are ranked so high.

3. Michael Hart - Really this spot (in my opinion) could go to either Hart or Chase Daniel. Even though I dislike Michigan, Hart is one hell of a player. He has almost 1200 yards in 8 games ( he missed 2 due to injury). Don't forget that the Wolverines were without Chad Henne for a few games and had to play a true freshman Ryan Mallet. Teams stacked the box against him and he still got over 100 yards against them.

Honorable Mention: Chase Daniel and Tim Tebow

Dixon is Oregon.

He is that good of a player and he makes Stewart an even better player because of what he can do.

Oregon basically has 1 good/healthy WR left on their team, a pretty good TE and a NFL ready RB, but if Leaf was running their O Stewart would not have the stats he has as teams could easily shut him down.

I was at the game in Eugene on Saturday and it was just so frustrating seeing our D contain their WR and have a coverage sack in our grasp only to see Dixon scramble away for 14 yards.

Hell, I'm not sure anybody wants the damn thing at this point. Each of the favorites seems to be doing something regularly to take themselves out of contention.

I imagine my hypothetical ballot would have had a different top three after virtually every weekend all season, no reason to think it wouldn't change again in the next several weeks.

If you absolutely put a gun to my head & forced me to pick three right this second I'd probably go with
1) Hart -- doing the most with the least. Others may have less help but aren't doing as much above & beyond as I feel like he is.
2) Tebow - he's just that damned good
3) Dixon - exceeding expectations ... so far

I've got an eye on Daniel & Reesing too. If either of them somehow end up in the BCS title game, they might very well jump to the top of my ballot.

1. Tyler Donovan
2. John Stocco
3. Jim Sorgi

Agreed. Those would be my top 3 as well. Not sure about the exact order, but probably be pretty close.

Tebow, McFadden, and Dixon in no particular order.

I'm amazed that Brohm has fallen off everyone's list, yet he's having an amazing year and that team may not have a win at all without him (well, I'll give them the Murray State game).

Kellen Lewis doesn't deserve to be in the top 5 or anything, but the guy is quietly having a fantastic year. Same goes for Pat White, although White could end up with some serious top 5 consideration if he finishes strong.

Well said. Oregon has been decimated by injuries to their WR corp, yet Dixon keeps them humming. The more I consider the question, the more I'm convinced he should and will win it, assuming he isn't hampered by an injury.

Agreed.

First off....I hate OSU...

1. Laurinautis -- He's one of the best LBers I've ever seen. He's light years better than AJ Hawk ever was and if this reward truly is about the best college football player, he should win it.

2. Now that I've said who should win it, I'll say who will win it -- unless Oregon loses, it'll be Dixon. I think McFadden's the better player but don't think he'll get enough votes.

3. McFadden -- this is who I would vote for over Dixon personally but I don't think he wins it.

I think Dixon deserves it at this point. It's amazing what a run first offense did for that guy. Passing isn't his forte, and letting him run first, like Pat White, opened up an awful lot through the air.

Had ASU won, I think Rudy Carpenter deserved some votes.


You sir, are on crack.

I'd have to disagree on Carpenter (moot point I know) but he's a great QB, but not Heisman this year...maybe next. He still holds the ball too long at times and even locks onto a WR still at times, things a 3 year starting JR QB shouldn't be doing. I love the kid and what he has and will do @ ASU, but he's a ways down there on the Heisman list for sure.

Dude is an absolute animal.

IMHO Dennis Dixon, Deserves to win it, and will win.

must be shocking hearing that from me. :D

No doubt he is the best player in college football, but is he having the best season in college football this year?

The key is to remember what the Heisman Trophy is suppose to be awarded for.

Doesn't matter....the award is for:

"the most outstanding collegiate football player"

The award has changed though because of our stat obsession.

I guess it depends on what "outstanding" means then, to each person. If it wasn't for the best season, then wouldn't we have more defensive and offensive linemen in the balloting?

With slight bias noted, Chase Daniel has an excellent chance to play himself into the Heisman race in the coming weeks. After what should be wins against Texas A&M and Kansas State, the next two matchups could be a battle between top 5 teams against Kansas at Arrowhead and, assuming a win against KU, a top 5 matchup against Oklahoma in the B12 title game. Both of those games would be on national TV and would give great exposure to the voters.

Probably...that's why I think the award stinks. There are some years where it's clear as day but in years where it isn't, like this year, I'd like to see them consider defensive players a lot more...especially middle linebackers.

Dixon has to be the favorite right now. I think Dixon, McFadden and Tebow are almost locks to get invites at this point, though I think Dixon is the only one of those 3 that could actually win it unless things change dramatically. To me those are the 3 big names. Arkansas' early losses hurt McFadden and Tebow has the combination of losses and being an underclassmen working against him. A third or so finish will get his foot in the door for the future, though.

Either White or Slaton will probably make a case and get an invite if WVU continues to play well down the stretch. WVU still has a couple of showcase type games on the horizon, with a Thursday night game this week and the UConn game in a couple weeks suddenly becoming the game of the year in the Big East. I think White has the much better chance of the 2 at this point.

Matt Ryan could still get an invite, but I think he's a really long shot to win now. If noone outside of the big 3 I mentioned earlier makes a strong case, Colt Brennan also could get an invite but has no chance to win.

If Oregon loses then it's really up in the air. I think McFadden would probably take it.

As far as who should win, I'm still undecided.

But do you think it should be awarded to the best "player" or for the best "season"?

Run DMc should win it

I'd go D-Mac, Dixon, and Tebow. In that order.

I personally believe it should go to the best player. I know it doesn't work that way and I can accept that to a point but to believe the best player might not be a linebacker, or an O-linemen especially is foolish.

Laurinautis - overrated. He isn't even the best LB, let alone the best player. The best LB is Dan Connor at Penn State. His stats aren't even as good as Connor.

Not sure how you can make that argument?

Well, if it's college football's most outstanding player, the debate begins and ends with Josh McNeil.

But look who Penn State has played.

The same teams that Ohio State has played?

I agree with you that OSU's schedule, well, sucks. At least they manage to remain unbeaten.

Shameless plug on my part, but I finally got around to writing my thoughts about the Heisman race so far this year. Feel free to rip me apart (here or the blog) about people I missed or disagreements with my votes.

Sorting Out the 2007 Heisman Race

I'm not arguing that Connor should get the award. I'm just saying his stats are better then larenitis.

I also think OSU has a much better overall defense than Penn State. Connor HAS to make more plays. I'm sure in some people's minds this is a credit to him. It's all opinion...I just think Laurinatius is better. Not saying much but he could play for the Bengals this Sunday and be their star.

So could you :)

Good article.

The more I think about it (and read), the more I think Michael Hart and Chase Daniel have it in their hands to lose, considering the showcase games their teams have on the horizon. If they both slip up, who the frick knows? This year's is crazier than I remember it. I just hope Tebow doesn't win it. Overrated.

Actually...I can't....I've already been signed to pitch for the Reds.

good luck with that

I can't believe how bad the Reds pitching is and how bad the Bengals defense is. Just bad time to be a Cincy fan.

I think the Heisman has actually become less about stats and more of a MVP-type award.

Jay Barker at Alabama is the first heisman "candidate" that I can remember who's whole argument was based on his record as a starter and its kind of evolved from there. Thats become the #1 selling point for QBs and its spreading to running backs.

Right now its not about picking the most outstanding player, its about picking the QB or RB MVP of a top 10 team. I hear and read people with Heisman votes talking about Arkansas needing to win out for McFadden to have a realistic shot at winning the award.