Who Should Win The Heisman Trophy?
by BearsNecessity on Dec 12, 2008 8:23 AM PST
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PrintWith Graham Harrell getting snubbed by the committee, this is pretty much a three way race. Nevertheless you could make an argument for all four and I'd say these are the four deserving candidates by a good margin.
Sam Bradford
Pros: Probably the frontrunner unless the vote gets split between Big 12 voters. Most touchdowns in the country, and hence highest passer rating in the country. Crushed teams after the Red River Shootout, throwing 25 TDs and 1 pick (his masterpiece coming against the Red Raiders). 7th in completion percentage, 3rd in yards per attempt.
Cons: Doesn't really have a signature win. Oklahoma's closest game was by 10 points this season, the loss to Texas. In every other game the Sooners were frontrunners and Bradford never really had to feel the pinch of leading his team from behind. So he has that on his resume. Also might feel the wrath of some voters who think OU ran up the score on lesser teams.
Graham Harrell
Pros: Knocked Texas out of the national championship game with a big game winning drive. Second in passing yards/game, 9th in passer rating, tied for 4th in Tds, 3rd in completion percentage at 71.5% (yeah, 71.5% is only 3rd. Comical). And of course this offense is dependent on him more than any other, and he was excellent in getting the Red Raiders to 10-0.
Cons: We already know he lost, since he was not invited to New York. Way to show you're not elitist Heisman voters. That being said there's a good case you canmake against him--Harrell's numbers slid in the final two games of the season, and he was at best average against the Sooners (and turned the ball over on some crucial possesions). And you could argue his yardage stats were the nature of the beast that is the Airraid.
Colt McCoy
Pros: Unprecedented 77.6 completion percentage. Passer rating of 179.2, 3rd in the country behind Bradford and Johnson. Of the three Big 12 quarterbacks, he has the best mobility, averaging a pretty decent 4.5 yards per carry when he needed to take off and go. And also showed comeback abilities in bringing Texas back against Oklahoma and Texas Tech.
Cons: He's not playing in the title game? The only thing I can think of is that he struggled to find his footing in the first half against the Red Raiders and that he was shut down by the Red Raider defense on the ground too.
This is really a tough situation for McCoy, who is every bit as deserving as Bradford and BEAT Bradford in Dallas, but since Bradford is in Miami you'll probably see the Sooner QB get more votes.
Tim Tebow
Pros: In almost any other year he'd win the Heisman hands down. If you were giving this to the best college athlete, Tebow landslides the competition. It kind of reminds me when Michael Jordan was the greatest player alive for 10 years, but they handed off the MVP to someone else because they had a stellar season. And then he torched them in the Finals.
His resume is pretty impressive. Finally showing he can come back in a big game by beating Alabama. Fifth in passer rating, 4th in passing yards per attempt (albiet a slight step down from last season because of the Big 12 QBs). He only threw two interceptions. TWO.
Drawback: If you use the same criteria from last season (amazing statistics), Tebow just doesn't compare to the Big 12 quarterbacks. His rushing stats are way down (he only averaged 3.66 yards per carry and 12 TDs), although you could argue Florida didn't have to rely on him as heavily this season with the Gators blowing opponents out.
Who ya got? And feel free to submit a dark horse candidate, just be prepared to back it up.
(Stats from cfbstats.com)
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are, in every way, reflective of the opinions of every California Golden Blogs Marshawnthusiast. Moreover, they are reflective of every employee of SBNation, including Tyler "Blez" Bleszinski.
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I'll give it to the best player in CFB
Michael Oher, LT, Ole Miss
You ain't got it like Marshawn got it
Heh heh, I see you read The Blind Side
by BearsNecessity on Dec 12, 2008 8:28 AM PST up reply actions
Hey
It don’t change the fact that he the best. All these other QB fools is just products of the system and superior talent/protection around em. Give me a guy who plays the position like no one else can and helped elevate his team from shitty to Jan. 2nd
You ain't got it like Marshawn got it
by Thoroughbred on Dec 12, 2008 8:34 AM PST up reply actions
How much does he feature in the Wild Hog offense? I know they have to seal and contain more, so he probably plays a decent role, but I just wonder how much he factored into Ole Miss’s victories.
by BearsNecessity on Dec 12, 2008 8:42 AM PST up reply actions
I can’t be the only one who really doesn’t care about the Heisman? If it actually attempted to select the most outstanding player in college football, I might be interested, but the merely selecting the best quarterback or running back on a team with 9+ wins? Meh. (And they don’t always get it right even with these limited criteria.)
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
Again, it’s a bizarro process. Like almost all awards their value is subjective, as they should be when you place them in the hands of the mainstream media. Asking journalists to decide the Heisman trophy winner is particularly asinine.
It does make for decent discussion about who you would consider Heisman-worthy.
by BearsNecessity on Dec 12, 2008 8:55 AM PST up reply actions
It does make for decent discussion about who you would consider Heisman-worthy.
True. The discussion is sometimes more interesting than the actual award.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
I’m actually going to watch the Heisman presentation for the first time ever. Now that there’s suspense, it will be really exciting.
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I really have no clue who is going to win. Looking at it, I think it is about as impossible to pick a winner as it is to pick one in the Big 12.
It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.
Bradford will probably win, although the possibility of a split vote could usher in Tebow. It’ll come down to the West Coast and the Midwest votes.
by BearsNecessity on Dec 12, 2008 9:48 AM PST up reply actions
Well, you have to get into the psyche of Heisman voters.
Do they want to vote for a sophomore? Yes, Tebow won last year, but there were no candidates close to him (remember, McFadden was shut down all year except the LSU game; Colt Brennan was, well, not in his 2006 form; and Chase Daniel was shut down by Oklahoma and couldn’t get his team to the NC; oh, and Pat White was snubbed).
Do they really want another two-time winner? Archie Griffin is immortal.
And do you want a player who isn’t on a team competing for the NC?
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Do you really want someone that cannot perform surgeries?
It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.
Dixon should have won
even though he got injured. He was, far and away, the MVP of his team, which would’ve gone to the NC game had he never been injured. I don’t want to hear that they would have lost on the way there…
Dennis Dixon should have been at least invited… if you’re going by the criterion of ‘Best Player in Football’
You ain't got it like Marshawn got it
by Thoroughbred on Dec 12, 2008 9:54 AM PST up reply actions
Agree 100%
The fact that the Ducks had injuries all around and Dixon still kept them winning, but, when Dixon went down, the team went into the tank – that shows that he was the best player in football.
But the Heisman will never go to a player who isn’t playing anymore.
Honestly, if Mike Belotti wasn’t such a greedy man and had pulled Dixon out from the ASU game earlier when they were up by a ton, Dixon may have been healthy and won the Heisman.
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Eh, disagree
It’s like submitting your law school applications without taking the LSAT. You need to complete the ride, since one of the big things about awards is rewarding durability.
by BearsNecessity on Dec 12, 2008 10:00 AM PST up reply actions
Whatever…
I think he did enough to earn it in the 9 games he did play over the 12-13 the other players played. The Pac-10 was a fucking minefield last year.
You ain't got it like Marshawn got it
by Thoroughbred on Dec 12, 2008 10:02 AM PST up reply actions
That’s 25% of the season. If it was near the end of the UCLA game I could see it, but missing nearly three games..
by BearsNecessity on Dec 12, 2008 10:06 AM PST up reply actions
To preface: I hate almost all individual awards. I only like the ones that combine academics (Draddy, Academic All-Americans, etc) or community service.
This being said, I don’t give a crap if the dude’s in the NC game. If I cared about the Heisman, I’d want the guy who was the best player in college football to win it, no matter the team. The guys I’ve seen play, who really jump out at me, are Andre Smith, Michael Oher, Aaron Maybin, Orakpo, Rey Rey, Taylor Mays, DeMarco Murray (overshadowed)
You ain't got it like Marshawn got it
by Thoroughbred on Dec 12, 2008 9:59 AM PST up reply actions
DeMarco Murray isn’t that great. You could stick Twist behind that o-line and he’d gain 1000 yards.
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I disagree that he isn’t that great. I agree about Twist gaining 1000 yards.
You ain't got it like Marshawn got it
by Thoroughbred on Dec 12, 2008 10:14 AM PST up reply actions
I forgot about Terrence Cody, too
You ain't got it like Marshawn got it
by Thoroughbred on Dec 12, 2008 10:13 AM PST up reply actions
Okay, here are my quick thoughts on the Heisman.
First, Colt McCoy deserves it and it would be a shame if he loses it due to lack of exposure from his team being excluded from the Big XII title game. It’s a cliche now, but, seriously, he makes the team and he’s done more with less. He doesn’t have two 1000-yard rushers, a 1000-yard receiver, and the best o-line in the country. Bradford is amazing, but he’s not the team.
Second, Tebow is great, but he doesn’t deserve it based on his impressive performance in the SEC CG, just like Darren McFadden didn’t deserve the Heisman last year based on his performance against LSU.
Third, Harrell had a bad game against Oklahoma. His game against Baylor is excusable, though, since he was playing with (I think) a broken hand. He definitely deserved an invite.
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Just looking at the criteria, I have to agree. 77% completion percentage is unprecedented, even when you have someone like Shipley to throw to.
by BearsNecessity on Dec 12, 2008 9:42 AM PST up reply actions
Oh and...
I forgot to mention – in addition to not having a 1000-yard rusher to take pressure off him, Colt McCoy is also his team’s leading rusher. He has more rushing yards than Tim Friggin’ Tebow.
Seriously, he deserves it. I hope he gets it.
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If tebow can win on an 8-5 team last year, McCoy can win on Texas.
It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.
Once again...
That was due to lack of competition.
This year, there is no lack of competition.
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I know, I know. I’m just saying the factors against McCoy aren’t insurmountable.
I will say, if Tebow wins, he certainly has a strong case, even as a back-to-back winner. Unlike Archie griffin who should have NEVER won his second Heisman.
It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.
I dunno anything about the old days
Why didn’t Archie deserve it?
by BearsNecessity on Dec 12, 2008 10:06 AM PST up reply actions
A certain, more dominant, running back for the California Golden Bears.
It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.
Once again...
I win!
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I don't care about the heisman.
Go Bears Go
by Rocksanddirt on Dec 12, 2008 10:38 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
The Heisman doesn't care about you
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Chuck Muncie does care about the Maharg.
by BearsNecessity on Dec 12, 2008 11:07 AM PST up reply actions
I think I might!
Sheriff of the Welcome Team
In Spite of Twist!
by Spazzy Mcgee on Dec 12, 2008 11:24 AM PST up reply actions
I think Tebow should get this one
And anytime Texas and Mack Brown get owned is a good time
In other words, Go Bears!
In that case I’d prefer Bradford
Sheriff of the Welcome Team
In Spite of Twist!
by Spazzy Mcgee on Dec 12, 2008 1:59 PM PST up reply actions
You prefer Urban Whiner and the SEC to Bradford?
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I like Tebow
When he isn’t circumcising babies.
I also like Bradford but I want to see the historic happen and Tebow winning twice in a row.
In other words, Go Bears!
Another point...
I honestly feel that, although the outrage of the lack of Harrell’s exclusion is warrented, there’s another key issue that’s being overshadowed and that is the exclusion of Crabtree in any Heisman discussion. Think about it: without his super catch and run with one second left, Harrell is another Heisman also-ran and Colt McCoy runs away with the Heisman.
Crabtree may be a once-in-a-generation receiver talent.
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Dude is not once-in-a-generation talent. That’s a player like Calvin Johnson…
I see a thinner Andre Johnson without the track speed. Sorry.
You ain't got it like Marshawn got it
by Thoroughbred on Dec 12, 2008 3:21 PM PST up reply actions
I don’t know about that… I agree about Calvin Johnson, but I can’t think of a better collegiate receiver than these two in a really long time.
If Crabtree stays for another year, damn, I can’t imagine the possibilities.
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MAYBE HE'LL REC FOR 5000 YARDS
Sheriff of the Welcome Team
In Spite of Twist!
by Spazzy Mcgee on Dec 12, 2008 3:30 PM PST up reply actions
OMG THATS LIKE ALL OF HARRELL'S PASSES!
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What do you mean real long time?
Crabtree staying with Harrell gone? In Lubbock… Projected to be top 5 pick? Doubtful.
You ain't got it like Marshawn got it
by Thoroughbred on Dec 12, 2008 4:28 PM PST up reply actions
Crabtree is not otherworldly. He’s the best option on the best passing attack in the country. He’s a great talent and is great running routes, but you could plug in their second guy and the dropoff would be slight.
by BearsNecessity on Dec 12, 2008 8:53 PM PST up reply actions
What if you plugged in Boateng, Tucker, and Jeremy Ross?
Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
These guys are no better than the third option in the Airraid this year. Tucker has good potential but is still too young to be crisp, and Boateng drops too many balls. Ross is not close.
by BearsNecessity on Dec 13, 2008 2:15 AM PST up reply actions
Is this going to be the Heisman ceremony open thread?
Also, I’ve never seen a Heisman ceremony before (mainly because the past couple years, I knew the winner beforehand). It starts at 5 PM. How long before awesomeness (ie announcing the winners) happens?
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RoyRules should with that shit.
Because he put Twist to shame with that DBD.
The Draddy Mack will make you jump jump
Hydro should ban you
If he does he wins four Heismans.
by BearsNecessity on Dec 15, 2008 5:45 PM PST up reply actions
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