How ’bout a little Heisman talk?
You can watch my latest video commentary or read here:
Heisman Trophy ballots are due next week.
And I have no idea who’s going to be on mine.
I thought I had it all figured out a few weeks ago. Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon had become an obvious choice. His team was having a great year, and he was a big part of the reason why. Then Dixon injured his knee, and we found out that apparently he was the only reason why. The Ducks haven’t won since.
So, now the Heisman is wide open once again. Even with just one weekend remaining, there’s much to be decided.
Every Heisman voter is asked to vote for three players. If I had to vote right now, the three players on my ballot would be Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel and Arkansas running back/quarterback/Mr.-Do-Everything Darren McFadden.
But I’d have to think long and hard about the order I’d rank them in.
Tebow had a record breaking year. A Division-I quarterback has never thrown for 20 touchdowns and run for 20 touchdowns. Tebow has. Those are big-time numbers even though the Gators have struggled a bit this season.
Daniel has been masterful for Missouri. I had a chance to see him in person last weekend against Kansas, and when a guy goes 40 of 49, you know he’s had a good night. But I thought Daniel was even better than the numbers suggested. He threw one bad ball all night, and in such a big game, that’s a big-time performance.
Then, there’s McFadden. He is the most amazing player of them all. He is a transcendent player, a guy who is re-defining positions. Is he a quarterback? A running back? A receiver? Why couldn’t he be all of them? McFadden is doing things that no other football player has ever done.
Those aren’t the only candidates, of course. West Virginia quarterback Pat White is out there. So is Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan and Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan.
And with the games on tap this weekend, much could change.
If Daniel has a big day against Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game, he could really make a move. One game does not a Heisman winner make, but their performance in big games matters. And no game is bigger this season than top-ranked Missouri’s against OU.
Daniel isn’t the only one with a chance to make a closing argument for the Heisman. Pat White and West Virginia play Pittsburgh. Matt Ryan and Boston College face Virginia Tech. Colt Brennan and Hawaii play Washington. Heck, even LSU defensive lineman and Heisman long shot Glenn Dorsey has a chance to make a statement against a so-so Tennessee team in the SEC championship game.
So, who’s on my Heisman ballot? For that matter, who’s going to win the Heisman?
This week, who knows?
Good thing ballots aren’t due until next week.
November 29th, 2007 at 10:54 am
I think your dilemma is the same one most voters are facing, but here are my thoughts. Since the Heisman is supposed to go to the best PLAYER I would have to vote 1) McFadden 2) Tebow 3) take your pick between a) Dixon b) White c) Daniel or d) Ryan. As you pointed out, McFadden does it all, kick returner, running back, quarterback, whatever the coaches let him. He can’t help it if the coaches haven’t put him in the best position to help his team win games at times, but I think anyone who has watched even a little of his play in multiple games can see he is obviously the best PLAYER on the field at any time.
As for the other guys, there are plenty of awards for best Quarterback to spread among them, but that’s what they basically are except for Tebow, who is truly a QB/RB.
November 30th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm