I'll never figure out the mainstream sports media. This is an entity that has been completely obsessed with the Heisman Trophy for years, no matter what the candidate pool is like, no matter how irrelevant the award seems to become, and in spite of the fact that universities basically started buying the statute 10 years ago through mass marketing campaigns.
Now, when the race is truly exciting for the first time in ages, no one seems to care. I give up.
But you know what? I still care. That's why I've decided to cobble together my own midseason Heisman top-10 list. This is kind of a cross between how I would vote if the season ended today and how I could see things developing as the season goes on. Confusing enough? Did I make it ambiguous enough to eliminate all accountability? Sweet. Let's get into it then.
1. Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State. He hasn't been incredible this year, but he's done enough to win and his team is ranked number one, so he is in the catbird's seat. He played well against Texas in the season's biggest game to date and no one seems to recall that he pretty much sucked against Penn State (the only lasting memory from that game was that fadeaway heave into the end zone), so unless the Buckeyes lose or someone else on the list goes wild, the award is probably Smith's to lose.
2. Garrett Wolfe, RB, Northern Illinois. The diminutive running back from the MAC is an absolute beast. Wolfe has almost five hundred more rushing yards than anyone else in the country, is going for 223.8 yards per game, leads the nation in touchdowns (13), is averaging a ridiculous 8.6 yards per carry, and is on pace to break Barry Sanders' NCAA record for yards in a season. Not only that, but in his one real chance to play against the big boys, Wolfe shredded Ohio State for almost 300 yards of total offense and a touchdown. He probably can't overcome the fact that he plays for Northern Illinois, but Wolfe deserves to be in New York for the ceremony, at the very least.
3. Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame. I don't particularly care for Notre Dame, but Quinn is still lurking in this race. The Michigan game was brutal and served to knock him out of contention initially (and, as a byproduct, destroy the media's will to cover the Heisman chase), but the comeback against Michigan State breathed new life into both the Irish's season and Quinn's Heisman hopes. He's averaging 272.3 yards per game and has thrown 16 touchdowns against four picks. The only guys that can claim better those numbers are "system" quarterbacks at places like New Mexico State, BYU, Texas Tech, and Hawaii. With the big tilt against USC still on the schedule, Quinn has the stage necessary to get back on top. (I have to say though, I saw Quinn play live against Stanford on Saturday and not once did I feel like I was watching a Heisman-winning quarterback.)
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
I wish college cared just a little more about stats for defensive players, because there's a whole crop of athletes that I feel ought to be considered. Thing is, I can't name-a-one.
2 - DJRadiohead
Really good work here, Adam. Irons is good but McFadden is a beast. Arkansas has already defied odds; if they somehow stick in the national rankings for awhile someone might have to pay attention to the guy. He won't win but he can play.
3 - Adam Hoff
Well, it looks like Manningham might be dropping out in next week's list. Perhaps McFadden takes his place?
As for defensive players, I feel like the Heisman has always been geared toward offensive guys and for a defensive player to really get in the mix, they have to be pretty special. I can't recall a single guy on the defensive side of the ball taking over a game this year, with the possible exception of James Laurinitais, linebacker for Ohio State (against Texas).
Maybe we should fire up a Lombardi Award and Outland Award watch as well? That might be fun, if not darn near impossible.
4 - DJRadiohead
The good news for McFadden is that he should have two more high profile games to shine in (plus a potential SEC Championship berth). Arkansas has games against Tennessee and LSU and both should draw decent national attention. If he plays well, regardless of the outcome of the game, he could get his name out there. He is something to watch.
5 - Matthew T. Sussman
Adrian Peterson's ranking may slightly go down, too.
6 - Adam Hoff
Not just Peterson's. Rough afternoon for big time backs.
My man Garrett Wolfe carried 18 times for just 37 yards and no touchdowns, which just kills his chances. He probably needed to go for 200+ every game, so this is just an awful turn of events.
Steve Slaton had a big game with 178 yards and two scores, but he was upstaged by teammate Pat White who ran for a whopping 235 yards and scored four times. Big numbers, but this game probably hurts his chances.
Ray Rice had his worst game of the season, running for 91 yards and no scores while losing a fumble.
Even McFadden failed to get big numbers because Arkansas won so easily.
Smith is putting more distance between himself and the field.
7 - -E
Congrats! This article has been selected as one of this week’s Editors’ Picks.
8 - Tony Taylor
Hey lets give some credit to those Arkansas Razorbacks. They have worked there tails off this year. Sure they won some close games. But theyve came out and showed great impovement. Look at Auburn, Wow. I think Darren Mcfadden is definately a true heisman trophy winner. He's one of the best in the game this year. Why is it that when Arkansas seems to make it to the top, the sports writers always make them the underdogs. I say lets have a little faith and give them some credit. Keep a close eye on this team, there are alot of great players and alot of talent. Arkansas will finish on top this year.
9 - NDfan807
WTF even if you are not a fan of ND you cant even consider Troy Smith, the ONLY thing he has is a perfect season, and its not due to him, its there steller Defense and a man named TED GINN JR., he has no games over 300 yards, and 3 under 200, Quinn has 3 games over 300 and zero under 200 and 8 more td passes, stats should count a little more, becuase ND has a decent rank and if they win out, Quinn WILL be the Heismann winner becuase they will be # 4 if it goes anything accroding to my calculations
10 - Adam Hoff
Um, this column is a month old. You might want to check out the four more recent versions. Also, your stats are wrong - I've got Quinn on top of my last two polls but he has three more touchdown passes, not eight.
Go to the "One Man's Heisman Poll" feature on the sports page to get the evolution of my choices.
11 - henry groves
IAN JONSON 4 HIESMAN