7. Michael Hart, RB, Michigan. The Wolverines are rolling and Hart is the best running back that nobody really talks about. He leads the nation in carries (157) and is averaging 132.3 yards for a team with serious national title hopes. Of course, he shares the spotlight with ...
8. Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan. Call it the David Ortiz/Manny Ramirez problem that cost Big Papi the AL MVP in 2005. Whenever two players from the same team both have a strong claim for the award, they tend to split votes. Hart is probably the true heart (no pun intended) and soul of the team, but people are going to remember that monster game that Manningham had against Notre Dame. Plus, he leads the nation in receiving touchdowns (9), averages a whopping 22.0 yards per catch, and has an absolutely fantastic name. The problem for Manningham is ...
9. Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech. This is the best wide receiver in the country. Manningham has been huge and Dwayne Jarrett would be in the mix if not for injuries, but Johnson is the man. He's averaging 93 yards per game and has scored eight touchdowns, many of them in huge situations. He led the Jackets to a surprising beatdown of Virginia Tech, almost helped them topple Notre Dame, and has emerged as the most devastating red zone weapon in the game.
10. Erik Ainge, QB, Tennessee. How come this guy is getting absolutely no attention? He shredded Cal on national television and recently hung 51 on Georgia - a team that had the nation's best defense heading into that game. This guy has ironed out whatever problems he has had in the past and has the Vols back in the BCS picture. His numbers (276.2 yards per game and 14/5 touchdowns to interceptions) are right there with Quinn's and he's done it against an equally daunting schedule while accumulating the second-best passer rating in the country (171.6). Throw him in with Rice as a darkhorse candidate.
On the Verge: John David Booty (USC keeps on winning and Booty's stats aren't far off from those of Quinn and Ainge), James Davis (the best running back in the ACC has 11 touchdowns through six games), DeSean Jackson (with Nate Longshore's opening-game struggles and Marshawn Lynch's injury problems, Jackson has become the face of the dynamic Cal offense with 522 yards receiving and nine touchdowns, while also ranking sixth in the country in punt return yards), and Darren McFadden (the SEC's best back got a big boost when Arkansas upset Auburn and moved into the top 25 — he's coming on fast).
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