Last Stretch: The Race for the Heisman

Entering the 2011 NCAA College Football season, there were two names atop everyone’s board when it came down to who would win the Heisman Trophy: Andrew Luck and LaMichael James. While neither of those two players has been horrible, there have been other players that have been turning heads recently; players that are surprising the nation and the voters for the Heisman. One of those players just beat LaMichael James’ Oregon Ducks. Another beat the Oklahoma Sooners with a last chance heroic effort. The other, he’s been running rampant on some of the best defenses in the country for the entire duration of the season. Essentially, there are multiple players that are making a case for the Heisman Trophy that the decision voters will have to make is a very difficult one. The pre-season favorites aren’t slouches, though, but they may not be considered the ‘favorites’ anymore. With the emergence of a slew of other players, the Heisman race is anything but a lock. Their stats aren’t complete yet with the season not over just yet, but these are the players that will be making a push at the Heisman Trophy at the end of the season.

The Candidates:

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford -

Stats to date:

241-of-343 Passes 70.3% Completion Percentage 2,937 Yards 31 Touchdowns 8 Interceptions

The pre-season favorite to win the award, Andrew Luck has led the Stanford Cardinals, and first year head coach David Shaw, to a 10-1 record, sitting atop the Pac-12 North. Luck has been praised as possibly the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft should he declare and his career in college has supported those claims. Over his career as a three year starter at quarterback, he has just 20 interceptions to his 76 touchdowns. His accurate touch and ability to make adjustments makes him a dangerous threat. He has a high football IQ, leading a no huddle offense, making his own play calls and doing so successfully. With dramatic wins over USC and Cal, Luck keeps himself on every voters mind. However, a sluggish performance against Oregon, which could be the worst of his career, may have taken him down a notch. There’s no doubt that Andrew Luck is one of, if not the top player in the nation at any position, but with his recent struggles and the stellar play of other Heisman candidates, people are beginning to wonder if he played himself out of the top spot.

LaMichael James, RB, Oregon -

Stats to date:

173 Rushes 1,285 Yards 7.4 Yards per Carry 13 Touchdowns

The speedster from Oregon has compiled some amazing stats despite missing two games this season with an elbow injury that he suffered during a 239 yard performance against Cal. He still warrants consideration for the trophy that awards the nation’s top player, and for good reason. Being a crucial part in the machine that is the Ducks’ offense, James provides a quick, shifty running back with the explosion to take the ball to the endzone any time he touches it. His longest run of the season was 90 yards, with other runs of 58, 53 and 47 yards respectively. Over his career, he’s managed to accumulate 4,562 yards and 48 touchdowns, but it’s what he has done this season that will determine his presence at the trophy presentation ceremony. His feats have been incredible in overcoming the elbow injury to continue playing at a high pace rushing for over 300 yards against Washington and Stanford combined. Over the course of 3 games before the injury, James was averaging over 243 yards per game and added 6 touchdowns, which had him looking like the runaway leader for the trophy. A sluggish performance against USC, however, may hinder the hard work he put in earlier in the season.

Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin -

Stats to date:

223 Rushes 1,466 Yards 6.6 Yards per Carry 25 Touchdowns

Before the season, I don’t think many expected to have Montee Ball’s name in their mind when it came to Heisman voting. He had a pretty good season as a sophomore with 18 touchdowns, but I don’t think anybody expected him to break out the way he has. Then, in Wisconsin’s fifth game of the season taking on Nebraska, Ball completely transformed. He ran the ball 30 times for 151 yards and 4 touchdowns. Since that game, over the course of 6 games, he’s added 955 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s helped the Badgers to a 9-2 record, setting them up for a possible bowl game. His emergence has been great for the team, especially in conference play where he has accumulated 1,106 of his yards and 16 touchdowns. Montee Ball has been on a tear and some people should have him added as a possible Heisman candidate.

Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin -

Stats to date:

170-of-231 Passes 73.6% Completion Percentage 2,506 Yards 26 Touchdowns 3 Interceptions

Wisconsin fans were ecstatic when Russell Wilson decided to enroll as a Badger, leaving North Carolina State behind. They had every reason to be excited. The quarterback is a major contributor to the Badgers success. He’s played stellar at home, not throwing a single interception when at Camp Randall Stadium. Wilson has brought a different level of play to the team, adding 289 yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground. His last 3 games against Purdue, Minnesota and Illinois have showcased his accuracy as he only threw 9 incomplete passes on 50 attempts. His play and presence for the Wisconsin Badgers should give him some consideration for a shot at the Heisman, but he has plenty of competition, even from his own teammate in Montee Ball.

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama -

Stats to date:

236 Rushes 1,380 Yards 5.8 Yards per Carry 20 Touchdowns

When Trent Richardson took over for Mark Ingram, it was pretty evident he was a man-child. The kid is absolutely huge in stature and carries it well. The bruising back has done so much for the 10-1 Crimson Tide team that is pushing for another National Championship appearance. Richardson, listed at 5’11” and 224 lbs., plays much bigger than his size, but that doesn’t take away from his speed. He has had runs of 76 and 71 yards this season, with a reception long of 61 yards. He’s a punishing player, always fighting for the extra yards and he’s been doing it consistently all season long. His play, along with the Alabama team close to another National Championship game, should propel Richardson into the Heisman talks as one of the best players in the country. He’s shown that losing Mark Ingram wasn’t such a big deal, and that is big news when replacing a former Heisman trophy winner.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor -

Stats to date:

245-of-336 Passes 72.9% Completion Percentage 3,572 Yards 33 Touchdowns 5 Interceptions

Watching Robert Griffin III is bound to make some people ask the same question: “Where did this kid come from?” The emergence of this young player has helped the Baylor Bears do something that hasn’t been done until this year and that is beat the Oklahoma Sooners. Through the first 3 games of the season, Griffin (or RG3) had more touchdowns (13) then incomplete passes (12). When you take into account that he’s had 8 games this year with 3 touchdown passes or more, you can see his passing ability for such an athlete. To go along with the remarkable passing stats, RG3 has added 550 rush yards and 5 rushing touchdowns, truly presenting himself as a legitimate dual threat. His late game heroics against Oklahoma, in which he completed a 34 yard touchdown pass to Terrance Williams with 8 seconds left, are still being talked about and have all but ended Oklahoma’s hopes for a shot at the National Championship. His impressive ability to succeed in both the run and pass game makes RG3 a good candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

Matt Barkley, QB, Southern Cal -

Stats to date:

273-of-404 Passes 67.5% Completion Percentage 3,105 Yards 33 Touchdowns 7 Interceptions

It’s hard to think that anyone from the University of Southern California, with all the sanctions the football team is facing, could win the Heisman Trophy. However, if anyone can do it, it’s Matt Barkley. The junior has led the Trojans to a 9-2 record and signature wins over Notre Dame and Oregon. The 3 year starter has come up big for the team, making big plays out of nothing. He’s been sacked just 7 times this season, most of the credit going to him for being so aware in the pocket with an offensive line that has been less than consistent in the passing game for a majority of the season. Barkley, despite the Trojans not being allowed to play any post-season bowl games, continues to put up remarkable numbers that would have the team in a prime position to compete in the first ever Pac-12 Championship game and a significant bowl game. Should a player from a sanctioned program be allowed to win the Heisman? The answer: definitely. Matt Barkley has earned the individual accolades.

There are some players that play well enough to earn an outside chance at getting consideration for the trophy. They’re very talented in their own right, but may not have the impact as the previous seven players. They are…

The Others:

Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State -

Stats to date:

248-of-336 Passes 73.8% Completion Percentage 2,915 Yards 35 Touchdowns 6 Interceptions

Despite being small in stature, what Kellen Moore does is simply win. Winning and being accurate. Over the course of the season, he’s led his team to 9 wins and 1 loss, which was to T.C.U. by one point. There’s no denying what kind of talent Moore brings to the Boise State Broncos; he’s accurate, smart and a leader on and off the field. In the first game of the season, he led his team to a 35-21 win against a Georgia team that is currently ranked #13 in the nation. The lone loss still saw Moore pass for a 75.7% completion percentage and 2 touchdowns on 320 yards through the air. With Moore, you have a quarterback that has lost just three games over the course of his career. This season, he’s continued to show why he is always at the top of the pack when it comes to the quarterbacks. His 35-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio is phenomenal. Outside chance, but Moore is a great talent.

Case Keenum, QB, Houston -

Stats to date:

309-of-421 Passes 73.4% Completion Percentage 4,269 Yards 38 Touchdowns 3 Interceptions

Whether it be sheer talent or the system that he plays in, you can’t ignore the stats that Case Keenum puts up each week. This season, during a 9 touchdown performance, Keenum had broken the FBS record for career touchdown passes, sitting at 145 heading into the final stretch of the season. He also has the record for most yards at 17,855. Again, it could just be the system he is in, but Keenum is not your ordinary player. With all the touchdowns and yards, he’s had a total of 44 interceptions, which isn’t as bad when you consider he’s thrown the ball 2,047 times over that period of time. This season, Keenum currently has the Houston Cougars undefeated and showing the country they want to be contenders. Keenum is a crucial part to the team’s success, and the fifth year senior deserves any accolades he’s given.

Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma St. -

Stats to date:

355-of-486 Passes 73.0% Completion Percentage 4,111 Yards 34 Touchdowns 12 Interceptions

Leading the Oklahoma State Cowboys to a 10-1 record at this point in the season, Brandon Weeden is probably the most interesting case of the players on this list. Weeden is a 28-year old college senior after playing basketball for multiple years, then returning to football in his mid-20s. That hasn’t stopped him as he’s put up big numbers two seasons in a row. A sluggish performance against Iowa State may have knocked him out of the Heisman race, but prior to the loss, he was the topic of conversations that included multiple individual awards. When he led his team against current #11 ranked Kansas State, he torched the Wildcats to the tune of 502 yards and 4 touchdowns. He had 2 interceptions, but that wouldn’t alter the 52-45 outcome in favor of the Cowboys. He’s an interesting prospect that may not be in the race because of one performance, but the talent has been evident the entire season.

With so much talent emerging, the voters will have a very difficult decision to make. Regardless of the choice, these possible candidates are all well deserving of the award. These are some of the best players in the nation, and one of them will win the most prestigious individual award in college football. Who will it be?
By: Brandon Williams
Image credit: Monica's Dad on flickr