The past week gave us some great performances from some of the top players, but also some disappointing games by others. My disclaimer as always: The Heisman trophy is given to the best player in the country and that is how I look at the award. The best player may not, and usually is not, on the best team in the country. This year their is no clear cut favorites to win the award and hopefully one of these guys will emerge later on in the year. Here is my Top 5 starting this week:
Mike Hart - Running Back - Michigan
Stats - 7 Games 200 carries 1,078 yards 12 TD's
Last Week: Did not Play with injury.
Hart did not play the past week against Illinois with an injury, but that does not move him from the top spot in my mind. Hart is still top 4 in rushing in the nation and is still the most important person to the Wolverines. He was seen on the sideline yelling and getting after his teammates during the Illinois game and looked like another coach out there. For him not to play it must have been serious because he is one of the toughest guys out there. Hart still at the top for now.
Andre Woodson - Quarterback - Kentucky
Stats - 8 Games 153.8 Rating 64.7% Passing 275.1 Y/G 26 TD 4 Int 3 Rush TD
Last Week: 35-50 415 Yards 5 TD
Kentucky was upset last week at home, but it was not for a lack of play by Andre Woodson. He dominated the Gator defense and led the Wildcats on long scoring drives the entire game. He is the best quarterback in the nation and is close to overtaking Hart as the number 1 candidate on my list. He has the leadership and skills necessary to be that guy. It will be interesting to see how he rebounds after the tough loss.
Tim Tebow - Quarterback - Florida
Stats - 7 Games 177.5 Rating 66.1 % Passing 244.4 Y/G 17 TD 3 INT 125 Rush 578 Yards 10TD
Last Week: 18-26 256 Yards 4 TD 20 Rush 78 Yards 1 TD
Tebow jumped into the rankings this week with his great performance against Kentucky. He was barely out of my top 5, but the dominating effort against Kentucky moved him into my top three. Many people say he is the leading candidate, but I still do not think he is as good as Woodson or Hart. He is very important to his team, which also helps his rankings. Tebow leads the team in passing and rushing. Tebow also leads starting quarterbacks in quarterback rating. If he keeps it up he has a chance, but he is a sophomore and that could hurt him.
Matt Ryan - Quarterback - Boston College
Stats - 7 Games 137 Rating 63.2% Passing 306.9 Y/G 17 TD 6 INT 1 Rush TD
Last Week: BYE
The man that people call "Matty Ice" has led the Eagles to an undefeated record and a top ranking in the BCS. He is a tough kid who is very accurate and a smart passer. His stats are not overly impressive and he has played some weak competition, which is why he is at 3 for me, but he does other things that make up for it. Ryan is a great leader on the field and keeps the team focused on driving down the field and scoring. If Ryan has success against the tougher opponents on the schedule he may move up.
Dennis Dixon - Quarterback - Oregon
Stats - 7 Games 165.8 Rating 69.3% Passing 246.9 Y/G 16 TD 3 INT 423 Rush Yards 7 TD
Last Week: 19-20 196 Yards 1 TD 1 INT 12 Rush 99 Yards 1 TD
Dixon did not have a great game against Washington last week, but he still managed to help Oregon get the win. His numbers were not bad, but against a weak Washington opponent his numbers could have been better and should have been better. Dixon was not helped with the way that some of the other Heisman quarterback candidates played this past week. Dixon is still in the running, but he needs to have better games against these types of opponents. Dixon can shoot up the rankings with a great game against USC this week.
3 comments:
I really like this top 5, Hart could very well sit out this week against a terrible Minnesota team as well though, and while it sucks that he could drop due to injury, it definitely won't do good things for his Heisman chances.
I agree that Hart is a hell of a football player and deserves to be in the top three of this race, But I think you have to take in consideration the team that the player is on and more importantly who they play. if you look at who Michigan has played its hard to say that those teams are stellar rush defenses. PSU (9th), ILL (22nd), PURDUE (44th) are the only teams worth mentioning as good against the run. Tebow, although a sophmore, has exceeded everyone's goals. He leads the nation in pass efficency. He has 27 total TD's. And most importantly he is the MVP of the team. Michigan has proven that they can win without Hart. If Tebow goes down The Gators season is over.
I agree you need to take into account the teams play. My point is more that the best player does not have to be on the teams in the NC game. I know all about Tebow, trust me, I watch every second of Gator football. He is flying up the board and could become my top choice if Hart misses this week and he has a great game. UM won one game without Hart and the Gators could win one without Tebow.
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