Dark Horse Can Win Heisman Trophy in 2009
Race for Top College Football Award Is Wide Open
Nov 1, 2009
Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford won college football's most prestigious award in 2008, so logic dictated that he'd be a leading candidate this season as well.
His top challengers figured to be Texas quarterback Colt McCoy — last year's runner-up — and Florida QB Tim Tebow, who won the award in 2007 and placed third behind Bradford and McCoy in a tight 2008 vote.
But Bradford is out for the season because of a shoulder injury, and McCoy and Tebow haven't been as spectacular as they've been in previous years. Suddenly, the Heisman race is wide open.
McCoy and Tebow remain solid candidates, helped by the fact that their teams are undefeated and in the running for the BCS national championship. But that can also be said of Alabama running back Mark Ingram, who's putting together a superb sophomore season.
Cal's Jahvid Best created huge buzz with a spectacular start in 2009, but has leveled out quite a bit. Still, he's scored 15 touchdowns and shouldn't be counted out.
Then there's Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who is helped by the fact that he's ... well, a Notre Dame quarterback. But it can't be denied that Clausen has played wiith remarkable consistency and flair. HIs numbers are definitely Heisman caliber.
Still, the race is wide open as the regular season heads to its final month. Nobody's truly standing out above the others. Ingram has been receiving a lot of hype the past couple weeks, but in another few days, it might somebody else.
There's a very good chance that the award will not go to McCoy, Tebow, Clausen, Ingram or Best. It might go to somebody who wasn't even on the radar at the beginning of the season. It might even go to somebody who's not even on the radar right now.
Maybe, just maybe, it could go to one of these guys. They're all longshots at this point. But things can change in a hurry.
Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State
Rodgers should be listed as one of the top Heisman contenders, but doesn't always gain prominent mention. Not only has he rushed for 922 yards and 14 touchdowns, he's caught 49 passes for another 371 yards. He even threw a touchdown vs. UCLA on Saturday. If he can maintain that pace over the final four games, his Heisman chances should be just as good as anybody else's.
Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
The FBS passing efficiency leader doesn't wow observers with amazing physical prowess. He just keeps playing flawless football — and he happens to be doing it for an undefeated Top 5 team. That should count for something. The sophomore has faced weaker defenses than most other Heisman hopefuls. But he was more efficient vs. Pac-10 leader Oregon than anybody else has been this season.
Case Keenum, QB, Houston
Keenum is putting up ridiculous numbers. He's passing for 411.6 yards per game, he tossed 25 touchdowns, and he's thrown only five interceptions in 398 attempts. His numbers are definitely helped by the fact that he plays in a wide-open system, and against some weak competition. But the junior has engineered thrilling victories over Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Southern Miss. And he did have 536 yards and five TDs in his team's only loss, to UTEP. So at the very least, he deseves some votes.
Josh Nesbitt, QB, Georgia Tech
A true option quarterback, Nesbitt has thrown only 101 passes, completing 48. But he's managed 1,172 yards and six TDs, averaging 24.4 yards per completion. More importantly, he's rushed for 904 yards and eight touchdowns. Compare Nesbitt's overall numbers with Tebow's and there isn't much difference. And Nesbitt's team, which is 8-1 and on six-game winning streak, is doing almost as well. A big finish just might put Nesbitt on the map.
Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
Ponder threw a pair of interceptions vs. North Carolina State on Saturday, but he still has only three on the season against 13 TDs. The junior has hit on 69 percent of his passes for 2,453 yards, and could make himself a contender if he has another monster game like he did vs. North Carolina. And he does happen to close the regular season against Tebow and Florida.
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Most defensive tackles don't manage big statistics, because they're so frequently double-teamed. But Suh's second on his team with 43 tackles. He also has 13.5 tackles for loss — including five sacks — as well as an interception, seven pass breakups and two blocked kicks. Suh's surely major Heisman longshot, but he's become something of a folk hero, and he could create more buzz with another huge game or two.
Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State
Barring an injury, or a highly unexpected attack of ineptitude, the junior will finish the season as the nation's top rusher. He has feasted on weak run defenses in the Western Athletic Conference, but Boise State, Cincinnati and Wisconsin couldn't stop him, either. He's rushed for 1,316 yards and 11 TDs, averaging 164.5 yards per game. If he maintains that pace over the final four regular season games, he'll have a shot at 2,000.
Jeremiah Masoli, QB, Oregon
The fleet-footed junior started slowly, and his numbers — 1,127 passing yards, 436 rushing yards in seven games — don't appear to be anywhere near Heisman worthy. But he happens to be leading one of the hottest teams in the nation, and he's been extremely impressive over the past four games. He absolutely shredded a strong USC defense on Saturday. Heisman chances seem non-existent at this point, but it's hard to imagine that he's not one of the most valuable players in college football.
