-
Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
- Thread starter DaddyBigBucks
- Start date
Link
Heisman watch
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.27.2006
Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State
Ho-hum. Nothing changes at the top when the front-runner keeps rolling along ? steady as a rock. Last week, the Buckeye completed 15 of 23 passes for 220 yards and four touchdowns. He added 38 rushing yards on four carries.
● On the season: 131 for 193 for 1,715 yards passing, 21 touchdowns, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 176.35 (4th nationally).
Next game: Saturday against Minnesota.
Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia
He's still the leading runner on the board, but he's got competition (see below). Last week, he ran for 128 yards on 19 carries, including a 56-yard touchdown run.
● On the season: 151.3 yards per game, 7.0 yards per carry, 9 rushing TDs
Next game: Nov. 2 at Louisville.
Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
Now that Rutgers is 7-0, people are starting to pay attention to the 5-9, 195-pound sophomore sensation. He ran for 225 yards on 39 carries last week at Pittsburgh.
● On the season: 160.6 yards per game, 5.6 yards per carry, 12 rushing TDs and 3 200-yard games.
Next game: Saturday against UCONN.
Players to watch: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame; Garrett Wolfe, RB, Northern Illinois; Chris Leak, QB, Florida; Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC; Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn; Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State.
Heisman watch
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.27.2006
Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State
Ho-hum. Nothing changes at the top when the front-runner keeps rolling along ? steady as a rock. Last week, the Buckeye completed 15 of 23 passes for 220 yards and four touchdowns. He added 38 rushing yards on four carries.
● On the season: 131 for 193 for 1,715 yards passing, 21 touchdowns, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 176.35 (4th nationally).
Next game: Saturday against Minnesota.
Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia
He's still the leading runner on the board, but he's got competition (see below). Last week, he ran for 128 yards on 19 carries, including a 56-yard touchdown run.
● On the season: 151.3 yards per game, 7.0 yards per carry, 9 rushing TDs
Next game: Nov. 2 at Louisville.
Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
Now that Rutgers is 7-0, people are starting to pay attention to the 5-9, 195-pound sophomore sensation. He ran for 225 yards on 39 carries last week at Pittsburgh.
● On the season: 160.6 yards per game, 5.6 yards per carry, 12 rushing TDs and 3 200-yard games.
Next game: Saturday against UCONN.
Players to watch: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame; Garrett Wolfe, RB, Northern Illinois; Chris Leak, QB, Florida; Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC; Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn; Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State.
Upvote
0
Link
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTES: Ohio State QB has Heisman look
October 26, 2006
By Scott Ferrell
[email protected]
The Heisman Trophy race hasn't actually been a race this year.
It's been more of a case of Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith putting up numbers and then watching the competition fall off the charts.
Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson was a sure bet to be in New York for the Heisman ceremony. But a broken collarbone ended Peterson's season and his Heisman Trophy dreams.
Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe was putting up huge numbers and his name into the Heisman chase.
But after averaging 200 yards rushing per game through the first six weeks of the season, Wolfe has faded out with 70 yards in the past two weeks. That two-game stretch has effectively eliminated Wolfe from the Heisman hunt.
Then there is Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson. He was spectacular enough with four 100-yard receiving games that folks were wondering if a wide receiver could win a Heisman Trophy.
Then Johnson was shut out at Clemson last week. He was subsequently scratched off more ballots.
The original frontrunner, Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, climbed back into the race last week with the way he rallied his team to a 20-17 come-from-behind victory over UCLA.
Quinn, though, is 34th in the NCAA's passing efficiency ratings. Smith ranks fourth.
Smith has guided his team to a No. 1 ranking. He has thrown 21 touchdowns with two interceptions compared to Quinn's 18 touchdowns and four interceptions.
As it stands now, the Heisman Trophy is Smith's to lose.
n If you don't think limiting turnovers is important, then look at the national leaders in fewest turnovers lost. That would be the top two teams in the BCS rankings "" No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Michigan.
Both schools have lost only six turnovers this season.
"It all begins with, I think, a fundamental approach that allows you to understand as a team and as a player that if you look at winning percentages related to turnovers, then winning has a lot to do with taking care of the football," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said.
n Former Evangel quarterback John David Booty was named one of the 15 semifinalists for the Maxwell Award given annually to the Outstanding Football Player of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club.
Booty, the USC quarterback, should be able to help himself as some of his teammates come back from injury.
"I think he felt the absence of his guys and it made it harder," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "It's obvious. It only makes sense and if somebody doesn't want to realize that, then they're just not looking at the truth.
"Dwayne Jarrett has been playing hurt and Steve Smith didn't play. And then Dwayne didn't play when Steve did play when he got hurt. And then Chris McFoy left the game three weeks ago and hasn't played since. I mean it's obvious, those are our three top guys and they haven't been playing."
Jarrett and Smith are healthy again and Carroll expects to see Booty return to form against Oregon State.
"John was all over everything we were throwing and he was right on the money. We were looking very good yesterday," Carroll said. "That's a good sign and we'll see if we can bring that to the football game on Saturday."
n Nebraska had a heartbreaking 22-20 loss to Texas last week in the game's final minutes.
But Huskers coach Bill Callahan isn't expecting a hangover from that defeat.
"We're motivated to win the North Division (of the Big 12)," Callahan said. "Our goals are right there."
Indeed, the Huskers' loss to Texas won't affect Nebraska in the North race unless it loses to a North foe and thus gives up the tiebreaker.
n Success seems to have spoiled the fans at Florida State.
With the Seminoles at 4-3 with a 2-3 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference, there has been much discussion about trying to get legendary coach Bobby Bowden either to bow out gracefully or, at least, fire his son, offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden.
So far, Bobby Bowden doesn't sound like he's interested in either option.
"I've been through it (criticism) before," Bobby Bowden said. "I've coached for 54 years and I haven't had 54 winning seasons."
That experience appears to make Bowden stronger in his resolve.
"How do I handle it? I have to not worry about it and coach my football team," Bobby Bowden said. "To be honest with you, most of it is overrated.'
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTES: Ohio State QB has Heisman look
October 26, 2006
By Scott Ferrell
[email protected]
The Heisman Trophy race hasn't actually been a race this year.
It's been more of a case of Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith putting up numbers and then watching the competition fall off the charts.
Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson was a sure bet to be in New York for the Heisman ceremony. But a broken collarbone ended Peterson's season and his Heisman Trophy dreams.
Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe was putting up huge numbers and his name into the Heisman chase.
But after averaging 200 yards rushing per game through the first six weeks of the season, Wolfe has faded out with 70 yards in the past two weeks. That two-game stretch has effectively eliminated Wolfe from the Heisman hunt.
Then there is Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson. He was spectacular enough with four 100-yard receiving games that folks were wondering if a wide receiver could win a Heisman Trophy.
Then Johnson was shut out at Clemson last week. He was subsequently scratched off more ballots.
The original frontrunner, Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, climbed back into the race last week with the way he rallied his team to a 20-17 come-from-behind victory over UCLA.
Quinn, though, is 34th in the NCAA's passing efficiency ratings. Smith ranks fourth.
Smith has guided his team to a No. 1 ranking. He has thrown 21 touchdowns with two interceptions compared to Quinn's 18 touchdowns and four interceptions.
As it stands now, the Heisman Trophy is Smith's to lose.
n If you don't think limiting turnovers is important, then look at the national leaders in fewest turnovers lost. That would be the top two teams in the BCS rankings "" No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Michigan.
Both schools have lost only six turnovers this season.
"It all begins with, I think, a fundamental approach that allows you to understand as a team and as a player that if you look at winning percentages related to turnovers, then winning has a lot to do with taking care of the football," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said.
n Former Evangel quarterback John David Booty was named one of the 15 semifinalists for the Maxwell Award given annually to the Outstanding Football Player of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club.
Booty, the USC quarterback, should be able to help himself as some of his teammates come back from injury.
"I think he felt the absence of his guys and it made it harder," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "It's obvious. It only makes sense and if somebody doesn't want to realize that, then they're just not looking at the truth.
"Dwayne Jarrett has been playing hurt and Steve Smith didn't play. And then Dwayne didn't play when Steve did play when he got hurt. And then Chris McFoy left the game three weeks ago and hasn't played since. I mean it's obvious, those are our three top guys and they haven't been playing."
Jarrett and Smith are healthy again and Carroll expects to see Booty return to form against Oregon State.
"John was all over everything we were throwing and he was right on the money. We were looking very good yesterday," Carroll said. "That's a good sign and we'll see if we can bring that to the football game on Saturday."
n Nebraska had a heartbreaking 22-20 loss to Texas last week in the game's final minutes.
But Huskers coach Bill Callahan isn't expecting a hangover from that defeat.
"We're motivated to win the North Division (of the Big 12)," Callahan said. "Our goals are right there."
Indeed, the Huskers' loss to Texas won't affect Nebraska in the North race unless it loses to a North foe and thus gives up the tiebreaker.
n Success seems to have spoiled the fans at Florida State.
With the Seminoles at 4-3 with a 2-3 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference, there has been much discussion about trying to get legendary coach Bobby Bowden either to bow out gracefully or, at least, fire his son, offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden.
So far, Bobby Bowden doesn't sound like he's interested in either option.
"I've been through it (criticism) before," Bobby Bowden said. "I've coached for 54 years and I haven't had 54 winning seasons."
That experience appears to make Bowden stronger in his resolve.
"How do I handle it? I have to not worry about it and coach my football team," Bobby Bowden said. "To be honest with you, most of it is overrated.'
Upvote
0
Link
Heisman suits Smith just fine
By JON SPENCER
For The Advocate
You can tell we're entering the stretch run of the Heisman race because now the questions aimed at Troy Smith are getting personal ... and a little ridiculous.
"What size suit do you wear?"
Unless the inquisitive reporter was from GQ, it hardly seemed relevant. Turns out it was just his way of reminding Ohio State's senior quarterback this might be a good time to get fitted for the tux he'll be wearing to the ceremony in New York.
Smith didn't play along, so we're left to speculate.I'm guessing 48 regular.
"It's definitely flattering to think about and talk about (the Heisman), but right now my focus is on finishing the season," Smith said. "I don't care what conference you're in, it's hard to finish the way you started, so that's where my and the team's focus is right now."
If the Buckeyes lose to Michigan on Nov. 18 and one-loss Notre Dame runs the table -- beating USC along the way -- they might be handing Irish quarterback Brady Quinn the Heisman and fitting Smith for a straitjacket.
"That's one of those things that will take care of itself as long as we keep winning," wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez said. "That's ordinarily how it works ... the best player on the best team wins the Heisman Trophy.
"The goal of winning kind of takes care of setting a goal to win the Heisman."
Bruce Hooley has covered Ohio State for two decades, first as a sportswriter for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the last two years as an on-air radio personality for WBNS in Columbus. Although I would debate him on this one, he said Smith is the best quarterback the Buckeyes have had during his time on the beat.
"The thing that distinguishes this team from the other teams in the country and other teams I've covered is the guy playing quarterback," Hooley said. "I'd give him the edge over Joe Germaine, but not a huge edge. That's why I think the '98 team would beat this one. That team had three phenomenal cornerbacks with Antoine Winfield, Ahmed Plummer and Nate Clements -- and that's what you need to beat this team.
"This is a 9-3 team without Troy Smith."
With him, the Buckeyes might be looking at their second perfect season and national championship in five years. Both seasons, the team has revolved around a head-strong and controversial figure.
The difference is Maurice Clarett never learned from his off-field missteps. Smith apparently has.
"When you come here, you realize there's more to this world," center Doug Datish said. "Everybody's edges get a little soft, and it happened with Troy. He came out to be the person he is today -- which is a pretty good person."
And, judging by the way contenders are falling by the wayside, a landslide Heisman winner.
"He's a candidate running unopposed at the moment," said Hooley, who is Ohio's voting chairman on the Heisman committee. "The only two guys I'm positive they'll invite (to the ceremony) are Smith and Quinn."
Smith doesn't need to steer OSU to a 30-point victory Saturday (but he will anyway) to earn Minnesota coach Glen Mason's mythical vote.
"I watch as the hype unfolds for Heisman candidates every year," Mason said. "It's not hype with this guy, I can tell you that. The last time I looked at a guy and thought about the best player in the country in the same regard was when Barry Sanders was at Oklahoma State. (Smith) is really something."
An upset by the Gophers? That would be something else.
Heisman suits Smith just fine
By JON SPENCER
For The Advocate
You can tell we're entering the stretch run of the Heisman race because now the questions aimed at Troy Smith are getting personal ... and a little ridiculous.
"What size suit do you wear?"
Unless the inquisitive reporter was from GQ, it hardly seemed relevant. Turns out it was just his way of reminding Ohio State's senior quarterback this might be a good time to get fitted for the tux he'll be wearing to the ceremony in New York.
Smith didn't play along, so we're left to speculate.I'm guessing 48 regular.
"It's definitely flattering to think about and talk about (the Heisman), but right now my focus is on finishing the season," Smith said. "I don't care what conference you're in, it's hard to finish the way you started, so that's where my and the team's focus is right now."
If the Buckeyes lose to Michigan on Nov. 18 and one-loss Notre Dame runs the table -- beating USC along the way -- they might be handing Irish quarterback Brady Quinn the Heisman and fitting Smith for a straitjacket.
"That's one of those things that will take care of itself as long as we keep winning," wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez said. "That's ordinarily how it works ... the best player on the best team wins the Heisman Trophy.
"The goal of winning kind of takes care of setting a goal to win the Heisman."
Bruce Hooley has covered Ohio State for two decades, first as a sportswriter for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the last two years as an on-air radio personality for WBNS in Columbus. Although I would debate him on this one, he said Smith is the best quarterback the Buckeyes have had during his time on the beat.
"The thing that distinguishes this team from the other teams in the country and other teams I've covered is the guy playing quarterback," Hooley said. "I'd give him the edge over Joe Germaine, but not a huge edge. That's why I think the '98 team would beat this one. That team had three phenomenal cornerbacks with Antoine Winfield, Ahmed Plummer and Nate Clements -- and that's what you need to beat this team.
"This is a 9-3 team without Troy Smith."
With him, the Buckeyes might be looking at their second perfect season and national championship in five years. Both seasons, the team has revolved around a head-strong and controversial figure.
The difference is Maurice Clarett never learned from his off-field missteps. Smith apparently has.
"When you come here, you realize there's more to this world," center Doug Datish said. "Everybody's edges get a little soft, and it happened with Troy. He came out to be the person he is today -- which is a pretty good person."
And, judging by the way contenders are falling by the wayside, a landslide Heisman winner.
"He's a candidate running unopposed at the moment," said Hooley, who is Ohio's voting chairman on the Heisman committee. "The only two guys I'm positive they'll invite (to the ceremony) are Smith and Quinn."
Smith doesn't need to steer OSU to a 30-point victory Saturday (but he will anyway) to earn Minnesota coach Glen Mason's mythical vote.
"I watch as the hype unfolds for Heisman candidates every year," Mason said. "It's not hype with this guy, I can tell you that. The last time I looked at a guy and thought about the best player in the country in the same regard was when Barry Sanders was at Oklahoma State. (Smith) is really something."
An upset by the Gophers? That would be something else.
Upvote
0
daddyphatsacs
Let the cards fall...
I haven't figured out how Slaton is in the top 5, I guess it's from default. He's a fine back, who's got excellent speed. He also benefits very much from the threat of a very mobile quarterback. I'd love to see how he does against a good defense, WVU hasn't played anyone this season.
Upvote
0
They all just keep coming and going because they are all just pretenders to the throne that is Smith's as long as he keeps performing. In a sense it doesnt matter who is second , only first.
Upvote
0
DCBuckFan
Fark You
The thing that worries me still is the Quinn has slowly made his way into the #2 spot in most of these lists and people seem to forget how horrible he looked vs. scUM.
The media LOVES ND, and unless Troy really starting piling up the yards I think it ends up being a very very close vote for who leaves NY with the Trophy...pathetic when you think about how mediocare Quinn has looked.
The media LOVES ND, and unless Troy really starting piling up the yards I think it ends up being a very very close vote for who leaves NY with the Trophy...pathetic when you think about how mediocare Quinn has looked.
Upvote
0
BuckeyeFan_InTx
Texas raised!!! Buckeye Forever!!!
Everyone knows its going to be T.Smith he is a dual threat and he is very versitale...Go Bucks!
Upvote
0
rocketman
flying low
Colt McCoy...Heisman candidate? Discuss.
He's thrown 24 TD passes and 4 INT's. He's on pace to throw 35 TD's assuming Texas is in the Big 12 conference championship game.
Yeah, 5 or so of those TD passes came against Sam Houston State, and some of the other school they played are downright pitiful on defense, but for not having taken a single snap last year, to what he's doing on the field now, I'd say he's pretty damn impressive. He's certainly learning and improving every week. He'll be something special down in Austin.
I'd vote for him over Brady Quinn, that's for sure.
He's thrown 24 TD passes and 4 INT's. He's on pace to throw 35 TD's assuming Texas is in the Big 12 conference championship game.
Yeah, 5 or so of those TD passes came against Sam Houston State, and some of the other school they played are downright pitiful on defense, but for not having taken a single snap last year, to what he's doing on the field now, I'd say he's pretty damn impressive. He's certainly learning and improving every week. He'll be something special down in Austin.
I'd vote for him over Brady Quinn, that's for sure.
Upvote
0
R0CK3TM4NN;647198; said:
Not a serious contender this year because of what we did to him in Austin, but next year he deserves to be a serious candidate, RS sophomore or not...
Upvote
0
tibor75
Banned
DCBuckFan;647144; said:
normally I would agree with you, but that's not the case this year. They are basically the lowest ranked one loss team in the country.
I think Weis' arrogance and general despicable and pathetic body habitus have finally done what was once thought unthinkable.
Upvote
0