2006 Heisman Discussion (merged all)

[osugrad21]

Link

Heisman watch

October 30, 2006
STEVE SLATONWest Virginia, sophomore RB Troy Smith will be difficult to catch, especially for a sophomore from West Virginia. But the nation's fourth-leading rusher (151.3 yards per game) could earn himself a trip to New York with a strong performance Thursday against Louisville.
JAMES DAVISClemson, sophomore RB
Davis made a nice statement with 216 yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers' 31-7 victory against Georgia Tech on Oct. 21. Unable to follow it up, he landed with a thud Thursday, gaining only 30 yards on 12 carries in a 24-7 loss to Virginia Tech.
1 TROY SMITH, Ohio State, senior QB
2BRADY QUINN, Notre Dame, senior QB
3MICHAEL HART, Michigan, junior RB

 

[DCBuckFan]

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.

I want to believe you... trust me I do.

But look at Quinn, he was off all the lists or at best 5th just 3 weeks ago or so, and now he is 2nd on every list I see.

All of this may very well end up a moot point if Troy can keep coming out and put up 250 + yards and 2-4 TDs w/o any INTs, but he hasn't been getting the yards and I don't know how reasonable it is to think he won't throw any INTs the rest of the year... Guess that is why they play the games, eh?

 

[tsteele316]

But look at Quinn, he was off all the lists or at best 5th just 3 weeks ago or so, and now he is 2nd on every list I see.

that is just as much a product of peterson getting hurt, leak being exposed, and wolfe becoming nonexistant as it is undeserved hype.

 

[tibor75]

that is just as much a product of peterson getting hurt, leak being exposed, and wolfe becoming nonexistant as it is undeserved hype.

agreed. Quinn is basically #2 or #3 by default.

 

[Zurp]

agreed. Quinn is basically #2 or #3 by default.

Default: The two best words in the english language.

I love how Smith really doesn't seem to get any recognition anymore. And it isn't because he isn't being considered. It's because his name is already pretty much engraved on the list of invitees. They're talking about who else will go to the ceremony.

I know that being invited to the Heisman ceremony is a huge honor. But I might wonder if anyone would turn it down, knowing that Troy Smith will win. Although, now that I think of it, maybe it's a great chance to meet Troy Smith and get an autograph.

 

[osugrad21]

SI

Not just numbers

Stats don't tell whole story about Heisman hopefuls

Posted: Monday October 30, 2006 12:28PM; Updated: Monday October 30, 2006 12:42PM

Every week the most popular question to come through my mailbox is: "Why do you have so-and-so ahead of so-and-so when so-and-so has more yards, more touchdowns, more yadda yadda yadda?" Or something like that with a bit more colorful language thrown in. To answer the question, stats alone do not crown a Heisman winner, at least not on my Watch. Production, ability, importance to your team, performance in big games, whom you've helped your team beat are just some of the criteria. If numbers alone determined the winner of the stiff-armed statuette, Hawaii's Colt Brennan would be the run-away winner.
1. Troy Smith, Ohio State, QB, Sr.

Last week: 14-of-21 passing, 183 yards, 1 TD; 6 rushes, 43 yards, 1 TD in a 44-0 victory over Minnesota
Season: 145-of-214 passing, 1,898 yards, 22 TDs, 2 INTs; 42 rushes, 169 yards, 1 TD
Heisman-o-meter: Ohio State rode a stout defense and running game for a never-in-doubt victory over the Gophers so Smith wasn't needed to perform his usual Heisman-caliber heroics. He still had a nifty 21-yard touchdown run, his first of the season, which shows he can still be a running threat when he needs to.
Up next: Saturday at Illinois
2. Steve Slaton, West Virginia, RB, Soph.

Last week: Idle
Season: 151 rushes, 1,059 yards, 9 TDs
Heisman-o-meter: If Slaton hopes to have any chance of winning the Heisman, he'll need a huge finish to the season with a flourish, beginning with a big effort against the Cardinals. It won't be easy; Louisville's rushing defense is seventh in the country (74.9 yards per game). But last year Slaton shredded the Cardinals for 188 yards and five touchdowns.
Up next: Thursday at No. 5 Louisville
3. Mike Hart, Michigan, RB, Jr.

Last week: 20 rushes, 95 yards, 1 TD; 2 receptions, 23 yards in a 17-3 victory over Northwestern
Season: 234 rushes, 1,127 yards, 9 TDs; 11 receptions, 114 yards
Heisman-o-meter: Heisman voters may look at the 95 rushing yards and consider this a subpar performance. Hart however hurt his back in the first half after landing on a sideline marker, which forced him to sit out all but one series in the second half. What did he do on that one series? He ran the ball on all six of Michigan's plays, for a total of 36 yards, and scored on a three-yard touchdown.
Up next: Saturday vs. Ball State
4. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame, QB, Sr.

Last week: 18-of-25 passing, 295 yards, 3 TDs; 4 rushes, 28 yards, 1 TD in a 38-14 victory over Navy
Season: 193-of-303 passing, 2,233 yards, 21 TDs, 4 INTs
Heisman-o-meter: He was the only leading contender to have a statistically impressive day, going off against a Navy defense that ranked 92nd against the pass. He hasn't thrown an interception in 169 attempts, and the pass protection showed signs Saturday of finally coming around. But many things have to fall his way by the end of the season in order for the Watchman to move him to the top of this list.
Up next: Saturday vs. North Carolina
5. Marshawn Lynch, Cal, RB, Jr.

Last week: Idle
Season: 132 rushes, 907 yards, 8 TDs; 19 receptions, 216 yards, 3 TDs
Heisman-o-meter: He's been playing with two sprained ankles so the off week could not have come at a better time for the most popular man in the Michael Silver household. When healthy, Lynch is the most dangerous running, pass-catching threat in the nation.
Up next: Saturday vs. UCLA

6. P.J. Hill, Wisconsin, RB, Fr.


Last week: 12 rushes, 50 yards in a 30-24 victory over Illinois
Season: 214 rushes, 1,222 yards, 13 TDs; 15 receptions, 172 yards, 1 TD
Heisman-o-meter: Hill was on his way to a big day, running the ball on Wisconsin's first six plays from scrimmage for 35 yards, before a neck stinger shortened his afternoon way too soon for fans of this bowling ball of a runner. Luckily for him the Watchman is lenient on injured players. Not to mention, almost everyone below him from last week's list had terrible days.
Up next: Saturday vs. Penn State
7. Ray Rice, Rutgers, RB, Soph.

Last week: 22 rushes, 79 yards, 1 TD in a 24-13 victory over Connecticut
Season: 223 rushes, 1,203 yards, 13 TDs
Heisman-o-meter: The Huskies of all teams (Connecticut entered the game ranked 110th against the run) snuffed out Rice the whole night, allowing him to get loose just once -- a 28-yard gain in the second quarter. He still has marquee matchups against Louisville and West Virginia to impress voters, but will big games against those be enough to get him to New York?
Up next: Nov. 9 vs. Louisville
8. James Davis, Clemson, RB, Soph.

Last week: 12 rushes, 30 yards, 1 TD in a 24-7 loss at Virginia Tech
Season: 151 rushes, 991 yards, 17 TDs
Heisman-o-meter: Bud Foster's defense bottled up not only Davis but also the rest of the highest scoring offense in the land. To be fair, Davis didn't get much assistance from Tigers quarterback Will Proctor, who completed just 11 of 28 passes. And splitting carries with fabulous freshman C.J. Spiller isn't helping Davis's case either.
Up next: Saturday vs. Maryland
9. Colt McCoy, Texas, QB, Fr.

Last week: 21-of-31 passing, 256 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT; 9 rushes, 68 yards in a 35-31 victory at Texas Tech
Season: 147-of-217 passing, 1,705 yards, 24 TDs, 4 INTs; 55 rushes, 174 yards, 1 TD
Heisman-o-meter: One of the most surprising stories of the season, McCoy has gone from a Texas-sized question mark to a poised and cold blooded playmaker. Beyond his stats, which arguably are better than Quinn's, he has rallied the Longhorns to victories in their last four games, including wins the last two weeks at Lincoln and Lubbock that required clutch plays as the clock was winding down. It's hard to believe he's just a redshirt freshman.
Up next: Saturday vs. Oklahoma State
10. Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois, RB, Sr.

Last week: 22 rushes, 66 yards, 1 TD; 3 receptions, 28 yards in a 24-14 loss at Iowa
Season: 213 rushes, 1,479 yards, 14 TDs; 21 receptions, 221 yards, 1 TD
Heisman-o-meter: People can make a strong case for Wolfe to be excluded from this list (he's rushed for a total of 136 yards in his last three games), and the Watchman was this close to doing that before deciding to keep the nation's leading rusher on for at least one more week. The big questions are: What happened to him? Is he hurt? Coach Joe Novak denied that last week. Has Wolfe been impacted by the stress fracture in left tackle Doug Free's right foot? Free's been playing with that all year so, while possible, that's unlikely. Maybe defenses have just finally caught up to him.
Up next: Nov. 7 vs. Toledo

 

[BB73]

Just like last week, Smith's strongest competition for the award is still Steve Slaton and the Brady Quinn hype machine. Troy is now 5th in the country in passing efficiency. His 22 TD's are fourth, and his 22/2 TD/Int ratio is the best in the narion. He only threw one TD, but the scramble that included the juke moves will be added to the highlight reel.

Slaton was off, and gets his big stage on Thursday night against Louisville. It's also the chance for WV QB Pat White to make a big move.

Based on performance, Quinn still does not belong in the top 5 at this point, but he is moving up and has the hype machine behind him. It's worth mentioning that the UCLA defense, which gave Quinn fits until the last drive, yielded 405 yards passing and 3 TDs to Washington State QB Alex Brink on Saturday. Against Navy, Quinn was 18-25 for 295 yards, 3 TDs, no picks, with a 19-yard rushing TD. He is now 24th in the nation in passing efficiency, which doesn't account for the fact that 3 of his turnovers were returned for TDs. The fact that the ND-USC game can't be realistically hyped as a 'winner gets a Championship game bid' will slow the hype machine just a tad.

Garrett Wolfe had only 66 yards on 22 carries against Iowa. Although still the nation's leading rusher, with 1479 yards (6.9 per carry), his chances to win are now virtually zero, and he is unlikely to get a trip to NY.

Mike Hart had 20 carries for 95 yards and 1 TD. He's solid, but 125 yards per game, 4.8 yards per carry, and 9 TDs isn't going to get many 1st place Heisman votes.

Chad Henne was 10-20 for 116 with 1 TD and 0 picks. He's down to 32nd in passing efficiency, with only 15 TDs, and is really no longer on the Heisman radar for this year. Hart is the only Michigan player left in the race.

Calvin Johnson had 5 catches for 68 yards and a 1-yard TD. He's 25th in receiving yards, and 5th in receiving TDs. His trip to New York won't be until April, for the NFL Draft.

Eric Ainge of Tennessee was 21-29 for 254 yards, 2 TDs and no picks against South Carloina. He's 11th in passing efficiency, and is probably still in the top 10 of the Heisman race due to the lack of candidates who are performing at a consistently excellent level.

Ray Rice (Rutgers) had 22 carries for 79 yards and 1 TD in a win over Connecticut Sunday night. He's 3rd nationally with 1203 rushing yards, with 5.4 ypc and 13 TDs.

Ian Johnson (Boise St.) - had a bye week. He'll be on TV Wednesday against a bad Fresno State team, which will be his last chance to garner much attention the rest of the way.

Candidates who helped themselves this week:

- Colt Brennan (Hawaii) - Still leads the nation in both passing efficiency and TD passes (33, with 5 picks). He's third in passing yards with 2934, completing 74% of his passes. He was 31-38 for 333 yards with 5 TDs and 0 interceptions, and rushed 5 times for 63 yards as Hawaii blasted Idaho 68-10. Unfortunately for Brennan, most of the voters never see any of his games. But he has thrown 24 TDs with only 1 interception in the last 5 games! The level of competition isn't the same, but there are defenders on the field as he's completing 74% of his passes and all those TDs. In my opinion, he should be in the top 5 of the Heisman race, and deserves a trip to New York City if he continues to perform at the same level.

- Colt McCoy (Texas) - Led a comeback from 21-0 down against Texas Tech. The redshirt freshman was 21-31 for 256 yards, with 4 TDs and 1 interception. He also ran 10 times for 74 yards, including the scramble that iced the game. He's 7th in the country in passing effifiency, including a fine 24/4 TD/pick ratio.

Candidates who didn't help themselves this week:

- James Davis (Clemson) - Had 12 carries for only 30 yards and 1 TD in a Thursday night loss to Virginia Tech. Davis is 8th in rushing yards with 991, has a fine 6.6 average and 17 TDs on the ground.

- P.J. Hill (Wisconsin) - Had 12 carries for 50 yards and no TDs, and missed most of the game with a neck injury as Wiscy rallied to down Illinois. His 1222 rushing yards are second in the country; he's getting 5.7 ypc and has 13 TDs.

- Marshawn Lynch (Cal) - Had a bye week. He also lost some of the juice he could have received with a fine performance against USC in November, since that game won't be quite so hyped now. His 907 rushing yards rank 12th in the country, but he has a fine 6.9 average.

- Chase Daniel (Missouri) - Was 23-44 for 284 yards with 0 TD passes and 3 picks, and ran 20 times for 75 yards and 1 score. He dropped to 31st in passing efficiency, and even a huge game against Nebraska wont get him back into the race.

- Ted Ginn, Jr. (tOSU) - Caught 3 balls for 22 yards, and didn't score in a blowout of Minnesota. Has 611 receiving yards (31st nationally), 1 punt return TD and 1 passing TD.

- Tyler Palko (Pitt) - Had a bye week. Remains 2nd in the nation in passing efficiency, with a solid 18/3 TD/Int ratio. Pitt's loss to Rutgers last week really damaged his chances, but Pitt does end the season hosting West Virginia and Louisville, and a pair of wins would give Palko a late boost.

- Chris Leak was 14-28 for 161 yards, with 1 TD and 1 pick, and 7 rushes for 12 yards against Georgia. He's 18th in passing efficiency, with 16 TDs, and has Tim Tebow taking away scoring chances in the red zone.

- John David Booty was 24-39 for 406 yards, with 3 TDs and 1 interception, and a batted-down 2-point conversion that was one of the most significant plays of the year so far. He's 33rd in passing efficiency, and the loss at Oregon State ended his slim chances.

- Nate Longshore (Cal) had a bye week. He's 17th in passing efficiency, still unknown to many nationally, and USC's loss prevented him from having the chance at being the giant-killer.

- DeSean Jackson (Cal) also a bye week. He has 622 yards receiving for 8 TDs and 2 punt returns for TDs on the year.


My vote as of today (based on performance - not intended as a prediction of the votes):

01. Troy Smith
02. Steve Slaton
03. Colt Brennan
04. Ian Johnson
05. Ray Rice
06. Mike Hart
07. Brady Quinn
08. Eric Ainge
09. Colt McCoy
10. Tyler Palko
11. Garrett Wolfe
12. Pat White
13. P.J. Hill
14. Marshawn Lynch
15. James Davis
16. Calvin Johnson
17. Ted Ginn, Jr.


Once a candidate, but now barely on the Heisman radar:

John David Booty
Chase Daniel
Chad Henne
DeSean Jackson
Chris Leak
Nate Longshore
JaMarcus Russell
Darren McFadden

Sorry, but injuries cost you any chance you had:

Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma)
Brian Brohm (Louisville)
Michael Bush (Louisville)
Dwayne Jarrett (USC)
Bobby Reid (Oklahoma St.)

 

[CleveBucks]

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.

There are at least 10 QB's that, plugged into McCoy's spot, would do just as well or better than him.

 

[NOTREDAMECHIEF]

What BQ hype machine? The city of SB and the country has all but given Troy the trophy. Just because Brady gets mentioned as a contender does not mean he is a serious threat to Troy Smith.

Troy has played better Brady and I have not talked to one person around here who thinks Brady deserves the award over TS.

You know it is sort of funny all the crap ND and it's fans get on this board when in fact Ohio State and it's players are getting more respect from ND fans than I have ever seen. Well I should say fans that I know and have talked to.

 

[sandgk]

What BQ hype machine? T

Exhibit A - NDNation

Brady Quinn passed for three touchdowns and ran for another as Notre Dame defeated Navy 38-14 on Saturday. Quinn hit 18 of 25 passes for 295 yards, and once again demonstrated that the rush by ABC and ESPN to award the Heisman trophy to Ohio State?s Troy Smith is not only premature, but also misguided.

Exhibit B - ESPN and their continued pushing for the man who dropped the ball big time against TSUN

Brady Quinn | QB | Notre Dame

Brady Quinn did everything he needed to do against an overmatched Navy team, sending the Irish to their 43rd straight win over the Midshipmen.
Last performance: Quinn completed 18 of 25 passes for 295 yards and three TDs, without throwing an interception, in a 38-14 win over Navy. Quinn also ran for a 19-yard TD.

Chief, I could go on, but honestly, no-one has yet given Troy anything. He is the front-runner, and deserves that status. By contrast, it is remarkable (to me) that Quinn gets the plaudits thrown his way, considering the severe struggles he has shown in more than 2 games this season. (Tech, Michigan, UCLA). And, against Michigan, his performance was not merely bad, it was horrific.

 

[sandgk]

Just to show there are no hard feelings about Quinn getting his moment in Troy Smith's shadow I felt it worth revisiting the (un)official letter he sent ot the Heisman committee last year.

To the Heisman committee:
I just wanted to say that the (whole lot of you can burn in eternal darkness) there are no hard feelings over last year's Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York City. I realize that most of you are (completely jealous over the unwavering college football empire Notre Dame has built for itself and look for every potential opportunity to snub them) good and decent human beings.
Still, it was a little (asinine) puzzling why I did not receive an invitation to last year's ceremony. After all, I did finish fourth in the voting and, usually, the top five candidates are invited to the ceremony. Like in 2004, when guys like Alex Smith attended the event. It was interesting to see Alex Smith there because (that guy had about as good a chance at winning the Heisman as Rhett Bomar does as working as an NCAA compliance officer) he was from a smaller school that doesn't get much national exposure.
Oh well.
The (snub, unvitation, spit in the face) oversight has given me and my teammates more motivation for this season. Hopefully, with Knute looking down from above, we will be successful in the first 11 games of the season and emerge undefeated for the season finale against the (cheaters, rent-jumpers, female beaters) classy student-athletes from Southern California.
In conclusion, to the (people with a third grade intelligence level) committee, I just want to say (blow it out your ass) no hard feelings.
(Bite me) Sincerely,
Brady Quinn
PS - Also...if you could tell the NCAA selection committe that (they wouldn't know a quality basketball team if it showed up to their headquarters and beat 'em silly) it was a good call not to let our men's basketball team into the NCAA tourney, that would be great.
(Up yours) So long!

Doubt he will need to change the copy much this time around.

 

[Bleed S & G]

The only thing with quinn is (even though they lost) he plays USC (even though they lost) after we play michigan and could take it the way flutie did.

If scUM were to come in here and hart has a biakabutka preformance, could take it.

Troys the clear leader and its only looking at two possible scenarios did i think of those two, i think troy wins hands down. honestly, know one this year has looked as amazing.. he is game breaking in a reggie bush, imo better than bush kind of way

 

[UpNorthBuckeye]

ya know, I really hope Troy gets it, but I am sure that even he would say he would rather go undefeated and be national champs and not win any personal awards much more than be the Heisman winner who finishes 12 and 1 or whatever.

Being national champs is the best award because you just earn it on the field, no style points, no highlight reels, no hype machine. 13 and 0 and the championship is won and shared by 105 players and the country's best coaching staff.

But.. .who would be crazy enough to vote for anyone but Troy?????

 

[BB73]

sportsline.heisman

Updated today:

01..Troy Smith.......40 points......4 first-place votes
02..Steve Slaton....18 points......2 seconds, a fourth and a fifth
03..Ray Rice..........16 points......3 thirds and a fifth
04..Ian Johnson......11 points......1 third and 2 fourths (their total is wrong)
04..Brady Quinn......11 points......1 second, a fourth, and a fifth
06..Colt McCoy.......07 points......1 second
07..Lamar Woodley..01 point........1 fifth

Also on the radar: Colt Brennan, PJ. Hill, Calvin Johnson, Marshawn Lynch, Pat White, and Garrett Wolfe.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

Chasing Heisman


Monday, October 30, 2006


Plain Dealer reporter Doug Lesmerises breaks down the performances of leading Heisman Trophy candidates and looks ahead to their next games.

1. (1) Troy Smith, Ohio State QB
Odds: 3-2
Next week: at Illinois
Comment: The numbers - 67.8 completion percentage ranks 13th in country, 1,898 passing yards are 19th.

2. (3) Brady Quinn, Notre Dame QB
Odds: 8-1
Next week: vs. N. Carolina
Comment: Past four games: 1,147 yards, 10 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, completed 70 percent of passes.

3. (2) Steve Slaton, West Virginia RB
Odds: 12-1
Next week: at Louisville
Comment: Last year vs. Louisville: 208 total yards, six touchdowns. Do that again Thursday, and he's a superstar.

4. (4) Mike Hart, Michigan RB
Odds: 15-1
Next week: vs. Ball State
Comment: Mr. Consistent averaging 125 rushing yards per game, with no game with fewer than 91 yards.

5. (5) Ray Rice, Rutgers RB
Odds: 40-1
Next week: off
Comment: What if he leads his team to wins over Louisville and West Virginia? Could the nation's fifth-leading rusher make it to the title game?

6. (7) Ian Johnson, Boise St. RB
Odds: 50-1
Next week: vs. Fresno St.
Comment: In the second game of the year, he ran for 240 yards in a 42-14 win over Oregon State, the same Oregon State that just beat USC.

7. (6) Garrett Wolfe, N. Illinois RB
Odds: 200-1
Next week: off
Comment: Rushed for at least 162 yards in each of his first six games, rushed for 136 total in his past three.