Heisman Canidates

[Guest Vern Gagne]

With college football a little more than half way through the season. Who do you think should win the Heisman. I would say there's no clear cut winner or anyone who's having a great year. Anways My Top 10.

 

1.Seneca Wallace QB Iowa St

2.Onterrio Smith RB Oregon

3.Ken Dorsey QB Miami

4.Maurice Clarrett RB Ohio St.

5.Byron Leftwhich QB Marshall

6.Willis McGahee RB Miami

7.Jason Gesser QB Washington St.

8.Greg Jones RB Florida St.

9.Phillip Rivers QB N.C. St.

1o.Brad Banks QB Iowa

[Guest El Satanico]

It's really too early to pick a winner this year, because it's been such a crazy season.

 

Dorsey will probably win it, unless someone steps up and just totally blows him away for the overall season

[Guest AlwaysPissedOff]

Dorsey is like the Eric Crouch of this year, IMO. If it wasn't for the fact that McGahee is a fucking great RB, Dorsey more than likely wouldn't even be considered for the Heisman.

[Guest razazteca]

does it matter who wins the College Popular Player award? If a QB wins it he shall be cursed into being a bench warmer or made into a WR. If a RB wins it he could be the next Barry Sanders.

[Guest phoenixrising]

As the season winds down, the Heisman picture will become a little more clearer. For now, here's my picks:

 

1. Seneca Wallace, Sr. QB, Iowa State

Stats: Passing 124-192, 1,801 yards, 10 TD/6 INT; Rushing 53-152, 6 TD's

Wallace is the favorite almost by default. The guy has amazing talent and has reeled off quite a few signature plays this season. However, he also hasn't done much to hurt himself in the race. If Wallace beats either Oklahoma or Texas, and has solid performances in both games the trophy is his.

 

2. Maurice Clarett, Fr. RB, Ohio State

Stats: 132 carries for 845 yards, 15 total TD (13 rush, 2 rec)

Clarett's one major knock is that he's a freshman. That alone might be enough to knock him out of the race. If he's a junior or senior, he's the favorite right now.

 

3. Onterrio Smith, Jr. RB, Oregon

Stats: 155 carries for 764 yards, 9 TD

Smith hasn't had a bad game yet, but he hasn't had any spectacular performances either. For example, against UCLA he ran for 150 yards but didn't have a real long run, he just hammered away. That lack of a spectacular performance might sway Heisman voters away from him.

 

4. Ken Dorsey, Sr. QB, Miami (FL)

Stats: 96-177, 1,406 yards, 16 TD/7 INT

Dorsey is 33-1 as a starter, which is the most impressive stat about him. Translation: Miami must continue to win, or Dorsey's Heisman hopes vanish.

 

5. Willis McGahee, So. RB, Miami (FL)

Stats: 105 carries for 735 yards, 12 catches for 217 yards, 11 TD

McGahee replaced Portis in the offseason and the Hurricanes haven't lost a beat. He's having a more impressive season than Dorsey statistically, and the fifty-yard screen that set up Miami's final score vs. FSU was about 15% Dorsey, 85% McGahee. McGahee's underclassman status probably means more voters will vote for Dorsey than McGahee, however.

 

6. Byron Leftwich, Sr. QB, Marshall

Stats: 145-225, 2,039 yards, 15 TD/5 INT

Leftwich is putting up the most impressive numbers of any of the QB's that are Heisman hopefuls (and considering who he plays against the numbers WILL be impressive), but dropped passes and a poor defense probably cost him his Heisman shot against VT. The most he can hope for now is an invite to the Downtown Athletic Club.

 

7. Jason Gesser, Sr. QB, Washington State

Stats: 132-215, 1,894 yards, 15 TD/5 INT

Gesser's Heisman hopes were revived by a broken rib. Playing with the broken rib against Cal, he led a furious second half comeback to down the Bears, and also performed well in the overtime game against USC. The November 9 Oregon/WSU game could be for the Pac-10, if Gesser puts on a great performance he could jump a few spots. Maybe even surpass Onterrio Smith as the Pac-10's top Heisman contender, assuming Smith doesn't run all over WSU.

 

8. Charles Rogers, Jr. WR, Michigan State

Stats: 37 catches for 765 yards, 7 TD

Too bad that MSU is such a bust this year...it would have helped Rogers' campaign. He may be the best player in college football right now, but he's not higher on the list for two reasons: 1) MSU has performed way below expectations and 2) Rogers isn't a great return man. The only three recievers to win the Heisman - Tim Brown, Desmond Howard and Johnny Rodgers - were all dangerous return men.

 

9. Philip Rivers, Jr. QB, North Carolina State

Stats: 107-165, 1,651 yards, 14 TD/5 INT; 6 rushing TD

Rivers is having a good season, but he's played several cupcakes and T.A. McClendon is carrying a lot of the load for him right now. If he keeps up his pace against ACC opponents (particularly FSU), he'll be higher on the list.

 

10 (Dark Horse I). Cody Pickett, Jr. QB, Washington

Stats: 176-263, 2,251 yards, 13 TD/4 INT

Pickett has been putting up monster games for Washington. I'd consider him one of my dark horse picks because Washington has no running game and has a tendency to fall behind, so Pickett will get the chance to put up big numbers and win several games in a come-from-behind fashion.

 

11 (Dark Horse II). Chance Harridge, Jr. QB, Air Force

Stats: 27-55, 381 yards, 4 TD/2 INT passing; 122 carries for 615 yards, 15 TD running

My OUT OF NOWHERE Dark Horse pick. I got the chance to watch Harridge play against BYU and I was impressed. A 5-11 QB who lowers his shoulder and tries to blow through defenders rather than slide? I'll take him. His arm ain't much, but he can run (hey wasn't that Crouch's MO?). An impressive game against Notre Dame this week could make the Heisman candidacy for real.

[Guest Spaceman Spiff]

5. Willis McGahee, So. RB, Miami (FL)

Stats: 105 carries for 735 yards, 12 catches for 217 yards, 11 TD

McGahee replaced Portis in the offseason and the Hurricanes haven't lost a beat.

And the scary thing is, McGahee wasn't even supposed to be the starter. Frank Gore blew out his knee in practice, giving the job to McGahee.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

RB in college football is vastly overrated. Every team recruits 4 or more blue chip RB's. The Gophers projected starter has been injured and his replacement is 8th in the nation in Rushing. That's why it's really hard for me to consider RB's for Heisman, the field has to be weak, or the numbers excellent.

[Guest Choken One]

If the season ended right now, Dorsey would be handed the trophy just because he is a star name and is a QB...However...My eyes are fixtated for that OTHER Hurricane...McGahee or something.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

I tend to agree with Choken . Most of the voters don't even bother to vote or have their heads up their asses like last year when Grossman should of one the award.

[Guest Rabbi_wilson13]

Heisman is a joke as of late. They were going over top 5 lists on ESPN, and someone said "You could have a few clunkers at the end". It's the freaking Heisman. It used to mean something, but after Eric Crouch gets taken in the 11th round and proceeds to retire before the season even starts, it makes it look even worse.

 

I've seen Seneca Wallace, Clarett and Leftwich play. All three are very talented, but Wallace is the one that gives you the "Wow" effect when watching him. Leftwich gives you that looking at his stats. 450 yards in a half against any team is pretty damn good.

 

Dorsey's solid, but who wouldn't be with that team.

[Guest Blackston]

Wallace's chances at winning the Heisman have just taken a seemingly fatal blow against the splendid Oklahoma defense. Now, I've got to say that Dorsey is again the frontrunner for the trophy, even though I don't believe that he is the best player in college football this year.

[Guest danielisthor]

Dorsey isn't even the best player on his team, probably not even the top 5 let alone the country.

 

 

being the Heisman no longer means anything about your potential for the NFL. Remember Saalam(sp), i bet the Bears wish they had that pick to do over again.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

Wallace has zero chance now.

 

What an aweful aweful day he had.

[Guest Redhawk]

My top 3, in order, would be...

 

1) Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State

2) Maurice Clarett, RB, Ohio State

3) Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall

 

Now I should mention that I think these guys are the three best football players in the country right now. That doesn't necessarily mean they'll win the Heisman. That will probably go to Ken Dorsey or Chris Simms.

[Guest danielisthor]

Chris Simms has no chance in bloody hell in winning the heisman after the debacle last week against Oklahoma

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Wallace-4/23 42 yds -25 yrds rushing

 

It's Dorsey's to lose. If he doesn't completley suck and Miami wins out or loses 1 game Dorsey will be alot like Crouch last year and get the Heisman has almost a career achievment.

 

This is not a strong field. RB's are interchangable so unless a RB puts up awesome numbers I don't think their deserving.

[Guest Redhawk]

While we're talking Heisman...

 

Back when it happened, I agreed that Charles Woodson should have won the Heisman over Peyton Manning. After all, I played DB in high school, so I'm partial to defensive players. But now that I think about it, I'm not so sure that Peyton didn't get robbed. I think the only reason Peyton didn't win is because everyone assumed he would, and the voters didn't want to seem like they were taking the easy way out.

 

That makes sense, right? I mean, how many guys won the NBA's MVP in years when, realistically speaking, Michael Jordan should have won it hands down? Just like when Tim Duncan won it last year, I swear it was only because Jason Kidd was getting too much MVP hype.

[Guest Choken One]

That's true. Sometimes Voters vote for the OTHER guy just to show they don't go by the book/media...

[Guest Smark Hammill]

The Heisman means nothing anymore. It's supposed to go to the best player in college football, never mind position or team record. It's a big joke now.

[Gert T 0]

I gotta think Rogers chances are fading as this vastly overrated Michigan State team will now struggle to go .500, which is a joke considering how many home games they play this year and the fact they avoided OSU.

[Guest Redhawk]

I know it's probably Dorsey's to lose, but somehow that just doesn't seem right. I mean, put Byron Leftwitch on Miami and they're still undefeated, and probably would score even MORE points. Hell, put Jeff Smoker (MSU's QB) on Miami and they're at least Top 3 in the country. But put Dorsey on Marshall or MSU, and how good are they?

 

I think the Heisman, just like the MVP, should go to the best player, since the "Most valuable" aspect has been so convulated over the years. So in that respect I'd go with Charles Rogers or Clarett.

[Guest phoenixrising]

Speaking of basketball, how about when the Spurs won the title? Everyone was talking about Duncan for MVP...so the MVP goes to Karl Malone.

 

If Leftwich played for Miami there wouldn't even be a Heisman race right now. Or a national championship race for that matter.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Woodson was a deserving Heisman winner. He was more of an impact player than Manning and Michigan was co-national champs that year.Even if you didn't factor in record Charles Rogers doesn't even have great numbers.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

I think Jason Gesser is getting overlooked. If Washington St. wins the Pac 10 I see no reason that Gesser shouldn't win or at least be a serious contender.

[Guest phoenixrising]

Gesser was dropped off most people's lists after the loss to Ohio State. But he led an impressive comeback against Cal and they also beat USC. He hasn't put up eye-popping numbers, but neither has the Pac-10's other Heisman favorite, Onterrio Smith. If Gesser can continue his solid season and WSU wins the Pac-10 he should be a huge favorite. If somehow WSU makes it into the title game, he should be the Heisman winner.