3 quarterbacks and a running back will make up the pool of finalists for this year's Heisman Trophy: Auburn Quarterback Cam Newton, Oregon Running Back LaMichael James, Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck and Boise State Quarterback Kellen Moore.
The Case for Newton
Cam Newton is arguably the best player on the best team having lead the #1 ranked Tigers to a 13-0 mark and tallying 49 touchdowns- 28 passing, 20 rushing, and 1 receiving. Newton threw for 2589 yards and rushed for another 1409. In 6 different games he ran for over 150 yards including 217 yards against then undefeated LSU. In the SEC Championship game Newton completed 17 of 28 passes for a season high 335 yards and 4 Touchdowns while also running for a pair of scores.
Newton's 49 yarder against LSU
The Case for James
Oregon's dynamic playmaker ran for 1682 yards and 21 touchdowns in just 11 games. Suspended for the season opening 72-0 win against New Mexico, one can imagine how ridiculous his statistics could have been. James also caught 13 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown. Nine times this season James eclipsed the 100 yard mark and 3 times he went over 200 yards. His best game of the season came against Stanford when he ran for 257 yards and 3 touchdowns. James had 8 games this season where he scored at least two touchdowns and his Ducks will now take on Auburn for the National Championship.
James wild 72 yarder versus Tennessee
The Case for Luck
Any other year, the 6'4" junior would be a favorite to win the award after throwing for 3051 yards and 28 touchdowns with just 7 interceptions. He also ran for 438 yards and 3 scores, including a pair of 50+ yarders. Luck threw 4 touchdowns in a game 3 times, 3 touchdowns 2 more times, and eclipsed 300 yards 3 times. Luck was a huge reason that Stanford was awarded a BCS bowl this year as they'll face off against Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. He also had this absolutely devastating tackle against USC.
Quarterback or Free Safety?
The Case for Moore
If Boise State had remained undefeated and somehow snuck into the National Championship game we'd probably be talking a lot more about Moore. The junior completed over 70% of his passes and went over 3500 yards on the year with 33 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. He threw for over 300 yards 4 times and threw at least 3 touchdowns 8 times. He also had a 507 yard game against Hawaii.
Moore vs Hawaii Highlights
Prediction
This award has to go to Cam Newton. If it doesn't, then the Heisman voting process will look even worse than the BCS. What do you think?
I honestly don't see it going to anyone other than Cam Newton. He has really led the team and statistics for college football over the season.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the BCS, I have never liked the BCS. You recently wrote about the selection process for heading to the post season with the NFL, I think the BCS is even more derranged than any post season process for another sport. How did it get started anyway? Since you are the master of all sports information, let's hear it.
Rather than reinvent the wheel, I'm going to defer on this one. This article is a little bit dated, but it covers the BCS's origins:
ReplyDeletehttp://assets.espn.go.com/ncf/s/historybcs.html
Things have changed a little bit since 2002, 5 bowls vice 4 and a chance for schools in a non-BCS conference to contend. This does a pretty good job of summarizing the backstory though.