Heisman Race

The Heisman Trophy, the award given to the top college football player in the nation, is the sport’s most coveted prize. The country’s elite battle all year long with two goals, to win a national title, and to hear their name called in Madison Square Garden for induction into the Heisman Trust. The last several Heisman races have been thrilling, with sophomores taking home the award in ’07, ‘08, and ’09, an Alabama player winning the Heisman for the first time in their rich history in ‘09, and the controversy behind Cam Newton’s stellar Heisman season last year. This season’s race should be just as intense. Here are some of the top contenders:
The Favorite: Andrew Luck, QB, junior, Stanford
There’s a reason that the fight for the 1st overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft is known as “The Luck Sweepstakes.” Luck has been amongst the top QB’s in the nation over the past few years. In fact, many experts believed that Luck would have been the number 1 pick in last season’s draft, instead of Newton. Long-time draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. called Luck the best QB prospect that he had seen since John Elway, another Stanford grad who was a number 1 overall pick and an NFL Hall of Famer. Critics have trouble finding weaknesses to counteract Luck’s many strengths, which include his size (he’s 6’4”), accuracy, arm strength, poise, athleticism, etc. Luck has the stats to support his case as well: a 20 to 3 TD to interception ratio, a 71.8 completion %, a QB rating of 180, and a team that is 7-0 and ranked 6th in the nation. Most of the recent Heisman winners have been on teams that have won the national championship, so leading a team into BCS title contention is an important Heisman factor. It will take a big collapse by Luck, or a huge outburst from another contender for the Stanford QB to be defeated. Luck was the Heisman runner-up to Newton last season, so he should expect nothing less than 1st this time around.
Contenders: Trent Richardson, RB, junior, Alabama
Alabama is the number 2 team in the nation for two main reasons, their defense, and Trent Richardson. Richardson combines excellent speed with brute strength to embarrass his adversaries en route to many scores and chain-moving gains. Richardson has gotten significant work all 3 years at Alabama, including as a freshman and sophomore behind 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. With Ingram now playing in the NFL for the Saints, Richardson has exploded with 989 rushing yards and 17 TDs, marks that both currently rank 2nd in whole nation. The most impressive thing of all is that he’s done it playing in the SEC, which is widely known as the best defensive conference in the land. Richardson has already won a national title, but now he needs to step it up even more against brutal SEC opponents, such as number 1 LSU, in order to pass Luck.

Kellen Moore, QB, senior, Boise State
Despite playing in the less respected Mountain West Conference, Moore has put together a 4-year career that will go down as one of the best ever. With the Broncos win over Air Force, Moore tied Colt McCoy for the most wins by a FBS quarterback with 45, improving his career record to a ridiculous 45-2. Moore became Boise State’s 1st ever Heisman finalist last season, finishing in 4th place. He lost his two best receiving targets, Titus Young and Austin Pettis, to the NFL, but has done an excellent job using Tyler Shoemaker, his brother Kirby Moore, and other less experienced receivers. Despite his smaller stature (he is generously listed at 6’1”), Moore leads the nation with 24 passing TDs, is 2nd in the country with a 76.3 completion percentage, and ranks 4th in the land with a QB rating of 180.7. His team is undefeated once again, and Moore hopes to finally get his team to a national title game. He’ll need to be good to get them there. Heisman good.
The Darkhorse: Robert Griffin III, QB, junior, Baylor
RG3 is having one of the best statistical seasons a player can have. Through the 1st 3 games of the season, Griffin actually had more touchdown passes (13) then incomplete passes (12), and didn’t throw a single interception. He cooled down a little after that, but still threw for 430 yards against Texas A&M, and also ran for 107 yards against Iowa State. Griffin leads the nation in QB rating (205.7) and completion percentage (78%), ranks 2nd in yards per pass attempt (10.7 yards), and ranks 4th with 22 passing TDs. He’s also only thrown 2 interceptions this season. So why isn’t he the favorite? Griffin doesn’t have the same kinds of weapons around him that the other candidates do. Baylor doesn’t have a great defense or running game, so Griffin has to do most of the work himself. Griffin hasn’t been able to lead Baylor to national title contention like the other candidates, and even though he’s 4-2 this season, he wasn’t able to carry his to victory in tough road losses to Kansas State and Texas A&M. Griffin has plenty of chances to gain ground on the other contenders in 4 remaining games against ranked opponents: #3 Oklahoma State, #9 Oklahoma, #20 Texas Tech, and #24 Texas. He will need to continue to be unreal the rest of the way, and will have to seriously improve the Bears 1-2 conference record to find his way to the Garden at the end of the year.