Bill at ATLEagle was wondering why Matt Ryan is considered a legitimate Heisman candidate by ESPN.
My take is that, really, he is not. Unless, of course, he throws for a heaping bucket full of yards and touchdowns and the Eagles run the table. Then he would draw consideration.
The real problem is that Ryan, a senior, has not had the set-up season needed to mount a serious run at the Heisman, especially since he plays for a non-traditional-power school like BC. Last year, he threw for 2,942 yards and 15 touchdowns and had 10 picks. His efficiency rating was 126.7, just behind fellow ACC signal caller Sam Hollenbach.
Solid stuff, just not Heisman material. By comparison, Doug Flutie (BC’s only Heisman winner), entered his senior season poised to become the NCAA’s all-time passing leader. He did just that and, hence, he won the Heisman.
Could he get to New York? Maybe. He would need some of the marquee schools on the BC schedule to actually live up to their hype (i.e. Notre Dame, FSU and Miami) and then beat them. The Heisman race is so wide open this year, you never know.
But, if I was a betting man–wait, I do bet occasionally–I would not put money on Ryan being in the mix for the Heisman at year’s end.
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