There was a Heisman earthquake this past weekend, as Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow and Matt Stafford were dealt potentially fatal blows to their candidacies (though I never thought Tebow could win anyway). However, there’s still a chance for a Heisman ‘re-set’, which I will get into later.
In the meantime, the following is a list of the players who have the best shot at actually winning the Heisman Trophy. Some players not on this list will still get votes, but don’t have a shot at winning.
1. Chase Daniel, Missouri– Daniel had off this past week, so he’ll maintain his status as the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman.
Last week: Bye Season: 101 of 133, 1,412 yards, 12 TDs, 1 int, 193.4 rating
2. Colt McCoy, Texas– It looks like McCoy could be on his way to a dream season. He’s on pace for incredible numbers and he could easily win this thing if he comes out on top against OU and Missou. Mid-October is shaping up to be Heisman extravaganza.
Last week: 17 of 19, 185 yards, 3 TDs, 84 rushing yards, 2 TDs. Season: 80 of 100, 1,018 yards, 14 TDs, 1 int., 209.7 rating, 278 rushing yards, 4 TDs.
3. Javon Ringer, Michigan State– Ringer topped the 40 carry mark yet again, getting 198 yards on 44 tries against Indiana. In this era of the shortened game, Ringer is a reliable weapon that can eat up a ton of clock. He’s now the only running back who can win the Heisman.
Last week: 44 carries, 198 yards, 1 TD Season: 187 rushes, 897 yards, 4.8 ypc, 12 TDs
4. Max Hall, BYU– Hall was off last week and, like his team, will hang around this list as an alternative to the BCS players.
Last week: Off Season: 107 of 144, 1,284 yards, 15 TDs, 2 Ints., 180.8 rating.
Ringer reminds me a little bit of Adrian Peterson. Not necessarily in running style or ability, but just the fact that they both get so much better as the game goes along. It seems like everyone gets tired but him. I didn’t watch a lot of the game on Sat, but I remember near the end one of the announcers made a comment about him not busting out a long one and, naturally, on cue, he exploded through the line and down the sideline for a long gain to basically seal the game for the Spartans.
Pretty strong statement about Ringer being the only back that can win the Heisman only 4 gammes into the season. I don’t think there are any other backs I can name with a legit chance. Has that EVER happened before?
Your insistence that Sam Bradford can’t win the Heisman is borderline insulting. If Oklahoma does in fact finish undefeated (not saying it will happen, but it could) with a victory over Mizzou and Chase Daniel, how can you legitimately claim he doesn’t have a chance?
Your insistence that Bradford can win the Heisman flies in the face of Heisman history, as only Tim Tebow has won it as a sophomore.
A victory by OU over Missouri would come in the Big 12 title game, by which time many of the votes will already be cast.
It’s not that there is anything wrong with Bradford, it’s just that Daniel is more well-known quantity to Heisman voters.
How can you possibly say that Donald Brown has no shot at the heisman? That just removes any credibility you might have had. Sure, UCONN is not the highest profile team but Brown has more yards on significantly fewer carries, one less touchdown, and has been the ENTIRE offense. I got a chance to watch him against Louisville when it was on ESPN and they couldn’t stop him. They were stacking eight and nine in the box on every play, knew it was coming, and he still racked up 190 yards and a touchdown.
UCONN is now ranked, and they have a number of nationally broadcast games against good opponents including UNC, WV, and South Florida. If he has big games then, he will be in serious contention for the heisman. It’s just comical that you’re so set in this hierarchal state of mind that somehow a UCONN player can’t win it, while a Michigan State (who isn’t ranked) somehow can. Open your eyes.
Sorry, Will, I look at the Heisman race as it IS, not how it SHOULD be. The fact is that someone from Michigan State with the name recognition of Ringer will always have a better shot than a guy from Connecticut. It sucks, but that’s the way it is.
Your comment was that Ringer is the only running back with a shot. That is just blatantly not true. There is so much time left in the season and considering that UCONN is moving up in the polls, he may very well start to get some more national attention.
I do not deny that Brown could get some Heisman votes. If he gets 2,000 plus yards, he could sneak into the top five if things fall right.
But my Heisman Watch very clearly states that it is a list of players who can actually WIN.
The only way Brown wins is if he beats Barry Sanders’ single-season record. Unless you are prepared to say he will do just that, I can say with 100% assuredness that he will NOT.
Late response, but you are absolutely right that the quarterback of the number one team in the nation, who plays for a traditional power and has name recognition after one of the best statistical seasons ever as a freshman, has absolutely zero chance to win the Heisman.
I won’t say that Bradford has zero chance to win it. But I will say that he is a long long shot.
Yes, he is the quarterback on the No. 1 team. So why isn’t he leading the race now? It’s because Chase Daniel has better name recognition.
Call it karma, or blame the college football gods, but it appears that underclassmen have to do ridiculous feats to win and it only happened last year with Tebow. We’ll see.
Evan Royster anyone? Best average in football. Ringer is gonna die as the season gets older.
Agreed, that If Ringer continues his Roll he should have a real chance at hauling In the Heisman Trophy. They don’t even push Him as a canidate but he’s the real thing. He also has the quality Character to match, unselfish and respectful of his team mates and coach. Somebody you like have your son look up to!!
I dont want to sound like some upset sooners fan(i bleed maize and blue) but i completly disagree with Bradford not being on top of that list, much less even on it! Bradford has put up crazy numbers against every team he has played, including a very good defensive TCU team. The only arguement people make for Bradford not being relavant is that he is not “well-known”. I say look back at some of our previous winners: Carson Palmer, he wasnt nearly as nationally-known at this point in the 2002 season, the same goes for Chris Weinke and Eric Crouch in 2000 and 2001. Besides anyone who doesnt know of Sam Bradford, shouldnt be voting for the Heisman anyways….HES THE QUARTERBACK OF THE #1 TEAM IN THE NATION!