Heisman!

[Big Dave2]

Here is how I rank the Heisman candidates.

1.Mark Ingram

2.Colt McCoy

3.Ndamukong Suh

4.Toby Gerhart

5.Tim Tebow

6.C.J. Spiller

7.Kellen Moore

How do you see it?

[zepman]

Who is Kellen Moore and where did he play?

[Big Dave2]

Boise State QB. Threw for 39 TDs this year I think.

[JBMasterAngler]

Here's how it should end up...

1. Ndamukong Suh

2. Toby Gerhart

3. Mark Ingram

4. Colt McCoy

5. Tim Tebow

But here's how it's going to end up...

1. Toby Gerhart

2. Tim Tebow

3. Mark Ingram

4. Colt McCoy

5. Ndamukong Suh

[Big Dave2]

Heisman watch: Mark Ingram, Sophomore RB, Alabama

Sporting News

Dec. 9, 2009 - 10:44 a.m. ET

To get a clearer picture of a jumbled Heisman race, Sporting News magazine talked to 17 former winners about this year's hopefuls -- and a handful of dark horses, too. SportingNews.com presents the thoughts about four of the finalists -- Ingram, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow and Toby Gerhart. For the complete package, pick up a copy of the current issue of Sporting News magazine.

THE CASE FOR INGRAM

Ingram's statistics -- 1,542 yards, 15 TDs rushing; 322 yards, three TDs receiving -- don't define his candidacy, but there is one that jumps off the page: one lost fumble. Even if he hasn't been quite as dazzling as the legendary running backs of the SEC, he has epitomized the no-frills toughness of one of its legendary programs. Ingram is the player No. 2 Alabama could not contend without.

3 QUESTIONS

How has Alabama never had a Heisman winner?

1971 Auburn Heisman winner Pat Sullivan says: "Obviously, there sure are guys who were good enough to be at least worthy of consideration. Some were defensive players, which makes it hard with the Heisman. I go back to when I was coming along. You know, (Joe) Namath, (Ken) Stabler, (Steve) Sloan. Johnny Mitchell was a great player. Maybe they've had too many outstanding players for one of them to stand out from his teammates."

Is it right for an offensive player on a team led by its defense to win the award?

1972 Nebraska Heisman winner Johnny Rodgers says: "I don't think I could have won the Heisman without the great defense that I had. It was because our defense kept our offense in such good field position all the time that we were able to be so effective. A great defense gives that offensive player more chances to touch the ball and do more things in better positions."

Why has only one running back -- Reggie Bush -- received the honor this decade?

1974, '75 Ohio State Heisman winner Archie Griffin says: "The

Related Links

Heisman watch: Colt McCoy

Heisman watch: Tim Tebow

Heisman watch: Toby Gerhart

Heisman candidate Ndamukong Suh wins Nagurski

.rise of the spread offense has had something to do with it. Quarterback has always been a crucial offensive position, but the spread places an even higher degree of responsibility on that guy, both from a running and throwing standpoint. The spread puts so much decision making in a quarterback's hands that there is that much more focus on what he's doing. "

WHAT IF …

… 2008 Tide rushing leader Glen Coffee had stayed for his senior season instead of entering the NFL draft?

Ingram says: "I wouldn't (be in the Heisman hunt); he would. He'd be the lead guy in our running game, and I'd do whatever the coaches wanted me to do. He was the starter last year, and he was the best in the SEC. There's no doubt I wouldn't get the same number of carries that I do now. I learned so much from him last year -- being patient with your blocks, finding holes, running hard and never giving up a yard to anyone. I don't think I would be as complete a player if I didn't get the opportunity to play with Glen last year."

[fishin58]

I would like to see Tebow win it, whether you hate him or love him. He has been one of THE best college players of all time. Has a bad game against bama and is immediately out???

[HuskerBen]

Here's how it should end up...

1. Ndamukong Suh

2. Toby Gerhart

3. Mark Ingram

4. Colt McCoy

5. Tim Tebow

But here's how it's going to end up...

1. Toby Gerhart

2. Tim Tebow

3. Mark Ingram

4. Colt McCoy

5. Ndamukong Suh

I agree with the first part. I might be a bit of a homer here, though...

I think it'll wind up

1-Ingram

2-Gerhart

3-Suh

4-McCoy

5-Tebow

Ingram's a great back, and so is Gerhart. Gerhart did more with less, Ingram did it in a tougher conference. Ingram wins due to his team's record.

McCoy had a few great games, and a few not-so-great games. His last game lost him a lot of votes. But, if it goes to Ingram, he should thank his lucky stars that he won't have the Heisman Curse in the BCS Championship Game.

Suh dominated the line of scrimmage all year long and was a big reason that the Huskers rank so high on defense - he made everyone else better. If it weren't for that defense, the Huskers would not have most of the wins they have. He won't win, though, because he's a DT. Oh, well... he'll just have to settle for millions of dollars and every defensive trophy they give out.

Tebow... well, I'm tired of hearing about him. He had a great year, but I think voters were expecting more out of him.

It was a weird year for the Heisman.

[TR21HP]

I agree with ya HuskerBen, Suh was by far the most dominating football player in the country this year but, as you said, he will have to settle for a large amount of money and probably a great pro career barring any major injuries.

[zamboni]

I would like to see Tebow win it, whether you hate him or love him. He has been one of THE best college players of all time. Has a bad game against bama and is immediately out???

His crying like a baby did him in

[Big Dave2]

I would like to see Tebow win it, whether you hate him or love him. He has been one of THE best college players of all time. Has a bad game against bama and is immediately out???

There is no denying that Tebow has been one of the best college football players over his 4 years time but.........the heisman is an award given to the best football player in that given year, not career.

If you look at the statistics of the 2 top QBs in the Heisman race, you will see that tebow isn't even the top QB. If you are going to give this award to a QB, I think you have to give it to Colt McCoy. Actually Greg Mcelroy of Alabama put up almost identical #s as Tebow this year, 2450 yds and 17 TDs, plus he WON the big match-up. In my opinion Mcelroy would be more deserving of a heisman than Tebow.

For the season Tebow had 2413 yds and 18 TDs compared to McCoys 3512 yds and 27 TDs.

As far as career goes, Tebow had 8803 yds and 85 TDs while McCoy has 13,244 yds and 112 TDs.

Why do people think that Tebow is such a dominant QB?

[fishin58]

I didnt say he was a dominant QB, just a great college player. He helped his team in many different aspects other then just the stats, the biggest thing that hurt him was his concussions.

I dont believe he will be a NFL qb either, I think he will be the second coming of Dallas Clark, except better.

[PierBridge]

Tim Tebow 4th or 5th?....LOLOLOL.

[bassNspear]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SUH!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope he wins it! Deserves it over all the other guys!

[Big Dave2]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SUH!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope he wins it! Deserves it over all the other guys!

I'm curious, why do you think Suh deserves the heisman? I dont understand the fascination with this guy.

If you look closely at his stats, he had 1 good game. 4-1/2 sacks against texas. Other than that game, it looks to me like he never had more than 1 sack in any game all season. The sacks he did have came against Arkansas State, Missouri, Iowa State, Baylor and Colorado.

He is 3rd in Sacks, not 1st and he is 5 sacks behind the leader.

He is 147th in tackles.

Not exactly dominant except in 1 game that happened to be on national TV.

[bassNspear]

have you watched any games this year?

[HuskerBen]

First, congrats to Mark Ingram. He had a great year, and is as deserving of the trophy as any of the other finalists. I didn't expect Suh to win, but not because I thought he only had the one good game.

A Defensive Tackle doesn't get 82 tackles (23 for loss) and 12 sacks by having just one good game on national TV. This guy is as good a defensive player as you will ever see at the college level.

He's been double-teamed and held all year, and still puts up crazy stats like that. His presence made the rest of the defense better. Yes, the Big 12 Championship was his best game of the year, but he's been the anchor for the defense all season. Not just one game. You don't bring home the Lombardi, the Outland, the Bednarik, and the Nagurski (and probably the Lott trophy, as well) by having one good game. You don't become a Heisman finalist as a DT by having one good game.

But, like I said before, he'll just have to settle for being a multi-millionaire first round draft pick. Too bad...

[Big Dave2]

Suh is definately an excellent player but what about Von Miller? He has about the same amount of tackles as Suh but has 5 more sacks while playing 2 less games against basically the same apponants. He also had 5 multi sack games in comparison to Suh's 1. What am I missing? Why would Suh even be considered the best Defensive player let alone the best football player?

As far as that goes, if you want to take statistics out of the equation then Terrance Cody of Alabama could make a claim of top defensive player with his run stopping ability in the top run stopping team in the nation.

[HuskerBen]

A quick comparison of some teams' front four (d-linemen) 2009 stats vs. Suh, by himself, for 2009:

Bama Season Totals:

98 tkl - 23.5 tfl - 9.5 sac - 20 qbh - 5 pbu - 0 int - 1 ff - 3 blk

Texas Season Totals:

112 tkl - 33 tfl - 14 sac - 48 qbh - 5 pbu - 0 int - 1 ff - 0 blk

Florida Season Totals:

116 tkl - 25.5 tfl - 15.5 sac - 10 qbh - 7 pbu - 0 int - 2 ff - 0 blk

Suh's Season Totals:

82 tkl - 23 tfl - 12 sac - 24 qbh - 10 pbu - 1 int - 1 ff - 3 blk

That should show something. Really, I think we could go on and on. You're a Bama fan, I'm a Husker fan... we're both going to be at least a bit biased here. This was a very interesting Heisman race, and I don't think anyone can cry foul over the results. Any one of those guys could have won it, as they all deserved it in one way or another. There is no way to compare these guys, apples to apples.

For what it's worth, I hope Bama steamrolls Texas. As a fan of a Big 12 team, I'm "supposed" to root for the Big 12 in non-conference games, and I generally do- except for Texas. Roll Tide.

[Big Dave2]

A quick comparison of some teams' front four (d-linemen) 2009 stats vs. Suh, by himself, for 2009:

Bama Season Totals:

98 tkl - 23.5 tfl - 9.5 sac - 20 qbh - 5 pbu - 0 int - 1 ff - 3 blk

Texas Season Totals:

112 tkl - 33 tfl - 14 sac - 48 qbh - 5 pbu - 0 int - 1 ff - 0 blk

Florida Season Totals:

116 tkl - 25.5 tfl - 15.5 sac - 10 qbh - 7 pbu - 0 int - 2 ff - 0 blk

Suh's Season Totals:

82 tkl - 23 tfl - 12 sac - 24 qbh - 10 pbu - 1 int - 1 ff - 3 blk

That should show something. Really, I think we could go on and on. You're a Bama fan, I'm a Husker fan... we're both going to be at least a bit biased here. This was a very interesting Heisman race, and I don't think anyone can cry foul over the results. Any one of those guys could have won it, as they all deserved it in one way or another. There is no way to compare these guys, apples to apples.

For what it's worth, I hope Bama steamrolls Texas. As a fan of a Big 12 team, I'm "supposed" to root for the Big 12 in non-conference games, and I generally do- except for Texas. Roll Tide.

Not to keep being a pain in the rear to you but I don't think those totals can be right because I am pretty sure that Rolando McClain, linebackers for the Tide has 101 total tackles and 4 sacks by himself. Theres no way that a team that has played 13 games can only have 98 tackles. Thats only 7.5 tackles per game.

[Big Dave2]

Just to clarify, Bama's season defensive team stats:

Tackles - 742

TFL - 86

Sacks - 31

INTs - 19

FFs - 7

BLK - 4

[jeffreyd]

well the bigger question is going to be if Tebowwwo can play with the big boys? I think he is going to go fast in the draft never to be heard of again. The first teardrop in the locker room wont go over very well with a pro team. Anyone that beats him in any contest is a winner in my eye.

[bassNspear]

thanks for the clarifying Ben!

[sdstatekid]

HuskerBen was talking only d-lineman, not bama's whole defense.

[Big Dave2]

HuskerBen was talking only d-lineman, not bama's whole defense.

OK, that makes more sense but it still doesn't explain why Suh and not Von Miller?

[Nick Kuhn]

Originally Posted By: sdstatekid

HuskerBen was talking only d-lineman, not bama's whole defense.

OK, that makes more sense but it still doesn't explain why Suh and not Von Miller?

Because Von Miller is a LB, and LBs are supposed to make plays. DTs primary job is just to eat up blocks and get penetration so the LBs can make the plays, the DTs generally aren't expected to make the plays themselves. Watching the Vikes really won't help you understand that as the Williams do make a lot of plays themselves, but I can tell you that is not the norm (though watching 94 in purple makes plays is about as enjoyable as watching your team play defense can get).