Due to some issues we haven’t been able to update some of the main stories on this site for a while but our picks have held us through. Now we’ll start getting deeper in to the bowels of the gambling scene as well as put together our Heisman Hopefuls and some Rankings as the the NFL and CFB seasons wind down.First we’ll take a look at the front-runners for the Heisman Trophy based on their performances thus far during the 2011 season.
Here’s how they rank going into arguably the most important weekend of the season in my eyes.
1. Robert Griffin III, Baylor JR. Quarterback
2011 Stats: 3,572 Yds 72.9 Com% 10.63 YPA 33 TDs 5 INTs 191.7 QB Rating
Defining Moment: Not only did RG3 open the season against a TCU program that waltz into the game thinking they were going to send an early message but he hung with them score for score to post a 50-48 victory. But that wasn’t his defining moment! With Oklahoma needing a win to cement themselves into the minds of voters as a possible 0BCS-Championship worthy team, Griffin led his offense on a late drive to put the final dagger in Landry Jones’ heart, a QB who before the season started would have been haed and shoulders above Griffin III in any Heisman poll.
NFL Outlook: Griffin III has world-class speed, a rocket arm, throws one o fthe prettier deep balls in the country -which he doesn’t get enough credit for- and unlike a lot of other QBs with the ability to scamper, he stays in the pocket and goes through his progressions better than most players at his age. He’s rising up NFL Draft Boards every week and that won’t stop when the interview process begins at the Combine.
Bottom Line: Robert Griffin III is a pioneer for the Baylor program and even though they won’t be in contention for a National Championship you can’t put any of the blame on him. Fumbles have killed his team at times but his resilience has led them to their revitalization.
2. Andrew Luck, Stanford JR. Quarterback2011 Stats: 2,937 Yds 70.3 Com% 8.56YPA 31TDs 8INTs 167.4 QB Rating
Defining Moment: Playing against an underrated Southern California program who basically had all they chips in to ruining opposing members of the conference’s season due to bogus NCAA sanctions, Luck led his undremanned Stanford team to a thrilling 56-48 (3OT) victory that kept them in the hunt for a National Championship berth. As amazing as that display was the moment that really stuck in my mind and any NFL Scout who saw it was the following week at Oregon when a ball went through his Stanford WR’s hands that would have put them in scoring position in a two-TD game. As the WR went to the sidelines knowing full well that he had let his entire team down, Luck was there to greet him with a slap on the helmet and yelling words of encouragement. The Stanford team seems proud to go to war with this young man week in and week out, something you’d be hard-pressed to say about other high profile QBs.
NFL Outlook: Are you kidding me? Luck might be the first player in over a decade to have the #1 spot in the NFL Draft damn near cemented for over two years. Regardless of what idiots like Phil Simms and other nitpickers have to saythis kid has every tool in the box to be a for Dalton have done thus far in their rookie season and remember how far behind they thought each of them were behind Luck in everything from fundamentals to maturity to football IQ. He’s a lock if there ever one was, and the best thing about it is that he doesn’t carry himself like one and allows his teammates to feel at ease around him.
Bottom Line: If the Heisman Trophy was presented for the Best NFL Prospect we could have handed Luck the Trophy two years ago and nobody would have had any beefs. He’ll be right in the mix, deservingly so, and it would be a travesty if he finishes lower than second in the voting.
3. Trent Richardson, Alabama JR. Running Back2011 Stats: 1,380 Rushing Yards 5.8 YPC 20TDS 26 Rec 322 Yds 12.4ave 2TDs
Defining Moment: Richardson doesn’t have the sexiest of running styles unless you’re a demolition man who enjoys seeing a pounding put on defensive front sevens, but the lone loss on the Crimson Tide’s schedule could arguably be his best argument for being the most deserving player in the college game for this award. He compiled over 160 yards of total offense against an LSU defense that was locked in and gameplanned to stop him specifically. Not only did he compile those numbers but he did so gaining tough yards when necessary and proving he could be a force, regardless of how much of a “Defensive Battle” you think you’re anticipating.
NFL Outlook: Splitting carries with Mark Ingram during his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa will serve him well going into his rookie season. Regardless of the punishment he inflicts upon his opponents he ALWAYS gets the best of it and turns out no worse for the wear. Although the NFL is no longer primarily a one-RB league, Richardson is the one man that has come out of college football in the last decade that will give coaches something to think about. A guaranteed top-5 selection come April.
Bottom Line: Richardson still has the Iron Bowl to beat the hell out of rival Auburn in order to state his case, and while he would have obviously been much better had the Crimson Tide beat LSU in that showdown he still has as good a shot as anybody on this list to make a statement, not to mention the emotional setting to make it that much more important.
4. Matt Barkley, USC JR. Quarterback2011 Stats: 3,105Yards 7.7YPA 33 TDs 7INTs 67.6 Com% 155.6 QB Rating
Defining Moment: Barkley marched into Autzen Stadiu, to play an Oregon team that had every reason to believe they could have been in the driver’s seat with a win over the Trojans that night on prime time. Instead, Barkley rallied his troops and put together a series of drives in both halves that may have rivaled any game played by any quarterback in college football this season. He showed more savvy in that game than Mark Sanchez did in his one year under center for Southern Cal, in turn giving people throughout the country reason to believe the Trojans will be a National Title Contender if -and that’s a big “if”- he returns for his season season.
NFL Outlook: Barkley has climbed into the top-10 of every major Draft guru’s Big Board and would have every reason to leave after this season. But he did come to USC in order to win a title and we all know the stories of that being his life-long dream, it woulnd’t be too far-fetched for him to return, cut down on his mistakes and be the front-runner for the Heisman the way Luck was most of the year.
Bottom Line: The voters are going to wrongfully hold USC’s sanctions against Barkley and talk about the fact that the Trojans won’t even play in a Bowl Game this season. But since the Heisman Voting is done before the Bowl Season, there’s really no reason to base their votes on anything besides on-the-field performance, where Barkley stacks up with anybody in the nation.
Darkhorse
Tyrann Mathieu, LSU SO. Safety / Hell-Raiser / Kick Returner / Punt Returner / Honey BadgerWhy He’ll Receive Votes: First of all he’s the most important player on the #1 team in the country. Mathieu has made more outstanding special teams players throughout the season than anyone this side of Devin Hester. The kid had a nose of the football and being in the right spot that you simply cannot explain it. His kickoff and punt returns are always demoralizing, not to mention the fumbles he forces -andmostly recovers- come at some of the most inopportune times for opposing teams. He burst onto the scene against Oregon in Week 1 and did nothing but earn his “Honey Badger” nickname from that point on. He’s going to make some NFL team a very happy coach. The one thing that killed him from being on the list above was a mid-season suspension for failing a drug test for synthetic marijuana. Those of you who haven’t been there, cast the first stone. If I see one stone cast, hell’s gonna break loose!!!
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