SEC Heisman Watch

[AUChizad]

Uh oh...

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/51613/sec-heisman-watch-week-10

SEC Heisman watch: Week 10
November, 1, 2011

By Chris Low
Our weekly look at the Heisman Trophy candidates in the SEC:

1. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama: If Richardson is going to make his run, he has a huge stage awaiting him on Saturday in the No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown against LSU. It's a game everybody will be watching, and Richardson could move to the top of the list by rushing for 150-plus yards and leading Alabama to a win. He leads the SEC with an average of 123.6 yards per game and has scored an SEC-leading 17 touchdowns. The reality is that he's the SEC's only serious candidate at this point and a strong one.

2. Michael Dyer, RB, Auburn: Dyer would be a real long shot from a national perspective, but he's knocking on the door of his second straight 1,000-yard season and is coming off another big game for the Tigers in their win last week over Ole Miss. They've leaned on him as hard as any team in the league has leaned on one player this season, and he's continually delivered. Dyer has now carried the ball 186 times, which leads the SEC.

3. Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas: Wright joins the conversation this week and really should have been a part of it all season. He leads the SEC in catches (44), receiving yards (709) and is tied for the lead in receiving touchdowns (7). In every game, he's been a factor for the Hogs and has become a better overall receiver, especially with his ability to make things happen after the catch.

4. Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia: OK, defensive players don't win the Heisman Trophy, but there's not a hotter defensive player in the SEC right now than Jones. He had four sacks and forced a key fumble last week in the win over Florida and leads the league with eight sacks and 14 tackles for loss. This is a league full of great defensive players, and Jones is right there at the top.

Nipping at TR's heals. I thought he shouldn't even be considered in the same breath as TR, or for that matter 5 or 6 other SEC RBs?

[Snaggletiger]

The Heisman is Rent's to win or lose this weekend.  Cam was somewhat on the radar last year going in to the LSU game last year and showed the world he had that "DAMN" factor.  That put him at the forefront and he never looked back.  Rent is already considered one of the top 2-3 and a big game in the "Game of the Century" will set him up to win it.  Let is be a 14-10 game where he gets 74 yards, it's Luck's to lose.

[RWS]

The Heisman is Rent's to win or lose this weekend. 

Disagree. I think Luck wins it no matter what.

[GH2001]

Disagree. I think Luck wins it no matter what.

And probably should.

That really hurt to say it.

I dont think he's the best individual player BUT he has the most criteria for the award.

Best performing player with no regards to the Heisman criteria these days has to be either RGIII or Tyran Mattheui. You could even throw Blackmon in there.

[RWS]

And probably should.

That really hurt to say it.

I dont think he's the best individual player BUT he has the most criteria for the award.

Best performing player with no regards to the Heisman criteria these days has to be either RGIII or Tyran Mattheui. You could even throw Blackmon in there.

TR just doesn't have that shiny glitzy "oooooohhhhh" factor, imo. He's just a run you over north and south kind of guy. Nothing fancy, but most certainly gets the job done. I think Alabama has faced better competition than Stanford has, but it's all relative really. All they can do is play what is on their schedule. Luck shines by himself and doesn't really have anything else on the team. Richardson has a few backs behind him that shine as well, and he shares alot of carries with those guys too. I don't think there is anything Richardson could have done in previous games that would really change any of this. 

[GH2001]

TR just doesn't have that shiny glitzy "oooooohhhhh" factor, imo. He's just a run you over north and south kind of guy. Nothing fancy, but most certainly gets the job done. I think Alabama has faced better competition than Stanford has, but it's all relative really. All they can do is play what is on their schedule. Luck shines by himself and doesn't really have anything else on the team. Richardson has a few backs behind him that shine as well, and he shares alot of carries with those guys too. I don't think there is anything Richardson could have done in previous games that would really change any of this.

The thing about Luck that is underrated is his speed and ability to run. It gets overlooked. I am hoping the Cowboys will tank the rest of the season and trade up a few spots to grab him.

[CCTAU]

TR just doesn't have that shiny glitzy "oooooohhhhh" factor, imo. He's just a run you over north and south kind of guy. Nothing fancy, but most certainly gets the job done. I think Alabama has faced better competition than Stanford has, but it's all relative really. All they can do is play what is on their schedule. Luck shines by himself and doesn't really have anything else on the team. Richardson has a few backs behind him that shine as well, and he shares alot of carries with those guys too. I don't think there is anything Richardson could have done in previous games that would really change any of this.

True. And the voters have already given bammer their token trophy.

[Snaggletiger]

TR just doesn't have that shiny glitzy "oooooohhhhh" factor, imo. He's just a run you over north and south kind of guy. Nothing fancy, but most certainly gets the job done. I think Alabama has faced better competition than Stanford has, but it's all relative really. All they can do is play what is on their schedule. Luck shines by himself and doesn't really have anything else on the team. Richardson has a few backs behind him that shine as well, and he shares alot of carries with those guys too. I don't think there is anything Richardson could have done in previous games that would really change any of this.

As crazy as it sounds...and should have no bearing on it....but name one throw Luck has made that made you go WOW.  Now can you ole miss name a play ole miss that Trent Richardson ole miss made that was ole miss replayed and talked about ole miss 40,000 times.  Here's a hint.  Ole Miss.

Cam had the Super Man against USCe but the one run against LSU made the country...and the voters...go DAMN!!!!

[Saniflush]

The sad part about the Ewok winning it was that it is supposed to go to the best player in the country.  He wasn't even the best player at his position.

[AUChizad]

The sad part about the Ewok winning it was that it is supposed to go to the best player in the country.  He wasn't even the best player at his position.

I agree, it really tarnished the Heisman.

Most people think there's something in the Heisman stipulations that says it's an MVP award for a player in the National Championship game.

It should be the best player, period. Regardless of team. Regardless of position.

And in most, if not all years, that should be someone that is amazing. Someone that even haters have to go "Damn, I hate to say it, but that guy is phenomenal". Cam fit that bill to a T. Ingram did not. Tebow did as well. Sam Bradford's could have gone to Tebow again or Colt McCoy, but it wasn't a horrible choice. Ingram's really should have gone to Ndamukong Suh. But if you're sticking with the convention of giving it to a skill player, Gerhart or McCoy was infinitely more deserving.

[Snaggletiger]

TEAM ATT YDS YDS/A LONG TD
1 David Wilson, RB VT 187 1185 6.3 57 7
2 Ronnie Hillman, RB SDSU 170 1057 6.2 99 12
3 Henry Josey, RB MIZZ 119 1017 8.5 68 7
4 Chris Polk, RB WASH 183 1016 5.6 61 9
5 Bobby Rainey, RB WKU 233 1014 4.4 56 9
6 Silas Redd, RB PSU 195 1006 5.2 42 7
7 Trent Richardson, RB ALA 149 989 6.6 76 17
  Michael Dyer, RB AUB 186 989 5.3 55 9

There are 6 guys ahead of Richardson as far as yardage goes.  Not a huge discrepency in yards but the funny thing is that the only name I recognize is Bobby Rainey of WKU. (RIP Bobby, they play LSU next weekend)  The 17 TD's is sick at this stage of the season for a running back.  I still say if he blows up in the (cue music) GAME....OF THE CENTURY....he's the clear front runner.     

[The Six]

Will 'Rent thanks his baby mommas? Will he cry like the Ewok? Will he mushmouth? What will he say? Will Saban smile or allow his family to smile? Will Tom hook him up with a nice suit?

Burning questions...like heartburn.

[CCTAU]

Rent an have a bad game against LSU and still win it. The Ewok only had like 36 yards rushing against us and they still gave it too him. As long as bammer wins, he is still in it. It is part of the saban bobo honking that is going on.

[Vandy Vol]

Nipping at TR's heals.

I think you mean heels...

Aside from that, how does this:

The reality is that (Richardson)'s the SEC's only serious candidate at this point and a strong one.

Translate into Dyer nipping at Richardson's heels?  Sounds to me like the article is implying that Dyer is a distant second in the SEC, and not really even considered on the national level.

[JR4AU]

TR is as deserving as the Ewok was.  IOW, not.  He may get it if bammer runs the table.  Nobody correctly applies the "best player in college football" standard anymore.  They talk about most valuable to his team, body of work, team's record, pro potential, etc., etc.  And some great players are not even considered because of.  TR is a good RB, but hardly the best college football player in the country.   

[AUTiger1]

The sad part about the Ewok winning it was that it is supposed to go to the best player in the country.  He wasn't even the best player at his position.

Nor the best player on his team.  Take away Ingram and they still win it all.  Take away Rolando McClain, especially after losing Hightower early in the season, they don't win it all.   Fuck all you motherfucking bammers that think Mark Ingram deserved the Hiesman.  If anyone from that team, it should have been McClain.

[Snaggletiger]

TR is as deserving as the Ewok was.  IOW, not.  He may get it if bammer runs the table.  Nobody correctly applies the "best player in college football" standard anymore.  They talk about most valuable to his team, body of work, team's record, pro potential, etc., etc.  And some great players are not even considered because of.  TR is a good RB, but hardly the best college football player in the country.

Blasphemer.  Consider yourself reported to lordsaybinzprocesswatch.com

[AU_Tiger_2000]

I agree, it really tarnished the Heisman.

Most people think there's something in the Heisman stipulations that says it's an MVP award for a player in the National Championship game.

It should be the best player, period. Regardless of team. Regardless of position.

And in most, if not all years, that should be someone that is amazing. Someone that even haters have to go "Damn, I hate to say it, but that guy is phenomenal". Cam fit that bill to a T. Ingram did not. Tebow did as well. Sam Bradford's could have gone to Tebow again or Colt McCoy, but it wasn't a horrible choice. Ingram's really should have gone to Ndamukong Suh. But if you're sticking with the convention of giving it to a skill player, Gerhart or McCoy was infinitely more deserving.

To be fair Gino Torretta tarnished the award long before Ingram came along.  For the same reason too.  Best offensive skill position player on the best team that was on TV a lot in a year when nobody else stood out.

The runner up?  Marshall Faulk, but he was at San Diego State so he wasn't going to win.

Other dubious winners for the same reason shown above, Eric Crouch (Rex Grossman runner up), Troy Smith (Darren McFadden)

[JR4AU]

When you screw Peyton Manning just to give it to the first defensive guy ever, the award is badly tarnished.  Then again, they got it right last year, despite a political push to fuck Cam. 

Looking at recent winners, it seems they get it wrong more than right. 

[Snaggletiger]

When you screw Peyton Manning just to give it to the first defensive guy ever, the award is badly tarnished.  Then again, they got it right last year, despite a political push to fuck Cam. 

Looking at recent winners, it seems they get it wrong more than right.

They do indeed.  One thing you have to take into account is that not only do the schools themselves pump money into advertizing campaigns to hype their guy, ESPN, the prediction mags and everybody else have their preseason Heisman favorites and they basically follow them through to the exclusion of most everyone else.  Not to be hypocritical but the opposite happened with Cam last year. He was on nobody's watch list but the difference was, he kicked the door down.

I do think they get it wrong more than right, and I hear those arguments about it not being the best player but the best player on the best team.  However, I think you have to take some of that into account.  Who is better statistically, Andrew Luck or Case Keenum who owns every NCAA passing record, plus a 9 TD game this past weekend?  Oh come on, look who Keenum plays for and who they play against.  I get it but doesn't that defeat the argument of the "best" player?  You can't toss him to the side because you don't think much of his team or conference.  He's easily the most potent offensive player in NCAA history. 

But, that being said, I think it needs to go to someone who not only puts up great numbers, but helps his team be one of the best in the nation.  Elitist?  Maybe.  But Boise's Gopher-Grill QB ain't takin' home the statue because playing New Mexico State every week just doesn't cut it.