Just as a sort of change of pace, I was wondering what everyone's thoughts on the Heisman race this year are. There was an interesting discussion on SportsNation's Twitter today about how this might be the worst Heisman race in a decade seeing as how all of the expected front-runners have really fallen off.

ESPN's take can be found here, and they're normally pretty accurate: http://espn.go.com/college-football/heisman09/index

If it were up to me, I'd still give it to either Jahvid Best or Jacory Harris. I thought Best got a bad rap because he had one really terrible performance and his team choked, but I still think when he gets going he's the best tailback in the country. Jacory might be a stretch but I really love watching him play.

I'd love to hear your thoughts..

While those 2 seem to be very deserving. ESPN's poster child Timmy will win the award.

Who cares? The Heisman has become a joke over the years. Fewer than 10% of them amount to anything in the NFL anymore...

(11-19-2009 12:07 AM)animus Wrote:  While those 2 seem to be very deserving. ESPN's poster child Timmy will win the award.

Unfortunately I see this being the case as well. As long as its not Mr. Criminally Overrated Jimmy Clausen, I'll live.

After Notre Dame loses to UConn and Stanford, he'll fade into the obscurity he deserves...

(11-19-2009 11:15 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  Who cares? The Heisman has become a joke over the years. Fewer than 10% of them amount to anything in the NFL anymore...

Fewer than 10%? Do you want to recant that before I destroy you yet again?

Jimmy Clausen is a very good quarterback.

He may be a first round pick in the upcoming NFL draft.

He has completed almost 68% of his passes.

He has thrown for over 3,000 yards in ten games.

He has thrown 21 TD passes to only 4 interceptions.

Is he going to win the Heisman Trophy? No.

....."fade into the obscurity he deserves"------not likely.

I'm with Terry, the guy has played great. If ND could play any defense they'd be much better.

(11-19-2009 01:32 PM)3601 Wrote:  

(11-19-2009 11:15 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  Who cares? The Heisman has become a joke over the years. Fewer than 10% of them amount to anything in the NFL anymore...

Fewer than 10%? Do you want to recant that before I destroy you yet again?

I think he means recently - last 20 years or so.

I'm with Terry, too. I think Clausen's a really solid player and his decisions have been better this year, as evidenced by his much-improved TD/INT ratio. The Irish have many issues, but in my opinion, Clausen is certainly not one of them.

Here's a blind test that I'm curious to see if anyone can identify.

Quarterbacks:
A. 254 of 351 for 2,628 yds. 19/9 TD/INT, for a rating of 147.99
B. 128 of 198 for 1,730. 12/4, rating of 154.00
C. 358 of 514 for 4,194. 31/6, 155.76 rating.
D. 236 of 350 for 3,053. 21/4, 158.22
E. 203 of 300 for 2,558. 32/3, 172.49.

Try not to look them up. This doesn't take into account: rushing statistics (certain QBs on that list are dual-threats) and overall team performance (which does matter too, admittedly).

I'll post the answers in a little bit and maybe do the running backs as well since, according to ESPN, three RBs are leading the pack right now.

(11-19-2009 01:32 PM)3601 Wrote:  

(11-19-2009 11:15 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  Who cares? The Heisman has become a joke over the years. Fewer than 10% of them amount to anything in the NFL anymore...

Fewer than 10%? Do you want to recant that before I destroy you yet again?

I'm not going to recant. Just look at the last 20 years. How many of these Heisman's are going to end up in the NFL Hall of Fame? If it's more than 10% of 'em, it's by a small percentage...

Here are some Running Backs. These are all perceived contenders, maybe even front-runners, possibly with a darkhorse mixed in.

Running Backs:
A. 153 Attempts for 836 yards, 5.5 YPC, 6 TD, 0 FUMB
B. 215 for 1,148, 5.3 YPC, 17 TD, 0 FUMB
C. 262 for 1,395, 5.3 YPC, 19 TD, 0 FUMB
D. 194 for 1297, 6.7 YPC, 10 TD, 0 FUMB
E. 213 for 1,491, 7.0 YPC, 14 TD, 0 FUMB

With regards to my last post, I think personally if I had to vote for one of each position I'd go with Quarterback E and Running Back C.

If I had a vote, Dan LeFevour would get mine. He's the only one I think is worthy this year...

His last game... 25/28 for 344 yards and 4 TDs passing, 14 carries for 59 yards and 1 TD rushing. Can anybody top those stats last week?

(11-19-2009 02:44 PM)CD11 Wrote:  Here are some Running Backs. These are all perceived contenders, maybe even front-runners, possibly with a darkhorse mixed in.

Running Backs:
A. 153 Attempts for 836 yards, 5.5 YPC, 6 TD, 0 FUMB
B. 215 for 1,148, 5.3 YPC, 17 TD, 0 FUMB
C. 262 for 1,395, 5.3 YPC, 19 TD, 0 FUMB
D. 194 for 1297, 6.7 YPC, 10 TD, 0 FUMB
E. 213 for 1,491, 7.0 YPC, 14 TD, 0 FUMB

With regards to my last post, I think personally if I had to vote for one of each position I'd go with Quarterback E and Running Back C.

You missed 223 for 1,308 and 15 TD

It's really weird that we had 2 returning Heisman winners this year and neither one of them is (or at least should) be given serious consideration. As for who to vote for, I haven't a clue at this point.

The answers, if anyone was wondering, were:

QBs:
Colt McCoy
Tim Tebow
Case Keenum
Jimmy Clausen
Kellen Moore

RBs:
CJ Spiller
Quizz Rodgers
Toby Gerhardt
Mark Engram
Ryan Mathews


Considering how his team is performing right now, I know their schedule isn't great but they did whip Oregon who really rebounded - I'd have to strongly consider giving my vote, if I had one, to Kellen Moore.

That's because they really weren't worthy in the first place. They only got the previous awards because of the talent around them. When the talent level of the team drops, so does their Heisman ranking...

(11-19-2009 05:40 PM)CD11 Wrote:  The answers, if anyone was wondering, were:

QBs:
Colt McCoy
Tim Tebow
Case Keenum
Jimmy Clausen
Kellen Moore

RBs:
CJ Spiller
Quizz Rodgers
Toby Gerhardt
Mark Engram
Ryan Mathews


Considering how his team is performing right now, I know their schedule isn't great but they did whip Oregon who really rebounded - I'd have to strongly consider giving my vote, if I had one, to Kellen Moore.

Ingram

(11-19-2009 07:46 PM)Tigeer Wrote:  

(11-19-2009 05:40 PM)CD11 Wrote:  The answers, if anyone was wondering, were:

QBs:
Colt McCoy
Tim Tebow
Case Keenum
Jimmy Clausen
Kellen Moore

RBs:
CJ Spiller
Quizz Rodgers
Toby Gerhardt
Mark Engram
Ryan Mathews


Considering how his team is performing right now, I know their schedule isn't great but they did whip Oregon who really rebounded - I'd have to strongly consider giving my vote, if I had one, to Kellen Moore.

Ingram

Gerhart