Pre-season Heisman Trophy Finalists
By Rich Lynch
The Heisman Trophy Trust Mission statement begins with the following, “The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.”
There are three college football players who have the talent, have the playing experience, and who will have displayed the perseverance in 2012 to be named finalists for the Heisman Trophy. However, as investment firms say to their clients, “Past performance is not indicative of future results.” These players are chosen based on their performance in and issues over-come in 2011. Additionally, they are chosen with the assumption that their output in 2012 will equal or exceed their output in 2011. The list will be analyzed and amended as necessary throughout the 2012 season.
1) Matt Barkley – QB, UniversityofSouthern California
2011 Statistics: 308 completions, 446 attempts;69.1% completion percent;39 TDs;7 INT;161 Passer Rt
2010 Statistics: 236 completions, 337 attempts;62.6 % completion percent;26 TDs;12 INT;141 Passer Rt
Matt Barkley is the front runner to start the season. He has two years of starting experience at USC. USC has won three of the last nine awards(2005 vacated by Reggie Bush). He has improved each year in a high profile and difficult situation(USC is under NCAA sanctions). The most important stat to back-up his candidacy is a career 2.4 : 1 touchdown to interception ratio. Last season he had a 5.6 : 1 ratio. The ratio indicates that Barkley is accurate and makes good decisions as to where to throw the football. If the team is in the top 5 of the polls and Barkley has a year comparable to 2011 then he will win the award.
2) Denard Robinson – QB, University of Michigan
2011Passing Statistics: 142 completions, 258 attempts;55% completion percent;20 TDs;15 INT;139 Passer Rt
2011 Rushing Statistics: 221 attempts, 1176 yards, 16 TDs, 5.3 yards per attempt
Robinson is another player at a high profile program. Michigan is trending upwards in a major way. Robinson has been very productive and has been effective as a runner and a passer. He split time with the back-up QB Devin Gardner in 2011, on account of new head coach Brady Hoke. Robinson has player under the spotlight of the program and pressure of the coach. The reason he is a pre-season favorite is that he is exciting to watch and produces big plays both running and passing. If he is even with Barkley near the end of the season and produces some highlight plays he could yank the Heisman away from Barkley.
3) Montee Ball – RB, University of Wisconsin
2011 Rushing Statistics: 307 attempts, 1923 yards, 33 TDs, 6.3 yards per attempt
2011 Receiving Statistics: 24 receptions, 306 yards, 6 TDs, 12.8 average
In 2011 Montee Ball was one of the most productive players in the nation. He had 39 touchdowns. Ball scored 33 touchdowns running the ball and 6 touchdowns receiving. Similar to Barkley he could have gone into the NFL draft and been a first round pick. Montee shared the rushing duties with James White who had700 yardsrushing in 2011. Ball had the potential for more production in 2011. I foresee Montee getting fewer rushes in 2012 to save him for the NFL and prime James White up for 2013. I also foresee more receptions in 2012. Based on production Ball is as important to his team as any player in the country. If he remains in good health, the Badgers are successful as a team, and Montee gets 85% of the production he had last year he will be in New York City for this years the Heisman Trophy announcement.
Others on the Cusp
1) Aaron Murray – QB, University of Georgia
2011 Statistics: 238 completions, 403 attempts;59.1% completion percent;39 TDs;14 INT;146 Passer Rt
2) Collin Klein – QB, Kansas State University
2011Passing Statistics: 161 completions, 281 attempts;57% completion percent;13 TDs;6 INT;125 Passer Rt
2011 Rushing Statistics: 317 attempts, 1141 yards, 27 TDs, 3.6 yards per attempt
3) Robert Woods – WR, University of Southern California
2011 Statistics: 111 receptions, 1292 yards, 15 TDs; 511 return yards