Matt Barkley Escapes Heisman Hype, Loss Could Benefit Award Pursuit

September 15, 2012; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive end Josh Mauro (90, left) tackles Southern California Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley (7) during the third quarter at Stanford Stadium. The Cardinal defeated the Trojans 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

No shortage of columnists and bloggers penned the eulogy to Matt Barkley’s Heisman Trophy candidacy after Saturday’s loss at Stanford. But the truth is that Saturday’s loss could prove to be the best thing that could have happened to Barkley’s pursuit of college football’s top individual honor, because something more overwhelming than the Cardinal front seven was plaguing the USC quarterback’s Heisman odds: hype.

Suggesting Barkley was not going to storm to the Heisman prior to his two interception, sub-50 percent completion performance at Stanford might seem outlandish. Pundits nationwide had all but gift wrapped the award for Barkley. But consider what a rarity it is for a player going wire-to-wire as Heisman favorite then raising the bronze statue. It’s not for lack of quality candidates, either.

Just last season, Andrew Luck was the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman. Luck did nothing to dispel the months of hype writers, talkers, and coaches bestowed on him. Quite the opposite: he reaffirmed the praise. But almost a year of such hype inundating the football-following nation created a malaise. It wasn’t enough for Luck to be as good as advertised, even if he was advertised to be the best. He had to change the game, and do so at just the right moment.

Robert Griffin III captured America’s attention at the most opportune time. In September, while everyone was busy engraving Luck’s name on the Heisman, Griffin’s impressive statistics were treated as little more than a novelty for TV anchors to introduce Baylor highlight packages. The same was true for Cam Newton, who in September 2010 was the sport’s future, not its present.

Captivating the football watching audience at the right time is a critical component for Heisman candidates, which both Griffin and Newton did. Luck’s teammate Toby Gerhart nearly rode the wave of momentum his late finish built to the 2009 award. Sam Bradford powered into the Downtown Athletic Club off Oklahoma’s nationally aired defeat of Texas Tech, while reigning winner Tim Tebow just continued to perform at the same elite level without the same transcendent moment.
Dec 10, 2011; New York, NY, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Robert Griffin III speaks after being presented with the 2011 Heisman Trophy at the Best Buy Theatre in downtown New York City. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Kline/Heisman Trophy Trust/Handout Photo via US PRESSWIRE

The American consumer is fickle, and it matters not what product he or she is buying. People jump onto The It of the moment, whether in television, music, food or sports. One minute “Call Me Maybe” is the hot radio song, the next its forgotten so everyone can do it “Gangnam Style.” That’s just the culture we live in.

To wit, Thursday marks the first episode of the final season of “The Office.” I had no idea the show was wrapping up — or that it was still on, frankly. “The Office” was appointment viewing for me circa 2007, but around the time of the wedding episode, I’d lost interest. Jim and Pam were together; there was no underlying conflict in need of resolution.

It parallels a Heisman frontrunner’s peril. There’s no fun in a procession without conflict. Our culture loves to cheer on the overcoming of adversity, as well as loving the next big thing.

The Stanford loss gives Barkley a reset. It won’t be easy — erasing narratives rarely is, and the current is that Barkley is Heisman persona non grata. But a detour on the procession brings the adversity wire-to-wire favorites typically lack.