Heisman Trophy Race: College Football Week 6

The Heisman Trophy race has been full of twists and turns based on the season’s unexpected wins and losses. With the loss to Stanford, USC has to beat three consecutive top 15 teams in order to be back in the national championship race. Florida lost to Auburn two weeks ago and received a second loss at LSU, dropping them out of the top 10. LSU, the best team in the nation, has the nation’s best player, but he is a defensive tackle whose statistics don’t showcase the effect he has on the game.

Because every team is losing, the number of losses will not factor into the race as much as years before. There isn’t a head honcho on an undefeated team, like Heisman winners before. This year is about the best player, and I appreciate that.

Arkansas running back Darren McFadden is having a great year, even with teammate Felix Jones averaging 10.5 yards per carry. McFadden had 25 carries for 122 yards and a touchdown in a 34-15 win against Chattanooga. The Razorbacks have to now face Auburn, the team who knocked off the reigning national champions Florida.

California wide receiver DeSean Jackson and Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon were matched up two weeks ago in Oregon. The Golden Bears were victorious and Jackson had a career-high in receptions and yardage. Both teams had byes this past week, but now with Cal as the No. 2 team in the nation, all eyes will be on Jackson. Dixon still has a great chance to showcase his skills as he looks to bounce back after the Ducks’ first loss of the season.

One player I haven’t spoken about much is Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan. He has led the Eagles to the No. 4 ranking in the country. They have the ACC’s best offense and Ryan is the best quarterback in the conference. He has taken BC to the first 6-0 start in 65 years. Last Saturday, Ryan went 24-for-32 for 312 yards and four touchdowns in a 55-24 romp over Bowling Green. Their next opponent is Notre Dame, who just won their first game in an upset against UCLA. Ryan looks to start another losing streak for the Fighting Irish.

Quarterback Colt Brennan has taken Hawaii to 6-0 start and a No. 16 ranking. Brennan leads the nation’s top scoring offense and the second-best passing offense. In last week’s game against Utah State, Brennan suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter. He already missed a game this season, the first in his career against Charleston Southern. Brennan’s talent has never been in question, but his absence from a game and his team’s weak schedule are two knocks against him in this race.

Kentucky quarterback Andre’ Woodson suffered his first loss and his second interception in a 38-23 defeat by the hands of South Carolina. Woodson was 23-for-40 for 227 yards and two touchdowns. This week, he plays No. 1 LSU, whose defense is geared specifically for shutting him down. This game can make or break his Heisman chances. If he shows out against the Tigers, he might move to the frontrunner position. If he plays decent, he will still be in the race. However, if LSU gets to him and frustrates him, he will get exposed and drop.

If the Heisman was based on being the soul of a team, Michigan’s Mike Hart would win the trophy. After the devastating start of the season, Hart took the Wolverines on their back and they are undefeated in the conference. Hart is second in the nation in yards per game and rushing touchdowns, but leads in carries and total yards. Last week, he had a season-high 215 yards on 22 carries and rushed for three touchdowns.

After a tough upset against Colorado last week, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford got his redemption Saturday against archrival Texas in the Red River Shootout. The Sooners won, 28-21 and Bradford was a star yet again. He was 21-for-32 for 244 yards and three touchdowns. He is still No. 1 in passing efficiency as a redshirt freshman. 

A few players also rise in the race based on consistent play and big wins. Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall has been overshadowed by Hart and Hill in the Big 10, but after the 31-26 win against then-No. 5 Wisconsin, he shot up in the eyes of many. He had 19 carries for 160 yards and two touchdowns in the win and proved that he might be the best running back in the conference.

Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel has been having a great season all year, but gets overshadowed in the Big 12 North due to the big programs in the Big 12 South, such as Oklahoma and Texas. After the 41-6 debacle over Nebraska, Daniel showcased his talent on a bigger stage. He was 33-for-47 for a career-high 401 yards and two touchdowns. Daniel also ran for 72 yards on 11 carries and scored two rushing touchdowns.

Inversely, due to inconsistency or team losses, many players have fallen. Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm is having a great season, but as the leader of a team with a lot of expectation, he hasn’t taking the Cardinals over the hump. They have been upset three times this season and are just .500 thus far. Brohm

After the upset loss to Illinois, running back P.J. Hill drops, even after rushing for a season-low 83 yards on 21 carries. He had one touchdown, but was generally shut down. He still has to play against Penn State, Ohio State, Indiana and Michigan. Penn State and Ohio State both have top 10 rushing defenses, so if he plays well in those games, he can still move up.

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow has been consistent with his play as a dual-threat dynamo. However, after a two-game losing streak, he drops. He completed 12-for-26 passes, his lowest completion percentage of the season, for 158 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Tebow also had 16 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown. The Gators’ chances to repeat on the shoulders of their sophomore quarterback. They still have a possibility to lose a third straight game as they take on No. 17 Kentucky. The Gators plays four top 25 teams in their last six games as well.

USC quarterback John David Booty suffered the biggest drop as his No. 2 Trojans lost to Stanford, 24-23. The Trojans, the frontrunner for the national championship and Pac-10 conference title, lost to the worst team in the conference. After throwing a career-high two interceptions against Washington, Booty followed up by throwing twice as many (4) against the Cardinal. He was 24-for-40 for 360 yards and two touchdowns.

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