| 10 October 2011
Each week I fill out a mock Heisman ballot for the website College Football Zealots. These are my selections this week, with commentary on each one:
photo left: Luck has all the tangibles and intangibles you could ever want in a college football player. He's a leader and a winner, smart, tough, and fundamentally sound. Unless and until the Cardinal lose 2-3 games, he's the solid choice for the sport's most prestigious individual award (everyjoe.com photo).
Andrew Luck hasn't done anything to lose his position as the frontrunner and favorite. His team remains undefeated, and he has 14 touchdowns against two interceptions while completing 73% of his passes. Add to this his great college football back story, passing up NFL riches to return and complete his degree, and he's just about a perfect representation of the sport, on and off the field: character, talent, balance, toughness, production and results. No one-year wonder can match his Heisman resume, and the accomplishments of Kellen Moore have to be discounted. Take the three worst opponents on the Stanford schedule, and Moore's Broncos play nine just like them. Luck would shred Tulane, Toledo, Nevada, Idaho and Wyoming. The Heisman statue is not holding a cupcake.
Despite his injury LaMichael James has played his way into serious consideration for the Stiff Arm Trophy after three straight 200-yard games. He's so tough he reset his own dislocated elbow on the field, so explosive that he continues to lead the nation in three categories, punt return average, rushing and all-purpose yards. According to the website collegefootballstats.com, James has 12 touches (running, receiving, returns) of 30 yards or more, and five of 50 yards or more. Only leading backs like Lattimore and Richardson just simply can't match the wow factor of LaMichael James at his dynamic best, and the courage and character he showed in encouraging his teammates and facing the media after a devastating setback are another part of his appeal as a Heisman candidate.
If he misses games, James might be passed by active players, but until he misses them, and voters have the opportunity to see how he comes back, he shouldn't be penalized. Based on the first six weeks of the season, LMJ has earned a spot on the short list.
It's time Heisman voters expanded their awareness beyond the offensive backfield. In third place on my hypothetical ballot is do-everythjng defensive back Tyrann Mattheiu. Bruce Feldman of cbs.com noted, "Mathieu leads LSU in tackles (41), is second in TFLs (5.0), leads in forced fumbles (4), leads in fumbles recovered (three), is second in passes defensed (six) and is tied for the lead in INTs (two)." LSU's Honey Badger is the definition of an impact player on a team that thrives on stifling defense and opportunistic special teams play, and he too is light years ahead of the one-year wonders that dot most Heisman watch lists.
