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October 30, 2007
Heisman Watch 2007-8, Week 9
Do you celebrate a full game or just 3 minutes? That is what a lot of voters will be debating this week as they shuffle their ballot around again. They will be looking at Dennis Dixon's performance leading Oregon over USC this past weekend and Matt Ryan's final three minutes against Virginia Tech. In the process, they will be trying to ignore the pitiful 57 minutes that Ryan had before he became a hero.
As I mentioned in my "AP" Ballot for the week, I lean towards crediting a performance over an entire game versus just a few minutes of brilliance. That doesn't mean that I didn't move Ryan up my list. I have him at #2 now.
But it does mean that I have Dennis Dixon at #1. Yes, I am shredding any attempt to say I have East Coast bias and I am putting the man who has honestly been every bit impressive since I first saw him against Michigan. Keep in mind that Dixon was still very good in the game that his team lost against Cal. The Ducks just fumbled away the game at the end. They should have tied and went to overtime. Dixon would have won that game if his team had had another chance. Sure, Dixon had a couple of picks in that game late, but I would rather have the ball in his hands than anyone else in the nation right now.
Say goodbye to Mike Hart, who sat out for the second straight week. I think the Wolverines might have been resting him for their game against Michigan State coming up, always a tough test, but it may have killed any hope he had as the best runner in the nation for the award.
Because I only list 5 players, say hello to Pat White, who himself has recovered from injury to lead the West Virginia Mountaineers into talk again for the title race. He may not put up the eye catching numbers, but it is clear his presence more than any other is needed on the field for West Virginia. It was his injury during the South Florida game which may have been the difference there, and it is his return and leadership which is winning games now.
Here is how I handicap the race coming out of Week 9.
- Dennis Dixon (QB Oregon) - 68.8%, 1885 yds, 16 TD, 3 INT, 492 yds rush, 8 TD - The Michigan win seemed huge at the time. The Cal loss seemed devastating. The USC win is for sure a massive victory for Oregon and for Dennis Dixon. The poor man's Tim Tebow should now be the front runner. Having his game against Arizona State on national television this weekend at an hour when people are actually awake should only help him.
- Matt Ryan (QB Boston College) - 61.0%, 2433 yds, 19 TD, 8 INT - If Doug Flutie had the most important 11 seconds in Boston College football history, Matt Ryan may have had the most important three minutes. Ryan's performance before that was forgettable but he sure made up for it. Winning helps too. A win against Florida State, which is not the same Florida State as years past, but rather just a big name now, might help him more. He just better have a 60 minute game rather than a 3 minute one.
- Tim Tebow (QB Florida) - 65.8%, 1947 yds, 18 TD, 3 INT, 563 yds rush, 12 TD - His legs failed him this weekend, probably because of a bum non-throwing shoulder. Part of that was the game plan that Urban Meyer had in place which concentrated on having actual running backs handle the ball. Part of that was the Georgia defense which kept Tebow stuck in the pocket with no exit routes. Tebow still looked pretty good during the game, even with his hobbled game. That is why he is still #3.
- Pat White (QB West Virginia) - 70.0%, 1070 yds, 9 TD, 2 INT, 656 yds rush, 9 TD - In his unconventional offense, Pat White does a lot with his legs. Those legs have him at #63 on the national rushing yards standings, and if he didn't hand off the ball more, you can only imagine where he would be. I ruled him out earlier, but I am putting him back in the race in this crazy season.
- Andre Woodson (QB Kentucky) - 63.8%, 2431 yds, 28 TD, 7 INT - Mississippi State? Woodson is just lucky that the list of real candidates (not the Jake Longs and Glenn Dorseys of the world) is not very long. Maybe a week off will do him some good before he takes on Vandy.
People with still a chance to make this list: Michael Hart (Injuries are a harsh thing in the Heisman race, especially when your backups do just as well), Colt Brennan (Almost looked like himself again with the bye week gone. Now he needs to do something on the road.)
People who will still get some hype, but should be done: Chase Daniel, Brian Brohm, Darren McFadden, DeSean Jackson, Steve Slaton, Rashard Mendenhall
Posted by bmiraski at October 30, 2007 5:10 PM
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