Heisman Trophy – College Football’s Player of the Year Award – Week Eight

By: Paul F Wilson
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:26:24
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The pack of legitimate Heisman candidates continues to shrink. With this week’s games in the books, it is time to take a look back at the performances of the players competing for this year’s college player of the year award. Still in the hunt for this prize are Ohio State’s Troy Smith, Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn, West Virginia’s Steve Slaton, Rutger’s Ray Rice, Michigan’s Michael Hart, and Tennessee’s Eric Ainge.

Is it unlucky to be the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman? If it is, Ohio State’s Troy Smith is the luckiest player this side of the Mississippi. For weeks many sportswriters have been calling Troy Smith a lock for the Trophy. Week in and week out Troy has responded with consistently efficient and effective play. Consider how this week he was 15 of 23 for 220 yards passing and four touchdowns. With the Buckeyes still at #1 in the BCS and polls, it is hard to put your money on anyone else at this point in the race. However, as we saw last week, Adrian Peterson and Mario Manningham went from Heisman hopefuls to the injured reserve list in a single play. Troy has to know he is being named as this year’s favorite, yet he has maintained his focus and poise. If he continues on that path, he won’t disappoint the odds makers or his fans.

Does the luck of the Irish ever run out? Notre Dame fans were treated to more last-minute heroics on Saturday as Brady Quinn led the Fighting Irish on a final drive culminating in a 45-yard game-winning touchdown pass. Drives like this make the highlight clips and are not soon forgotten by Heisman voters. The question remains, will Brady’s inconsistent play and reliance on Irish miracles be enough to propel him ahead of Ohio State’s Troy Smith? Whether or not he actually claims the prize, Brady Quinn will likely be a finalist in New York later this year.

West Virginia continues its superb play this season, and running back Steve Slaton has a lot to do with that fact. A quick glance at the AP & USA Today polls and BCS rankings will leave no doubt in your mind that West Virginia is for real. As to whether or not Steve’s chances to win the Heisman are real will depend on his personal performances in each of West Virginia’s remaining games. It is time for Steve to make his move if he wants to gain ground on those ahead of him in this race. His next opportunity comes against Louisville. The ball and his own Heisman destiny are literally in his hands.

225 yards rushing on 39 carries not only got Rutger’s Ray Rice one touchdown against Pittsburgh; it also gets him much needed attention from Heisman voters. Now the second leading rusher in the nation, Ray will need to elevate himself to an even higher level to surpass Troy Smith. Number 27 and Rutgers are quickly becoming the sweetheart story of 2006. They say everyone loves an underdog, and being the underdog may be just what Ray needs to win the Heisman.

Michigan’s Michael Hart rushed for 126 yards on 31 carries resulting in two touchdowns against Iowa this week. Although not NCAA record setting, these numbers are good enough to keep Mike’s name on the short list in the race for the Heisman. With Mario Manningham out, Mike Hart’s number will be called more often when Michigan needs yards the most. In the past he has proven he is worthy of that call. Most sportswriters might not put Mike at the top of their Heisman candidates list, but he seems to make most of their lists. He will need to find ways to put forth breakout performances to move up those lists.

This week Tennessee’s Eric Ainge went the way of Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn. His two fourth quarter touchdown passes led to a Tennessee victory over Alabama. Tennessee fans won’t soon forget how he marched the Volunteers to victory, but will Heisman voters remember it when they cast their ballots? Since Brad Quinn already plays the role of “the come-back kid”, Eric will need to find a more consistent way of standing out from the crowd if he desires to win the award of college football’s player of the year.

How will the list of Heisman hopefuls look next week? Will the pressure of undefeated seasons, personal awards, bowl appearances, or national championships squeeze the life out of any of our candidates’ Heisman dreams? Stay tuned because this race is about to get extremely interesting as we head into the final weeks of the season.

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