I don't normally use my blog to write about sports related topics, but given that I haven't used it for much of anything recently it seems that any post will be a good thing. Having lived in the heart of SEC territory for some time now, I have grown very frustrated with the bias toward the SEC and the way the Heisman race is currently shaping up. As of now, according to ESPN, the Heisman voters would unanimously hand the award to Cam Newton from Auburn. I have a huge problem with that, and here's why.
Now, before all of you die-hard Auburn/SEC fans become irate, know that I think Cam Newton is a great player. Certainly one of the best in the country. I simply don't think he's the best. Auburn hasn't played the toughest schedule (again, I know you are all very upset right now), but look at the numbers. Lay down your bias for a moment and do some research. Newton's biggest games came against Arkansas (51st in points against and without any real wins - Georgia and Ole Miss are at the bottom of the SEC), South Carolina (again, a win over Georgia doesn't prove anything, and one game against an over-rated Alabama team doesn't mean anything when it's followed by a loss at Kentucky and a struggle with Vandy), and Kentucky. Seriously, Kentucky ranks 98th in the nation in points against, and Florida, Ole' Miss, and Georgia all put up more points and won more convincingly versus Kentucky than Auburn. Florida doesn't even have an offense.
The best team that Auburn has played against so far is LSU. Yes, many people think that LSU has a great defense, but the numbers suggest that they are overrated. LSU has built it's reputation for a stingy defense by playing opponents with miserable offenses. As of this past weekend, the opponents that LSU has played teams that rank 70th, 105th, 57th, 69th, 94th, 62nd, and 11th (Auburn) in total scoring. Not exactly a tough lineup. Only one team other than Auburn wasn't in the bottom half of the 120 FBS teams, and they barely made that cut at 57th. That means most teams would fare well against that schedule. The same goes for much of the SEC, where the teams have been praised as having tough defenses when the reality of the situation is that the teams they've played have no offense. Even so, the mediocre LSU defense held Newton to roughly 300 total yards, something that Denard Robinson has not been held to in a full game at this point. Robinson, though I absolutely hate to give credit to anything pertaining to the University of Michigan, has numbers that are similar to Newton's though he has had significantly less playing time.
I could go on, and will gladly do so at the request of anyone seeking more info on just how I believe the SEC to be over-hyped this year, but for now I'll move on to my real purpose. Since no running back currently has more rushing yards than with Robinson or Newton, it would stand to reason that no RB is going to be able to win the award this year without a significant drop off from those two. With Justin Blackmon (the only WR who could potentially steal the show from a QB this year) currently injured, it certainly looks like a QB will take home the hardware. So, in light of that, here is my analysis of the top quarterbacks in the country as they stand right now.
#1 - KELLEN MOORE, Boise State
- 1,865 passing yds, 18 TDs, 2 INT
- 69.8% comp. (125/179), 188.30 rating
- -25 rushing yds, 0 TDs
- 1,840 total yards, 18 TDs, 2 Turnovers
- 1 4th Quarter game winning drive @ VT
*Numbers are based on 7 games played, but only has the playing time equivalent to 5.5 games
Kellen Moore gets my pick for the best QB out there right now. He is extremely smart and very accurate on any ball, whether short or long. He also can never be counted out if he's on the field. Outside of Dan Persa, he's the best passer out there and rarely makes mistakes.
*Based on his average numbers, Moore would have 2,676 total yds, 26 TDs, 2 INT in 8 complete games.
#2 - DENARD ROBINSON, Michigan
- 1,319 passing yds, 9 TDs, 5 INT
- 67.8% comp. (97/143), 159.09 rating
- 1,096 rushing yds, 9 TDs
- 2,415 total yds, 18 TDs, 5 Turnovers
- 2 last minute game winning drives
*Numbers are based on 7 games with the playing time of roughly 6 games
I hate to admit it, but the guy is ridiculously good. If he were able to pass with more accuracy and make better decisions in clutch situations and keep the turnovers down, specifically the red zone, he'd be the best in the country.
*Based on averages, Robinson would have 3,174 total yardds (1,758 passing, 1,416 rushing), 24 TDs, and 7 INT in 8 complete games. Those numbers are absolutely absurd, he just needs to keep the turnovers down to give his team a chance to win games.
#3 - ROBERT GRIFFIN III, Baylor
- 2,373 passing yds, 18 TDs, 4 INT
- 66.7% comp. (180/270), 159.53 rating
- 384 rushing yds, , 6 TDs
- 2,757 total yds, 24 TDs, 4 Turnovers
- Leading a previously awful team to greatness
*Numbers are based on 8 games played
Most people are ignoring the results coming out of Baylor. I admit, without the publicity and media coverage of nationally televised games, it's tough to find out about all of the good players. However, this is no excuse. The internet is a fantastic thing. I just found out about all of his stats today, and they certainly are impressive. I give Griffin the nod over Auburn because the Heisman is about the best individual player, not necessarily the best supporting cast. Newton has a team around him to cover his errors when he makes them, not necessarily the case here in Baylor.
#4 - CAMERON NEWTON, Auburn
- 1,364 passing yards, 13 TDs, 5 INT
- 65.2% comp. (90/138), 172.08 rating
- 1,077 rushing yds, 14 TDs
- 2,441 total yds, 27 TDs, 5 Turnovers
- 1 4th Quarter game winning drive
*Numbers are based on 8 games played
Newton is a stud. 6'6", 250 lbs. Do you need to know more? It's tough to stop any player that size, whether its a QB, RB, or linebacker. Newton has put up great numbers in his past two games, but I have to believe that most of the hype he is getting right now is because Denard Robinson was on a bye this past week and was injured the week before. Auburn also hasn't faced a stout defense and will run into trouble if they do. Given that the SEC defenses are softer than normal this year, Alabama may be his only tough test, but even they haven't proven yet anything this year.
#5 - BRYANT MONTIZ, Hawaii
- 2,921 passing yds, 22 TDs, 6 INT
- 65.1% comp. (211/324), 159.55 rating
- 71 rushing yds, 1 TD
- 2,992 total tds, 23 TDs, 6 Turnovers
*Numbers are based on 8 games played
As usual, Hawaii once again has a quarterback putting up video game numbers every Saturday. He's been impressive, even against teams with normally strong defenses such as USC. If Hawaii had defense, they would be tough to deal with. Sadly, he'll have to put up more TDs to be considered since he doesn't run the ball.
#6 - DAN PERSA, Northwestern
- 1,850 passing yds, 10 TDs, 3 INT
- 75.7% comp. (156/206), 164.28 rating
- 341 rushing yds, 6 TDs
- 2,191 total yds, 16 TDs, 3 Turnovers
- 1 4th Quarter game winning drive
*Numbers are based on 7 games played
Persa is perhaps the most underrated quarterback in a big conference. He is the most accurate and efficient in the country, but nobody knows his name. He has the capability to make ny defense miserable, as he recently showed against Michigan State, and is mobile enough to do damage with his legs. He is a very smart player and certainly one of the best, but likely won't be considered unless he has career days against the remaining schedule. Northwestern's inability to get in the endzone enough is his downfall.
*Based on the averages, Persa would have 2,504 total yds (2114 passing, 390 rushing), 18 TDs, and 3 INT in 8 games.
#7 - TERRELLE PRYOR, Ohio State
- 1,775 passing yds, 18 TDs, 6 INT
- 66.0% comp. (134/203), 162.81 rating
- 408 rushing yds, 3 TDs
- 2,183 total yds, 21 TDs, 6 Turnovers
*Numbers are based on 8 games played, though he did come out in the 4th quarter of 3 games.
Pryor has been quietly dominant this year. There hasn't been a lot of hype, perhaps given the unrealistic expectations placed on him from the start. Still, the numbers don't lie, and what he's done is good enough to be in contention for the award at this point. He has work to do, but it isn't over yet. I only have him behind Persa because of the turnovers.
#8 - ANDREW LUCK, Stanford
- 1,728 passing yds, 19 TDs, 5 INT
- 66.5% comp. (133/200), 165.43 rating
- 253 rushing yds, 2 TDs
- 1,981 total yds, 21 TDs, 5 Turnovers
*Numbers are based on 8 games played
Like Pryor, Luck has work to do. He has certainly played well this season and has earned the national attention he is getting. A very accurate passer, even against tough competition, he has shown that he can compete against anyone. With other options on his team, he might not get the chances needed to take home any awards.
#9 - TAYLOR MARTINEZ, Nebraska
- 1,046 passing yds, 8 TDs, 3 INT
- 59.5% comp. (66/111), 156.99 rating
- 870 rushing yds, 12 TDs
- 1916 total yds, 20 TDs, 5 Turnovers
*Numbers are based on 8 games played
Martinez was a front-runner early in the season, but has faded off, specifically after getting pulled versus Texas. That kind of decision, whether the coach admits it was a mistake or not, will stick in the heads off voters. Martinez is a double threat similar to Robinson and Newton, but would have to surpass their numbers to win.
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Honorable Mentions:
These players have put up good numbers, and Cousins has actually been mentioned in the Heisman race, but they simply don't hold up against the competition.
TAYLOR POTTS, Texas Tech
- 2,161 passing yds, 20 TDs, 5 INT
- 65.7% comp. (213/324), 139.05 rating
- -40 yds rushing, 0 TDs
- 2,121 total yds, 20 TDs, 5 Turnovers
- 2 clutch 4th Q comeback drives to win/force OT
*Numbers are based on 8 games played
KIRK COUSINS, Michigan State
- 1,948 passing yds, 14 TDs, 4 INT
- 66.5% comp. (141/212), 155.13 rating
- -71 yds rushing, 0 TDs
- 1,877 total yds, 14 TDs, 4 Turnovers
- 2 clutch 4th Quarter comeback drives to win/force OT
*Numbers are based on 8 games played
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