Since it is only week 9 of the season, we are not going to put a ton of emphasis on where everyone stands today, as the only major separation that occurs between candidates comes over the very last few weeks of the season. Nonetheless, here is our week 9 Heisman Alert List.
1.) Collin Klien
What more can really be said about this kid than already has? Klien is an absolute gamer, and last week against West Virginia he showed the nation just how much he has improved as a passer. To this point in the season he is completing over 70% of his passes with a 5/1 TD to INT ration, and he has rushed for a staggering 14 touchdowns on 551 yards rushing. He has Kansas State undefeated to this point with a huge victory of Oklahoma on the road, and as of now, Kansas State looks to be the class of the Big XII.
2.) AJ McCarron
We have preached about this kid all season, as we have felt from the beginning that he is easily the best QB Nick Saban has ever had running the show for his offense. AJ McCarron stands alone at the top of list for passing efficiency, as he is ranked comfortably ahead of Klien with a total QB rating of 183.63, which is nearly 8 points above where Klien is. This is largely because McCarron has yet to throw a single interception all year. He has 16 TDs to 0 Ints, and it is because of him that Alabama is head and shoulders above anyone else at this point in the season. He was solid last season, but this season he has been spectacular. Last week against Tennessee he set career marks passing for over 300 yards and having a 4-0 TD/Int game to boot. This kid is proving that, if called upon, he can carry the Alabama offense, even in the daunting SEC.
3.) Manti Te’O
The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. The Heisman Trophy Trust ensures the continuation and integrity of this award. The Trust, furthermore, has a charitable mission to support amateur athletics and to provide greater opportunities to the youth of our country. Our goal through these charitable endeavors is for the Heisman Trophy to symbolize the fostering of a sense of community responsibility and service to our youth, especially those disadvantaged or afflicted. All assets of the Trust beyond the expense of maintaining the annual presentation of the Heisman Memorial Trophy are reserved for such charitable causes. The Trustees, who all serve pro bono, are guided by a devotion to college football and are committed to community service and the valued tradition which the Trophy represents.
What you just read is the Heisman Trophy Mission Statement. Step back and ask yourself if there is one kid in the nation that epitomizes this as well as Manti Te’O does? Tough to imagine. This kid has been through more than any young person should have to face this year, as he lost his grandmother, and girlfriend to cancer in the span of two days. Despite this, he rose to the challenge and led his team to big victories over rivals Michigan and Michigan State, and as of today, Te’O ranks as the only player in college football to be in the top five in interceptions and fumbles recovered. On the season he has 69 tackles through 7 games, as well as 4 interceptions. It is clear that he is the emotional leader of one of college footballs greatest defenses this year at Notre Dame, and as Notre Dame continues to win, so too does this kids stake in this race cement itself.
4.) Kenjon Barner
On the season, Kenjon Barner has been, quite simply, spectacular. Barner is averaging 6.6 yards per carry with 870 yards rushing, and he is doing it in extremely limited time. Oregon has had to call the dogs off in most every game this season at around half time, and when they do, Barner is on the bench. Every Hesiman Trophy race needs to include the nations most exciting player, at with 12 touchdowns in a hyper-warp offense, Kenjon Barner fits the bill. If Oregon continues to win like we expect them to, even as their competition, and consequently the touches Kenjon Barner receives, heats up, we expect he will rise on this list.
5.) Braxton Miller
Ohio State has surprised this year with their undefeated record, and perhaps equally surprising is their porous defense. This is far from a traditional Ohio State defense, and with the kind of dedicated fan-base OSU has, such defense will not fly for long. Ohio State has won in spite of their defense this year, and nearly all of said winning can be traced back to QB Braxton Miller. He has carried Ohio State all year by passing 1,384 and rushing for just shy of 1,000 yards. With the kind of improvement this kid has made in just one year, it is quickly becoming apparent that he is a special talent, and with Urban Meyer at the helm, he seems destined to accomplish big things in the coming years. It may be tough for a kid that plays for a team on probation to win the Heisman Trophy, but what Braxton Miller has done this year speaks for itself. This is one kid that we will be keeping an eye on.
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