The Official Heisman Trophy website says each year the Heisman Trust "will award the annual Heisman Memorial Trophy to an individual who deserves designation as the most outstanding college football player in the United States." However, the Heisman Trust does not give any more details on how Heisman voters are supposed to evaluate candidates. They are left on their own to decide.There are two main ways a voter can approach their Heisman Vote. They can vote for the best overall college football player or for the player that has had the best season. The former rewards prior performance, while the latter judges the candidates based on what they did that season. Personally, I don't believe it is an award that is earned over a player's career, but rather it is an award designed to acknowledge the player that had the most outstanding season. What a player did last year should not matter. This of course, is just my opinion. What do you think?How should people vote on the Heisman Trophy Award Best Player or Best Season?
Baylor University's Robert Griffin III (RG3) became a Heisman Trophy Award hopeful following the first game of the season, but since then his team has lost three games. Is he still a Heisman Contender?
While every college football fan takes great interest in what teams are in position to play for the National Championship over the course of the season, an individual award often takes precedent over the BCS polls. That award, of course, is the Heisman Trophy. Almost certainly the most famous individual trophy in all of sports, the Heisman has a rich history that can be traced back to 1935 when Jay Berwanger became the first player to win the award. One benefit of the Heisman’s lineage is that it allows prognosticators to make predictions based on trends that have developed over the life of the award. For instance, since 1973, only three players at a position other than quarterback or running back have won the Heisman, those players being cornerback Charles Woodson, wide receiver Desmond Howard and wide receiver Tim Brown. Also, for most of the past decade-plus, the Heisman winner has come from a team that played for or was in contention for the National Championship. This automatically makes star quarterbacks and running backs on highly ranked teams the favorites to take home the Heisman. While it’s unlikely that a player from an alternative position would win the award, they can’t be dismissed altogether, especially since a couple rare talents exist at wide receiver this season. With that in mind, here are the top 10 Heisman Trophy candidates for the 2011 college football season. Begin Slideshow
While every college football fan takes great interest in what teams are in position to play for the National Championship over the course of the season, an individual award often takes precedent over the BCS polls. That award, of course, is the Heisman Trophy.
Almost certainly the most famous individual trophy in all of sports, the Heisman has a rich history that can be traced back to 1935 when Jay Berwanger became the first player to win the award. One benefit of the Heisman’s lineage is that it allows prognosticators to make predictions based on trends that have developed over the life of the award.
For instance, since 1973, only three players at a position other than quarterback or running back have won the Heisman, those players being cornerback Charles Woodson, wide receiver Desmond Howard and wide receiver Tim Brown. Also, for most of the past decade-plus, the Heisman winner has come from a team that played for or was in contention for the National Championship.
This automatically makes star quarterbacks and running backs on highly ranked teams the favorites to take home the Heisman. While it’s unlikely that a player from an alternative position would win the award, they can’t be dismissed altogether, especially since a couple rare talents exist at wide receiver this season.
With that in mind, here are the top 10 Heisman Trophy candidates for the 2011 college football season.
Begin Slideshow
Baylor's Robert Griffin III (RG3) has shred every defense he has faced this year. Through seven games, his statistics are through the roof as he has led the Bears to four wins and two losses. If the Heisman Trophy Award was really given to the most dominant player in college football, then RG3 would almost assuredly be at least invited to New York for the ceremony. However, that is not what seems to control how people vote.Instead, voting for the Heisman Trophy Award seems to go to the best offensive player on the best or one of the best teams in the Nation. Currently, Baylor is not ranked, and they still have three very tough games. They have to travel to the #4 Oklahoma State Cowboys, and they will host the #3 Oklahoma Sooners and the #24 Texas Longhorns. There is a very good chance the Bears will lose at least two of those games, if not all three.If the Bears were to lose four or five games on the season, will RG3 have a legitimate shot at winning the Heisman Trophy Award?Robert Griffin III (RG3) Season StatisticsTotal Passing Statistics: 142 pass completions; 182 pass attempts; 78.0% completions; 1,950 yards passing; 10.71 yard average per attempt; 77 yard long; 22 touchdowns; 2 interceptionsTotal Rushing Statistics: 72 rushing attempts; 295 yards rushing; 4.1 yard average per rushing attempt; 35 yard long; 2 touchdowns
Russell Wilson entered week 8 in second place in early Heisman Trophy Award rankings. His team was undefeated and striving for an opportunity to play for the BCS Championship Game. However, his #6 Wisconsin Badgers faced the nations #1 defense when they played at #16 Michigan State. After falling behind early, the Badgers came back and tied the game late in the 4th quarter. However, with a little over a minute left, the Spartans were able to win the game after catching a Hail Mary touchdown as time ran out. As quarterback, Wilson will be judged heavily by whether his team wins or loses. Against Michigan State he completed 14 of 21 passes for 223 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. He also had 8 rushes for 30 yards and 1 touchdown. His statistics weren't horrible, but the two interceptions were costly. Last week, I believed a big win by Wilson in this game would elevate him as the Heisman front-runner. It is not impossible for a quarterback to win the award after having lost a few games. In 2007, Tim Tebow won the Heisman even though Florida lost 3 games. This gives Wilson hope and it really depends on how his performance in the loss is judged. But what do you think?Can Russell Wilson still win the Heisman Trophy Award after losing?
Cam Newton has had a record breaking 2010 Heisman campaign. At times he has seemed unstoppable in his pursuit for victory. He is the front-runner to win the Heisman Trophy. Enjoy!Cameron (Cam) Newton Total Rushing Statistics: 242 rushing attempts; 1409 yards rushing; 5.8 yard average per carry; 71 yard long; 20 TD's Cameron (Cam) Newton Total Passing Statistics: 165 pass completions; 246 pass attempts; 2589 passing yards; 67.1% completion percentage; 10.52 yards per pass attempt; 28 TD's; 6 interceptions; 186.8 passer ratingCameron (Cam) Newton Total Receiving Statistics: 2 receptions for 42 yards and 1 TDCameron (Cam) Newton's College Football Awards44th Recipient of the Walter Camp Player of the Year (3rd Auburn Recipient: Bo Jackson-1985 and Pat Sullivan-1971)75th Recipient of the Maxwell Award for Outstanding Player - Best All Around Player (1st to ever win it at Auburn)30th Recipient of the Davey O'Brien Award for the Nations Best QB (1st Auburn Player to ever win it)Selected for Walter Camp All American 1st Team QBSEC Player of the YearSEC 1st Team All AmericanSEC Championship Game MVP76th Heisman Trophy Winner (Auburn's 3rd Heisman Trophy - Bo Jackson 1985, and Pat Sullivan 1971 were the previous two)
According to the article Cam Newton Has a Heisman and a Trophy Girlfriend on TerezOwens.com, the Heisman Trophy Winner, Cam Newton, is dating model Jessica O'Neal. The article leaves the impression this is merely a fling for Cam calling the blonde "his latest soup du jour." That's her in the main picture of this post. A few more pictures of her are below. What do you think, Is Jessica O'Neal, Cam Newton's Girlfriend, Hot?
Through the first eleven weeks of the 2011 college football season, the Stanford Cardinal's quarterback, Andrew Luck, dominated the Heisman Trophy race and discussion. However, following a close win to the USC Trojans and then losing the next week to the Oregon Ducks, Luck no longer leads in the race for the Heisman Trophy Award. Instead, the quarterback of the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Brandon Weeden, is now considered the front-runner.Weeden has led the Cowboys to an undefeated season thus far and has them currently ranked #2 in the BCS standings. Though he is currently the leader, he has not separated himself from the rest of the hopefuls. He does, however, still have to play the #5 Oklahoma Sooners. If the Cowboys beat the Sooners, then they are going to the BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans, LA. One of the major, if not most important qualifications needed by a quarterback to win the award is to have his team in contention for the National Championship. The only thing that can stop the Cowboys from going to the BCS Title Game is if the Sooners beat them.If Weeden is able to beat the Sooners and has a descent to good game will he win the Heisman Trophy Award?
After winning the 2010 Heisman Trophy Award and leading the Auburn Tigers to win the BCS National Championship Game, Cameron (Cam) Newton chose to declare for the 2011 NFL Draft. Unlike many Top Quarterbacks before him, Newton decided to participate in all drills. (Results and commentary from his drills to come)
I'm not going to break down all the major flaws with this ridiculous logic...I'm just going to mention the 800 pound gorilla people ignore when talking about the "Heisman Trophy Curse." And that's the SEC. Both the Florida Gators Tim Tebow and the Alabama Crimson Tide's Mark Ingram won a Heisman and National Championships. Tebow won one the year after winning his Heisman, and Ingram won both in the same year. The SEC is also the reason some Heisman winners never won a championship. OU's QB, Jason White, won a Heisman but lost to LSU in the National Championship Game. Troy Smith and Sam Bradford both won the Heisman, but both then lost to Florida in the Championship Game. I actually live in Eugene, OR and have heard some of the local radio hosts saying the Oregon Ducks will be motivated after Heisman Trophy Runner-up LaMichael James lost to Cam. Really? They need a Heisman loss to be motivated for the Championship Game...I'll have to disagree. At least I hope not. The words "BCS NATIONAL TITLE" should be enough to motivate someone. The Heisman Curse Does Not Apply! Am I Right?War Damn Eagle!
Cam Newton had one of the best Heisman Trophy Award Campaigns in history. In just his first and only year as the Auburn Tigers QB, he led the team to an undefeated season, an SEC Championship Title, and to a BCS National Championship Title, Auburn's first National Championship since 1957.. He won the Heisman Trophy Award, Davie O'Brian Award, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, and is on numerous All American Teams. Newton has had one of the greatest seasons in college football history. According to the article Where Does Newton Rank Among the Heisman Winners? on the website Stiff Arm Trophy the following is true:Cam Newton's 2263 points are 81.5% of the maximum possible - and represent the 5th largest vote of all time - just behind Charlie Ward '93 and just ahead of OJ Simpson '68.Cam Newton's 42% margin over Andrew Luck was the 8th biggest margin-of-victory of all time, just behind Vinny Testaverde '86 and Richard Kazmaier '51 - and just ahead of Roger Staubach '63.Cam Newton had 729 first-place votes, 79% of the 925 available. That's the 4th-most #1 votes of all time, just behind Ward '93 and ahead of Ricky Williams '98.Cam Newton appeared on 84.4% of the 925 ballots - the 10th-highest ballot appearance rate of all time - just behind Ward '93 and ahead of Ron Dayne '99.I've chosen 10 of my favorite highlights of the season that I believe are his best. View and Vote for which is your favorite!If you disagree with my choices and think there is a highlight I missed that should be included, please leave me a comment and let me know. I might add it to the list if I agree with you.
I've chosen 10 of my favorite highlights of the season that I believe are his best. View and Vote for which is your favorite!
Robert Griffin III (RG3) is hands down the best college football player in the nation. The fact the Baylor Bears are not a good football team should not keep him from winning the award. Its not the Bears offense that is terrible, it is the Bears defense. The offense led by Griffin has played good enough in every game this year.Even though his defense is terrible, Griffin has been able to lead the Bears to a 7-3 record with two more games left to play. Their three losses came against #3 Oklahoma State Cowboys, #14 Kansas State Wildcats, and #21 Texas A&M. His big wins of the season came against #14 TCU Horned Frogs and #5 Oklahoma Sooners.The following are RG3's statisticsRobert Griffin III Total Season StatisticsPassing Statistics: 224 pass completions; 302 passing attempts; 3093 yards; 74.2 completion percentage; 10.24 yards per attempt, 77 yard long; 29 touchdowns; 5 interceptionsRushing Statistics: 117 rushing attempts; 478 yards; 4.1 yard average per carry; 49 yard long; 5 touchdownsFor More Heisman Polls, visit:Heisman Trophy ProfileHeisman Trophy Page
Andrew Luck of the Stanford Cardinal has led the Heisman Trophy race for the entire 2011 season, however, Trent Richardson from the Alabama Crimson Tide has been catching up with him amongst actual Heisman voters. This weekend, the Crimson Tide will face one of the nation's most vaunting defenses in the LSU Tigers. If Richardson is able to have a big game and lead the Tide to victory, will he be able to steal the lead from Andrew Luck in the Heisman Trophy Race?
After an amazing four touchdown and 479 yards passing game versus the Oklahoma Sooners, Robert Griffin III (RG3) launched himself back into the Heisman Trophy Race. Though he is currently ranked third in ESPN's straw poll of Heisman voters, he still has a great chance of jumping to the top of the list. Heisman voters and the media aren't dead set on any particular candidate so far, thus making it a fluid Heisman Race going into the last weekend of the regular season.Griffin has an advantage over the current top two in the straw poll because he plays against the Texas Longhorns next weekend, while Trent Richardson and Andrew Luck are sitting at home because their season's are over. If Griffin were to win the Heisman Trophy Award, would this play against Oklahoma be his Heisman Moment? It led to the Baylor Bears first win against the Oklahoma Sooners ever in history.
Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver, Joe Adams, made one of the greatest plays I have ever seen. You can see it in the video above. He breaks at least six Tennessee Volunteers attempted tackles before taking it to the house. It was damn impressive. Will Joe Adams punt return versus Tennessee win play of the year? Related Polls:Trent Richardson Heisman Moment Highlights vs Ole Miss and AuburnTrent Richardson Heisman Moment Highlight against Ole Miss Matt Barkley Heisman Highlights Robert Griffin III Heisman Highlights LaMichael James Heisman Highlights Can Trent Richardson steal the Heisman Trophy from Andrew Luck with a big game against LSU Brandon Weeden Heisman Highlights Andrew Luck Highlights vs Oregon Ducks Trent Richardson Heisman Moment Highlight in Iron Bowl vs Auburn
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