Jameis Winston isn't going to repeat as the winner of the Heisman.
On top of stealing soda from Burger King, stealing crab legs from Publix, shooting car windows out with a BB gun, and STILL being under investigation for rape, he managed to.. well, to loudly scream the worst thing someone under investigation for rape could possibly scream.. while standing on a table.. in the FSU Student Union.. I just don't get it.
Anyway, it's needless to say that Winston isn't exactly an upstanding citizen. So, it isn't difficult to see that there's no way that the Heisman is coming anywhere near the quarterback of the reigning champs.. even if they were to repeat.
Five weeks into the season, Alabama's Amari Cooper, has been turning heads as well.. in a more positive light than (In)Famous Jameis. What are the chances of the star wide receiver bringing home Bama's Heisman?
Very slim.
I'm not donning my orange and blue and displaying my utter hate for the Tide (although, most of the time, I am) when I say that I just don't see Cooper winning the Heisman. The last receiver to win the Heisman (Desmond Howard, 1991) was not only an incredible receiver, but the best return man that the NCAA had ever seen. To win the Heisman as a receiver, one would have to shine just as bright on special teams as he does on offense, and Cooper has yet to return a kick or a punt all year. The Biletnikoff? Absolutely. The Heisman? Highly doubtful.
Moving ever-so-slowly towards more realistic candidates, Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah has been not only a statistical favorite, but a fan favorite as well. Anytime I browse the comment section on ESPN.com (never a good idea, by the way) his name arises more often that any other player's in the nation, from both Husker fans and casual fans. So, could he win?
As of right now, I don't see it. He's a fantastic player, and possibly the best tailback in the nation, but.. well.. Nebraska.
I will say this, though.. if the Cornhuskers and their bold, cat-loving coach can bring home a Big 10 championship, then sure.. he's got as good of a chance as anyone in the nation.
But, while we're on the subject of tailbacks, Todd Gurley could win the Heisman whether Georgia wins the SEC championship or not. He carries the Georgia Bulldogs on his back the same way that Tebow carried Florida, Cam carried Auburn, and Jameis carried FSU. If you can stop Gurley, you can stop Georgia. But.. well.. good luck.
Unfortunately for Gurley and his fellow tailbacks, quarterbacks are almost always a lock to win the Heisman with the position evolving into one that takes over the running game as well as the passing game, a la Robert Griffin III and Johnny Manziel. The Heisman committee holds a special place in their heart for the dual-threat quarterback, and the NCAA has no shortage of them this season. Auburn's Nick Marshall, Mississippi State's Dak Prescott, UCLA's Brett Hundley, BYU's Taysom Hill, and Oregon's Marcus Mariota are only the most well-known of this long list.
Out of all these superstars, only Mariota is a lock to win the Heisman. He was a star last year until his injury, and he has only improved with his return. Oregon is a top 5 team, once again, and he's playing better football than anyone in the country. As of right now, he's the winner on my ballot.
PREDICTIONS (subject to change due to possibility of injury, scandal, or fallout)
FINALISTS
Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon (WINNER)
Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Kenny Hill, QB, Texas A&M
Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska
Taysom Hill, QB, BYU
Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
DARK HORSES
Nick Marshall, QB, Auburn
Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
Nelson Spruce, WR, Colorado
Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State
Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas
Maty Mauk, QB, Missouri
That's The Truth.
- M. Hunter Thomas
No comments:
Post a Comment