It is still early in the 2007 college football season, but the preseason Heisman candidates are not living up to their billing thus far (Chad Henne, Mike Hart). Thus, I have compiled a list of players I see as the front-runners after Saturday's games.
This award historically goes to the best player on the best team, so many top QB's have to be considered:
1. Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon, SR
This Week: 27/36, 367 yards, 4 TD, O INT
Season: Passing: 66/96, 932 yards, 11 TD, 0 INT - Rushing: 291 yards, 4 TD
The Skinny: No player has improved his draft stock this season more than Dennis Dixon. The senior dual-threat has had a magical start to the season, throwing an amazing 11 TD's compared to ZERO interceptions. He has also added 4 TD's on the ground, which adds up to Oregon's uncontested 4-0 start. The real challenge comes next week at home as Cal comes to town, but Dixon has Oregon flying high, and ESPN.com has his projected passing numbers as 198/298, 2796 yards, 33 TD's and 0 INT's. If he does that and Oregon goes 9-2 or better, he will win this award.
2. John David Booty, QB, USC, SR
This Week: 28/35, 279, 4 TD/1 INT
Season: 68/97, 9 TD/2 INT
The Skinny: Booty is a senior QB on the best team in the nation. His numbers aren't as gaudy as Dixon's or someone like Colt Brennan (who sat out last night's rout), but he is solid and if USC goes undefeated, he will be a finalist. The only thing going against him is that stable of running back's that will demand the ball.
3. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida, SO
This Week: 20/34, 261, 2 TD, 0 INT; Rushing: 27/166, 2 TD
Season: 17 total TD's, 1,096 passing yards, 1 INT
The Skinny: Tebow has had an impressive start, but no matter how good he and UF play, it will be difficult for him to win the Heisman because historically sophomores do not win the award. Florida sophomore QB Rex Grossman can tell you about that, as he deserved the award in 2001, but did not win.
4. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College, SR
This Week: 35/51, 356, 3 TD, 2 INT, 1 rushing TD
Season: 112/181, 10 TD, 5 INT
The Skinny: Ryan is a difficult player to gauge thus far because he is throwing alot of interceptions. However, in his defense, he has 2 things going for him. He throws the ball ALOT, and his team is undefeated. BC has the capability due to a weak schedule to run the table, and if they do, Ryan may not only repeat as conference player of the year, but be a darkhorse candidate for the Heisman. He needs to lower his INT's though to have a shot, especially when you compare his numbers to Tebow and Dennis Dixon out at Oregon.
1 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Ryan Staloff about 1 year ago
Mike Hart has not lived up to the billing? Are you kidding? Look at those numbers. You can't remove his candidacy because he didn't play both sides of the ball against oregon and app state. No Ray Rice? I think you have to relook this heisman list....
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