By all objective measures, Darren McFadden had quite a ridiculous year.
He rushed for 1725 yards on the season, leading the SEC and placing him third in the nation. His 5.7 yards per carry was equally impressive, as were his 15 rushing touchdowns.
He even showed a surprising talent for throwing the ball, with four scores via the air in only 11 attempts this season.
Paired with the equally talented Felix Jones, McFadden lead perhaps the greatest backfield ever seen in the history of college ball. Jones' impressive cutting ability nicely complemented McFadden's upright, north/south running style. The duo rushed for a combined 2842 yards and 26 touchdowns, and averaged 6.7 a carry.
D-Mac has had a few single game performances this season that are worth mentioning. The most notable is probably the 321 yards on 34 carries that he put up against South Carolina a few weeks back. A close second (and argubably a tie for first place) is his 206-yard, three TD performance in what is likely to be the final regular season game of his college career last Friday.
Arkansas' triple overtime win against LSU has a lot of people riled up once again about McFadden winning the Heisman trophy. But while D-Mac is surely one of the most exciting backs in the country—with a promising career in the NFL ahead of him—he is by no means deserving of the award.
The four facts that follow provide the basis of my argument:
1) By definition, the Heisman trophy is awarded to "the best college football player in the country."
2) Of the last 10 winners of the Heisman Trophy, nine of them have played on teams that won their conference or at the very least made it to the championship game (the exception being a record setting Ricky Williams).
3) Arkansas is not currently ranked in the BCS Top 25.
4) There are five teams in the SEC with better records than Arkansas.
Not the most talented player, or the best upper classman, or the best player about to be drafted for millions of dollars in the NFL should be awarded the Heisman.
The best player in college football is supposed to win the Heisman trophy. End of discussion.
What defines "best player", you ask?
The answer to that question clearly lies in the eye of the beholder.
But to me, the best player in college football simply means: the guy who had the biggest impact on their team throughout the season.
And to be frank: McFadden's impact on the Razorbacks has been limited this year.
A program with the resources and reputation of Arkansas has no excuse for failing to crack the Top 25 in the country (in a system that caters to conferences like the SEC no less) or the top 5 in their conference. As the leader of the team, McFadden has been unable to take the Razorbacks to the Promised Land.
Chase Daniel, meanwhile, has led his Tigers to the top spot in the BCS with a week left to go. Need I remind you that Missouri began the season unranked.
33 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Landon Smutz about 1 year ago
hey nice.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I have to go with Tebow. 29 touchdowns in the air, 22 on the ground... I've never seen a player like him before, and I don't give a damn if he's a sophomore, he's my pick for the Heisman. McFadden is a great player who will make whichever team picks him in the draft very, very happy. Ditto Pat White and a few other players who will go very high in the coming draft. However, the numbers not only speak volumes, they scream and demand to be heard.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
"You can argue that McFadden single handedly beat the best team in the country but Tebow's Gators beat the other team that toppled the Tigers of Louisiana State". Is beating the team that beat the tigers the same as beating the tigers? NO. I dont see why you give the Heisman to a qaurterback. If it wasnt for the line tebow would have less yards than McFadden in the air. If your thinkin you should give it to tebow why not just give it to the line. Also, is there an undefeated team in the SEC? no. Do you know why? Because all the teams in the SEC beat each other. I dont know why all these suck ass teams like hawaii, BYU, Conneticute are ranked cause any team in the sec could beat them. "well there undefeated" There conference sucks. i especialy dont know why texas is ranked. I think VANDERBILT could beat any of those teams in the WAC or C-USA or whatever dumbass conferece their in. You say McFadden single handedly beat LSU, and i agree. I think if you beat the number 1 team in the country you definetly deserve the heisman. Not a guy that (with the help of recievers)beat the team that beat the tigers. This whole report is bullshit you shouldnt have even been able to write this. GO HOGS!!!! HEI"5"MAN.
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Zander Freund about 1 year ago
I apologize that I was "able" to write this. Let me point out however that anyone is "able" to write articles on Bleacher Report it's just a question of whether or not you have the personal motivation to stick your neck on the line and stand by your opinion. However you're obviously entitled to your opinion, and to think my article sucks.
That aside: many of the points you are ranting about make sense to me (like the SEC teams always beating each other, their being no undefeated team, etc.) One thing that doesn't however is this statement: "I think if you beat the number 1 team in the country you definitely deserve the Heisman."
By that logic, Andre Woodson should also win the Heisman. And correct me if I'm wrong, but the Heisman trophy is awarded to one player and one player alone. Hence you need to further clarify this statement if you wish it to hold any water.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Its alot easier to lead a team as a quarterback because the defense just can't send everyone at the quaterback and forget about recievers. McFadden was facing 8 men in the box nearly every play, ALL coming straight for him only. Felix Jones is a great back, but his 9.whatever yards per carry is due to the fact everyone was chasing McFadden. LSU, one of the nation's best defenses, had 2 linebacker headhunters spying McFadden all game and he still burned them....Take away a quarterback's recievers and send 8 people at him...
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Zander Freund about 1 year ago
Fair point quarterbacks playing on winning teams have a natural advantage in the Heisman race because their leadership qualities are easier to identify. But because of what you said, there's a lot more pressure on the average quarterback to put up W's than their is on the average runningback, who tend to be judged solely on individual stats.
Name me one quarterback who plays on a four loss team who is being seriously considered for the Heisman. Quarterbacks are automatically expected to play on the best team's in the nation to be considered as much as that can be advantage, it's a disadvantage for the field generals who play on teams with weak supporting casts and are blamed for their failures.
I think runningbacks and quarterbacks alike should be Heisman contenders but a runningback should be held more accountable for a team's success than they currently are. In addition: for ANY player to be given the Heisman based purely on individual performance, their numbers better be record-breaking (like Ricky Williams in 98').
If Arkansas was a top 15 team, or McFadden had rushed for 2000+ yards already, it might be a different story. I just feel like their are stronger candidates than D-Mac this year.
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Ryan Fritsche about 1 year ago
Tebow won't get it because voters know he is only a sophomore. Chase Daniel is making a very late push for the Heisman but I believe it is too little too late for him. Colt Brennan is locked in obscurity out on the island state of Hawaii. The only name that has been out there the entire season is Darren McFadden. Based on the fact that he is a LT type running back and has the same gamebreaking potential, McFadden should be the Heisman winner for 2007. Troy Smith shouldn't have won the Heisman last year but McFadden deserves it this year.
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Chris Finocchio about 1 year ago
I feel like you're ignoring the fact that Arkansas has an awful defense and there's nothing Peterson can do about it. If Arkansas' defense was better they would probably not be out of the Top 25 with 4 SEC losses. They are allowing 368 yards/ game which puts them at 45th in that category in the NCAA just behind Notre Dame. Florida, Vanderbilt, LSU, Georgia, Alabama, and Miss. State all have better averages. The offense is average 458 yards/ game, 18th in the NCAA, and more than every SEC team but Florida. Casey Dick isn't that great either. When you consider that Arkansas's passing offense is ranked 113 out 116 in the NCAA, their rushing attack becomes all the more impressive.
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Zander Freund about 1 year ago
Great points here Chris pretty hard to argue with. McFadden's team hasn't given him the support he deserves.
The Heisman trophy is, by nature, awarded unfairly in this sense, as nearly each and every winner of the award played for an outstanding team that was in the national spotlight. That said, in my book you EITHER have to give it to a guy who has led their team (allegedly) to the promised land, OR to someone who had a record breaking season.
While truly spectacular, Darren McFadden accomplished neither feat this season. Hence, I don't think he deserves the award.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I love the hogs fans stealing the Hei5man from the He15man. Thats priceless. Great article. As a canuck looking south and reading the heismanpundit webpage, its truly obvious that the voters are going to break tradition and go with Tebow. Daniel played nobody. Kansas? UF would destroy them. The big 12 north is a joke. Has been since Nebraska fell apart. As for McF. 3 games of 100 yards are less are what the voters are not going to get over. He has a great NFL ahead of him but he is going to see DejaVU in the next week. Go home 2nd. Back to Daniel. Mizz fans are going to get the realization on what Bradford and OU are going to do to them. There is no title game in Mizz future. I'd go out on a limb and say OU beats them by at least 14.
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Smith J. Howard about 1 year ago
Good point about Mizzou...but I wouldn't call it going out on a limb to pick OU by 14. Missouri is as overrated as Kansas was...neither of them have beaten anyone worth noting, and it's almost December.
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McFadden For Heisman about 1 year ago
Simple question...where do you think SEC teams' defense was focussing their energy while playing against Arkansas? Not on Casey Dick's passing game..but on McFadden's rushing game. This is why his numbers are impressive. To your point that AR is not in top 25, do you really think that Ohio state is good enough to be ranked in top 5? I would be surprised if they beat any of the SEC teams? Did you forget the national championship game last year? Did you forget when was Heisman winner--quarterback of the great "Ohio State" Troy Smith drafted this year? McFadden has to have something why he is being projected as the number 1 draft pick for next year.
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Zander Freund about 1 year ago
No one is questioning that Ohio State was overrated both last year and this year. Or that Troy Smith ended up being a bust. Or that Darren McFadden has had to carry quite a load for the Razorbacks this season.
That said, I don't think the fact that Darren McFadden is an uber-talented NFL prospect should win him the Heisman trophy. This is the trophy for the best player in the game based on performance, not talent.
McFadden's performance has been incredible but other candidates are more deserving.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I have a question.. maybe someone can answer it. If what Tebow has done this season ISN'T enough to win the Heisman then what would he have had to do? If Tebow doesn't win the Heisman this year, after what he has done, then it's impossible to win it as a sophomore, and I don't think that's right. Tebow has had a season for the ages. If you don't reward him for that the reward is meaningless. Giving McFadden the Heisman over Tebow because he maybe deserved it last season is 2 wrongs not making a right. At some point the the "paybacks" are going to have to stop. Tebow is having a far better season this year than McFadden this season or last season anyway.
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Trey Bradley about 1 year ago
3 different times this season McFadden has rushed for fewer than 100 yds (including a whopping 43 vs Auburn). 4 different times he's been held without a TD.
He's compensated, in part, with some insanely good games. He'll also make a better pro than Tebow. But the Stiff Arm belongs to the Florida QB, who has been more consistent and outstanding throughout.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Look at what D-MAC had to work with and what Tebow had to work with. This quote says it all, "McFadden was facing 8 men in the box nearly every play, ALL coming straight for him only."
The 3 games that where his numbers were not that good, yeah he had severely bruised ribs that most other players would have sat out for and lets not forget the concussion.
He carried the team and did as much with less. Your article is skewed and lacking of key facts, like his injuries and the lack of a passing game at Arkansas. When any team plays Arkansas, they know coming in Arkansas cannot pass the ball and they game for #5 and he still ran right over them.
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bill jones about 1 year ago
Wow, this is rediculously stupid. You can't judge a players ability by the success of his team. The Heisman isn't based on the success of the team, it's the talent of the player. This is the saddest objection I've read. Arkansas has had a lot of coaching problems this year and their failure to pull of the win shouldn't be credited to McFadden in any way. What has been losing the Arkansas games has been the play calling, and the lack of a decent quarterback. Whenever it mattered, Nutt made the wrong call. And if Arkansas lined up McFadden as a quarterback every play instead of a runningback, his stats would be just as good as Tebow, no doubt.
And Chase Daniel has only had a few good games.
McFadden deserves it.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Based on the criteria outlined in the article, the writer "whiffed" by not putting Pat White where he belongs, right in the race for the Heisman. If WVU is in the National Championship game and especially if they win it, it will be due in large part to Pat White. I'm not taking away anything from the other players mentioned, especially Tebow, who is outstanding. To me it comes down to Tebow, White and Daniels. And if WVU wins the National Championship and White plays like he has all year, then that would be the deciding factor in a close race.
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Zander Freund about 1 year ago
Coincidentally enough, those are the three I believe should be seriously considered as well. In fact, I wrote an article on it today: http://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/4243-College_Football-Florida_Gators_Football-Missouri_Tigers_Football-WVU_Football-Why_Tebow_Daniel_and_White_Should_All_Be_Considered_for_the_Heisman
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Dave Maybury about 1 year ago
Based on the criteria outlined in the article, the writer "whiffed" by not putting Pat White where he belongs, right in the race for the Heisman. If WVU is in the National Championship game and especially if they win it, it will be due in large part to Pat White. I'm not taking away anything from the other players mentioned, especially Tebow, who is outstanding. To me it comes down to Tebow, White and Daniels. And if WVU wins the National Championship and White plays like he has all year, then that would be the deciding factor in a close race.
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dario reale about 1 year ago
you people don't give him enough credit i mean come on one of the best running backs in the league
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
But McFadden has not shattered records like Tebow. Tebow has been a one man wrecking crew. McFadden doesn't come close to Tebow with stats. He has less TD's than Tebow.. Also Tebow is an asset on and off the field. Voters look at the person as well. McFadden isn't exactly your poster child of good nature. ESPN has Tebow in the lead. The Heismanpundits have Tebow in the lead. Everyone can cry all they want but the race is over unless Daniel can have a miraculous game against OU and thats even a stretch. As said before DejaVU for McFadden.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Why penalize DMac because the Hog's defense failed to make game winning stops? Arkansas lost leads to Bama and Auburn in the last 8 and 20 seconds, respectively. Against KY, the Razorbacks put up 375 yards - in the first half. DMac was sick and throwing up with a virus. He needed an IV at half. Still, the Hogs were ahead in the 4Q. DMac shouldn't lose the Heisman because the defense couldn't close out these games.
Tebow's TD numbers shouldn't even be considered, IMO. Florida doesn't have a true RB. Most of Tebow's TD runs are only 1-5 yards. He's a great player, but TDs should NOT be a criteria for the Heisman.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
If you look at Tebow's stats which you obviously haven't. He has a lot of runs that are more than 10 yards. Beat this to death but in the end McFadden will not win. He had 3 sub par games and the team has 4 losses. Tebow has 3 so that a moot point but in the 3 games that UF lost he still had stellar games. The voters will not get over McFadden's 3 bad games. It just can't be overlooked.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
If Chase Daniel has a statement game against Oklahoma he could push to the front. McFadden and Tebow are both at a bit of a disadvantage because neither is playing this weekend while Daniel is.
McFadden has had an incredible career at Arkansas. He's the real deal. Fingers crossed that voters like him.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
If Chase Daniel has a statement game against Oklahoma he could push to the front. McFadden and Tebow are both at a bit of a disadvantage because neither is playing this weekend while Daniel is.
McFadden has had an incredible career at Arkansas. He's the real deal. Fingers crossed that voters like him.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
COMPLETELY agree. The SEC is stacked with teams that are big and fast on defense. McFadden crushed these defenses.
Take away Florida's o-line and where does that leave Tebow? Eating dirt behind the line, that's where.
I am not at all stating that Tebow is a bad football player -- he is great -- but what you have to consider is that his offensive line has contributed just as much to his numbers as he has himself.
Great comment.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
this is a very good point and i agree totally.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
this is what i was trying to say... you said that dmac beat lsu single handedly. I was trying to say that if a guy beats the #1 team single handedly then he definetly deserves the heisman. and excuse my language i was mad that day.
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Marcus Herod about 1 year ago
Tebow is a quarterback and ALL of the snaps are in the hands of Tebow. His passing and rushing count for him, while McFadden in a running back that only gets a share of snaps. Tebow might get 60 snaps while McFadden only gets 40.
Of the last 10 winners of the Heisman Trophy, nine of them have played on teams that won their conference or at the very least made it to the championship game-Tebow is not in the SECCG, therefore you are saying that Tebow does not win the Heisman either.
I do not think that Chase Daniels should get the Heisman, who has he played besides OU (which they lost to). Sure they played the #2 team but Kansas was way overrated! Daniels numbers are good but against some average opponents.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
What a sad article, from a bad point of view. Basically, your hinging your entire piece on the fact that only the best player from the best team in the nation should win the heisman.
Is it Darren McFadden's fault Arkansas couldn't play defense?
Is it Darren McFadden's fault he only got like 5 carries in the first half against Tennessee?
Is it Darren McFadden's fault their old coach would rather be texting 3 minutes before they run from the tunnel, rather than pumping them up?
The fact is, if you want to give it to the best player from the best team, then you should give it to Glen Dorsey. OR we could give it to the guy that never lost a game. You know, didn't choke in the final seconds like Tebow did against LSU, where McFadden thrived... Oh by the way.
What did the Gators do before Tim Tebow took reigns of the offense? Won a national title.
What did the Hogs do before Darren McFadden? A very impressive 5-5.
Something else... 16 of Tim Tebows 22 rushing touchdowns were less than five yards. I'm pretty sure that if I lined up 5-wide and I decided to run up the middle, I could get at least three yards, and I run about a 5.0 40. In most Nickel packages, it requires four down lineman, and two linebackers dropping back into a zone. That means, you have one free lineman to run behind as you scamper in for the touchdown. Now that's impressive! Having to make no one miss to score a touchdown!!! Only one of his touchdowns was over 15 yards, and I think it was against some cupcake. (Don't quote me on that)
Tebow takes on maybe 1 guy on his rushing touchdowns, where McFadden takes on three.
But your right, Tebow deserves the award. *Rolls eyes in disgust*
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Something else, Tim Tebow had the ball for more touches (Passing Attempts, and Rushing Attempts) Than McFadden had in his entire career.
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Joe Willett about 1 year ago
The "best player in the country" means someone who was a great player. George Rogers won the award in 1980 on a team that went 8-4. And I'm not sure of the persons name but I know that there was a Heisman winner on a team that had a losing record.
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