Why Hawaii's Colt Brennan Does Not Deserve The Heisman

As I pointed out in a column I wrote yesterday, the 2007 Heisman Trophy belongs in the hands of one of the nation's many great quarterbacks.  A field general that seems to be generating a lot of gossip lately in the Heisman talks is none other than Hawaii's Colt Brennan, the 6'3" sandy blonde out of Laguna Beach.

When wrapping your head around Colt's individual stats and team record, one may get the impression that Brennan is a serious Heisman contender. After all: while other quarterbacks have posted equally dazzling numbers, only Brennan has led his team to an undefeated record.  Right?

Wrong.

Cold Brennan should not be considered for the Heisman trophy—period.

Let's start with his numbers. 

Statistically speaking, Colt Brennan is one of the best passers in the country.  His 69.9% completion percentage is quite impressive.  His 33 touchdowns and 3732 passing yards are stunning. And his quarterback rating of 163.4 is downright extraordinary.

But those numbers are nothing compared to the stats he put up last year.

Colt's quarterback rating last season was an astonishing 185.96.  He threw for 5549 total yards, with a 72.6% completion rate and 58 touchdowns.  Despite his aggressive play, he only threw 12 picks throughout the season.

Yes, you read that right: 58 friggin' touchdowns.  Colt posted Superhuman numbers in 06' that can only be explained by raw talent and a weak schedule.

The point I want to stress is this: Colt threw 25 more touchdowns last year than he has through 11 games this year, and two fewer interceptions.  He has been great this season—but was even better last season. 

If he was going to get the Heisman, 2006 was the time.  But he only finished sixth in voting.

Now I know what you're thinking: individual statistics don't tell the whole story. 

Very true.

Indeed, there's another stat that is perhaps more impressive than Brennan's individual feats this season.  And that, of course, is the Hawaii Warriors' 11-0 record.

Perhaps this is where the thinking behind considering Brennan for the Heisman lies.  While Colt had a great season in 06', his performance this year was nothing short of magical—as shown by Hawaii's undefeated record.

But a closer look reveals that the two seasons weren't as different as one would imagine.

In both seasons, the Warriors lined up week after week against awful competition.  When all is said and done, the Warriors will have played eleven non-elite opponents this year—the exact same amount as last year.

The only ranked team the Warriors played both last season and this season was Boise State.  In 2006, the Warriors lost to the Buster Broncos early in the season by seven points.  Last weekend, the Warriors were 12-point victors.

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