If Cam Newton Was Declared Ineligible, Who Would Win Heisman Trophy?
Cam Newton, quarterback of the Auburn Tigers football team, looks like the runaway favorite to win this year's Heisman Trophy. But to borrow ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso's famous phrase: not so fast my friend.
Allegations are swirling about whether or not Newton and his father sought money as a reward for signing a letter of intent. Mississippi State scouts have said Newton's dad asked for money, and former Mississippi State players have accused the Newtons of wrongdoing as well.
Auburn has not been linked to the pay-for-play scheme yet, but the NCAA has started investigating the allegations.
It's important to remember that in our great country, one must be proven guilty. It seems as though many people are buying into the allegations and condemning Newton, but until the allegations are proven to be true or false, he must be presumed to be innocent.
Thus, until there is a definitive ruling on the possible rule violation, Newton should still be at or near the top of every voter's Heisman list.
But, just in case, IF the allegations are true, let's take a look at who would be in a position to win this year's Heisman Trophy.
5. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri
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Yes, as a University of Missouri student, this is a bit of wishful thinking on my part. But, when you look at Gabbert's numbers, he's one of the top quarterbacks in college football.
His numbers are good, with 2,401 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He has also run for three touchdowns on the year and led the Tigers with 89 rushing yards on Saturday against Kansas State.
Gabbert has a substantial amount of work to do if he wants to be invited to New York, but with games against Iowa State and Kansas the next two weeks, anything is possible.
4. Andrew Luck, Stanford
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Andrew Luck, the redshirt sophomore quarterback for the Stanford Cardinal, will probably be the first pick of the 2011 NFL Draft if he decides to leave school.
Luck has led the Cardinal to a 9-1 record, with their only loss coming against BCS No. 1 Oregon. He has thrown for 2,511 yards and 22 touchdowns, but he's coming off a game against Arizona State in which he didn't throw any touchdowns.
He'll have to pick up his pace a little bit if he wants to have a real shot of winning a potential Cam Newton-less Heisman Trophy race.
3. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
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Justin Blackmon is easily Oklahoma State's most valuable player. He has caught at least one touchdown pass in every game he's played in this season (he was suspended for the Kansas State game). He's dominating the receiver position like no one has since Michael Crabtree was at Texas Tech.
With nearly 1,500 yards receiving on 84 catches, Blackmon deserves to be invited to the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
Oh yeah, he also has 16 touchdowns on the year, with two games left to add to those gaudy numbers.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
2. Kellen Moore, Boise State
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Two weeks ago, Kellen Moore turned in one of the best performances by a college player this year.
In Boise State's 42-7 win over Hawaii, he threw for a whopping 507 yards and three touchdowns.
For the year, he's thrown for 2,588 yards and 24 touchdowns. He's also taken care of the ball well, with only four interceptions on the year.
If Boise State runs the table, Moore is a dark horse candidate to win the Heisman Trophy.
1. LaMichael James, Oregon
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As LaMichael James goes, so go the Oregon Ducks. In Oregon's narrow 15-13 victory over Cal this weekend, James was held without a touchdown for the first time all season.
His lack of success was indicative of Oregon's play as a whole.
But, with over 1,400 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on the season, James is the most valuable player for the nation's highest scoring offense. That makes him the Cam Newton-less Heisman favorite in my book.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
