Denard Robinson vs. Andrew Luck: Has Michigan Quarterback Leapfrogged Luck?

Cameron Jerrell Newton won't be in the picture for the Heisman race. The playing field is now more fair and balanced for just about every other college football player, in every conference. Unfortunately, the pesky little problem that Andrew Luck presented when he announced his return to Stanford has given other contenders a run for their money.

Especially players like Denard Robinson, who proved he deserves more than a few votes in this year’s Heisman debate after Saturday night’s game over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. If Robinson can continue carrying his team to thrilling wins, the Heisman debate won't be all about Luck.

Not only did the three-year Michigan quarterback achieve what some felt was impossible with just over a minute left on the game clock, he put the ball in the air for a total of 338 yards and rushed for another 108, averaging 30.7 yards per completion and 6.8 yards per carry. His name was on every one of Michigan's five touchdowns, throwing for four and running for another.

Sounds similar to Newton, who swept through last season with freshman running back Michael Dyer and wide receiver Darvin Adams who refused to let a pass slip through his fingers. And, we'll just leave Lombardi Award winner Nick Fairley out of the discussion. Auburn had a monster performance in the BCS Championship game, which further proved Newton was the right choice for the Heisman Trophy.

Robinson does not have that type of personnel backing him up, nor does he have the size and timing on his side.

Robinson is in a situation that he can exceed in personally. However, all of last year’s nominees seemed to be evaluated by how influential they could be for the team. This game was a nice spark and was only the second of Michigan’s season. Still, is there any air of certainty he can continue to prove himself at the end of games and claw his way back to solid ground, while dragging his teammates along for the ride?

Brady Hoke said immediately after the game,speaking with ESPN correspondent Erin Andrews, that while the wolverines brought home a win, there were still a lot of problems on both sides of the scrimmage line that had to be addressed. One of those problems could be Robinson’s tendency to throw the ball into the air with only the strength of 10 men and prayer on his mind.

It was an amazing end, but a reverse of his three interceptions throughout the game may have revised such a nail-biting ending.

There were underthrown passes that receivers bailed Robinson out of plenty of times during Saturday’s match. No matter how phenomenal his movement may be, no one can refuse to pay attention to those types of errors at such a crucial time in a football game.

There is one quarterback in college football that rarely showcases those types of lapses in judgment: Andrew Luck.

The Stanford quarterback, who was second in Heisman votes last season, has returned more polished than he had been in 2010. Not only has his team won both of their first two games, against San Jose State (57-3) and Duke (44-14), he has also managed an average quarterback rating of 172.2 and a completion rate not falling below 65 percent. He even attempted more throws than Robinson, whose rate fell to 45.8 percent in Saturday’s meeting against Notre Dame.

Luck had those oh-so-rare struggles as he stated soon after the Cardinals win over the Blue Devils. After winning 44-14, Luck still doesn't think his team is playing good enough. 

“Not good enough. Definitely not in the first half. Not good enough … I made a mistake here. Another guy makes a mistake there. It’s hard to get into a rhythm when every other guy is making a mistake. But they had a good defense. They dialed up some stuff and had our number for a while,” Luck said.

Luck is undoubtedly the most complete quarterback in college football today. There were talks that if he entered the NFL Draft, Newton would have 100 percent fallen below the blue line instead of being chosen with the No.1 overall pick. Now, as he has returned to the “amateur-level” game, his spot at the top of college football point guards remains unscathed.

Sure, Darron Thomas put on an impressive clinic against Nevada, tying the school’s record for most touchdown passes in a single game (6) and setting a record with five touchdown passes thrown in the first half. But, Thomas is no Luck. The young and still maturing quarterback had the help of former Heisman candidate LaMichael James and freshman sensation “Black Mamba”, better known as DeAnthony Thomas.

Nevada still reeling from the loss of Colin Kaepernick, are not the same team they were last season either. The air of defeat reeked from Nevada’s sideline early on and the squad could never recover.

Luck has the work ethic, study habits and maturity of someone who has already tasted the swell of victory but refuses to celebrate until the war is won. There is something to be said about a quarterback who can change the landscape of college football competition with a single decision about his future.

Denard Robinson is explosive and there isn't a single sports-loving soul that can deny it; especially after he threw the winning touchdown against Notre Dame at the Big House. What he did was remarkable, however, allowing the heat of the moment to boast a single-game performance higher than a four-year, proven and ever-developing quarterback is a mistake on your behalf.

Luck is still the frontrunner.