Heisman Trophy Update: Why Is No One Talking About Montee Ball?

When people talk about the Heisman Trophy this year, a few names instantly come to mind. Players like Andrew Luck, Trent Richardson and Case Keenum are all frontrunners for college football's most prestigious award.

Unfortunately, there is one player in the country that isn't getting anywhere near the respect that he deserves.

That player is Montee Ball. Why is no one talking about him as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate?

Seriously, if people think that Richardson is worthy of the award, then keeping Ball away from the ceremony in New York is just ridiculous.

If you compare what Ball and Richardson have done statistically so far this year, it would be hard to differentiate between the two. While Richardson has rushed for 1,037 yards and 17 touchdowns, Ball has rushed for 1,065 and 21 touchdowns. Point: Ball.

You may say that the Wisconsin Badgers are a run-first team. Well, Russell Wilson of the Badgers has thrown for 2,238 yards and 21 touchdowns, while A.J. McCarron of the Alabama Crimson Tide has thrown for only 1,863 yards and 10 touchdowns.

It looks like the Badgers have the more balanced offense. That makes it 2-0 in favor of Ball.

Even as a receiver, Ball's 13 receptions for 229 yards and three touchdowns are easily just as good as Richardson's 23 receptions for 292 yards and one touchdown. When you throw in the fact that Wisconsin has legitimate targets such as Nick Toon, Jared Abbrederis and Jacob Pederson, it makes Ball's statistics even more impressive. Another point for Ball to give him a 3-0 lead over Richardson.

Another argument against Ball could be that he is the only running back for Wisconsin. While only people living in caves would believe that, it could be brought up. James White, the backup running back for the Wisconsin Badgers, has 507 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the season. On the other hand, Alabama's backup running back, Eddie Lacy, has 464 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

While those statistics are close, they still favor Wisconsin and Ball. Give Ball another point, now 4-0.

The only argument you could make for Richardson to be a Heisman candidate over Ball is the level of competition he has faced. Richardson has played four ranked teams so far this year compared to Ball's two.

However, in the game that was supposed to prove Richardson to be the favorite for the Heisman against LSU, he only mustered 89 yards on the ground on 23 carries. Certainly not that impressive.

Still, Richardson has faced stiffer competition, so he is deserving of one point. In case you lost count, our final score is 4-1 in favor of Ball.

I know that Ball isn't as sexy a Heisman pick as Richardson or Luck, but all I'm asking is that people start talking about him as a legitimate Heisman candidate. His statistics absolutely prove that he is having a better season than Richardson.

I'm not saying that Ball should win the Heisman Trophy this year. All I'm saying is that he is every bit as deserving of being sent to New York than Richardson. Maybe even more so.