LSU vs. Arkansas: Tyrann Mathieu Proves He's Heisman Worthy vs. Razorbacks

Tyrann Mathieu has more than just a sweet nickname. Don't get me wrong, I would like to know where I would be in life if my nickname was "The Honey Badger," but what can I really do about that?

Mathieu showed today that he has something that just can't be coached. Pure skill. 

Where do we start with him? Arkansas lost two fumbles today. Mathieu caused both of them, and recovered one just for good measure.

But when his team was down 14-7 and potentially facing terrible field position, Mathieu showed just how good he is.

What did you notice about that? Despite the call of Verne Lundquist, Mathieu broke one tackle, and even that wasn't much of an attempt.

Yes, it means that the blocking was good. But what it also means is that Mathieu has a gear that his opponents (and even teammates) don't have. That was pure speed and athleticism. 

As Lenny Vanglider pointed out, ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit said back in October that he would award Mathieu the Heisman Trophy. 

It seemed nuts. After all, Charles Woodson is the only primary defensive player to win that award. 

But now, it doesn't seem so far fetched. 

With the exception of Alabama's Trent Richardson, every other candidate has had moments that really kill their chances. When Mathieu has been on the field, he just hasn't had those moments. 

On Friday, when his team needed him the most, he was there. Mathieu is as responsible as any player or coach at LSU for them being where they are now. 

Maybe it's not normal for defensive players to win the Heisman, but so what? 

When it was Woodson, he was a cornerback and return man on the best team in the country. Mathieu is the same. Watch one of the plays that won it for Woodson.

Michigan won that game 20-14. Without it, they probably lose. 

Now, LSU won this game big. On the scoreboard, they would certainly still have won, but who knows how the situation would have played out?

The Tigers were completely dominant after that return. For a lot of the first half, Arkansas looked like it was the better team. 

In the second half, they looked like an unranked team against LSU. If you don't think that return had something to do with it, you're crazy. 

And yes, season-defining plays in the biggest games of the year absolutely impact Heisman voting.