Heisman Finalists 2011: Why Montee Ball Deserves to Win the Heisman

The 2011 Heisman Trophy award ceremony is only a few days away, and a majority of people are talking about Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III like he's already won the award.  

While I wouldn't be shocked if he won, and there is no debating that he is worthy of it, I think there is a more deserving candidate.

The candidate I am talking about has totals of 1,759 yards on 275 carries with 32 touchdowns, earning him an average per carry of 6.4 yards. Oh, by the way, those stats only represent his rushing stats. This candidate also has 20 receptions for 255 yards and six touchdowns. 

The candidate I am talking about is the human tank known as Montee Ball. 

Here are five reasons why Wisconsin Badger's running back Montee Ball deserves to leave New York City on Saturday night with the 2011 Heisman Trophy.

4. His 2011 TD Production Mirrors Former Heisman Winner Barry Sanders

If Barry Sanders can win the Heisman with a total of 41 touchdowns (two receiving and 39 rushing) in only 12 games, why can't Montee Ball do it with 38 touchdowns (six receiving and 32 rushing) in 13 games?

I know Sanders' numbers in his 1988 season are a bit greater than that of Ball, but there is one glaring difference that I just can't overlook. The main difference between Sanders and Ball is the amount of carries it took to get their high touchdown marks. 

In 1988, Sanders amassed 39 touchdowns on the ground as well as 2,850 yards on 373 carries, earning him a 7.6 yards per carry average and an average of one touchdown per 10.1 touches.

In 2011, Ball has amassed 32 touchdowns on the ground as well as 1,759 yards on only 275 carries, earning him a 6.4 yards per carry average and an average of one touchdown per 7.8 touches.

If you use Ball's 6.4 yards per carry average and his touchdown per 7.8 touches average to predict his production on 373 carries like Sanders, he would end the season with 627 more rushing yards and 12 more touchdowns.

If Ball rushed as many times as Sanders did in 1988, he would still have less yards, but he would have more touchdowns. Again, I say if Sanders can win the Heisman on his type of production I don't see any reason why Ball shouldn't.  

3. He Is the Best Running Back at the Heisman Award Ceremony

I have all the respect in the world for Alabama running back Trent Richardson, but he just didn't produce the kind of numbers that Montee Ball did throughout the year. 

Richardson ended the regular season with 1,583 yards on 263 carries and 20 touchdowns on the ground. While those numbers were held back by not playing in a conference championship game like Ball did, his stats just aren't on the same level as Ball, especially regarding touchdowns.

A majority of people are saying that Ball's stats were helped by the passing game of Russell Wilson, but I think it is the other way around. The fact that Ball was such a dominant force on the ground opened up the passing game for Wisconsin, which in turn, helped his production. 

The difference in production between Ball and Richardson speaks for itself. Even though the Tide relied on Richardson more than Wisconsin relied on Ball for offensive production, there is no doubting that Ball could have performed just as well if the Badgers needed to rely on him more. 

If I was an NFL team looking for a running back I would take Ball over Richardson any day of the week, and the Heisman voters should do the same.   

2. His Production Came Against Legitimate Big Ten Defenses

I have nothing but respect for the SEC, but when you look at the overall defenses of each conference, the Big Ten gets the nod.

Montee Ball consistently produced against dominant Big Ten defenses week in and week out. Ball had 100-plus yards games against five top 50-ranked rushing defenses in Ohio State, Penn State, Illinois and Michigan State twice. 

Trent Richardson produced only two 100-plus yard games against top 50-ranked rushing defenses in Penn State and Florida. The only other top-50 rush defense that Richardson faced was the nation's best defense in LSU, and in that game, he only rushed for 87 yards (yes i know he had 80 yards receiving too). 

The only team that both Wisconsin and Alabama faced was the Penn State Nittany Lions, who give up the 48th least rushing yards per game. Against Penn State, Richardson rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns, whereas Ball rushed for 156 yards and four touchdowns.  

Statistically speaking, the Big Ten has run defenses that are slightly more dominant than that of the SEC, and even playing against the stauncher run defenses, Ball outperformed every other running  back in college football.  

1. Wisconsin Is Two Hail Marys Away from Being 13-0 and in the BCS Title Game

The Wisconsin Badgers are two Hail Marys away from being a perfect 13-0 and playing the undefeated LSU Tigers in the BCS national championship game.  

I know a lot of people hate to bring into account how a player's team does when voting for the Heisman Trophy because it is supposed to be given to the most outstanding player in all of college football regardless of record.

My perspective, though, is that an important aspect of being an outstanding player is not solely based on personal production, but also based on being able to win games for your team.

Montee Ball has helped his team do just that: win games. Ball put the Wisconsin Badgers on his back and carried them to a win in the inaugural Big Ten championship game and an invitation to the Rose Bowl.

Interestingly enough, the only games in which Montee Ball didn't perform up to Heisman caliber were against UNLV, Northern Illinois and South Dakota (all games in which he rushed for less than 100 yards). It is clear to see that Ball consistently showed up against top-tier competition and helped his team win games.  

I know that LSU's Tyrann Mathieu and Bama's Trent Richardson both earned their teams a trip to the BCS title. Honestly, if Ball's defense would understand how to play prevent defense and knock the ball down on Hail Mary attempts, he would be in the BCS title game instead of Richardson.

I will understand if Ball leaves NYC without the Heisman trophy, but I absolutely believe he deserves to win it.