As an avid reader of Inside Pulse, one of the things I always hated most was when a column started off with a warning that it would be short due to the columnist having too much going on in their life. Well now that I am a columnist, I introduce to you my first abbreviated column due to too much going on in my life. Judging by all zero feedbacks I received from last week’s column I’m sure many people are up in arms over this. With my low reader following it’s become quite clear that I am Inside Pulse’s WNBA. Without further delay, here are the top 10 candidates to win the 2006 Heisman Trophy Award.
10. tie QB Chad Henne, Michigan and HB Michael Hart, Michigan : The first entry on our list is somewhat of a joint entry. If both Henne and Hart are clicking on all cylinders and remain healthy, then Michigan will be a National Title player. If one falters then both will probably falter. These two rely on the production of the other too much for them to warrant their own entries. Michigan does have a lot more depth at halfback than it does at quarterback so maybe Henne is the more important of the two, but by the slimmest of margins.
9. QB Brian Brohm, Louisville: Brohm isn’t the type of guy who is going to blow by you with his speed or will impress you with his rocket of an arm, but all-around he is as solid as you can get. Brohm is a prime example of right guy on the wrong team. Not that Louisville is Florida Atlantic by any means but much like teammate Michael Bush, not playing at a major power might hurt him with the voters. If Louisville can run the table and sneak into the National Title picture then his chances will increase a great deal.
8. HB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma: Peterson’s stock plummeted faster than Enron’s the minute quarterback Rhett Bomar was thrown off the team last week for accepting money from a booster. If Bomar is still on the team than Peterson is probably a top 3 candidate. Peterson is an explosive back and should do fine on his own but the loss at QB should all but seal his fate as a Heisman Trophy candidate.
7. QB Pat White, West Virginia: Raise your hand if at this time last year you knew who Pat White was. Now put your hand down cause unless you are a fan of West Virginia you are a dirty liar. Today the sophomore QB has people talking everywhere about what he may be capable of and he could very well be capable of leading his team to Arizona and the National Championship come early January.
6. HB Steve Slaton, West Virginia: Much like teammate Pat White, Slaton was a relative unknown last year. Super-recruit Justin Gwaltney was supposed to be the one leading the Mountaineers to glory but instead Slaton took over the job midway into the season and never looked back. It’s amazing what a difference a year makes. Today Slaton is a potential Heisman Trophy winner while last I heard Gwaltney failed out of Nassau Community College in Long Island.
5. HB Michael Bush, Louisville : Finally, Michael Bush is the best player named Bush in college football. When Bush leaves for the NFL after this season he will have almost every Louisville record in his back pocket. No doubt ESPN is praying that Bush and company are undefeated heading into their big showdown with White and Slaton’s West Virginia squad on Thursday November 2nd.
4. HB Kenny Irons, Auburn: Perhaps one of the least talked about stories in college football over the past few years is Auburn’s ability to produce outstanding running backs. NFL running backs Rudi Johnson, Brandon Jacobs, Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown all suited up for the Tigers and will soon have company on the next level in the name of Kenny Irons. Irons is an absolute beast and if Auburn can survive the SEC then he should be one of the finalists invited to New York for the trophy presentation.
3. QB Troy Smith, Ohio State: Before last year, the words Troy Smith and leader did not belong in the same sentence. Smith went on to have a solid year though and add to that a huge performance versus Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl and a star was born. The Buckeyes will be banking on Smith big time this year and if he reverts to his old ways than it could be a long year in Columbus.
2. WR Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State: Ted Ginn Jr. is this year’s “that guy.” Every year there is at least one guy who can totally change the game with one touch of the football and for 2006, Ginn is that guy. His position might prevent him from winning the award since for some reason only halfbacks and quarterbacks can win the award but he is certainly worthy of it. Every time the ball is in his hands you tend to move to the edge of your seat. To me that’s a Heisman winner…
1. QB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame: but not when Brady Quinn is in the mix. Couple last weeks article with this entry and people are going to think I have a Notre Dame voodoo room set up in my apartment. I actually happen to think that Brady Quinn is a solid quarterback but since he goes to Notre Dame anything that he does is going to be made to look that much better. Is he the best player in America? No, but he is the biggest name and that should be enough to get him the award. The only thing standing in his way is a record breaking year from another candidate or if Notre Dame goes down in flames.
