While the final standings would indicate a lackluster, surprise-less season for the most part, the Heisman Trophy was anything but predictable. The top three from last season all returned, so it looked like a 3 way race form season’s start. But, after Sam Bradford got injured early on, the Gators didn’t look as dominating as usual, and Colt McCoy had an up and down season, especially down vs. Nebraska, things have been shaken up since the pre-season.
These rankings are based on the idea of how MVP voting is. I don’t necessarily take into consideration record, although that always helps. Instead, I think of how the team would suffer if this player was not there, making him the Most Valuable Player.
10. Case Keenum, QB, Houston
–A great season, the first pure-passing numbers guy in a while without any major Heisman consideration, Keenum would have had a shot had he not ended the year with more than one loss.
9. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
–If the defense could have replicated the offense’s success, Charlie Weis would be up for coach of the year, not being on the cutting board. Clausen proved to NFL draft evaluators (including myself) that he’s an elite talent, but he’s teams struggles hurt him mightily.
8. Jeremiah Masoli, QB, Oregon
–While coach Chip Kelly has a lot to do with Oregon’s offense continued success this season, Masoli played well in every big game after Boise State, and has his team in the Rose Bowl.
7. Kyle Moore, QB, Boise State
–The most efficient quarterback in college football, most think he could start on over 100 FBS schools, so he’s not a small school wonder. He’s only a sophomore, so he’ll have a better shot next year.
6. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
–No question the biggest shocker of this board, McCoy put up great numbers at times this year, but usually against one of the weakest Big 12 conference’s in recent history. The best defense he played this year, Nebraska, put him in place.
5. CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
–Got shunned from the Final Five for voting, Spiller was everything to his team this season. He dominated in the running game as well as being the most electrifying and surprisingly clutch return man in the country.
4. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
–Ingram single handedly won a few games for Alabama this year, and set the tempo and tone for every game he played in. Greg McElroy was unable to run the offense without Ingram having success this year, and the Alabama’s offense and BCS hopes lied in Ingram’s successes.
3. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
–For the most part, I hate when people give defensive players attention for the Heisman. Guys like Glenn Dorsey in the recent past had undeservingly got attention from reports and analysts as a Heisman sleeper. Suh deserves everything, as he dominated every game, dictated what each opposing offense could do, and stepped up on the huge Big 12 stage.
2. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
–Regardless of the fact that Florida lost to Alabama in the SEC title game and BCS semi-final, Tebow is the best college football player OF ALL TIME. Even though he “only” won one Heisman trophy, this will be the third straight Heisman trophy final standings for Tebow.
1. Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford
–The most deserving guy of this award in my opinion. While Ingram and Tebow were the main factors in their team’s successes all season, Gerhart was most of the time, the ONLY factor in Stanford’s success. In the biggest games of their season, (vs Oregon, USC, and Notre Dame), Gerhart had over 200 yards.
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