2005 Heisman Preview

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2005 Heisman Preview

The 2005-2006 Heisman Trophy race will soon be underway and it is no surprise that the odds makers have chosen USC’s senior quarterback Matt Leinart as the favorite.  However, only one player in the history of the award has ever won it twice (RB Archie Griffin, Ohio State).  Oklahoma’s Jason White threatened Griffin’s unprecedented feat last season and could have duplicated it if not for outstanding play by his freshman running back Adrian Peterson.  The fact that USC has the most talent in the country on both sides of the ball and in all probability will walk through the Pac 10 and into the national championship game for the third year in a row looks good for Leinart’s chances.  But perhaps the biggest Heisman question this season simply borders around which USC Trojan will win the nation’s most prestigious award as junior tailback Reggie Bush is right behind his running mate in the poll.  But all criteria indicate, however, that this year will be no different than the past five college football seasons, and it will once again be the year of the quarterback.  Wisconsin’s Ron Dayne was the last running back to walk away with the award in 1999.  Since then, this quarterback-dominated award has been shared by the likes of Florida State’s Chris Weinke, Nebraska’s Eric Crouch, USC’s Carson Palmer, Oklahoma’s Jason White, and USC’s Matt Leinart.  I foresee Texas’ Vince Young, Florida’s Chris Leak, and Iowa’s Drew Tate joining Matt Leinart to generate plenty of Heisman buzz.   

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Top Ten Heisman Hopefuls

1.  Matt Leinart (+130)--QB, USC - 6-5, 225 lbs., Sr.             

Leinart will once again have the nation’s best passing numbers and will top his 33 touchdown passes from a season ago.  He will be able to live in the pocket, as USC boasts the best offensive line in the country, and pick apart Pac 10 defenses, the worst of any major conference.       

Season Stats (’04) -- 269/412 for 3,322 yards, 33 TDs(plus 3 more rushing), 6 INTs.

2.  Reggie Bush (+456)--RB, USC - 6-0, 200 lbs., Jr.

Bush’s Heisman hopes lie in the hands of Coach Pete Carroll’s offensive strategy.  He will need to break some long runs in the first half of games to share some of Leinart’s spotlight.  Otherwise, a considerable amount of his rushing yards will come in the second half when USC will look to run the clock.  Bush does have versatility on his side, however.  He is a gifted receiver out of the backfield and is among the best kick returners in the nation. 

Season Stats (’04) -- 143 carries for 908 yards and 6 TDs, 43 receptions for 509 yards and 7 TDs, 2 returns for TDs and 1 TD pass.

3.  Chris Leak (+1108) --QB, Florida - 6-0, 210 lbs., Jr.
Leak is the best passer in the country and will probably enjoy the most successful NFL career of any of the QB’s in the race.  Florida’s pass-first mentality has Leak throwing 3 out of 4 downs in Urban Meyer’s spread offense, which is sure to produce huge numbers. He has taken virtually every snap for the Gators in his career, starting 21 games in his first two seasons, and perhaps his experience will be the determining factor in clinching the coveted award.  I’m putting my money on Leak as the outside favorite to strike the pose.  
 
Season Stats(’04) -- 238/399 for 3,197 yards, 29 TDs and 12 INTs

4.  Vince Young (+688) -- QB, Texas - 6-5, 230 lbs., Jr.

Young is the flat-out best athlete in college football, and perhaps the most exciting player.  He is even more Michael Vick-like than Vick’s younger brother Marcus.  If Young isn’t throwing passes in the NFL, he will be catching them with the likes of Randy Moss and Terrell Owens.  Young plays in the Big 12 which was the toughest conference last season and promises to be again this year.  This caters to Leinart, but if Young can shred through the Big 12 the way he shredded through Michigan for four rushing TD’s in last season’s Rose Bowl, he could find himself leading the Heisman race and Texas in the national championship game against USC.

Season Stats(’04) -- 148/250 for 1,849 yards, 12 TDs and 11 INTs. He also rushed for 1,079 yards with 14 TDs.

5.  Adrian Peterson (+623) -- RB, Oklahoma - 6-2, 210 lbs., So.

Peterson, last year’s Heisman runner-up, set the freshman rushing record and earned the title “most explosive back in college football.”  He also displayed surprising shiftiness despite his 6-2 frame.  His performances overshadowed teammate and Heisman Trophy winner Jason White last season and proved to be the determining factor in Oklahoma’s success.  This was clearly demonstrated in the national championship game when USC played the run and forced White to try to beat them in the air.  He will win the Heisman if he stays in school, but most likely not this season unless he breaks Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record of 2,628 yards. 

Season Stats(’04) -- 339 carries for 1,925 yards and 15 TDs.

6.  Drew Tate (+1768) -- QB, Iowa - 6-0, 185lbs., Jr. 

With five running backs going down, the Hawkeyes, a perennial running team, were forced to put the offense in first year starter Drew Tate’s hands.  Tate did not disappoint.  He threw for more yards than any Iowa quarterback since ’85 Heisman runner-up Chuck Long. You probably remember Tate’s Hail Mary heave to beat LSU in the CapitalOne Bowl.  Such big plays and Tate’s inherent escapability will allow offensive coordinator Ken O’Keefe to open up the play book even more.  I’m expecting a lot of roll out plays giving Tate the run/pass option.  This should mean big numbers for Tate.  If Iowa is able to beat Michigan at home and Ohio State on the Road, he might just be in the running for best player in the land. 

Season Stats(’04) -- 233/375 for 2786 yards,  20TDs(plus 2 more rushing), 14 INTs.

7.  Ted Ginn Jr. (+1108) -- FL, Ohio State - 6-0, 175 lbs., So.

Ginn was a bright spot in the Buckeye’s disappointing season a year ago.  Although he didn’t get off to a fast start, the last 6 games of the regular season he was dominant, causing secondaries fits.  He may be the most exciting player in the country next to Texas’ Vince Young.  In the final regular season game against rival Michigan, he had an electrifying punt return for his fourth punt return TD of the season setting a Big Ten record.  Look for a more mature player this season who will make big plays week in week out and lead the Buckeyes back to the top of the conference.  He could be to Ohio State what Desmond Howard was to Michigan in his Heisman Trophy campaign in 1991.

Season Stats(’04) -- 8 TDs on 59 touches -- 4 on punt returns, 2 rushing and 2 receiving.

8.  Reggie McNeal (+2153) -- QB, Texas A&M - 6-2, 206 lbs., Sr.

Texas has another QB creating Heisman hype.  McNeal is a slightly smaller version of Vince Young, but a better passer.  He was only intercepted 4 times compared to Young’s 11 picks with more attempts.  Young is a slightly better ball carrier.  When the Longhorns roll into College Station on Nov. 25^th, you could see the best head to head matchup of the season.  The winning QB in this game will steal some votes from the other.  My money is on Young and Texas as they have a more talented roster. 

Season Stats(’04) -- 200/344 for 2,791 yards, 14 TDs and 4 INTs. He also rushed for 718 yards and 8 TDs.

9.  Marcus Vick (+3818) -- QB, Virginia Tech - 6-0, 212 lbs., Jr.

Vick may be a long shot for the Heisman at this point or maybe he has a better shot than we think.  Two seasons ago, America saw glimpses of greatness every time Coach Frank Beamer let him on the field, and many of us expected nothing less of Marcus Vick than to follow in his brother’s footsteps.  We know he is an exceptional athlete, and will probably be among the leading rushing QBs in the nation.  His passing ability is still yet to be determined.  It is too bad that a barrage of off-the-field problems kept him off the field last season or he could possibly have been one of the favorites this season.  No one is quite sure what he’s capable of yet, but if the glimpses from two seasons ago and blood lines are any indicator of things-to-come, he could take college football by storm.  He quite possibly could be THE sleeper for the Heisman this year. 

Season Stats(’04) -- Vick sat out last season.

10.  Marshawn Lynch (+3199) -- RB, Cal - 5-11, 215 lbs., So.
Lynch could steal some of Bush’s thunder as the best tailback in the PAC 10.  Lynch will get more carries than Bush with Cal’s inexperience at the quarterback position.  He will also be running behind two first-team All-Pac-10 offensive linemen, center Marvin Phillip and tackle Ryan O’Callaghan who helped J.J. Arrington rush for over 2000 yards last season.  Lynch’s 8.8 yards per carry in his freshman year were staggering and no doubt earned him Heisman hype. 
 
Season Stats(’04) -- 71 carries for 628 yards,  8.8 yards per carry, 8 TDs. 

Early Season Heisman Update - 2005 Heisman Update 2