The requirements for winning the Heisman Trophy are about as broad as possible, but the website says "an individual who deserves recognition as the most outstanding college football player in the United States."

I interpret it as the player who has had the best season, which I see as a combination of statistics, highlights (game-changing moments), and team success.

Here is how I would vote (not how I see it turning out in NYC unfortunately):

1- Mark Ingram, Jr., Sophomore, RB, Alabama

First off, it's a damn shame he didn't stay in Big Ten country. He grew up in Flint, Michigan and his father played at Michigan State before going on to the NFL.

Mark Ingram is currently 5th in yards, but also has a 6.6 ypc, which is better than four of the five people ahead of him. His 246-yard performance against South Carolina put him in the running, and his 144-yard performance in a crucial game against LSU reaffirmed his position as the top candidate thus far.

His Alabama team has one of the best defenses in the country, and coupled with Ingram's play, is arguably the best overall team in the country. They are 9-0 and on their way to face Florida in the SEC Championship game. Assuming Alabama finishes 13-0 prior to the bowl game, Alabama will have its first Heisman winner.

2- Jimmy Clausen, Junior, QB, Notre Dame

I'm a Notre Dame fan, I admit it. I'm not the largest homer in the world though. Ingram has a huge lead tight now, everyone else is basically battling for a spot in New York.

That said, Jimmy Clausen is best quarterback in the country. Juxtaposed with everyone in the country, his QB rating is 3rd (162.9), his yards are 4th (2,770), his touchdowns are 8th (20), his yards per attempt is 7th, and his completion percentage is 9th. Also, among the top ten touchdown leaders, he has the fewest interceptions. You will find quarterbacks with better team success, but go ahead and find a quarterback with statistical accomplishments like those (that don't result from a system).

His defense, or lack thereof, doesn't facilitate winning. In fact, Clausen has had to put his team on his back (with the help of Golden Tate) to win games.

3- Colt McCoy, Senior, QB, Texas

McCoy is coming on later, partially due to his name, but mostly because Texas is starting to click on all cylinders. His 470-yard performance last week (against Central Florida...) reminded us all of his season last year. He is statistically the most accurate passer in the country, but his interceptions are not impressive at all.

He also has team success working for him. Texas will be in the BCS National Championship game if they win out. Not many other players are leading their teams to such heights.

4- Golden Tate, Junior, WR, Notre Dame

Oh Jesus! The Notre Dame fan has lost his mind!

No seriously, name a more exciting receiver. His stats speak for themselves, he is 3rd in both yards (1,059) and touchdowns (10). Among the top ten yard-earners, he is 2nd in average (16.6ypc) and second-lowest in terms of catches with just a mere 65.

He's a stud and his highlights speak for themselves. What he did while Michael Floyd was injured (and teams were double and triple covering him) is nothing short of remarkable.


Still though, this Heisman belongs to Mark Ingram. As long as it's not Tim Tebow, I'm happy.

Good list. I base mine on stats and importance to the team.

Mine:
Ingram
Claussen
McCoy
Spiller
Keenum (I know, but he's had a remarkable year and led Houston to some good W's)

It won't surprise me if Tebow wins. Oh well.

gotta' go with Ingram....anyone but Tebow

Right now I got
Ingram
Claussen
McCoy
Spiller
Keenum

Clausen has no shot. He is good, but not this year.

ingram or spiller then mccoy

Did I miss something or is tebow not on the list. You might not think he deserves it but he atleast is on the list of nominees. Lol no tebow cmon now

I only have ten options for a poll. I can't think of someone on that list Tebow deserves to be in over. Tebow is effectively the "OTHER" option. He's done little to warrant being placed higher and people that think otherwise are kidding themselves.

Spiller today:

5.1 yds per rush, 97 yards- 1 TD
47 rec yds- 1 TD
1-1 passing 17 yds- 1 TD

He was only kicked to once and got 17 yards. All other kicks were either onside, or out of bounds (even on kickoffs, they took the penalty).

Solid day, 3 td's.

There's a kid out a Stanford that's getting overlooked by everyone. If they beat USC today, they pretty much control their own destiny for a Rose Bowl birth, and he's the reason why.

Clausen . . . . easily.

He makes ALL of the throws, doesn't throw pics, and puts his team on his back in the 4th quarter . . . . and it's certainly not his fault his team doesn't have a defense.

While he may not win the award, he will go #1 overall in the draft this spring.

Hmm. my prediction is looking pretty good right about now

It should be CJ Spiller or Mark Ingram. But I doubt the voters feel the same way

ICEMAN59 wrote: Clausen . . . . easily.

He makes ALL of the throws, doesn't throw pics, and puts his team on his back in the 4th quarter . . . . and it's certainly not his fault his team doesn't have a defense.

While he may not win the award, he will go #1 overall in the draft this spring.

unfortunately, where you may or may not be drafted has nothing to do with who ultimately wins the award

Ingram and McCoy looked good today. Clausen forgot to show up for the game.

Red_Skin_Pride wrote: There's a kid out a Stanford that's getting overlooked by everyone. If they beat USC today, they pretty much control their own destiny for a Rose Bowl birth, and he's the reason why.

That kid is good. Stanford doesn't control its own destiny, though. Oregon still only has one loss in the conference. Stanford, Oregon State, and Arizona all have two losses, but both OreSt and Az beat Stanford. Ideally, they would need Oregon to beat Oregon State and lose to Arizona, then have Arizona lose to either Az State or USC. Oregon is the only Pac 10 team that controls its own destiny.

Funny thing though, on a thread a few days ago at the other (shithole) site, the toughest remaining schedule was discussed. I don't think there were a lot of posts, but Stanford was pretty much a lock for that. They've now beaten Oregon and USC. Cal and Notre Dame are now looking less imposing. I don't know that anyone would have thought they could really go 4-0 through that stretch, but I'd think at this point it'd be a disappointment if they don't.

1. Mark Ingram
2. Colt McCoy
3. Tim Tebow
4. Case Keenum
5. C.J. Spiller

1. Mark Ingram.
2. C.J. Spiller
3. Golden Tate
4. Tim Tebow
5. Colt McCoy.

1. Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
2. Colt McCoy, QB Texas
3. CJ Spiller, RB Clemson
4. Toby Gerhart, RB Stanford
5. Jimmy Clausen, QB Notre Dame

Spiller scared NC ST so much today that they attempted an onside kick on every single kickoff but one. They even kicked a punt out of bounds punting from their own endzone. He affected the filed position by 40 yards without even returning the ball. I have never seen a team THAT scared to kick to one guy.