Garnet and Black Attack Blogger Heisman Ballot

by Gamecock Man on Dec 7, 2009 11:52 AM EST in South Carolina Gamecocks Football

I was contacted again this year by Shotgun Spratling of The Blue Workhorse to vote for the Blogger Heisman. Below is my ballot and rationale. Stay tuned later this week for when TBW releases its results.

1. Mark Ingram

Ingram doesn't have the highlight-reel moves that some former Heisman tailbacks have had. However, he's produced all year long, and he came up biggest in the most-hyped SEC game in a long time. The Heisman is all about the combination of being a great player and helping your team win the big games, and Ingram has done those things.

2. Toby Gerhart

Gerhart is perhaps a better back than Ingram, but we haven't gotten to see how he would play in a truly significant game. And no, beating Southern Cal this year does not constitute "truly significant game."

3. Colt McCoy

McCoy had another great year, but his inept play on the big stage against Nebraska hurts him in my eyes. Let's not mince words here; that Texas victory is directly attributable to Nebraska choking and Hunter Lawrence's clutch field goal, not McCoy.

Honorable Mention: Tim Tebow

Surprisingly, Tebow had his worst year as a senior. He deserves credit, though, for having one of the best college football careers ever and for his leadership. Moreover, his down year probably isn't all his fault; any Florida fan will tell you that coaching was an issue this year, and there's a lot of truth to that.

So, does anyone disagree? Did I miss anyone that should be on the ballot?

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Not much Disagreement

I would have it a little different -

1) Toby Gerhart – completely video type stats against Oregon and Southern Cal. Could be the best running back in college. I also like his style of play. Reminds me of when Tebow won two years ago but not in the National Championship race either. Only 2 games not over 100 yds rushing.

2) Mark Ingram – punishing runner who did crazy things against USC and FL. His lack of production in the Auburn (16 carries for 30 yds) has me give the edge to Gerhart, but its close. Ironically I think that other RB richardson for Bama maybe better than Ingram next year.

3) CJ Spiller – It kills me to say so, but this man is dangerous with the ball. Can take it to the house each time he touches it. Because of his threat running, receiving, and returning, I would place him 3rd. He would have been higher if not for the USC game. They kept him shutdown after the opening kickoff.

Honorable Mention – McCoy and Tebow. Both had good years but down years compared to 2008.

McCoy had a bad Championship game and did not come on until late in the year statistically (and we have to consider the teams he played only Nebraska and Ok State are ranked none higher than #19).
Tebow was no where near his Heisman winning season but the FL offense looked inept by their standards for most of the year (looks like Mullen, MSU coach now, had a lot to do with that now). It was a good but not Heisman great year for Tebow.

by SCPhillyFan on Dec 7, 2009 1:06 PM EST reply actions

You know, you might have convinced me regarding Spiller. I had him high on my list before the USC game...

But dropped him after his poor performance there. He made up for it against Tech, though. Def. a quality performer.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Dec 7, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

It's a pretty decent list

I don’t see how Tebow makes it as an honorable mention though. He received the award two years ago because he put up stats that were other-worldy. This year he was merely pedestrain statistically speaking, however he should be considered because he’s a great leader? You can’t have it both ways.

I think that McCoy should be replaced with Spiller or Suh. Suh was unbelievable against Texas and if he played on a team that was going to a BCS bowl, I have to believe he might getting Charles Woodson-esque hype for the award.

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by AuditDawg on Dec 7, 2009 2:02 PM EST reply actions

Suh was unreal. One of the best defensive performances I've ever seen.

I’m probably giving McCoy more credit than he deserves for being the quarterback on an undefeated team.

It’s really too bad Nebraska has NO offense.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Dec 7, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions

Also, let's not get too down on Tebow...

He had a 155 rating, 2400 passing, and 800 rushing. Not too shabby, if you ask me.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Dec 7, 2009 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

No doubt

I just think he set the bar so high that it’s hard to justify voting for him when you’ve got guys like Keenum and whoever Mike Leach decides to trot out at QB lighting up the stat sheet even moreso than Tebow did in 2007. No slight to Tebow who had a great season, but by his own standards from 2007 he’s not the best player in the nation.

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by AuditDawg on Dec 7, 2009 2:22 PM EST up reply actions

Fair enough.

I agree with you about Suh and Spiller. Probably should have voted for them instead of McCoy.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Dec 7, 2009 2:53 PM EST up reply actions

If I had a ballot,

1. Suh – He is the only player I’ve seen that has looked truly special this year. I would have put him second before the Big 12 Championship, but his one man wrecking crew performance convinced me to move him to #1. His showing was even more impressive when you consider the officiating crew was very lenient on holding all night long. With a normally called game, he’d have produced either another two or three sacks, or a half dozen holding calls.

2. Ingram – His ypc is almost a full yard better than Gerhart’s, and he has faced six of the top thirty defenses in the nation. Ingram also has two or three hundred yards on receptions. Gerhart has faced three, none in the top twenty.

3. Keenum – Many critics scream “system quarterback”, but his numbers are too eye popping to overlook. He is less of a system player than Ron Dayne, who stole a Heisman his SR year.

by GwinnettGamecock on Dec 7, 2009 3:35 PM EST reply actions