Heisman Ballot

This week’s Heisman Ballot is our determination of the most outstanding players in college football.

Outside Looking In: Golden Tate, Colt McCoy, C.J. Spiller

3. Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama Crimson Tide

Last Week: 28 rushes for 113 yards and three touchdowns; 2 receptions for 76 yards in a 32-13 victory over Florida.

Analysis: Ingram led the way for Alabama as the Crimson Tide physically dominated the Gators to clinch the SEC Championship and earn a berth in the BCS Championship Game.

The sophomore from Flint, Michigan finished the season fifth in the nation with 1,542 rushing yards. Ingram has been the best offensive weapon in America’s toughest defensive conference this season. He is the SEC’s leading rusher by more than 150 yards.

Clearly, Ingram was outstanding in a number of games this season (172 yards at Ole Miss, 246 against South Carolina, and 144 against LSU). However he was also inconsistent with just 30 yards at Auburn and a late fourth quarter fumble against Tennessee that almost cost the Crimson Tide a shot at the title.

While Ingram is third on our ballot, we believe that he will go on to be the actual winner on Saturday night, becoming the first player from Alabama to win the Heisman Trophy.

2. Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle, Nebraska Cornhuskers

Last Week: 12 tackles (10 solo), seven tackles for loss; 4.5 sacks; two quarterback hurries in a 13-12 loss to Texas.

Analysis: It is generally considered that a defensive player, let alone a defensive tackle, cannot win the Heisman Trophy because he will never have the statistics or star power of his offensive counterparts.

That theory could be de-bunked on Saturday night in New York. Suh was a dominating force in the Big XII Championship game against Texas. He has been doing that to opponents all season: constantly disrupting the line of scrimmage and getting consistent pressure on the quarterback.

Suh sacked Texas quarterback and fellow Heisman finalist Colt McCoy 4.5 times. The Longhorn offensive line had been allowing just over two sacks per game. Suh doubled their average by himself.
In a season supposedly devoid of “Heisman Moments,” Suh was a revelation Saturday night in Dallas, giving us plenty of Heisman-worthy memories.

Before the game, Suh was a fringe candidate for the Heisman; clearly he’s had a great year, but maybe not good enough to get an invitation to New York. That all changed with his performance against the Longhorns. Not only did he earn the invite, but we believe he has a legitimate chance to win.

1. Toby Gerhart, Running Back, Stanford Cardinal

Last Week: Idle

Analysis: Gerhart deserves the Heisman Trophy because he fulfills two requirements that we see as essential in determining the winner: In addition to his dominance, Gerhart has been incredibly consistent this season.

The senior from Norco, CA leads the nation in rushing yards (1736) and points per game (13.3). He is also second in the nation in rushing yards per game with 144.7.

Gerhart uses his physicality and brutish running style to literally take over games. He is the best offensive player in college football. We have had Gerhart at the top of our ballot for the past two weeks and believe he should stay there.

Due to his consistently dominating body of work, Gerhart deserves to join Jim Plunkett and become the second Heisman Trophy winner from Stanford University.

Photos Courtesy of College Press Box