Your 2008 Heisman Trophy Winner? Chris 'Beanie' Wells
The 2008 college football season is now less than two months away. Which means it's time to start making ridiculously early predictions.
So here goes: Ohio State tailback Chris Wells will win the Heisman Trophy.
And here are three reasons why:
1) Defending Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow won't be as good in 2008 as he was in 2007. I mean, really, how could he be? Last season Tebow threw for 3,286 yards and 32 touchdowns. He ran for 895 yards and 23 touchdowns. The guy not only led the Gators in rushing, he also led the entire SEC in rushing touchdowns. Chances of that happening again? Almost zero, especially because Tebow will likely be sharing carries, for the first time, with a legitimate tailback -- that's USC transfer Emmanuel Moody, in case you're wondering. And don't forget, there's that guy Percy Harvin, too. The bottom line? Tebow's numbers are almost certain to drop. That will cost him votes.
2) Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree can't win it. He just can't. Yes, Crabtree is good. Yes, he's the best receiver in the country and, yes, he's very likely to match or even improve upon his remarkable numbers in 2007: 134 catches for 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns. But here's the thing: He still plays for Texas Tech. And nobody from Texas Tech is going to get enough press to win the Heisman Trophy. The award remains a popularity contest. And you need press to be popular. Fair or not, Tech is the No. 3 team in their own state. Sorry, Red Raiders fans.
3) Ohio State's quarterback is still Todd Boeckman. Boeckman is not a bad quarterback. In fact, at times he can be quite good. But he is not the second coming of Carson Palmer. Or even Ron Powlus. Boeckman is, simply, a ball control quarterback whose only jobs are to not make mistakes and successfully hand the ball of to his best weapon: Chris Wells. The man they call Beanie rushed for 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns last season and, considering the way Boeckman melted down during the 2007 stretch run (see: Illinois game), it's not hard to imagine coach Jim Tressel cutting down on the pass attempts and turning the offense over to Wells in 2008. A 2,000-yard season is not out of the question for Beanie, and if he gets there (I think he will), the Heisman is his.
You heard it here first.
Photo: Ohio State tailback Chris Wells may top the 2,000 yard mark in 2008. If he does, he'll walk off with the Heisman Trophy. (Harry How/Getty Images)
Comments
C. Wells is one of the easiest preseason Heisman picks ever. He is easily the most dominent RB and is on a loaded Ohio State team.
This is not an “I told you so” prediction. It’s more like a “Yeah, I know” prediction.
This one is so easy,the Heisman goes south
to Athens,Ga., to Knowshon Moreno of the
#1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs and as Munson
would say “MY GOD HE’S ONLY A SOPH.” The
best DAWG RB since some guy who wore #34
Oh and by the way also had a cape………
Take it to the bank.. GO DAWGS!!!!!
Chris Wells may not get 2000 yards and that is probably more because of Coach Tressel will play a whole lot of kids and reward them for their hard work and dedication to the Ohio State football program. Archie could have gotten a hell of a lot more yards, but Woody was smart enough to only play him as he was needed. Remember the “Greatest Rivalary in College Footbal” will be played in Columbus, Ohio in November against the University of Michigan. This will be the first visit for their NEW coach RR and it will be Chris Wells last game in the “Shoe”. It should be quite a shoot-out and Chris should win the Heisman that afternoon just like Troy Smith did just two years ago with another win against the Wolverines. GO BUCKS! BEAT MICHIGAN