Midsummer Musings: The Heisman Race, Potential BCS Armageddon, and More
Monday June 29, 2009
Some midsummer musings about college football ...
- I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: We college football fans are in for an epic—truly epic—Heisman Trophy battle this season. But the battle between Florida’s Tim Tebow (your 2007 Heisman winner), Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford (your 2008 Heisman winner) and Texas’ Colt McCoy (who hasn’t won one yet) won’t be limited to the field. It will also be fought out at the voting booth. Make no mistake, those three guys—Tebow, McCoy, Bradford—are going to be your Heisman finalists, and as a result, the voting is going to break, quite predictably, along regional lines. In short, I’d be surprised if any voter in SEC country ends up with either McCoy or Bradford ahead of Tebow on their ballot, regardless of what the stats say. Bias? In college football? Shocking, right? Let the arguments begin.
- Speaking of arguments, we could be headed for a big one. And I mean, the big one. Because for the first time in the BCS era, I believe this is the year we could finally see a one-loss SEC or Big 12 team jump an undefeated team from another conference for a spot in the BCS Championship game—especially if that undefeated team happens to come from the Big Ten (yep, we’re looking at you, Ohio State and Penn State). And if (when) that happens, prepare for BCS Armageddon.
- Here's a question, folks: Where have all the great tailbacks gone? I mean, honestly. Go ahead: Name the best tailback in the country. I bet you can’t do it. And do you know why you can't do it? Because there isn’t a great one out there. Cal’s Jahvid Best is good, sure. So is Oregon State’s Jacquizz Rodgers. But great? Nope. Not great. I mean, where’s the Reggie Bush? Where’s the Adrian Peterson? Where’s the Ron Dayne?
- Some of you have told me I'm crazy for saying this, but I'm going to say it again anyway. Because I really believe it. Here goes: Notre Dame is going to beat USC this year. Yes, I’m serious. Take a look at the Irish’s early-season schedule and it’s quite clear they could be 5-0 when the Trojans roll into town. They’ll have momentum on their side. They’ll have the crowd on their side. God knows they'll have the ESPN hype machine on their side (there is only one team that ESPN loves more than USC, and that team just happens to be Notre Dame). If USC is off their game, even a little? Well, watch out. In one fell swoop, Charlie Weis can put the Irish back in the national title race and save his job. That would be a good day in South Bend.
- If Michigan does get back to a bowl game this season—a strong possibility, by the way—it won’t be because of the passing of freshman quarterback Tate Forcier. No, instead, it will be because of running of Brandon Minor, one of the most rugged and underappreciated backs in the country. Splitting carries with Sam McGuffie last season, Minor ran for 533 yards and nine touchdowns. He averaged more than 5 yards per carry. He'll have a breakout year in 2009.
- The most overrated teams heading into 2009? Try the following: USC (two losses this year, I guarantee it), Ole Miss, Alabama, LSU.
- The most underrated teams heading into 2009? Here you go: Northwestern, Pitt, Oregon State, Baylor.
- The teams that could either win 10 games or not even reach bowl eligibility? How about these guys: Illinois, Nebraska, Boston College, South Florida.
- Finally, I thought I should mention that Jim Harbaugh is recruiting like crazy at Stanford right now. This guy is legit. Stanford to the BCS within three years.
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