Tonight, at the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City, New York, is the 2006 Heisman Trophy Presentation. Last year's winner was Reggie Bush, who received over 700 of the first place votes, with second place Vince Young receiving only 79.
This year's finalists are Sophomore Running Back from Arkansas Darren McFadden, Senior Quarterback from Notre Dame Brady Quinn, and the Senior Quarterback from Ohio State Troy Smith.
Darren McFadden ran for 1558 yards as part of Arkansas's nearly completely rushing attack featuring McFadden and Felix Jones, who also ran for over 1000 yards. He scored 15 touchdowns either running or receiving, while throwing for 2 more. Chances are very slim for him to win the Heisman, however, A) because he's a sophomore and B) because he's up against two senior QB's from teams whose records are better than Arkansas's.
Brady Quinn from Notre Dame definitely has the best stats of the three, even though McFadden's running stats were put up against the SEC. Quinn has thrown for over 3200 yards with 35 touchdowns against only 5 interceptions. Quinn's issue comes in Notre Dame's schedule and his inability to perform in big games. Against Michigan, Quinn had three of his five interceptions, while completing only 50% of his passes. Against Southern Cal at the end of the year, Quinn completed less than half of his passes, and though he ended up with 274 yards, much of it came after the game had already been decided.
Much of Quinn's impressive stats came when Notre Dame played teams like Army, Navy, Air Force, and Stanford, not to mention barely beating Michigan State, who finished the year 4-8. Quinn's inability to perform in big games and the fact that he lost two games on the year make it hard for him to have a chance tonight.
Troy Smith out of Ohio State is the overwhelming favorite to win the award, not necessarily because of his stats, but because of his ability to perform in big games and lead the team to an undefeated season. Smith led his team to victories over two #2 teams during the year, at Texas and at home against Michigan.
He's thrown for over 2500 yards, with 30 touchdowns against only 5 interceptions. Against Texas he threw for 269 yards with 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. Against Michigan (who he beat for the third straight year), he had 316 yards with 4 touchdowns and just 1 interception. After leading his tem to an undefeated year, there is basically no question that Troy Smith will be the first Big Ten quarterback ever to win the award.
Results will be posted afterwards.
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Alabama News
And now for some news from another bowl team, Alabama. After getting turned down by Rich Rodriguez yesterday, it appears that Alabama has narrowed their search again. Currently, according to various sources, the list looks a little something like this:
Steve Spurrier, Head Coach of the University of South Carolina
Paul Johnson, Head Coach of the Naval Academy
Mike Stoops, Head Coach of the University of Arizona
Jim Grobe, Head Coach of Wake Forest University
Mike Riley, Head Coach of Oregon State University
Greg Schiano, Head Coach of Rutgers University
Joe Kines, Current University of Alabama Defensive Coordinator/Interim Head Coach
Of those seven names, using a little deductive reasoning, a couple can be marked off as little more than pipe dreams.
The fact is, Steve Spurrier is not going to leave South Carolina and Greg Schiano, especially after turning down the head coaching job at Miami, is not going to leave Rutgers any time soon.
That narrows the list down to five, leaving Paul Johnson Mike Stoops, Jim Grobe, Mike Riley and Joe Kines as potential candidates. If I had to say who would be the next head coach at Alabama, I would put my money on Paul Johnson right now. However, don't discount Mike Riley yet. He has a lot of Alabama ties, and we all know how much the Crimson Tide like people who have Alabama blood flowing through their veins.
Steve Spurrier, Head Coach of the University of South Carolina
Paul Johnson, Head Coach of the Naval Academy
Mike Stoops, Head Coach of the University of Arizona
Jim Grobe, Head Coach of Wake Forest University
Mike Riley, Head Coach of Oregon State University
Greg Schiano, Head Coach of Rutgers University
Joe Kines, Current University of Alabama Defensive Coordinator/Interim Head Coach
Of those seven names, using a little deductive reasoning, a couple can be marked off as little more than pipe dreams.
The fact is, Steve Spurrier is not going to leave South Carolina and Greg Schiano, especially after turning down the head coaching job at Miami, is not going to leave Rutgers any time soon.
That narrows the list down to five, leaving Paul Johnson Mike Stoops, Jim Grobe, Mike Riley and Joe Kines as potential candidates. If I had to say who would be the next head coach at Alabama, I would put my money on Paul Johnson right now. However, don't discount Mike Riley yet. He has a lot of Alabama ties, and we all know how much the Crimson Tide like people who have Alabama blood flowing through their veins.
Tom O'Brien News
ESPN is reporting that Tom O'Brien will not coach Boston College in the Meineke Car Care Bowl vs. Navy on December 31st after accepting the head coaching job at North Carolina State and replacing Chuck Amato. Boston College defensive coordinator Joe Spaziani will lead the Eagles against the Midshipmen.
On a related note, there is no news about who Boston College is currently considering to fill their head coaching vacancy.
On a related note, there is no news about who Boston College is currently considering to fill their head coaching vacancy.
Friday, December 8, 2006
One More Note
The head coach from "that school up north" (Michigan for those not familiar with Buckeye football) has been quoted saying there will DEFINITELY be a playoff system at some point. According to Lloyd Carr, "I can guarantee, that at some point, it will happen."
Carr also says that the BCS standings having Florida jump Michigan is one of the most disappointing moments in his 27 years with the Wolverines.
Sucks for them, but they're still going to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl, which is hardly a bowl to be ashamed about.
Carr also says that the BCS standings having Florida jump Michigan is one of the most disappointing moments in his 27 years with the Wolverines.
Sucks for them, but they're still going to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl, which is hardly a bowl to be ashamed about.
Injuries
Two major injury situations to report, one a positive outlook, and the other not so much.
First of all, in Oklahoma, it was reported today and announced by Bob Stoops that Adrian Peterson has been cleared by team doctors to practice and play in the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State. This makes Oklahoma a completely different team than they have been the past few weeks, as he is by far their most threatening weapon any time he is on the field.
Secondly, on a not-so-pleasant note, Florida State fullback Joe Surratt had right shoulder surgery today and will as a result miss the Seminoles' game in the Emerald Bowl vs. UCLA. Prospects for this game will be discussed later, but if UCLA can play like they did against USC, they won't have a problem dismissing the Seminoles.
Any new injury updates will be added as they come
First of all, in Oklahoma, it was reported today and announced by Bob Stoops that Adrian Peterson has been cleared by team doctors to practice and play in the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State. This makes Oklahoma a completely different team than they have been the past few weeks, as he is by far their most threatening weapon any time he is on the field.
Secondly, on a not-so-pleasant note, Florida State fullback Joe Surratt had right shoulder surgery today and will as a result miss the Seminoles' game in the Emerald Bowl vs. UCLA. Prospects for this game will be discussed later, but if UCLA can play like they did against USC, they won't have a problem dismissing the Seminoles.
Any new injury updates will be added as they come
The Forgotten Schools
The opposite of the bowl system is what's happening right now elsewhere in college football.
The Division II football system, which does have a playoff at the end of the season to determine a champion, is down to their final two teams.
The University of Massachusetts Minutemen extended their win streak to 12 games today (13-1 overall) by beating the Montana Grizzlies (12-2) in the first D-II semifinal game. The Minutemen used a fourth quarter 43 yard field goal by Chris Koepplin to give them a 19-17 win in Missoula, Montana.
The Minutemen will move on to play next Saturday against the winner of the second semifinal which is held tomorrow (or today) the 9th of December. Saturday's matchup features the defending champion and #1 seed Appalachian State Mountaineers (12-1) playing host to the #4 seed Youngstown State Penguins (11-2).
Updates on that game will be posted as they come tomorrow.
The Division II football system, which does have a playoff at the end of the season to determine a champion, is down to their final two teams.
The University of Massachusetts Minutemen extended their win streak to 12 games today (13-1 overall) by beating the Montana Grizzlies (12-2) in the first D-II semifinal game. The Minutemen used a fourth quarter 43 yard field goal by Chris Koepplin to give them a 19-17 win in Missoula, Montana.
The Minutemen will move on to play next Saturday against the winner of the second semifinal which is held tomorrow (or today) the 9th of December. Saturday's matchup features the defending champion and #1 seed Appalachian State Mountaineers (12-1) playing host to the #4 seed Youngstown State Penguins (11-2).
Updates on that game will be posted as they come tomorrow.
The Tides Have Turned
Rich Rodriguez did officially turn down a 6-year, 12 million dollar contract offer to coach the Alabama Crimson Tide, replacing Mike Shula (previously misstated as Tommy Tuberville, Auburn's coach). Instead, he accepted some sort of raise (West Virginia said they made him the best offer they could, but said they could not get into a bidding war with Alabama) and a two-year extension which ties him in until the 2014 season.
His current deal provides for a 1 million dollar salary this year, with a $50,000 annual raise, and if he's still there after 2011 he will receive $600,000 in deferred income.
There is still no news as to what Alabama plans to do with their coaching situation, but West Virginia is set and can now truly start focusing on their bowl game.
His current deal provides for a 1 million dollar salary this year, with a $50,000 annual raise, and if he's still there after 2011 he will receive $600,000 in deferred income.
There is still no news as to what Alabama plans to do with their coaching situation, but West Virginia is set and can now truly start focusing on their bowl game.
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