College football 2013 running discussion thread

No way in hell does Nebraska beat Ohio State, neutral site or otherwise. November will expose that team for the slightly above-average bunch that it is.

 

My Heisman frontrunners (meaning I'd take these guys against the field): Tahj Boyd, Kevin Hogan, Marcus Mariota, Braxton Miller.

 

What about Jadeveon Clowney?

 

IF Ohio State goes undefeated (doubtful, even through my fanboi colored lenses), they would have won 25 straight. No matter how you judge the B1G, that would be a pretty big accomplishment to look past.

Having said that, their defense was gashed WAY too many times last season. Unless I see massive improvement, I'm just not buying the high ranking, let alone planning on seeing them in the NC game.

 

Has a D-lineman ever won it? That's what the Outland Trophy is for.

 

I think Notre Dame may have a serious drop-off. They had a dream season last year, lost several key people (and their girlfriends) and always play a brutal schedule. It wouldn't take much for 12-0 to become 7-5 or 8-4.

 

So if someone wins the Johnny Unitas or Davey O'Brien awards he shouldn't be eligible for the Heisman?

 

I don't think so. But I think Clowney has to be in the conversation, especially if South Carolina stays ranked in the top 10.

 

He absolutely should be in the conversation, as should the guy who won it last year. My four are just the ones I think are most likely to win.

 

OK. Got it.

 

The Heisman and NFL MVP awards are the worst awards in sports. I can buy the bias against pitchers in baseball MVP votes because the one day out of five vs. everyday thing. But the way MVPs and Heismans are simply a best skill position award is just silly.

There are three NFL MVPs who weren't QBs or RBs (Alan Page, Mark Mosley and LT) and you have the big Charles Woodson exception with the Heisman.

These awards are just flat silly. Nice if you are a QB or RB, but when you are a Gino Torretta and you are the fourth or fifth best player on your own offense and you win the Heisman, it's a little absurd.

Having said that, the recent rise of the pass-run (as opposed to the old-school run-pass) QB makes some of these recent QB winners no-brainers. How do you argue against a QB who is a 3,000-yard passer and leads the SEC in rushing like Manziel?

Here's a question: Who had a better Heisman season, Manziel or Cam Newton?

 

Cam made more money.

Advantage: Newton.