The Heisman race, at least the one that goes on in the media, has become a joke. I don’t know how much the public perception feeds the ‘real’ voters’ opinions, but my guess is that it’s pretty significant. Just like the polls, the pre-season hype almost defines the race, season-long. And it’s just wrong.
Tebow isn’t worried about his stats, he wants wins. Well, gee, that’s great. He should care about wins. But the Heisman is supposed to go to best player. The best player will have great stats. If Tebow’s stats are trending down, he’s not playing as well (and/or, he’s playing against real competition rather than Troy and Southern Podunk U), and that means that his Heisman candidacy should suffer along with that decrease in his quality of play. But does that happen? Not really.
Pre-season, Tebow was a Heisman lock. Returning National Champs, gonna win-out, gotta win the Heisman. No matter how bad his stats get, even if he plays horribly, if the Gators somehow win the BCS, Tebow will win the Heisman. Not because it’s deserved, but because the award is a sham. It’s about the QB/RB on the best team, so long as that player doesn’t blatantly suck, or act in an extremely off-putting way. It’s no longer about the best player in the game. And Tebow is anything but off-putting. He’s a good, quality kid. And UF is winning. Heisman time!
But this year, he shouldn’t even be in the mix, let alone the leader.
At one point, one of ESPN’s analysts said that Tebow was the ‘most inspirational’ player this year. This was his reasoning for putting Tebow #1 in his weekly Heisman ballot. First, WTF does that even mean? “Most inspirational”? And at that point, the toughest game UF had played was against Kentucky. So you’re saying he’s been REALLY inspirational against Troy and Charleson Southern? And even if he was, who cares? If you’re not inspirational at all, but you put up 400 yards, does that count less somehow?
This is just one example, but it’s become clear. The Heisman is literally The Hypeman today. Figure out an angle for talking heads, and off they go.
Ingram, the stud RB from Alabama, and Jimmy have shown the production on the field, in games that mattered. This post isn’t about pushing for Jimmy to win. I think he had his shot to lock it up Saturday, and 3 incomplete passes in the end-zone later, his chances are slim to none. But assuming that the rest of the season plays out similarly to the season thus-far, Jimmy should take down the award over Tebow – even if UF wins the MNC. Same thing with Ingram. Dude has been amazing. Let’s say they drop a game and don’t make the MNC game – he’d still deserve the award over Tebow. Because individual stats matter in THIS race. Individual performance should determine the result.
But it’s not gonna happen. Not with The Hypeman.
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brendan
did you see the ESPN page after the FL/LSU game? Though Tebow had a VERY mediocre game they fawned all over him. Doc Saturday called them out on it, but it’s been pretty ridiculous.
Irish_Wertzy
The MNC game will not have any bearing on the trophy, since it is given out before that game.
Substitute the SEC championship for MNC, and the post is right on.
Herman
Indeed. No like there’s every any hype surrounding Notre Dame.
Fool.
The Biscuit
Herman, your reading comprehension skills rival those of the smartest 2nd grader in the land. Congratulations! I would suggest that you re-read and try again, but I know it’s pointless. Wertz, you’re right, but you get my point.
stewvee
If I see another close-up of Tebow screaming “good-naturedly” at his fellow players in an effort to “urge them on,” I’ll throw up.
DeepTeaKup
If the Heisman were an “MVP” award, you could still make a good case for Tebow. But if it is truly for the “best player” in all of CFB, how do you even begin to figure that out? How do you compare an OL to a FS to a RB to figure out who is better? It’s so subjective, so you just go with the QB becuase that’s who everyone watches when they watch football.
It’s just so lame, means about as much as Arafat a Nobel Peace Prize.
The Biscuit
DTK, at least back in the day someone other than a QB might be considered. And it wasn’t necessarily a requirement that you win all your games to win the award. Now it’s the ‘best player’ on the best team. I agree it’s tough to evaluate across positions, but when you know losing a guy would absolutely ruin a team (which often makes things focused on QBs, for obvious reasons), then that guy should be considered. Tebow has been fine this year, but nothing outstanding. But he’s just so darn inspirational…
DeepTeaKup
Biscuit, I can say for certain that Tim Tebow has made me a better father and husband.
tjak
Guys, Tim Tebow has renewed my faith in Christ!
DLTK
This is really interesting. Thanks for the sharing.