Darren McFadden of Arkansas, Mike Hart of Michigan and Steve Slaton of West Virginia were named the finalist for the Doak Walker Award which will honor the top college football running back. The winner will be announced on December 7th, 2006.
The award is named after Doak Walker, a three time All-American running back from SMU. Walker also won the 1948 Heisman Trophy.
Darren McFadden is a sophomore running back for the Arkansas Razorback. McFadden leads the SEC with 1,303 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns. McFadden has a few more chances to add to his impressive season numbers. The award is his to win if he can continue to dominate in his last few remaining games. The Arkansas Razorbacks play the LSU Tigers on November 24th, 2006 and then play the Florida Gators on December 2nd, 2006 in the SEC Championship Game.
Michael Hart is a junior running back for the Michigan Wolverines. Hart has rushed for 1,515 yards, 14 touchdowns and is currently ranked fourth nationally in rushing yards. In his last game of the regular college football season, Hart had a big game against Ohio State rushing for 142 yards and 3 touchdowns. The effort was not enough to overcome the Buckeyes at home. Despite his impressive numbers for the season, Hart needs McFadden to stumble in his last two games to have a chance at getting the Doak Walker Award.
Steve Slaton is a sophomore running back for the West Virginia Mountaineers. Slaton has rushed for 1,578 yards, 16 touchdowns, leads the nation averaging 187 all-purpose yards per game and is tied for the national lead in rushing yards per game with a 157.8 yards per game average. Slaton hurt his chances a bit in the West Virginia loss to Louisville where ran for 156 yards and a touchdown for West Virginia, but fumbled on consecutive snaps in the third quarter.
Our prediction is that McFadden will rise to the occasion and take the 2006 Doak Walker Award on December 7th, 2006.
