The big story in Heisman Trophy news this week is the departure of Oklahoma All-America running back Adrian Peterson who broke a collarbone in OU’s game against Iowa State Saturday (Oct.14) in Norman. Peterson sustained the injury from diving into the end zone while scoring a touchdown. Peterson might return prior to any bowl game OU might be involved in but any Heisman hopes by Peterson were dashed with the injury. Peterson would probably be the number-one Heisman candidate if he returns to OU for his final year of eligibility but he is expected to make a jump to the NFL in 2007.
Troy Smith, the senior Ohio State quarterback continues to be the Heisman front-runner after the Buckeye’s easy 38-7 road victory over Michigan State Saturday, October 14. In the game, Smith completed 15-of-22 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns. He continues to be the driving force for the Buckeyes’ balanced offense. On the year, Smith has completed 116-of-170 passing attempts (68.2%) for 1,495 yards and 17 touchdowns against only two interceptions. Smith carries a very high quarterback efficiency rating of 172.8.
The following are the top contenders chasing Smith.
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2.Brady Quinn, Notre Dame, senior quarterback–Quinn holds onto the number two spot for a couple of reasons. Notre Dame enjoyed a bye week so Quinn couldn’t hurt his standing nor could he help it. Quinn and the Fighting Irish take on UCLA in Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday (Oct. 21). After the UCLA game, Notre Dame will play the three service academies and North Carolina prior to the season ending trip to Southern California. In the four game stretch of contests against North Carolina and the service academies, Quinn could pad his statistics and possibly make a run at Ohio State’s Troy Smith. Quinn cannot afford to stumble and one or two bad games by Smith wouldn’t hurt Quinn’s chances.
3.Steve Slaton, West Virginia, Sophomore, tailback –Now that Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson has departed the scene, Slaton takes over as the most feared running back in NCAA Division 1-A There are some backs who carry comparative or better numbers than Slaton and he will be challenged before seasons end but for now Slaton holds all the cards. One criterion for winning the Heisman Trophy is the players team needs to be in contention for a national title and many are forecasting the Mountaineers to be in the BCS title game and the Mountaineers are Slaton’s team. In 2006 through six games, Slaton has run for 931 yards on 132 carries for an average of 7.1 yards per carry. Slaton has also scored eight touchdowns. In Saturdays (Oct 14) game against Syracuse Slaton ran for 163 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown.
4.Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois, Senior, tailback–Wolfe had a bad game Saturday (Oct.14) being held to only 25 yards rushing against Western Michigan but he still maintains the No. 1 lead in rushing yards with 1,368. Wolfe is expected to pad his numbers in the Huskies upcoming game with Temple. The Owls are dead last in giving up rushing yardage. If there is one game that could helpWolfe pad his numbers the game with Temple is it. The chances of Wolfe winning the Heisman Trophy are remote because of the league he plays in and the competition he plays against.
5. Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech, junior, Wide Receiver—Johnson is the best receiver in Division 1A but because he is a wide receiver his chances of winning the Heisman Trophy are slim but he is getting some attention. If the Yellow Jackets can continue to dominate in conference and ascend to the championship game Johnson could climb up the list of hopefuls. Johnson leads the ACC in receptions (35) and receiving yards (559, 93.3 pg), while his eight touchdowns catches are second nationally. In the last three games, the All-America wide receiver Johnson has 22 catches for 413 yards and five touchdowns.
Waiting in the Wings
6. Chad Henne, Michigan, senior, quarterback
7. Ray Rice, Rutgers, sophomore, running back
8. Chris Leak, Florida, senior, quarterback
