Casey's Call: Handicapping The Heisman
By Casey Keefe
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Your 2010 Heisman Trophy winner is…
Cam Newton, QB, Auburn: (2,589 pass yards, 28 TD's, 6 INT's, 1,409 rush yards, 20 TD's) –
I know, the world's worst kept secret, right?... Unlike the past few years, this season's Heisman race has bore some resemblance to a Secretariat race during the final month of the season. Everyone was waiting for Newton to finally have a poor performance – It never happened. Everyone was waiting for Auburn to finally lose a game – It never happened. Everyone was waiting for Newton to just in some way, shape or form be affected by all of his off-the-field issues – It never happened.
All Newton did week in and week out was perform at a level no other player in the country was able to reach. Whether it was his triumphs over Arkansas, LSU, Alabama or South Carolina (twice) there was never for a second any doubt that Cam Newton was the best player that the 2010 college football season had to offer.
The only way Newton will walk away on Saturday night without the hardware is if enough voters hold his off-the-field issues against him. However, I can say with confidence that that's not going to happen. Maybe one or two, sure – but a majority? Absolutely not. The bottom line is this… Do I believe that Cam Newton had no idea what was going on when he father "sold" him to Auburn? The answer is an emphatic NO. Sorry to break it to you, but you'd have to be either downright delusional, or just in la-la land to believe he was unaware of the whole thing even for a second.
However, at the end of the day, the fact remains that Newton was far and away the best player to step onto a college football field this season. He didn't murder anyone nor did he rob an old lady. Therefore he can take the trophy… Go ahead Cam, you deserve it.
2. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon: (1,682 rush yards, 22 total TD's) –
Like a true Heisman finalist, James was there for his team whenever they needed him. Whenever there was a yard to be gained, or big play to be made, it was James who the Ducks turned to – and he got the job done each and every time. Needless to say, Big Game James has a very bright future.
3. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State: (3,506 pass yards, 33 TD's, 5 INT's) –
I feel bad for Moore. He had yet another outstanding season – a near-perfect season to be exact. I just wish he was able to play a few more marquee teams so he could really showcase his ability on the big stage, because I have no doubts he would have done a great job.
4. Jordan Todman, RB, Connecticut: (1,574 rush yards, 14 TD's) –
The Connecticut Huskies will be representing the Big East conference in the Fiesta Bowl. Why? – Because of Jordan Todman, that's why. He's the most underrated player in the country and brought a new definition to the term "workhorse" as he battled through injuries and elements week in and week out for Randy Edsall's Huskies. Take him out of the lineup and UConn is just a 4 win team.
5. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: (3,051 pass yards, 28 TD's, 7 INT's, 438 rush yards, 3 TD's) –
Simply put, Andrew Luck is the Stanford Cardinal. Without Luck, do the Cardinal come anywhere close to 11 wins? Do they even have a chance at BCS game? Would people ever be talking about Stanford football? The answer to all three questions is no. Luck is just about as valuable as it gets.
Keep checking back to Casey's Call throughout the entire bowl season for my complete college football coverage that you know and love…
Questions? Comments? Email me: ckeefe@wfan.com
Also, be sure to follow me on Twitter: @CaseyKeefeWFAN
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