And On the Sixth Day, God Created the Heisman

On Saturday, the John W. Heisman Memorial Trophy will gaze out across a new crowd of spectators congregating at the Best Buy Theater, his right arm stiff to ward off those unworthy; his left held tightly to his body, protecting the object of his affection. This Saturday in Times Square, one of the most famous and storied trophies in the history of mankind will be bestowed upon the college football player most deserving of it's majesty, its cool bronze touch bringing the honoree to his figurative knees. Only the greatest deserve to hold the trophy and claim it as their own. Only one can be at the top of the mountain.

This years' finalists have many intriguing qualities, both similar and unique. Andrew Luck, the object of affection for many a tanking National Football League franchise, was nominated for the second time, finishing as the runner-up to Cam Newton in last year's presentation. Robert Griffin III, Baylor's first ever finalist for the trophy, and a soon to be effective leader for a team who goes to work on Sundays. Tyrann Mathieu, The Honey Badger, a do-it-all defensive back who could be the defensive player with the best chance to win the award since the first, Michigan's Charles Woodson in 1997. Trent Richardson, the second Crimson Tide nominee in the past three years, following up Mark Ingram's stellar career in Tuscaloosa. Montee Ball, the lone finalist above the Mason-Dixon Line, as well as a threat to pass Barry Sanders' NCAA touchdown record, and possibly the best running back to grace the campus up in Madison since Ron Dayne.

The Breakdown

Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford Cardinal

261-373 (70.0%), 35 Touchdowns, 9 Interceptions

By now, everyone has heard of Andrew Luck. His reputation supersedes him. He was the odds on favorite to win this years Heisman, with everyone else being written off like another page in a lost book. Luck has led the Cardinal to an 11-1 (8-1) record on the year, which is good for second in the Pac-12 North. Regardless of whether or not Luck wins the award so many covet, he will no doubt at least be available at the number one slot next spring for the Indianapolis Colts. Luck and the Cardinal will take on the (should have been in the BCS Title Game) Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on January 2nd.

Tyrann Mathieu, Cornerback, LSU Tigers

71 Tackles (54 Solo), 1.5 Sacks, 5 Forced Fumbles, 2 Interceptions

The consensus best defensive player in the nation, Tyrann Mathieu is the best and most likely defensive player to take home the award since current Green Bay Packer and All-Pro Charles Woodson in 1997 (as I mentioned earlier). The Honey Badger has meant more to the Bayou Bengals than his numbers can dignify, as he has produced many a game changing play to keep LSU undefeated and headed to the National Championship game. Many down in Baton Rouge hope that the Honey Badger can scratch and claw his way to the Heisman, as well as win the National Championship.

Montee Ball, Running Back, Wisconsin Badgers

275 Rushes for 1759 Yards (6.4 YPC), 32 Touchdowns

20 Receptions for 255 Yards (12.8 YPC), 6 Touchdowns

Wisconsin: Smell the Dairy Air. Montee Ball has run wild over the Big Ten this season and is one touchdown away from tying Barry Sanders' NCAA single-season touchdown record. Ball is a hard man to stop. In the long storied "grind-it-out" style of the Big Ten, a running back like Montee Ball is a HUGE asset to a program such as Wisconsin.  Ball has helped the Badgers to an 11-2 (6-2) record this season, and his 135.4 rush yards per game is good for fourth in the nation (FBS). Ball and the Badgers will take on the high-octane Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl.

Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama Crimson Tide

263 Rushes for 1583 Yards (6.0 YPC), 20 Touchdowns

27 Receptions for 327 Yards (12.1 YPC), 3 Touchdowns

Trent Richardson is a bowling ball. This man can move for a man his size, and if you cannot tell by the picture above, has arms like redwoods. Surprisingly, the Crimson Tide are in the National Championship game against the Honey Badger and the Tigers. Unsurprisingly, Richardson is a Heisman finalist (and one of the major favorites). Don't be surprised if Richardson takes home the award.

Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor Bears

267-369 (72.4%), 3998 Yards, 36 Touchdowns, 6 Interceptions

RG3 is the best quarterback in the Big XII, if not America. He has much better numbers than Luck (save interceptions), and has led the Baylor Bears to the Alamo Bowl with a 9-3 (6-3) record. While his teams' record is a bit of a sore sight, it is no doubt that Griffin is the real deal. He was picked as the odds on favorite by America in a recent ESPN poll, Griffin III garnered 33% of the fan vote. He is the favorite amongst America, but is he the favorite of the voters? Who knows. What we do know is that RG3 has a really solid chance to take this award home.

---

After all of that, you are probably wondering who my pick is. I can tell you one thing: I believe it will be the man to make the biggest difference to his team and showcase his strengths to the best of his abilities over the course of this season (diplomatic answer). On the real note, who do I have?

Rock on,

JLang