Russ Spence
Commercial Pressure Wash Expert
Who is the winner ??????
These are considered the top 3 in the running
You know the drama that gripped the country for about 18 hours this weekend as everyone wondered whether Florida or Michigan would face Ohio State in the National Championship game? Yeah, you're not going to get anything remotely like that this week as the Heisman Trophy gets set to name its 72nd recipient.
Troy Smith had this award in the vault weeks ago, leaving his margin of victory and who'd accompany him to New York City as the only areas for serious debate between now and Saturday night. Still, the lack of suspense is no reason to poo-poo Smith's crowning moment of a brilliant and improbable college career. When he's at that podium this weekend, just keep in mind that this is a player that wasn't even the highest-rated quarterback in Ohio State's class of 2002. In fact, he wasn't even labeled a quarterback at that time, wearing the "athlete" tag instead. It wasn't until 2004, when starter Justin Zwick was injured, that Smith got his chance to shine, never dimming since. Yeah, there'll be no drama when the envelope is unsealed on Saturday, but that can't detract from Smith, who's undergone a rather dramatic transformation in Columbus over the last two years.
1. QB Troy Smith, Ohio State
When the smoke clears this weekend on another Heisman race, consistency will be cited as the hallmark of Smith's senior season. Once he took the lead after Ohio State toppled Texas in week two, he never gave voters a reason to stray from his side. Not once. With each Buckeye win and each crisp, mistake-free performance, the gap between No. 10 and the rest of the field seemed to widen.
Last Week: Idle
2006 Season: 199-of-297 for 2,507 yards, 30 TDs and 5 INTs – 62 carries for 233 yards and 1 TD
Defining Moment: Leading the Buckeyes to a third straight win over Michigan, which sealed a perfect season and a spot in the National Championship game.
Odds to Win: 2-1
2. QB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
Give Quinn credit for battling back after a Sept. 16 Michigan game that many felt had already sealed his Heisman fate. He got back in position to contend for the award, but Smith never buckled and Quinn was just average against USC in his last ditch effort to increase his base of support.
Last Week: Idle
2006 Season: 274-of-432 for 3,278 yards, 35 TDs and 5 INTs – 2 rushing TDs
Defining Moment: Leading the Irish back from a 16-point fourth quarter deficit against Michigan State just a week after losing badly to Michigan.
Odds to Win: 20-1
3. RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
McFadden probably could have vaulted Quinn with a monster game against Florida, but a Hog loss and a pedestrian 73 yards on the ground will keep him from ascending beyond No. 3. A rebound game in the Capital One Bowl will solidify his position as the front-runner heading into the 2007 season.
Last Week: 21 carries for 73 yards – 1-of-3 for 2 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT (Florida)
2006 Season: 265 carries for 1,558 yards and 14 TDs – 6-of-8 for 72 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT – 1 TD catch – 1 kick return TD
Defining Moment: Running for 181 yards and two scores and adding a touchdown pass in a 31-14 rout of Tennessee
Odds to Win: 50-1
These are considered the top 3 in the running
You know the drama that gripped the country for about 18 hours this weekend as everyone wondered whether Florida or Michigan would face Ohio State in the National Championship game? Yeah, you're not going to get anything remotely like that this week as the Heisman Trophy gets set to name its 72nd recipient.
Troy Smith had this award in the vault weeks ago, leaving his margin of victory and who'd accompany him to New York City as the only areas for serious debate between now and Saturday night. Still, the lack of suspense is no reason to poo-poo Smith's crowning moment of a brilliant and improbable college career. When he's at that podium this weekend, just keep in mind that this is a player that wasn't even the highest-rated quarterback in Ohio State's class of 2002. In fact, he wasn't even labeled a quarterback at that time, wearing the "athlete" tag instead. It wasn't until 2004, when starter Justin Zwick was injured, that Smith got his chance to shine, never dimming since. Yeah, there'll be no drama when the envelope is unsealed on Saturday, but that can't detract from Smith, who's undergone a rather dramatic transformation in Columbus over the last two years.
1. QB Troy Smith, Ohio State
When the smoke clears this weekend on another Heisman race, consistency will be cited as the hallmark of Smith's senior season. Once he took the lead after Ohio State toppled Texas in week two, he never gave voters a reason to stray from his side. Not once. With each Buckeye win and each crisp, mistake-free performance, the gap between No. 10 and the rest of the field seemed to widen.
Last Week: Idle
2006 Season: 199-of-297 for 2,507 yards, 30 TDs and 5 INTs – 62 carries for 233 yards and 1 TD
Defining Moment: Leading the Buckeyes to a third straight win over Michigan, which sealed a perfect season and a spot in the National Championship game.
Odds to Win: 2-1
2. QB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
Give Quinn credit for battling back after a Sept. 16 Michigan game that many felt had already sealed his Heisman fate. He got back in position to contend for the award, but Smith never buckled and Quinn was just average against USC in his last ditch effort to increase his base of support.
Last Week: Idle
2006 Season: 274-of-432 for 3,278 yards, 35 TDs and 5 INTs – 2 rushing TDs
Defining Moment: Leading the Irish back from a 16-point fourth quarter deficit against Michigan State just a week after losing badly to Michigan.
Odds to Win: 20-1
3. RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
McFadden probably could have vaulted Quinn with a monster game against Florida, but a Hog loss and a pedestrian 73 yards on the ground will keep him from ascending beyond No. 3. A rebound game in the Capital One Bowl will solidify his position as the front-runner heading into the 2007 season.
Last Week: 21 carries for 73 yards – 1-of-3 for 2 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT (Florida)
2006 Season: 265 carries for 1,558 yards and 14 TDs – 6-of-8 for 72 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT – 1 TD catch – 1 kick return TD
Defining Moment: Running for 181 yards and two scores and adding a touchdown pass in a 31-14 rout of Tennessee
Odds to Win: 50-1