December 12, 2009
The 2009 Heisman Award will be given to either Toby Gerhart (RB-Stanford) or Mark Ingram (RB-Alabama). These two
finalist capture and have displayed the true meaning of the Heisman Award, which is given to the most "Outstanding
College Football Player." Many voters have a difficult time separating career performance and statistics from a one
year/season performance. This being said, we believe that will not fare well for both Tim Tebow (QB-Florida) and Colt
McCoy (QB-Texas). Both have had good years, but in comparison to previous seasons, they are below par and have
been propelled to the finalist standings in part to their resumes. And, as much as drafthuddle.com would like to crown a
defensive player, especially one as dominant as Suh (DT-Nebraska), it is unlikely he will earn enough votes - although
well deserving.
With this logic and justification, we venture back to our previous statement: the Heisman has become a two man battle -
Toby Gerhart vs. Mark Ingram. What drafthuddle.com did is look at each individual performance, rank them based on
strength of opponent and how each respective running back performed. All in all, it is conclusive that Toby Gerhart only
displayed one real stumble throughout his Heisman campaign. Against Wake Forest, Gerhart had 17 rushing attempts
for 82 yards. This was not only well below his season average (and expectations for that matter), but also against an
opponent who gave up an average of 164.33 YPG on the ground rushing.
Taking a look at Mark Ingram, we can see that he struggled three times throughout the season: vs. Florida International;
vs. Arkansas; and vs. Auburn. In all three games, Ingram combined for 43 rushing attempts, 136 rushing yards, and 2
touchdowns. Through these three games (all vs. un-ranked opponents) Ingram averaged 3.16 YPC on the ground.
Considering Ingram is averaging 6.4 YPC for the season, this three game stretch may be the determining factor that
gives Gerhart the edge.
Now, we look at the strength of schedule and how each player performed against their respective in-conference
opponents. How do these opponents ranked nationally in overall defense and rushing defense? Gerhart and Stanford
most notably faced: Oregon, USC, UCLA, and California. Ingram and Alabama faced nationally ranked opponents such
as: Virginia Tech, Mississippi, LSU, South Carolina, and Florida. At first look, Ingram's schedule seems the more difficult
of the two, by far! However, six (6) of Gerhart's opponents in the Pac-10 ranked in the top 50 nationally in rushing
defense. Those teams include: Arizona State (#18); Arizona (#22); Oregon State (#25); California (#27); Oregon (#38);
and Southern California (#42). Ingram only faced three (3) teams ranked in the top 50: Florida (#13); LSU (#44); and
South Carolina (#46). Reference: Ncaafootball.com - Team Rushing Defense
Gerhart out rushed Ingram by 194 yards (62 more attempts) and accumulated 12 more total touchdowns. So, taking into
consideration the better overall statistics, consistent performance, and strength of schedule vs. stronger rushing
defenses, Toby Gerhart deserves the 2009 Heisman Award
- Draft Huddle
The 2009 Heisman Award will be given to either Toby Gerhart (RB-Stanford) or Mark Ingram (RB-Alabama). These two
finalist capture and have displayed the true meaning of the Heisman Award, which is given to the most "Outstanding
College Football Player." Many voters have a difficult time separating career performance and statistics from a one
year/season performance. This being said, we believe that will not fare well for both Tim Tebow (QB-Florida) and Colt
McCoy (QB-Texas). Both have had good years, but in comparison to previous seasons, they are below par and have
been propelled to the finalist standings in part to their resumes. And, as much as drafthuddle.com would like to crown a
defensive player, especially one as dominant as Suh (DT-Nebraska), it is unlikely he will earn enough votes - although
well deserving.
With this logic and justification, we venture back to our previous statement: the Heisman has become a two man battle -
Toby Gerhart vs. Mark Ingram. What drafthuddle.com did is look at each individual performance, rank them based on
strength of opponent and how each respective running back performed. All in all, it is conclusive that Toby Gerhart only
displayed one real stumble throughout his Heisman campaign. Against Wake Forest, Gerhart had 17 rushing attempts
for 82 yards. This was not only well below his season average (and expectations for that matter), but also against an
opponent who gave up an average of 164.33 YPG on the ground rushing.
Taking a look at Mark Ingram, we can see that he struggled three times throughout the season: vs. Florida International;
vs. Arkansas; and vs. Auburn. In all three games, Ingram combined for 43 rushing attempts, 136 rushing yards, and 2
touchdowns. Through these three games (all vs. un-ranked opponents) Ingram averaged 3.16 YPC on the ground.
Considering Ingram is averaging 6.4 YPC for the season, this three game stretch may be the determining factor that
gives Gerhart the edge.
Now, we look at the strength of schedule and how each player performed against their respective in-conference
opponents. How do these opponents ranked nationally in overall defense and rushing defense? Gerhart and Stanford
most notably faced: Oregon, USC, UCLA, and California. Ingram and Alabama faced nationally ranked opponents such
as: Virginia Tech, Mississippi, LSU, South Carolina, and Florida. At first look, Ingram's schedule seems the more difficult
of the two, by far! However, six (6) of Gerhart's opponents in the Pac-10 ranked in the top 50 nationally in rushing
defense. Those teams include: Arizona State (#18); Arizona (#22); Oregon State (#25); California (#27); Oregon (#38);
and Southern California (#42). Ingram only faced three (3) teams ranked in the top 50: Florida (#13); LSU (#44); and
South Carolina (#46). Reference: Ncaafootball.com - Team Rushing Defense
Gerhart out rushed Ingram by 194 yards (62 more attempts) and accumulated 12 more total touchdowns. So, taking into
consideration the better overall statistics, consistent performance, and strength of schedule vs. stronger rushing
defenses, Toby Gerhart deserves the 2009 Heisman Award
- Draft Huddle
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Heisman Analysis:
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2009 Player Stats
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