Tough Week, but still #1 Heisman Contender
Denard had a tough week, but is he still a clear-cut #1 in the Heisman race? Most of the Illegal Shift contributers think so, but we have a "non-believer".
http://illegalshift.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/heisman-candidates-through-week-6/
October 13th, 2010 at 9:47 AM ^
Based on the 5th place ranking on espn, I would say it's pretty clear Denard taken a big hit in the race.
October 13th, 2010 at 10:27 AM ^
The ESPN love affair for Boise St & Kellen Moore makes me sick.
Good Numbers vs Sub-Par competition does not equal Heisman Front Runner
October 13th, 2010 at 10:47 AM ^
I would agree with the Kellen Moore sentiment, but the same argument could be used against Denard right now. The only top 50 defense he's played against kept him under 100 yards rushing and forced him into 3 INTs.
October 13th, 2010 at 11:26 AM ^
FORCED? I beg to differ. Seemed like the bad throws were more on Denard. Credit to MSU for capitalizing on those bad throws though.
October 13th, 2010 at 12:00 PM ^
Then that really doesn't help his Heisman stock, just saying. Either way Denard is back in the mix now. I really don't think there is a clear cut favorite, and Moore really shouldn't be up there at all, but Auburn QB, Nebraska QB, Oregon RB should all be in consideration (I refuse to put Pryor up there because his numbers are basically at best equivalent to Denard against bad teams and worse then Denard against good teams (Miami) and he hasn't been forced to put as much on his shoulders as Denard).
October 13th, 2010 at 10:53 AM ^
It's a good thing the decision isn't up to ESPN.
October 13th, 2010 at 4:11 PM ^
I"ll agree with that.
October 13th, 2010 at 4:57 PM ^
Remember that ESPN is there to get viewers. If all they ever show is how great Robinson is, they will lose viewers elsewhere. However if they can somehow get a new front runner every week they can capture more viewers. That is why they don't get to select because they would only cater to the big markets on the coast.
October 13th, 2010 at 11:22 AM ^
Last week Denard was not only in first, but I think he had all of the first place votes (maybe all but one). He has a bad game (basically three poor decisions) and they pretty much drop him out of the race. Knee jerk much? These morons basically make their picks based on this week's performance instead of the season to date. Brilliant!
October 13th, 2010 at 9:57 AM ^
Plenty of games with quality opponents on the schedule. If he plays well the trophy is his. But I would much prefer to just win the damn games. And Denard feels that way too. Let's talk Heisman after he puts up big numbers against Ohio State. It will happen.
October 13th, 2010 at 9:57 AM ^
Based on stats alone, Denard should still lead the Heisman race. His 2214 total yards clearly leads the field, with Cam Newton starting to push at 1810 total yards. Terrelle Pryor is getting back a piece of the spotlight with the success of his team, but trails both of his duel-threat competetors with 1703 total yards. Kellen Moore seems to be in the race only due to the success of his team, but currently leads the ESPN Heisman poll. Clearly this week is huge for Denard, not only stats wise, but to show voters he can have a huge game against a ranked opponent. I'd like to see the trophy go to the best player (Denard) but feel that it will go to the best player on the best team (Moore, James, Pryor). Still, a lot of football to be played.
October 13th, 2010 at 10:01 AM ^
Play big in big games.
This game didn't kill his chances...but he will have to step up if he wants to be considered.
October 13th, 2010 at 11:19 AM ^
The ND and Indiana victories were pretty high profile. I think it's great that Denard's worst game would be a pretty good one for a lot of other players. Denard had to experience the kind of chaos that happens at rivalry games. Now that he has, he will get even better.
Denard has played one bad game and five good ones so far. I like his odds going in. Because he is a star, Michigan will get plenty of opportunities to play for a national audience the rest of the year. If Denard deserves it, and I think he does, things will take care of themselves.
October 13th, 2010 at 10:03 AM ^
That's a relief.
October 13th, 2010 at 10:14 AM ^
Denard is in the best position. I don't care if he is ranked 1st or ranked 5th.... if he puts together a couple of big games against some of the better Big 10 defenses, and plays solid in the other games, based upon his numbers, the fact that he has broken records this year and the publicity that he has gotten, he would likely win it.
Although cases can be made for other players, for most non-homers, Denard is the first person that comes to mind when thinking about the Heisman.
October 13th, 2010 at 10:16 AM ^
October 13th, 2010 at 10:20 AM ^
You have to play pretty consistently amazing to win the Heisman. It shouldn't be a shock that he dropped a few spots after throwing 3 INTs and being held to 4 YPC. He hadn't played against a defense that good - and Iowa and OSU coming up have better defenses than State. He'll have plenty of time against quality opponents to get himself back in the race, or drop further down depending on how he plays.
October 13th, 2010 at 10:27 AM ^
That would be better then having to see my Physician for having a Viagra erection that lasts longer then 6 hours.
October 13th, 2010 at 11:37 AM ^
You can't point to the loss for this drop, Denard had a bad game. We all saw it, Rodriguez mentioned it, and Denard acknowledged it to his teammates. I still have every faith that he will bounce back and I wouldn't trade him for another quarterback, but let's not pretend he got dinged for his team losing while he went off for 200/200 and 4 TDs.
October 13th, 2010 at 10:25 AM ^
with four losses his sophomore year. If he gets close to breaking 2,000-2,000 all eyes and votes are on the Ohio State game.
October 13th, 2010 at 11:29 AM ^
October 13th, 2010 at 11:19 PM ^
October 13th, 2010 at 2:31 PM ^
Tebow won it with 3 losses, not 4
October 13th, 2010 at 10:30 AM ^
He made me feel about as good I can feel about that f-ing game.
http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1138587
Best paragraph-
"Now, what about this notion that MSU displayed the blueprint to stop Michigan's offense? Nonsense. MSU did somewhat hold Robinson in check on the ground, though future defenses can hardly count on stepping on his foot to prevent a 60-yard touchdown run. But even that aside - and that play would have put Robinson over 150 yards rushing -- Michigan's tailbacks had a strong outing, and its receivers were wide open all game long. If the Spartan defensive formula was to focus on Robinson's running, let the tailbacks run wild, leave receivers open and hope Robinson throws a bunch of interceptions, well, let's hope future opponents repeat the formula."
October 13th, 2010 at 11:13 AM ^
of season left. Way to early to be speculating about this but clearly, even with a "bad" game behind him, Denard is still very much in the picture. If the team plays well, DRob gets his numbers, we win games, the Heisman returns to Ann Arbor and everyone is happy.
October 13th, 2010 at 2:00 PM ^
U know what pissed me off the most about watching this heisman video on ESPN. They start talking about Pryor and how good he has been and that he only had 4 interceptions which is helping him to the top. WOW really I think Denard only had 4 too with alot more yards. ESPN is worthless
October 13th, 2010 at 2:34 PM ^
Well Pryor has 15 TDs and 3 INTs with 1,349 yards, and Robinson has 8 TDs and 4 INTs with 1,223 yards. Denard has about 500 more total yards and one less total TD, so I don't think Robinson is as far ahead as Pryor stats wise as everyone wants to believe. I don't think Pryor is the top Heisman candidate right now, but Denard shouldn't be either after the MSU game, however the whole point of this is...who cares? Heisman speculation in the 6th week is pointless, wait until Denard destroys Penn State or Pryor tortures Iowa, then we can talk.
October 13th, 2010 at 4:35 PM ^
I also happen to be a Ross from Ohio so will cut you some slack, but the word "buckeye" in your handle and an OSU logo? Must be a pretty intelligent poster to even get up to those 200 MGoPoints.
October 13th, 2010 at 2:06 PM ^
After last weekend, it is clear our offense will have to win games for us.
If the offense is winning games, Denard is racking up yards.
So if we go at least 8-4 (and preferably better), Denard should have crazy stats and will again be the front runner.
October 14th, 2010 at 6:39 AM ^
Heismanpundit.com is the most accurate poll because it consists of 13 actual Heisman voters distributed well throughout the country.
“Denard Robinson may very well lose his frontrunner status in the coming weeks with Michigan’s schedule, but he’s been the best player in the nation so far this season. Even in the Wolverines’ loss to Michigan State last Saturday he put up 301 yards of total offense. LaMichael James has been the nation’s best back as Oregon has rolled, and Terrelle Pryor has a chance to make a statement with a big performance against Wisconsin on Saturday. Watch out for Nebraska freshman Taylor Martinez; he’s quickly moving up the list.” — B.J. Schecter, Sports Illustrated.