Note: This started as a board post and evolved into something diary worthy (I think). However, bump to the board if need be. Thanks! So I know that there are 3 games left, and I know that individual awards don't matter in comparison to the team winning games. And I also know that the Heisman does not go to the best player in college football anymore, but rather to the best player on a top 10 team. Its been that way for a long time. HOWEVER, I find myself looking at the stats that Denard is continuing to put up and can't help but wonder why he is getting absolutely ZERO consideration after the media explosion that happened earlier in the season. Let's look at some facts: Total Offense: Denard leads the nation with 351.44 YPG (ahead of Cam Newton by almost 50 YPG!) In terms of pure yardage he is 3rd behind Griffin III and Moniz who have each played an additional game. Rushing Offense: Denard is 2nd in the nation with 149.89 YPG (behind OR's James at 166.38) However, he is actually leads James in total yardage with 1349! James is only counted for 8 games because he was suspended for punching his girlfriend against NM, while Denard is counted for 9 despite barely playing against BG and missing close to a half against Iowa and Illinois. So basically if someone out there was ambitious enough to do a "yards per 60 minutes played," I guarantee Denard would be the nation's leading rusher. DRob is also 2nd in the nation with 7.37 YPC behind Taylor Martinez and well ahead of James at 6.79. Passing Offense: Denard's Total Passing Yards (1814) are obviously nowhere near the top of any list, but being a duel-threat QB that isn't really relevant (see Total Offense). However, Denard ranks 11th! in Passer Efficiency Rating (160.90) with Kellen Moore and Cam Newton leading the way. Touchdowns/Turnovers: Denard has 25 total TDS, 12 Rush and 13 Pass. James has 18 total TDs, Newton has 34, Moore has 22. Denard has 7 INTs and may 2-3 lost fumbles? So we'll say 10 TOs James' TO #s are irrelevant (plus I can't find them), Newton has 5 INTs, and Moore has 4 INTs. So, after looking at those numbers the question becomes: Why is Denard not a Heisman contender any more? The Answer: Oregon, Auburn, and Boise are undefeated. Plain and simple. If Michigan only had one loss or less and was in the top 10, I would almost guarantee that DRob would still be in the thick of the Heisman race even if his numbers were exactly the same. Now a lot of people would say, well its not all about the numbers. There are other factors. And I would agree with them. BUT this is not Timmy Chang, Colt Brennen, or one of the Texas Tech QBs putting up 6000 yards. We are talking about a sophomore QB on a Big Ten team! Michigan's schedule is no joke, and declaring Denard to be a "system" QB in the line of those mentioned above doesn't seem to fit. What is the system? Passing? Rushing? Scoring? Denard ranks well in every category. Its just frustrating to me that the media blew up in epic proportions during the first part of the season over Denard, but now they barely give him a mention. I think they definitely gave him too much pub by declaring him the winner after week 4, but I also think they are giving him too little respect at this point in the season. Denard has numbers comparable or better than every other top Heisman candidate, and he plays a schedule much more difficult than that of Oregon, Boise, and most other teams outside the SEC. And last but not least lets not forget that he plays on a team FAR worse than those of James, Newton, or Moore. Its funny that Michigan's record is a big part of the reason he is not under consideration when the fact that Michigan is terrible on defense should be an even bigger credit to his abilities. Newton, James, and Moore are all on teams surrounded by superstars and playmakers, and while Michigan does have an excellent offense, our team as a whole is not very good. People should realize once again that the Heisman is about the most outstanding player in college football, regardless of record. I know that strength of schedule has to be considered in making that determination, but having a bad team should not count against you. I'm not saying that Denard should win the Heisman. I think Newton would have my vote at this point. But Denard would be second or third without a doubt in my mind, and I hope that other people are thinking the same thing. The kid deserves it.