Does the Heisman Trophy Still Matter?

Added on Dec 12, 2011 by Scott in

NCAAF

Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III deserved to win the Heisman Trophy. When you compile 4642 total yards and account for 45 touchdowns, it’s tough to argue. Oh sure, Andrew Luck and Trent Richardson were both worthy candidates, but when you compare the numbers, neither can hold a candle to Griffin. Therein lies the crux of the problem. The Heisman Trophy cares too much about stats.

Especially when those stats belong to a quarterback. Like Cam Newton a year ago, Sam Bradford in 2008 and Tim Tebow in 2007, quarterbacks who rack up over 4000 yards and close to 50 touchdowns, and play for a relatively good team, will undoubtedly win college football’s most coveted award.

Newton totaled 4327 yards and 50 scores, Bradford 4721 yards and 50 scores, Tebow 4181 yards and 55 scores. Based on these gaudy numbers, a new precedent has been set for college signal-callers. Andrew Luck and Matt Barkley are clearly more polished than Griffin and both play on better teams than Baylor, but neither came close to matching Griffin’s season.

The 2009 Heisman winner — Alabama running back Mark Ingram — took advantage of a down year for quarterbacks when he seized the prize. His 1992 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns were impressive, but they look even better when Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow fail to reach the 4000-yard or 40-touchdown plateau.

Take this year’s third-place finisher, Trent Richardson, for instance. He’s the best running back in the country and plays for an 11-1 team that will compete for the BCS title next month. His 1910 total yards and 23 scores are on par if not slightly better than Ingram’s were in 2009. However, because Griffin shredded a slate of weak Big 12 defenses, he is deemed the nation’s best performer.

Forget about wide receivers and defensive players being considered, unless they play for Michigan or Notre Dame. Wolverines Desmond Howard in 1991 and Charles Woodson in 1997 were the last two non-quarterbacks/running backs to win a Heisman. Prior to that, Golden Domers Tim Brown in 1987 and defensive end Leon Hall in 1949 held the honor.

Congratulations to Robert Griffin III. He threw and ran for a bunch of yards and scored a bunch of touchdowns. In the eyes of Heisman voters, that’s all that matters.