From: reza@magellan.ae.utexas.edu (Alireza Vali)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college
Subject: Re: Which one of these quarterbacks should get the Heisman
Date: 19 Nov 92 00:53:07 GMT

In article <1992Nov12.232608.418@u.washington.edu> tannerg@carson.u.washington.edu (Glenn Tanner) writes:
>
>		Comp Att Pct  Yards Yard/Game TD
>	QB A    176  308 57%  2084    232     11
>	QB B    137  261 52%  1823    217     13
>
>Above are this years' stats of two of this country's finer college quarterbacks.
>One is recognized as the leader in the race for the Heisman Trophy, while one
>has gone largely unrecognized.  Which one SHOULD be the Heisman favorite?
>
>QB B is Gino Toretta.  QB A is darkhorse Heisman candidate "Dandy" Dan 
>Freiburger of SMU.  Let's take a closer look at the two QB's.

[details omitted]

This comparison is irrelevant.  Remember last year?  Desmond Howard won
the trophy (I think so, yes?) but in a comparison similar to the one
above, Washington's Mario Bailey had the superior stats, and his team
was undefeated.  Why did Howard win?  It was decided back in September
that he's the front runner, he got lots of hype, and he had an outstanding
season.  Freiburger has better numbers, but his team is 4-6.  Lyndon 
Larouche has a better chance becoming the president of the United State
than Freiburger has of winning the Heisman award.

I'm not sure I exactly understand what this award is for.  It is for the
"Best College Football Player" in the nation, correct?  I'll really have
egg on my face if this is an incorrect assumption, but I'll take a chance
that I'm right.  Let's try something here... How many defensive players
have actually won the Heisman?  I can't remember the last time this 
happened.  

Okay, so the Heisman Trophy is for the "Best College Offensive Football
Player."  Now, who was the last offensive lineman to win the award?  I
would argue for Dean Steinkhuler (sp?) of the '82 Nebraska team or his
teammate Dave Rimington.  Let's face it, does anybody really think an
offensive lineman will ever win the award?  IMPOSSIBLE!  The running
back gaining 200+ yards running behind him or the QB passing for 300+
yards under his protection will always supercede.

Okay, so the Heisman Trophy is is for the "Best College Offensive Football
Player who Receives, Runs, Returns, or Passes the Ball."  Now when was the
last time a player wont the award without lots, and tons, and bundles of
media and school hype/propoganda?

I think I'm getting a bit carried away here, but more often than not, 
the "BEST" player does not win the award.  Just look back at last season.
They only showed 3 University of Washington games in Austin, but I could
not believe my eyes.  Steve Emtman was the most incredible defensive
lineman I have seen in 14 years of watching College/Pro Football.  The
man was triple and quadruple teamed half the time and the other half
he was only double teamed, but he still went through the offensive line
like hot knife through butter - even vs Nebraska's legendary offensive
line!  I will get an argument about this, but he was the most dominant
player in the country, and he only got an obligatory handfull of votes.
By my definition, he was THE best player in the country and he didn't win.

And now, for something completely different, does anyone really think
people should give so much attention to an individual award in a team
sport?  ...but that's another thread.

-- 
Ali R. Vali - reza@magellan.ae.utexas.edu
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college