After Week 1, Who’s the Buzz of the Heisman Watch?
Picture from Industry News
Our first rankings of the season are out for Sportswraps’ Heisman Watch 2007 and there are definitely a couple of surprises. It’s time to take a look at who is making noise after week 1 of the college football season.
Picture from WarRoomReport
1) Darren McFadden, junior, RB, Arkansas: Gave football fans the solid numbers they’ve come to expect from McFadden, (151 yards rushing on 24 carries and a touchdown, to go with 2 catches for 30 yards, and he threw a 42 yard touchdown pass) en route to a 42-26 opening week victory against Troy University. Yes, Troy isn’t a powerhouse, but remember it’s the first week folks, and he looked good. He’s my choice for winning the Heisman, and he’ll look to show the country he’s for real when they square off with the Alabama Crimson Tide next weekend. McFadden looked dazzling and had anyone who tuned in, leaving with the impression that McFadden is the real deal. The only problem with McFadden isn’t something he can correct; it’s his offense that struggles throwing the ball, something to look for as the season continues.
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2) Brian Brohm, senior, QB, Louisville: Sizzling. Brohm scorched weak Murray State for 375 yards, while completing 16-21, and 4 TD’s, while rushing for another one, in a 73-10 blowout victory for the #10 ranked Cardinals. Brohm led the Cardinals to scoring drives on each of their first eight possessions and was pulled twenty seconds into the second half with the game well in doubt. Brohm looked Peyton Manning like, dissecting the Murray State secondary with big play after big play. Sure Murray State was far overmatched against Louisville’s arsenal of weapons, but Brohm was flawless and at least they beat their division 1 opponent where another team struggled to (Michigan). Brohm will go for his fifth straight 300 yard passing game Thursday, on ESPN against Middle Tennessee State (0-1). Look for Brohm to shine on national tv against Middle Tennesse State, as they fell to miserable Florida Atlantic last week.
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3) Steve Slaton, junior, RB, West Virginia: 16 carries, 108 yards, 3 rushing TD’s, and 50 yard TD reception. Pretty good numbers, especially against last year’s sixth ranked rushing defense. Slaton helped the Mountaineers rough up Western Michigan 62-24 at Mountaineer Field this past weekend. Slaton’s big play ability was evident throughout the day, as he had a 58 yard rushing touchdown to go with a 50 yard touchdown reception. He continues to show that no matter slow of a start he might have, he is always a threat to break a long, game changing touchdown. He ranks third on this list and looks to have a monumental game next week as the Mountaineers take on Marshall, a team that gave up 203 yards on the ground to Slaton last year.
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4) Ray Rice, junior, RB, Rutgers: Opened with 184 yards rushing on 25 carries, and 3 touchdowns. Rice and Rutgers dominated soft Buffalo 38-3. He showed some big play potential scoring on runs of 34 and 41 yards, and had a typical Ray Rice run in which he bowled a guy over on his way to a 12 yard touchdown. The promising news for Rice was that Rutgers’ quarterback Mike Teel, threw for 328 yards, taking some pressure off Rice, and making opposing defenses take notice that Rutgers is not a one man team. Next up for Rice and Rutgers will be Navy on Friday on ESPN. Navy (1-0) comes into the game with confidence, beating one of the worst football teams in college football in Temple University. I expect Rice to put a beating on Navy.
Picture from USC Trojans TV
5) John David Booty, senior, QB, USC: How is Booty playing on the #1 team in the country, ranked fifth on the Heisman Watch? He played mediocre. Booty is blessed with All-American after All-American by his side and he threw for 206 yards, 3 touchdowns, and one interception on 21-32 throwing. One of his touchdowns, was actually one of the best catches of the weekend and maybe of the year, when Stanley Havili reached up for and came down with a one handed touchdown grab, with a defender in his face. Booty to me looked average at best, as USC downed IDAHO 38-10. Booty, did however, do a good job controlling the game, but didn’t look like the Heisman candidate we expect. I expect Booty to get the kinks out this week as they have an off-week and then Booty and the Trojans head to #20 Nebraska for what should be a must see game.
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6) Colt Brennan, senior, QB, Hawaii: Same old Colt Brennan stat line: 34-40, 416 yards, 6 TD’s. Except one minor detail, all of that was done in one half, as Hawaii thumped little Northern Colorado 63-6. Brennan’s stats are mind boggling, but his stats are never the question when it comes to the Heisman voting, it’s his team’s success and the quality of teams the Rainbow Warriors play. Brennan does the job game in and game out, and under much public criticism. Keep in mind that opponents know Hawaii is going to throw time after time, and still have a difficult time stopping it. The Rainbow Warriors and Brennan take on Louisiana Tech (1-0) Saturday at Joe Ailet Stadium in Ruston, La. Brennan should once again torch another defensive secondary, but remember one slip up and his Heisman hopes are over.
Honorable Mention:
Tim Tebow, sophomore, QB, Florida: Sleeper!!! Threw for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns on 13-17 passes and added a touchdown run in Florida’s lightning shortened 49-3 win over Western Kentucky.
Mike Hart, senior, RB, Michigan: Ouch. Hart looked nothing short of spectacular rushing for 188 yards on 23 carries with a pair of touchdowns. His teammates, not so much. Hart showed every bit of why he should be on this list, but the devastating loss to Appalachian State hurts his Heisman chances.
Pat White, junior, QB, West Virginia: The double threat quarterback, had a great day, throwing for 192 yards and 2 touchdowns, on 10-18 throwing and added 9 rushes for 97 yards and a score. White and Slaton continue to impress, and shouldn’t slow down any time soon.
