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Heisman: What a difference a year makes

Posted December 6, 2006

I literally lost sleep a year ago trying to decide whom to give my vote for the Heisman Trophy. This year, not so much.

There were two equally deserving candidates in 2005 in Texas quarterback Vince Young and Southern California running back Reggie Bush. I ultimately decided on Reggie Bush and after watching Young beat Bush and the Trojans in the national championship game, I regretted the decision.

I have no such concerns this year, and I doubt many voters across the nation do either. Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith is a no-brainer. He will win in a landslide.

Votes were due Wednesday and the award will be presented Saturday at 8 p.m. (EST) in New York at the Downtown Athletic Club.

I voted for Smith first, followed by Arkansas running back Darren McFadden and Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. I know there will be some fans of the Fightin' Irish who won't be happy with my picking Quinn third.

The fact is Quinn threw 17 of his 35 touchdown passes against some suspect competition, including Army, Navy, Air Force, Stanford and North Carolina. Those teams combined to produce a 20-40 record and Navy accounted for nine of those wins by itself.

McFadden rushed for more than 1,500 yards playing in the best conference, top to bottom, in the nation. He was the most valuable player on his team.

Smith was in a class by himself this season and is one win away from leading his team to the national title.