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Our Heisman Watch

Updated: December 4th
By: Brian Johannes

Over the course of the season I've used the Heisman Watch to predict who the voters will pick to be the winner of the Heisman Trophy. Our Thursday I'll still put out my last edition of the Heisman Watch later this week, predicting the actual winner. But I felt this would be a great time to share my opinion. On this version of the Heisman Watch I'll provide my ballot if I had an actual vote (maybe someday).

1. Robert Griffin- QB Baylor

Season Stats: 3998 yards Passing, 36 TDs, 644 yards rushing, 9 TDs

Going into this season not a whole lot of people knew about Griffin. And those who did know about Griffin knew him as a tremendous athlete who could run all around defenses. But this year we've seen Griffin transform himself into a complete QB. RG3 threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 36 TDs while still rushing for 644 yards and another 9 TDs. Griffin has just been flat out amazing. Griffin has carried the Baylor Bears to an unbelievable 9 win season and their second straight bowl game appearance. Even in their three losses, Griffin had played very well. Griffin has been the best player in the nation and has had to do it with not even close to the best talent around him.

2. Tyrann Mathieu- CB/KR L.S.U

Season Stats: 70 tackles, 1.5 Sacks, 2 INTs, 6 FF, 5 recovered (2 for TDs), and 2 Punt Returns for TD

It's safe to say that many people didn't know about the "Honey Badger" before the season, but it didn't take long for everybody to get familiar with him. Against Oregon in the opening game, Mathieu was all over the place and had a huge fumble recover for TD. That became a staple for Mathieu. Breaking up passes, interceptions, and tons of plays that didn't even make the stat sheet. Whenever LSU needed a big play, he made one. Against Arkansas when they were down 14-0 Mathieu returned a punt for TD to get the momentum going. He did the same thing against Georgia in the SEC Title Game. Mathieu didn't play any snaps on offense, but he was LSU's biggest weapon and was clearly the best defensive player this season.

 
Trent Richardson Alabma

3. Trent Richardson- RB Alabama

Season Stats: 1583 yards rushing 20 TDs, 327 yards receiving 3 TDs

Richardson was a contender at the beginning of the season do to the fact that he was the a dynamic running back on an Alabama team that was going to challenge for a National Championship. It also helped that Richardson was no longer a part of a RB rotation and was the only reliable threat for the Crimson Tide. Richardson didn't disappoint. With teams focusing solely on him, Richardson was able to still rush for over 1,500 yards and score 20 times. Even against LSU, Richardson accounted for 160 yards. He has clearly been the best RB in the nation and one of the best offensive players in the nation.

4. Andrew Luck- QB Stanford

Season Stats: 3170 yards passing 35 TDs

Luck was a heavy favorite going into the season, and he hasn't disappointed. Luck is considered to the best player in the nation, and a lock for #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Stanford doesn't have the same talent that most top 10 programs, and without a dynamic receiver, Luck has had to rely on a collection of TEs to throw the ball to. He's done very well. Stanford has only lost 1 game this year, and that was to a very good Oregon team. Luck hasn't put up the stats, and had the impact that others have had. Luck is still a great player, but he hasn't been the best this year.

5. Montee Ball- RB Wisconsin

Season Stats: 1759 yards rushing 32 TDs

Russell Wilson has gotten a lot of the hype, but Monte Ball has been the real star for the Badgers. His nearly 2,000 yards and 32 TDs are fantastic. Behind their powerful offensive line, Ball has been hard to contain and provided a consistent offensive threat that has allowed Wisconsin to make it to a second straight Rose Bowl appearance. What hurts Ball is that even I could get 1,000 yards behind that offensive line. It was a great season for Ball, but I can't put him ahead of Trent Richardson who has done it against better defenses. And Richardson is only 3rd on my ballot.