Spring Break
Trophy's credibility on the line this season more than ever before
Razorback Road
Matt Jones
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: Sports
But Heisman voters must be careful awarding the award by virtue of statistics. If numbers were all it took to win the award, systematic quarterbacks from Texas Tech and Hawaii would be on-hand to receive the hardware every season.
And remember this: while McFadden was tearing up SEC defenses in November, when the performances have seemed to matter the most in recent years, Tebow played two non-conference games against an average-at-best Florida State team and Florida Atlantic, who has been playing in the Football Bowl Subdivision for all of two years.
Tebow has padded his stats in those two games, with 10 of his season-total 51 touchdowns.
McFadden didn't pad his stats against non-conference opponents, despite the general perception of those in the national media.
ESPN's Mark May, who somehow seems to be the network's know-all when it comes to the Heisman, cites McFadden's three games when he didn't go over 100 yards. Only one of those games should even be mentioned.
McFadden struggled mightily, perhaps more than ever before, with 42 rushing yards in a loss to Auburn in October. That performance, coupled with Arkansas's 0-3 start in league play, threw McFadden under the Heisman bus and he flew below the national radar until an SEC record-tying 321-yard outing against South Carolina. That South Carolina game was one of five wins in Arkansas's last six games, and the Razorbacks ended the conference season with a .500 mark in conference play.
The other two non-100-yard performances came against Florida International (61 yards rushing, 4 touchdowns) when McFadden wasn't needed after halftime - though he did add an extra touchdown in the third quarter - and against Mississippi State in Little Rock. McFadden had 88 rushing yards against the Bulldogs to go along with a 57-yard touchdown reception and a 24-yard touchdown pass.
And perhaps May forgot McFadden's 195-yard performance shortened by a concussion at Alabama or his 173-yard game against Kentucky, despite playing with a virus. Only losses seemed to detract those performances on May's own network.
And remember this: while McFadden was tearing up SEC defenses in November, when the performances have seemed to matter the most in recent years, Tebow played two non-conference games against an average-at-best Florida State team and Florida Atlantic, who has been playing in the Football Bowl Subdivision for all of two years.
Tebow has padded his stats in those two games, with 10 of his season-total 51 touchdowns.
McFadden didn't pad his stats against non-conference opponents, despite the general perception of those in the national media.
ESPN's Mark May, who somehow seems to be the network's know-all when it comes to the Heisman, cites McFadden's three games when he didn't go over 100 yards. Only one of those games should even be mentioned.
McFadden struggled mightily, perhaps more than ever before, with 42 rushing yards in a loss to Auburn in October. That performance, coupled with Arkansas's 0-3 start in league play, threw McFadden under the Heisman bus and he flew below the national radar until an SEC record-tying 321-yard outing against South Carolina. That South Carolina game was one of five wins in Arkansas's last six games, and the Razorbacks ended the conference season with a .500 mark in conference play.
The other two non-100-yard performances came against Florida International (61 yards rushing, 4 touchdowns) when McFadden wasn't needed after halftime - though he did add an extra touchdown in the third quarter - and against Mississippi State in Little Rock. McFadden had 88 rushing yards against the Bulldogs to go along with a 57-yard touchdown reception and a 24-yard touchdown pass.
And perhaps May forgot McFadden's 195-yard performance shortened by a concussion at Alabama or his 173-yard game against Kentucky, despite playing with a virus. Only losses seemed to detract those performances on May's own network.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 14
goldenboy
posted 12/03/07 @ 12:06 AM CST
Tebow has better stats against tougher competition. He has more wins this season, last season, and has a national championship ring. Yet somehow McFadden is supposed to be better than him? How can people see somehthing that should be so obvious and get it so completely wrong. (Continued…)
clay
posted 12/03/07 @ 12:18 AM CST
tebow didn't even start last year. mcfadden tied the single game rushing record in the sec with 321. also 206 against the then top ranked defense in the conference. (Continued…)
chris
posted 12/03/07 @ 1:14 AM CST
Matt,
The award WILL lose it's merit this year. Sorry man.
Chris
Jeff
posted 12/03/07 @ 5:56 AM CST
Could you BE more of a homer?????? Clueless....
Chris
posted 12/03/07 @ 9:02 AM CST
Thanks man, I wanted to let you know that I forwarded this to everyone I know. It's hilarious. You are a complete homer and have lost any all all touch with reality. (Continued…)
Marc
posted 12/03/07 @ 9:49 AM CST
McFadden received 8 of 15 (53%) of his TDs against Troy, Chattanooga, FIU, and North Texas (33% of the schedule).
Tebow received 20 of 51 (39.2%) of his TDs against Troy, WKU, FAU, and FSU (33% of the schedule). (Continued…)
Bgator
posted 12/03/07 @ 9:50 AM CST
So McFadden getting 8 of 15 (53%) of his TDs against Troy, Chattanooga, FIU, and North Texas (33% of his schedule ) isn't padding stats
But
Tebow getting 20 of 51 (39. (Continued…)
MikeB
posted 12/03/07 @ 12:03 PM CST
Not to discount D-Mac performance this year, but his performance is exactly the reason why Tebow will and should win it this year. Last year D-Mac was a sophomore and by most accounts that is why he finished second in the Heisman race. (Continued…)
Adam
posted 12/03/07 @ 3:32 PM CST
Sorry man, Tebow is the clear Heisman choice, although McFadden's a shoe-in for the award for "The Most Outstanding Player In College Football, Excluding The Month of October". (Continued…)
capn
Doug
posted 12/03/07 @ 10:38 PM CST
"McFadden didn't pad his stats against non-conference opponents, despite the general perception of those in the national media."
Really?
Troy -- 24 carries, 151 yards, 1 TD; 1-for-1, 42 yards, 1 TD
North Texas -- 19 carries, 138 yards, 2 TDs
Chattanooga -- 25 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD
Florida Int. (Continued…)
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