Throwing Knives: Who's Your Heisman?

by BD, Sports Show On Mute

That day is finally here again, the first day of classes, and the first day of College Football. I won't be watching the majority of tonight's LSU/Mississippi State game tonight as responsibility calls. But, much like the rest of you I expect LSU to roll. I've been toying with a couple of ideas for "What If" today and to be honest, none of them are great. Which is going to be the case a lot of weeks if I stick with this whole "What If" Thursday business. Thus, rather than playing the "What If" game every Thursday I'll be tossing out different shticks weekly. With College Football opening tonight it seems only fitting that I rank my top 10 Heisman candidates, right? First though, as usual here's a little eye candy to brighten your morning/afternoon. Her name's Jessiann Gravel and like many before her I've never heard of her, enjoy.

Who's Your Heisman?: The Throwing Knives Top 10
First of all, I'll likely be checking in with this and updating the rankings on a biweekly, or even triweekly basis, throughout the season. I, for the most part however, will not penalize guys when their teams lose as long as they produce. As I feel it's a little ridiculous to penalize a guy in an individual awards race when he still did his job on the field. Football is, without a doubt, the most team oriented sport. Where you must rely on others to get to the top just as much as you have to produce yourself. Without further adieu, the TK Top 10:

1. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Can I really put anyone else at the top with a strait face? McFadden was arguably the best player in the nation last season. Racking up 1647 yards and 14 TD's on the ground in one of the nation's more interesting offense's. One that lacked a consistent passing game. Making McFadden's accomplishments on the ground even more impressive. Believe it or not, McFadden actually threw for 3 TD's last year as he was consistently lined up behind center. The biggest obstacle's for McFadden in winning the Heisman are simple, can his team win enough? And will Felix Jones remain the background one more season? Many would argue Jones doesn't reside in the background, as plenty of defenses know who he is. I disagree with the former. I have no doubt the defenses he lines up against know who he is. They have to. But, the general football fan has never heard of him. While McFadden has assumed Adrian Petterson's role as the can't miss back in College Football.

2. Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia
This is the guy I like a lot at the next level. He has all the tools to succeed in the NFL, a real Marshall Faulk type player who can perform both out of the backfield and the slot. The problem is his team will not go undefeated and he plays on the same offense as Pat White, a dual-threat QB who could steal any, and all of Slaton's Heisman hype. While Slaton's unlikely to take home the award with White in the same backfield I still like him a lot heading into the season.

3. Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
I honestly cannot believe I'm going to rank the Michigan QB this high. But, he's got the weapons to put up absolutely huge numbers in Ann Arbor this season. Everyone knows how good and important Mario Manningham is but does anyone know just how good Adrian Arrington is? Though not quite on Mario's level, Arrington will provide a surer handed complement to Michigan's #1 WR now that stone handed Steve Breaston is gone.

4. John David Booty, QB, USC
The man leading arguably the nations most potent offense is certainly going to garner plenty of Heisman hype. Especially considering the chances his team has to run the table and raise the National Championship trophy at the end of season. Personally, I wasn't terribly impressed with Booty last season but in his second year he should improve significantly despite the loss of his top 2 wideouts. If USC lives up to the hype Booty will be a big reason for it and that alone could vault him to the top of the Heisman standings by season's end. Whether he has as much to do with it as the playmakers around him or not.

5. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
Probably the best pro prospect in all the land Brohm returns to Louisville for his senior season surrounded by all of the weapons he had last year. Despite missing two games last season Brohm racked up over 3,00 yards and 15 TD's. Oh, and he also lost his superstar tailback in the season opener. Though, Kolby Smith and George Stripling filled in admirably. With a full season Brohm has a fantastic shot to win the Heisman if his team cannot overtake West Virginia as the #1 team in the Big East and find their way into a BCS bowl game for the second consecutive year.

6. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
As a dual-threat QB Tebow could find himself in the thick of Heisman race if he can live up the hype surrounding his first full season as the starter in Gainesville.

7. Pat White, QB, West Virginia
If WVU can somehow sneak into the National Title game it's likely because of the play of White. Who, like Tebow, Can hurt opponents both through the air and on the ground. That said, he's a long shot to take home the award without a great improvement by his defense.

8. Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky
As good as Woodson appears to be he's not a real contender unless his team surprises everyone this season. As the Heisman winner traditionally comes from a Top 10-15 team.

9. Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
The focal point of a very solid offense in Jersey Rice should have another solid season. But, with his team unlikely to crack the BCS he's an unfortunate long shot.

10. Ian Johnson, RB, Boise State and Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii
Both of these guys are likely to be hurt by the names on the front of their jerseys. Though, if Brennan can surpass last season's numbers, shake the label of a system QB, and Hawaii manages an undefeated season he has a chance.

Scoreboard - August 29th - 2007
MLB
National League
Los Angeles 10, Washington 9 F/12
Colorado 8, San Francisco 0
Atlanta 7, Florida 4
Philadelphia 3, New York 2
Cincinnati 8, Pittsburgh 0
Houston 7, St. Louis 0
Milwaukee 6, Chicago 1
San Diego 3, Arizona 1

American League
Oakland 5, Toronto 4 F/11
Los Angeles 8, Seattle 2
Tampa Bay 5, Baltimore 4 F/12
Cleveland 4, Minnesota 3
New York 4, Boston 3
Kansas City 5, Detroit 0
Texas 5, Chicago 4 F/11