Someone has to win it so I'll reluctantly select Manziel. Why? Because he's the best option in a bad situation. The Heisman race has been dry this year.
Johnny Manziel
Manziel is poised to become the first Freshman to EVER win the Heisman and I sit back and wonder, 'Did he really blow me away?' (That's what she said).
He was great, no doubt but when I harken back to days of awesome Freshmen that have played college football yesteryear, I instantly think of a Herschel Walker or Michael Vick.
Walker ran for 1600+ yards in his rookie season in Athens while leading the Bulldogs to the 1980 National Championship while Vick led the Hokies of Va. Tech in a memorable championship game loss against FSU in the '99 season.
Manziel upsetting an undefeated Alabama at Alabama was impressive but he's not even going to the Title game. If you watch Manziels and Vicks highlights their freshman year respectively, you can not honestly say Manziel is on Vick's level. So if Vick didn't win it then, Manziel shouldnt win it now!
Manti Te'O
Michigan Wolverines fans, are you noticing the way the media is trying to play Charles Woodson indirectly by directly slurping up to Manti Te'O?
The slurping usually sounds like this: "Manti Te'O is vying to be the first player to primarily play defense and win the Heisman."
In my Ocho voice I say "Child Please." The only reason Woodson played offense occasionally was to appeal to Heisman voters and show his versatility. Nothing more, nothing less. Charles Woodson won the '97 Heisman (over Peyton Manning) based off of his tremendous performance as a physical and game changing,shut down corner.
When Woodson played defense, he stood out (Think about the play where he blows up a screen and delivers a vicious blow to the receiver, or the leaping, one handed "Michael Jordan'esque" interception against Michigan State). And not only did Woodson stand out, he made big time plays at big times in meaningful games. You need those signature plays I believe to stamp your Heisman campaign. Like his Wolverine Heisman brethren before him (Desmond Howard) Woodsons' signature play came against arch rival Ohio State Buckeyes. And Like Howard, that signature play was a touchdown via a punt return.
What was Te'O's signature play this year? What dramatic touchdown did he score or game winning play did he make that's burned into your memory? Nothing. The only thing Woodson and Te'O have in common is that their teams were undefeated and on the brink of a National Title.
Unlike Michigan, Notre Dame is NOT winning the title this year. When Michigan played Ryan Leaf and Wa State for the title, UM were heavily favored to win and were stockpiled with future NFL picks, highlighted by the aforementioned Charles Woodson. Alabama is going to be on Notre Dames ass like moss on a Mississippi tree trunk!
If Te'O jumped off the screen to me like Woodson did, then I would go with Te'O as Heisman and ND as National Champs. The Fighting Irish have a Hollywood scripted season and even Te'O's personal story makes you a believer. You want to believe it but that script is too good to be true.
Te'O is a 3rd round pick to me at best, and Alabama is going to convincingly handle Notre Dame. Upsets are possible (Mauriece Clarett BuckEyes over The "U"), but not probable.
So again, what's the best option of a bad situation? If you have to pick between two underwhelming players with no national championship to their credit, you have to go with the player that scores points, right?
Congratulations Johnny Manziel, you win this years award in honor of Herschel Walker and Michael Vick. It would be cool if you acknowledged them and their Freshman seasons tonight.
