Category Archives: Heisman

ABC Promoting Klein for Heisman?

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by Travis Normand

If you watched the Kansas State vs. Texas Longhorns football game on December 1, 2012, then you probably saw the graphic that ABC displayed showing what appeared to be some kind of statistical break-down of the differences between Colin Klein and Johnny Manziel.

The comparison was awful as it didn’t explain the stats it was displaying.

I have seen stats skewed in every way possible, but this was one of the worst.  It was as if ABC was trying to make a last push effort for Klein.  Aren’t media outlets like ABC suppose to be unbiased?  Oh wait…ABC, ESPN, and Disney are all the same company?  I should have known.

At least the guys over at GoodBullHunting.com “fixed” the graphic and displayed it on their site with the numbers behind the numbers.

From: GoodBullHunting.com

From: GoodBullHunting.com

The other graphic on their site, which I posted here not too long ago, showed that Johnny Manziel has faced 3 teams that are in the BCS Top 5. However, Colin Klien has produced numbers that are not quite as good as Manziel’s, against competition that isn’t among the best in the nation.

Maybe Manziel won’t win the Heisman after all

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by Travis Normand

While Johnny Manziel is considered to be the front-runner to win the Heisman Trophy this season, he is anything but a “lock” to take home the award.  Manziel is a red-shirt freshman and no freshman has ever won the Heisman, red-shirt or otherwise.

The lingering question is whether or not the Heisman voters are ready to look past his status as a freshman and vote according to what he accomplished “on the field” this season (like they are suppose to do).

If you are looking for any indications as to whether voters are ready for a freshman to take the award, look no further than the 2012 American Football Coaches’ Association All-American team, which was announced this week.

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Mack Brown campaigning against Johnny Manziel?

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by Travis Normand

On November 27, 2012, Barry Horn (@bhorn55) tweeted a quote that he claimed was from  Longhorn football coach Mack Brown.

The tweet read:

UT’s Mack hardly endorses #Aggie for Heisman.  “Colt wasn’t ready as a freshman … I’d like it to be best player on best team.”

Mack Brown Tweets against Manziel

I am still trying to track down the original location of this quote (Was it said at a press conference? On a radio show?  Where?).  Until I find it, I will reserve judgment.

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The case for Johnny Manziel to win the Heisman (Part II)

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by Travis Normand

The following chart shows Johnny Manziel’s stats for the entire 2012 season compared to those of other top Heisman contenders as well as the past ten Heisman winners.

Player Games Played Rush Yds Rush TDs Pass Yds Pass TDs Tot. Off. Rec. Yds Rec. TDs
Johnny Manziel (QB) 12 1181 19 3419 24 4600 na na
Collin Klein (QB) 11 787 20 2306 14 3093 na na
Marqise Lee (WR) 12 106 0 na na 1786 1680 14
Robert Griffin III (QB) 13 699 10 4293 37 4992
Cam Newton (QB) 14 1473 20 2854 30 4327
Mark Ingram (RB) 14 1658 17 n/a n/a 1658
Sam Bradford (QB) 14 47 5 4720 50 4767
Tim Tebow (QB) 13 895 23 3286 32 4181
Troy Smith (QB) 13 204 1 2542 30 2746
Matt Leinart (QB) 13 -44 3 3322 33 3278
Jason White (QB) 13 -56 0 3205 35 3149
Carson Palmer (QB) 13 -122 4 3942 33 3820
Eric Crouch (QB) 12 1115 18 1510 7 2625

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Johnny Manziel’s stats prior to Mizzou

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by Travis Normand

Below are Johnny Manziel’s 2012 stats compared to the last 10 Heisman winners. These stats are current through all games minus the Texas A&M vs. Missouri game which is to be played later today.

Player Games Played Rush Yds Rush TDs Pass Yds Pass TDs Tot. Off.
Johnny Manziel (QB) 11 1114 17 3047 21 4161
Collin Klein (QB) 11 787 20 2306 14 3093
Robert Griffin III (QB) 13 699 10 4293 37 4992
Cam Newton (QB) 14 1473 20 2854 30 4327
Mark Ingram (RB) 14 1658 17 n/a n/a 1658
Sam Bradford (QB) 14 47 5 4720 50 4767
Tim Tebow (QB) 13 895 23 3286 32 4181
Troy Smith (QB) 13 204 1 2542 30 2746
Matt Leinart (QB) 13 -44 3 3322 33 3278
Jason White (QB) 13 -56 0 3205 35 3149
Carson Palmer (QB) 13 -122 4 3942 33 3820
Eric Crouch (QB) 12 1115 18 1510 7 2625

All stats used in the above table where found here: http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs – *Note: If you find any typos or inaccuracies, please let me know by posting a comment below and I will update the table ASAP!  Thank you for the help.

Johnny Manziel plays defense

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by Travis Normand

Are you still not convinced that Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel deserves to win the Heisman?  Well if you aren’t convinced by his performance at quarterback this season, then maybe you should take a look at his performance on defense.  What? Manziel plays on offense, defense, and special teams?  Of course!  Okay, not exactly.

Take a look at the following play which occurred against Louisiana Tech on October 13, 2012.  Johnny was in as an offensive player, but due to a fumble by A&M’s Christine Michael, the entire Aggie offense was suddenly playing defense.

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The case for Johnny Manziel to win the Heisman

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by Travis Normand

Yes, I am fully aware that my HTML and CSS skills are lacking, and that my table below could be a lot cleaner.  I’m working on this.

However, with all the excitement surrounding Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M, QB) and his Heisman campaign, I thought of some stats that would be interesting to look at.  The table below essentially compares two things.

  1. It compares the 2012 stats of Johnny Manziel against those of Collin Klein (Kansas State, QB).  Why Collin Klein?  Because he, along with Manziel, is considered one of the top two players with a realistic opportunity to win the Heisman Trophy.
  2. The table below also compares Manziel’s (and Klein’s) stats against the last 10 Heisman winners.  The stats for the Heisman winners are from the season in which they actually won the award.  *Note: As of today’s date (Nov. 16, 2012) Manziel and Klein have only played 10 games this season and have at least two more before the Heisman is to be awarded.  The stats for the 10 Heisman winners are for complete seasons of 12, 13, or 14 games.
Player Games Played Rush Yds Rush TDs Pass Yds Pass TDs Tot. Off.
Johnny Manziel (QB) 10 1014 15 2780 18 3794
Collin Klein (QB) 10 748 19 2020 12 2768
Robert Griffin III (QB) 13 699 10 4293 37 4992
Cam Newton (QB) 14 1473 20 2854 30 4327
Mark Ingram (RB) 14 1658 17 n/a n/a 1658
Sam Bradford (QB) 14 47 5 4720 50 4767
Tim Tebow (QB) 13 895 23 3286 32 4181
Troy Smith (QB) 13 204 1 2542 30 2746
Matt Leinart (QB) 13 -44 3 3322 33 3278
Jason White (QB) 13 -56 0 3205 35 3149
Carson Palmer (QB) 13 -122 4 3942 33 3820
Eric Crouch (QB) 12 1115 18 1510 7 2625

All stats used in the above table where found here: http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs – *Note: If you find any typos or inaccuracies, please let me know by posting a comment below and I will update the table ASAP!  Thank you for the help.

Finally, the following graphic was made by the guys over at GoodBullHunting.com.  They did an excellent job putting this together.  However, while I have the same stats for Manziel (in my table above) as they have on their graphic below, our stats on Klein seem to differ.

Notice the stats that are fifth and sixth from the bottom titled “Games vs. BCS Top 10” and “Wins vs. BCS Top 10.”  Manziel has had three games against the BCS Top 10 and won one of them.  On the other hand, Klein has yet to play against any team in the BCS Top 10.

Manziel vs. Klein

A&M launches Heisman webpage for Johnny Football

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by Travis Normand

In all the years that I have been receiving promotional material on different award candidates from around the country, I have never received anything from Texas A&M.  I was under the impression that, unlike other schools, they didn’t bother sending anything out and didn’t campaign for their players.

However, here is the recently launched award campaign website for Johnny Manziel (and yes, it was launched by Texas A&M).

JohnnyFootball.AggieAthletics.com

&

Heisman.AggieAthletics.com

Heisman Quotes on Johnny Manziel

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by Travis Normand

Doug Flutie:  November 14, 2012 – TexAgs Radio Interview with Gabe Bock and Homer Jacobs

“I love watching him play, primarily because he reminds me of myself in some of the things he does.”

— Doug Flutie

Nick Saban: Head Coach University of Alabama

“Look, I’ve been around longer than most, and most of our players cant relate to this, but this guy reminds me of Doug Flutie.”
— Nick Saban

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