Reprinted with permission from HeismanPundit.com.

Mark Ingram wins the 75th Heisman Trophy. (HeismanPundit.com)

In the closest race in Heisman history, Mark Ingram, sophomore running back from Alabama, has won the 2009 Heisman Trophy.

Ingram edged Stanford’s Toby Gerhart by just 28 total points, 1,304 to 1,276.   He’s the first Crimson Tide player–and the third-straight sophomore–to win the the trophy.

“I’m a little overwhelmed right now,” said Ingram upon receiving the award.  “I’m honored to be Alabama’s first Heisman winner.”

Ingram won four of the six Heisman regions:  the Northeast, the Mid-Atlantic, the South and the Midwest (where he was born).  Gerhart won the West, while Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh won the Southwest.

Final Order of Finish, with total points

1. Mark Ingram, 1,304 points

2. Toby Gerhart, 1,276 points

3. Colt McCoy, 1,145 points

4. Ndamukong Suh, 815 points

5. Tim Tebow, 390 points

6. C.J. Spiller, 223 points

7. Kellen Moore, 100 points

8. Case Keenum, 37 points

9. Mardy Gilyard, 23 points

10. Golden Tate, 21 points

The race for the 2009 Heisman Trophy was a seminal one in the award’s history.

What started out as a battle royale between three star quarterbacks ended up as the tighest race ever between two running backs who were mere afterthoughts heading into the season. Read the rest of this entry →

The final HeismanPundit.com Heisman Poll of the season is in and Alabama running back Mark Ingram is the leader following his 113-yard rushing performance against No. 1 Florida in the SEC title game. Ingram grabbed five first-place votes and totaled 48 points to retake the top spot back from Texas quarterback Colt McCoy.

Alabama soph RB Mark Ingram seized his Heisman moment (Icon SMI)

“I moved Ingram to the top of my ballot around mid-season, and nothing has made me change my mind,” said one voter. “What he did Saturday against a quality Florida defense was my final validation.”

The vote by the weekly panel of 13 Heisman voters was hardly a slam dunk for the sophomore running back, however, and the race appears to be very muddled going into Saturday’s Heisman ceremony.  Stanford’s Toby Gerhart (41 points, 2 first-place votes), Texas’ McCoy (37 points, 1 first-place vote) and Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh (35 points, 3 first-place votes) all garnered significant support.  A total of six different players received first-place votes, tying the poll’s season high.

Voter commentary reflected the split:

“It’s long past time Heisman voters abandon their traditional, restrictive criteria and award the “most outstanding player,” regardless of position. Suh was hands down the most dominant player in the country on either side of the ball, and his performance in the Big 12 title game firmly solidified his stature. ”

“C.J. Spiller may be more exciting and Toby Gerhart more punishing, but no running back has been more effective against a tougher schedule than Ingram.”

“Golden Tate is as outstanding as he is underrated. Why he isn’t getting more Heisman love is beyond me.  He should not be penalized because his team stunk.”

“Toby Gerhart was consistently excellent this season. He never had a bad game. Stanford’s four losses or his lack of playing on the final weekend should not be held against him.”

Regardless of the outcome, some sort of history is sure to be made on Saturday.  Ingram could become Alabama’s first Heisman winner or runner up, while McCoy could become the first Heisman runner up to come back and win the award since Herschel Walker did it in 1982.  Meanwhile, Gerhart would be the first non-USC winner from the Pac-10 since 1970 and Suh would be the first pure defensive player to win.

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How’s a little Heisman intrigue splashed in with the de facto college football National Championship game sound for this Saturday?

Alabama DT Terrence "Mount" Cody thinks his Crimson Tide squad is #1. (Icon SMI)

For the second year running, #1 plays #2 not in the BCS National Championship Game, but in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. It is must see TV for all college football fans – support your favorite team (or if suffering from Tebow Fatigue like most of the nation root for Alabama) and support your local eatery and get out of the house and enjoy what looks to be a battle of the Irresistible Force (Tim Tebow) against the Immovable Object (Terrance Cody).

I still think Colt McCoy gets the Heisman Trophy, but even I cannot deny that the SEC Bowl presents a great chance for either Mark Ingram (my #2) and Tim Tebow (my #4) to create many Heisman moments.

Quick tidbits of the national ranks

there are many other points where this is a matchup of Number One or Number Two

• Bama Rush D #2 (77ypga) vs. Gator Rush O #6 (236ypg)
• Bama Rush O #13 (213ypg)vs. Gator Rush D #8 (90ypga)
• Bama Scoring D #2 vs. Gator Scoring O #10
• Bama D yds/play #2 (3.87) vs. Gator O yds/play #7 (6.77)

Analysis, matchups and questions to ponder after the break.

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In place of the usual Saturday Morning College Football Breakfast Burrito, let us focus on how Colt McCoy wrapped up the Heisman Trophy this week.

Colt McCoy runs in a 65-yard TD, one of his five on Thanksgiving Night (TexasSports.com)

I know Alabama RB Mark Ingram was nicked up yesterday, but Texas QB Colt McCoy took the lead in my two man race for the 2009 Heisman Trophy with his huge five TD performance on Thanksgiving Night.

Toby Gerhart, Tim Tebow and CJ Spiller have created stellar seasons, but to me the combo of 2009 stats and team success now tilts strongly in the main Longhorns favor. And with this season’s race for player of the year as tight as ever, the “body of work” vote has to go to McCoy. Read the rest of this entry →