The 2011 Heisman Trophy Winner is....

If Michigan Cornerback Charles Woodson beat out Tennessee Quarterback Peyton Manning for the 1997 Heisman Trophy, then LSU's Tyrann "Honey Badger" Mathieu could easily edge Baylor's Robert Griffin, III, right?

Well, if you look at the numbers, Mathieu has had a better year than Woodson did; similarly, RG3 has had a better season than Manning. Fourteen years ago, Manning led the Volunteers with 3,819 yards with a 60.17 completion percentage to go along with 36 touchdowns to just 11 picks en route to an Orange Bowl loss against Nebraska. However, he also lost the best college football player award to a Wolverine who racked up only 44 tackles, 5 sacks, 11 pass breakups, and just four combined TD's (2 punts, 1 receiving, and 1 rushing) on the way to a Rose Bowl win and a share of the National Title.

In 2011, Mathieu has gone crazy leading the LSU Tigers in tackles (70) while also piling up 1.5 sacks, 7 pass breakups and 9 passes defended along with two picks, five forced fumbles, and four scores. BUT what has the Honey Badger on a plane to New York this Saturday is his outstanding play as a punt returner (he only returns punts) where he has 420 yards and two touchdowns, not to mention multiple jaw-dropping returns that didn't reach pay dirt. Something Woodson never really had that year. However, they both were on top teams in the NCAA.

As for RG3, the dude just burst on to the scene this year and has put up probably the best season any Baylor Bear has had. He has thrown for just shy of 4,000 yards (3,998) completing 72.4% of his passes for 36 TD's to just 6 INT's AND he has rushed 644 yards and nine more scores. But, he plays for a team ranked much lower, in a conference much worse off, and won't have a shot at winning the Coaches Trophy.

In a world where the MVP generally goes to the best player on the best team, Tyrann Mathieu would be a logical choice considering he is the face of a program that has no true steady hand on the offensive side of the ball and will probably win the rematch of the "Game of the Century" (more on that in a later post). However, as amazing as it would be to see a non-QB/RB win the Heisman, I can't see the voters truly going against the video game numbers and awe-inspiring moments the other three players have given us.

Andrew Luck, the Stanford QB and soon-to-be number 1 NFL draftee, has had one of the more remarkable two years we've seen in recent memory and he will translate in to the type of player a lot of folks are projecting him to be. Over 3,000 passing yards (3,170) and 35 throws to the end zone are probably not enough to overcome an embarrassing loss to Oregon and an 11-1 record. Especially when he was the favorite ever since losing it to Cam Newton last year.

Wisconsin running back Montee Ball went out and dominated a power hitting conference with a blend of Big 10 brash and SEC speed. He is fourth in the country in rushing yards per game at 135.3 and has 32 touchdowns, 12 more than the next closest guy. Yet, he will only be in the Rose Bowl after being unable to power the Badgers to an undefeated season. On a positive, he'll probably break Barry Sanders touchdown record with two more in the "Granddaddy of them All".

Another power-back, Alabama's Trent Richardson, was heard of two years ago when he backed up the Tide's first ever Heisman winner in Mark Ingram. This year, Richardson has racked up 1,583 rushing yards while shaking and baking his way home 20 times over the year giving 'Bama another shot at conference champion LSU in the national title game.

Say what you want about these five, and the fact the Matt Barkley isn't among them, but this is a tough decision despite what some "projections" have. Going based off of "best player on best team" then it is easily Tyrann Mathieu. If you want precedence and impressive stats, Luck or Ball is there. You want true value to the whole of the parts, Richardson. But the best player in the country is Baylor's Robert Griffin, III. He has been the most exciting guy to watch moving the Bears in to the top-15 at one point this year and three wins over top-25 teams on national TV. He is tops in the country in passer efficiency, and points responsibility, while being in the top five in total offense, touchdown passes, and completion percentage.

A lot of projections say it is a comfortable win for RG3, a lot of people say a guy who plays at a sub-par school shouldn't win it, but whatever they say, they will all say Robert Griffin, III is the 2011 Heisman Trophy Winner.



.