In a college football season filled with chaos and irregularity, it’s only fitting that the waters of the Heisman Trophy race be thoroughly muddied. After seven weeks of football, a handful of players have strong resumés, but not one player has separated himself from the pack. There are four guys who have a legitimate chance to win the award, given they continue to perform near their current level of play: Darren McFadden of Arkansas, Colt Brennan of Hawaii, André Woodson of Kentucky and Mike Hart of Michigan. Let’s start with Woodson. Take a look at his numbers so far this season: He has completed 156 of 245 passes for 1,786 yards, good for a 63.6 completion percentage, and he is ranked 15th nationally in passing efficiency. His 21 touchdown tosses this year ranks No. 3 in the NCAA. Before Saturday’s win against LSU, Woodson, who LSU coach Les Miles labeled as “a big time player,” had only thrown two interceptions. He doubled that mark against the Tigers but also managed 250 yards passing against an LSU team ranked in the top five in pass defense prior to the contest. With just four interceptions, Woodson is still well on his way to an under-10-interception year. That’s pretty impressive considering the plethora of pass attempts he has each week. Woodson has led Kentucky to a 6-1 record and a No. 7 spot in the first installment of the BCS standings released earlier this week. If the Heisman Trophy was awarded to the most valuable player, Woodson would be leading by a long shot. But that’s not what this trophy is about. The Heisman is given to the most outstanding player. It goes to the guy who puts up the best numbers on the most consistent basis. The key word in that sentence is consistent. I’m not so sure Woodson is that guy. Perhaps the biggest reason we don’t have a front-runner through seven weeks of football is that no one has posted monster numbers in every game he’s played. Take Darren McFadden, for example. Entering Saturday’s game against Auburn, the running back had rushed for at least 122 yards in each of his first five games. Against the Tigers, or War Eagles, or Plainsmen – whatever they call themselves – McFadden only managed 43 yards on the ground. Before that letdown, it seemed like the only obstacle between McFadden and the trophy was his team’s unimpressive 3-2 record. Now he must prove to voters that he can produce big numbers on a regular basis. He’s certainly capable of it, as we saw in his first three games against Troy, Alabama and Kentucky when he rushed for 151 yards,195 yards and 173 yards, respectively. The junior is currently ranked No. 4 nationally in total rushing yards with 822. If McFadden can string together another set of 150-plus yard games against the tough run defenses of South Carolina, Tennessee and LSU, he will be the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner. In Michigan’s backfield, running back Mike Hart has played consistent football this season. His lowest rushing output was 106 yards against Northwestern. His highest total is 215 yards on 22 carries against Eastern Michigan. The senior, who leads the nation in rushing yards with 1,078, has scored 12 touchdowns and hasn’t fumbled yet. Hart’s numbers might be the most impressive of all, behind Colt Brennan’s of Hawaii, at least. So why isn’t Hart’s name at the top of most lists? Because he plays for Michigan, who no one has forgiven yet for their early season collapse. Just watch, though. If Hart has a huge game against Ohio State and Michigan puts a few more wins on the board, you’ll see him in New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist. My fourth candidate to win the trophy is the aforementioned Colt Brennan. The senior quarterback is the only one on this list who still plays for an undefeated team. Granted, he does play for Hawaii, whose best win this season came this past week over San Jose State. But his numbers are undeniable. Brennan’s 2,395 passing yards rank No. 3 nationally behind only Graham Harlem of Texas Tech and Brian Brohm of Louisville – who each have played one more game than Brennan. He has thrown 20 touchdowns and averages 8.49 yards per pass attempt. Twice this season Brennan has thrown for over 540 yards. Interceptions might be a problem for Brennan, though. He has thrown 10 picks already this season against teams with a combined record of 12-33. But if Brennan continues his torrid passing pace and Hawaii finishes the season undefeated – which they will do if they can beat Boise State on Nov. 23 – he’s got a legitimate shot to win the Heisman. If they lose a game, I think you can count Brennan out. So there you have it, your Heisman hopefuls at the halfway point of the college football season. I think Hart will eventually stockpile enough rushing yards to earn himself the trophy, and maybe some renewed respect for the Maize and Blue. He’s a unbelievable competitor and the Wolverines will go as far as Hart’s legs will take them. Don’t put much stock into my prediction, though. If the Heisman race continues to reflect the tumultuousness of college football this season, we could have four new candidates by the end of October. What a shock that would be – as if anything can even be shocking anymore.
—-Contact James Rees at [email protected]