More Support for Brady Quinn for Heisman

Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post makes a strong case for Brady Quinn and the Heisman Trophy. It's a good point of view on things and even takes on Heisman voting in general for the past few years.

Also, I read the Heisman prediction article at ESPN and once again, the spin-meisters in Tolland have skewed the wording of Troy Smith's and Quinn's accomplishments this season in a fashion that has been typical for this season:

1. Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State
Troy Smith had his worst showing of the season in a near miss versus Illinois two weeks ago, but he recovered nicely with a four-touchdown outing in the Buckeyes' drubbing of Northwestern on Saturday. Some argue against Smith because Ohio State's schedule wasn't overly difficult and because Smith's numbers are short of exceptional. I completely disagree. Smith has transformed his game from a run-first quarterback to a patient pocket passer with pinpoint accuracy as a senior. He has shown tremendous poise and leadership in tough road trips to Austin, Texas, and -- at the time -- Iowa City, Iowa, and the statistic that outweighs all others is his ridiculously impressive touchdown-to-interception ratio of 26-to-4. If he leads the Buckeyes to a perfect regular-season record with a win over an undefeated Wolverines team Saturday, Smith should be the runaway winner.

So... basically what they're saying here is that Smith should get the Heisman... because he's better this year than he was last year? And his "ridiculously impressive touchdown-to-interception ratio of 26-to-4" is somehow better than Quinn's ratio of 29-4?

Like I've said in previous posts, there are precisely two games you need to consider when comparing Smith and Quinn, the two opponents that they have in common: Penn State and Michigan State.

2. Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
As expected, Quinn continues to put up big numbers versus marginal competition. Since the embarrassing home loss to Michigan in the third week of the season, Quinn has thrown 23 touchdown passes, compared with just one interception. Although the Michigan loss left an indelible stain and his numbers since then admittedly are inflated, Quinn does have some memorable Heisman-like moments so far this season, including comebacks versus Georgia Tech, Michigan State and UCLA. If Smith and the Buckeyes come up short against the Wolverines on Saturday, Quinn will have a golden opportunity to swing the vote his way one week later when the Irish travel to the Coliseum to take on the Trojans.

Once again they talk about how Quinn's numbers have all come against "marginal competition," where Ohio State's schedule has been so tough? Two MAC teams, a low-lying Big East team, and the pansies of the Big Integer.

"But Texas was #2 when Smith played them!" True. And Michigan State was undefeated when Notre Dame played them. In fact, the first FIVE teams Notre Dame played were undefeated when they faced the Irish.

The fact remains - Quinn has done more with less all season. Notre Dame is still dragging itself out of the recruiting quagmire that was left it after the horrible Davie/Willingham years. Weis is playing Willigham's recruits right now. His offensive line is fair at best. He's dealing with a defense that consistently gives up big plays and has needlessly kept games close.

Yet his numbers tower over Smith's.

No matter what the outcome of next weekend's Michigan/tOSU tilt, Quinn has proven himself in clutch situations time and time again. OSU hasn't faced a clutch situation all season.