2011 Heisman Trophy Predictions and Odds – Heisman Trophy Expert Analysis and Forecast to Win 2011 Heisman: The five finalists for this year’s Heisman Trophy have been officially announced, and two running backs, two quarterbacks and a cornerback got the invite to New York. Unlike in past years, there is no clear frontrunner in the bunch. Instead of the announcement being the inevitable coronation of a dominant player as it was with Auburn quarterback Cam Newton last season, there will actually be some excitement and suspense Saturday night. The edge has to go to the quarterbacks, who have won the award nine of the last 11 times. Running backs have claimed the honor the other two times during the stretch. Charles Woodson in 1997 was the only defensive starter to win the Heisman. Here is a look at how this year’s candidates stack up.
2011 Heisman Trophy Contenders, Predictions and Odds
- Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama Crimson Tide
Richardson’s chances are bolstered by the fact that the Crimson Tide are officially playing for the national title. He ran for nearly 1,600 yards, and he did so in the toughest conference in the country. He also scored 23 total touchdowns. Even in Alabama’s lone loss, Richardson piled up more than 160 yards of total offense, which is no small total against the LSU defense. At the end of the day, Richardson carried the Crimson Tide’s offense, while Nick Saban eased along a first-year starter at quarterback. He personifies the smash mouth style of play of Alabama, and he has the credentials to become the second Crimson Tide running back to win the Heisman in the last three years, joining 2009 winner Mark Ingram.
- Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor Bears
There probably isn’t a player that has done more for his program than Griffin III. Baylor football was synonymous with Big 12 doormat for nearly two decades, but Griffin III led the Bears to their first nine-win season since 1986. He finished the year just two passing yards shy of 4,000 and fired 36 touchdowns compared to just six interceptions. More impressively, he led the country in passing efficiency and completed more than 72 percent of his passes. Just for good measure, he chipped in more than 600 rushing yards and nine more scores. His Heisman-worthy moments include a game-winning touchdown pass against the Oklahoma Sooners and furious second half comebacks against TCU and Kansas. Baylor’s three losses all came on the road to conference foes that were ranked in the top 25 at the time, including losses to Oklahoma State and Kansas State, who are both ranked in the top 10 currently. Take Griffin III away from the Bears, and nobody is talking about Baylor football this season.
- Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford Cardinal
Luck’s chances are helped by the fact that he is one of the most coveted pro prospects in recent memory. The hype surrounding him has had him on the radar of voters from the start of the season, and while other candidates had to play their way into the headlines, Luck was already there. He didn’t disappoint either. Luck threw 35 touchdowns and completed more than 70 percent of his passes, and he did so without a lot of talent at the wide receiver position. That being said, Luck is hurt by the fact that Stanford lost its biggest game of the year in blowout fashion to Oregon. Being the most NFL ready player doesn’t guarantee Luck the Heisman, but taking the Cardinal to back-to-back BCS bowls keeps him in the mix.
- Tyrann Mathieu, Cornerback, LSU Tigers
On an LSU bunch personified by depth and teamwork, Mathieu is the one standout, and he has the “Honey Badger” nickname to prove it. He leads a nasty Tigers’ defense with 71 tackles, and he has forced six fumbles on the year. More importantly, Mathieu has had a knack for making big plays to jumpstart the Tigers on the rare occasions LSU seemed vulnerable. He has a pair of fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns, and he returned a punt for a score against Arkansas and Georgia in the final two games of the year. That being said, it’s tough to say that Mathieu was the sole reason LSU went undefeated especially since the Tigers won when he was serving a suspension. In the end, a few memorable plays probably won’t be enough to land Mathieu the Heisman.
- Montee Ball, Running Back, Wisconsin Badgers
Despite putting up incredible numbers all year, Ball needed an incredible finish to the year just to make it to New York. He leads the country with 38 total touchdowns, putting him just one shy of tying Barry Sanders’ single-season record. Ball also leads the nation with 1,759 rushing yards for a Badgers’ team returning to the Rose Bowl for the second year in a row. On paper, Ball seems like a frontrunner. However, road losses to Michigan State and Ohio State are going to hurt his chances. In the end, it just took Ball too late to gain mainstream recognition, and the competition is too fierce for him to close the gap.
2011 Heisman Trphy Prediction: WINNER Robert Griffin III QB Baylor
Odds to win the 2011 Heisman Trophy
3141 Andrew Luck +500
3145 Montee Ball +5000
3146 Robert Griffin III -650
3147 Trent Richardson +250
3148 Tyrann Mathieu +12500
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